Retention of CPA Employees

It’s sad the accounting profession has taken so long to realize it has been driving away its employees.

I entered the profession in 1989 at a time when new employees were expected to remain quiet and put up with whatever was thrown their way. Training often was, “Do this—this is wrong—what is the matter with you?”

Since leaving the firm, I have met a number of CPAs in private industry who, as I was, were negatively affected by their jobs in public accounting. By the time we left our firms, all of us were exhibiting the physical and mental symptoms of stress.

I have kept my licensing, but I would not consider returning to work in a CPA firm.

Linda Woodard, CPA
Sebastopol, California