CPAs generally work a standard 40-hour week (8 hours a day) outside of peak periods, but hours vary significantly by season and role. During the tax season (January–April), CPAs often work 60–80+ hours per week, frequently involving 10–12 hour days and weekends to meet filing deadlines.
Accountants working in traditional corporate settings typically work around a fixed-hour schedule, within standard business hours, 9 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday. Such a schedule aligns with the standard 40-hour workweek that most businesses (clients) follow.
Accountants often work a standard workday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. with an hour-long lunch break. Just keep in mind that some extra effort is required during certain times of the year. At the end of the month, quarter, or year, it's common for accountants to have some overtime.
Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA)
As most work is housed digitally, an accountant can opt to perform duties from home or at the office. However, accountants have to deal with varying or inconsistent hours during busy periods, like the end of fiscal years and tax seasons.
While the average mean salary for accountants in the U.S. is about $68,000, according to ZipRecruiter data, more experienced accountants stand to earn anywhere from $150,000 to upwards of $200,000 a year.
The Top 10 Cons of Being an Accountant
The accounting 150-Hour Rule traditionally requires aspiring Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) to complete 150 college credit hours (a master's degree or extra undergrad courses) for licensure, beyond the standard 120-hour bachelor's degree, plus experience and the CPA exam. Due to talent shortages, states are introducing new pathways, like Ohio's 2025 change, allowing a bachelor's degree, two years' experience, and the exam as alternatives to the extra schooling, making licensure more accessible.
A significant percentage of accountants are leaving the profession or their jobs, with over 300,000 U.S. accountants quitting in recent years (a ~17% workforce reduction), driven by burnout, long hours, poor work-life balance, and lack of advancement, leading to a major talent shortage. Surveys show high intentions to leave, with nearly 44% planning to switch jobs in the next year and 29% having already left a company in the past two years, while many younger professionals (39% in one survey) are particularly prone to high turnover.
Mean accounting date arrangements
390 enables a company to draw up its accounts to any date within seven days either side of its accounting reference date. HMRC will generally allow a company to adopt its year-end date for corporation tax purposes provided it does not vary more than four days from a mean date.
Certified Public Accountants examine, analyze, and interpret accounting records to prepare financial statements, give advice, or audit and evaluate statements prepared by others. Install or advise on systems of recording costs or other financial and budgetary data.
The CPA Exam consists of three four-hour Core sections and one four-hour Discipline section of your choice.
Accounting is a demanding job that leaves accountants with little to no free time. Public accountants deal with several clients and are often overwhelmed with work.
We're also seeing very high demand for many accounting positions through 2025, from entry-level positions up to senior-level management positions. Staff accountants are essential to the day-to-day accuracy of an organization's financial operations and are often the backbone of an accounting department.
If you are just going by comparing the exams, the CPA exam was more difficult than the bar exam. When comparing the undergraduate accounting courses/upper level accounting courses versus law school courses, the law school was more challenging and stressful.
Reason #1 to Become a CPA – Prestige in the Profession
The CPA credential alone will separate you from non-CPAs with well-earned knowledge and expertise. By completing years of academic training, rigorous testing, and extensive work experience, CPAs are considered the gold standard of accounting.