The Lazy River of Accounting

Public Accountants: Beware the Lazy River! 😲

😎 Everyone loves a lazy river, an effortless journey where you just sit back and see what comes your way...

🚣‍♂️In the world of public accounting, it's far too easy to take a lazy river approach. Don't get me wrong, public accounting is a hell of a grind, but your career trajectory is laid out neatly in front of you.

Most of us are funneled from college to public accounting, where our lazy river excursion begins.

🎞 First Act:

🤑 Put your head down, show up, do your work and every few years you're rewarded with a promotion and a pay bump.

You can go years without worrying about career stagnation. It's a beautiful thing that isn't discussed nearly enough.  Industry accountants would kill for a ride on the Lazy River that’s for sure! 

🌅 Just as the Sun rises in the East, new hires will join the firm.

🌄 Just as the Sun sets in the West, attrition will take place.

Meanwhile your seniority becomes more and more pronounced.

⚠ Enjoy the view as you float down the lazy river. Just don't let too much of a good thing become a bad thing.

🎞 Second Act:

😲 As busy seasons grow old, your once buoyant inner tube slowly starts to deflate. Your cold beverage is now warm to the touch and full of backwash.

You start to question if your comfort has become complacency.

If you're not gunning for Partner, you should figure out how you want to spend the rest of your career.

👀 What lies around the riverbend may be lackluster exit opps, a drop in title and maybe even a pay cut.

If you don't get the timing right, the price you pay to pivot can be costly. Starting over may be a nonstarter, and then you feel stuck.

🗝 Enjoy the comforts of the lazy river, but be mindful of when you should hop off. Don't let too much of a good thing become a bad thing.

🎞 The End:

💎 For those interested in Exit Opps and timing your jumps, check out the No Flux Given playbook