A Day in the Life of a Senior Associate at PwC

A Day in the Life of a Senior Associate at PwCA Day in the Life of a Senior Associate at PwCLindsay is a senior associate working in the Personal Financial Services tax group in PwCs San Francisco bro. Lindsay departureed with the firm as an audit intern, spent a year and a half as an audit associate, and then transferred into tax, where she has spent the past two years. Now a senior associate, she describes an average day in her job.630 a.m. Take BART into workThe PwC office is located in San Francisco and I live in Berkeley, which is about 45 minutes outside the city in the East Bay. As a result, I generally commute to and from the office via the BART train. It is an excellent opportunity to either catch up on work or unwind.730 a.m. Start my dayFor as long as I can remember, Ive been a person who likes to get an early start to the day. Everyone works differently, but I find it nice to get into the office before others and enjoy the peace and quiet as I prepare for the day. As so on as I get into the office, I start up my computer, grab breakfast, check my calendar, and read through any emails Ive received overnight. 800 a.m. Call with the IRSOne of the perks of getting to the office early is the ability to get a hold of the IRS before their phone line gets busy with other callers. Occasionally, our clients get notices from the IRS questioning a position or calculation used in filing a tax return. Based on our arrangement with a client, I might need to call the IRS and speak with an agent to better understand the IRSs concerns for the issue at hand. Following this discussion, I will relay the findings to both my manager and the client. In collaboration with the client, I will then draft a written response explaining the clients position or calculation and cite appropriate authority. My manager will review and comment on the response before we send it to the client. Once the client has had an opportunity to review and approve the response, well help the clie nt submit the reply to the IRS.900 a.m. Meet with associatesThis is about the time that most of the other staff arrives at the office. Generally, I check in with the associates Im working with. For new projects, I will hold frontloading sessions, which are opportunities to sit down and discuss how I will need their assistance on projects going forward. This includes providing sufficient background on the client, the particular task needing assistance, appropriate instructions, and project timing. This allows us both to ask necessary questions to get on the same page and start the project off on the right foot. As for ongoing projects, I make sure to check in and binnensee how their work is progredienzing.1030 a.m. Tax Advisory Group meetingThe Tax Advisory Group is a group of associates and seniors from the various tax groups that get together to help build a better and more connected workplace. We have periodic meetings to plan various activities, such as partner/principal social s or busy season block parties, which help professionals from various tax groups step away from their work and socialize together.1200 p.m. LunchThe senior associates and associates generally have an opportunity to attend Lunch Learn sessions once a week. During these sessions, senior associates or managers from specialty practices discuss technical issues and hot topics in their area of expertise. Its a great way to learn about technical issues in different lines of service. Otherwise, I might grab lunch with my associate buddy. When associates first join the firm they are assigned a buddy who takes them under their wing and helps them navigate life at PwC. I help my buddy with things such as sorting out their schedule, how to use the various tax software programs, and making sure they feel like part of the group.100 p.m. Review work papers and returnsFor my practice area, my main responsibility as a senior associate is to review work papers and tax returns prepared by the assoc iates on my team. This involves comparing the draft returns with the work papers and prior year returns to spot any errors or missing information. I will discuss any identified mistakes with the associate, including how to fix them, which helps the associate learn.330 p.m. Call with clientThroughout the day, I may participate in calls with the client- either one-on-one or with my colleagues. If Im merely trying to collect information from the client or follow up on a specific item, I will generally call the client directly. Other times, our engagement team may hold calls with the client to discuss project progress and/or troubleshoot issues, if any.500 p.m. Wrap-up dayBefore I head out of the office for the day, I like to check in with the associates Im working with to see how they are doing with their assignments and whether they have any questions. I may also need to respond to client or colleague emails that filtered into my inbox throughout the day and need to be addressed.530 p.m. Leave for classPwC is great at encouraging continuing learning and education and is supportive of those attending graduate courses on top of working full time. Personally, I am working on getting my Masters in Taxation at Golden Gate University. A few of my colleagues are doing the same and we often head over to class together during the nights we have class.900 p.m. Work from home if I need toOccasionally, I may need to work from home to wrap up any last minute work. This is especially true during busy season, where our team has a project deadline, or when I simply want to leave the office early to have dinner with my husband. Regardless of the reason, it is good to know that PwC promotes flexibility.To hear stories from other employees at PwC, click here. To learn more about what PwC does, its programs, internships, and what it means to start your career at PwC, visit pwc.com/campus.*The post was sponsored by PwC.

Do What You Love, and Youll Never Work Another Day in Your Life Is Bad Advice - The Muse

Do What You Love, and Youll Never Work Abedrngnisher Day in Your Life Is Bad Advice - The MuseDo What You Love, and Youll Never Work Another Day in Your Life Is Bad AdviceDo what you love, and youll never work another day in your life.Yes, weve all heard that sentiment countless times. We repeat it to recent graduates like its the only career advice theyll ever need. We print it on motivational posters, bumper stickers, and encouraging note cards. We incorporate it into commencement addresses. Heck, Im sure its even embroidered on the occasional throw pillow.But, does this treasured piece of advice even reif true? Will finding a career that youre insanely passionate about make your entire life feel like one big tropical vacation? No, I dont think so. In fact, I think its perfectly normal to love your job and simultaneously recognize the fact that its hard work.Thats right- just because you sometimes feel stressed, overwhelmed, or even a little tired doesnt mean that youre in the wron g line of work. Here are four facts that debunk that infamous (and misleading) proverb. 1. Work Is Not PlayI absolutely love what I do, and Im lucky to be able to make a living at it. But, that doesnt mean that Im not consciously aware of the fact that I would usually rather be enjoying cocktails with friends than trying to meet a deadline.Yes, work and play are two vastly different things. Work requires exertion and effort in order to pay the bills and put food on the table, whereas play is all about fun and enjoyment. If youre lucky, youll be able to incorporate some of that joy and passion into your daily routine. But, that definitely doesnt mean that your entire career will be a walk in the park.Adding in that pressure and the expectation of pay is exactly what separates your job from everything else. Unlike fun, work isnt always something that you want to do- its something that you need to do. And, chances are, when what you love turns into your job, you just might not love it as much anymore. 2. Your Number One Passion Isnt Always a Realistic CareerThink back to when you were a little kid. Remember when people would always bend down on a knee and inquire about what you wanted to be when you grew up? Do you remember what your answer to that question was? Well, I always told people I wanted to be a bird.Yes, having passions, interests, and big dreams is encouraged. But, finding what you love is only half the equation. You need to be able to make a living doing it. Real-life pressures require us to pursue avenues that are able to provide us with a decent and comfortable standard of living. Perhaps youre an outstanding violinist or video gamer. Thats awesome However, we all recognize that these are pretty exclusive and specialized career fields, even if you are insanely talented. So, while you may have crossed identifying what you love off your to-do list- youre also probably well aware that love doesnt pay the bills. 3. No Job Is Completely PerfectThere are plenty of people out there who absolutely love their careers. But, that shouldnt be twisted into a perception that everythings perfect. Pretty much every position comes along with at least a few pesky tasks or responsibilities that will simply never be enjoyable. You may adore what you do 98% of the time. But, there are bound to be a few related duties that you simply dread. Maybe you hate monitoring incoming invoices. Perhaps you loathe the quarterly board meeting. Or, maybe you simply cant stand filling out your monthly expense report. Whatever it is, theres undoubtedly a certain aspect of your day-to-day that makes you say, Ugh. Trust me- youre not alone. Im sure even professional beer taste testers have piles of paperwork that theyd rather not absprache with (not to mention gross beer). Theres always something. 4. The More You Love Your Job, The Harder Youll WorkLoving your job is a wonderful thing. Not only are you bringing home the bacon, but you also get the added reward of feeling fulfilled, accomplished, and satisfied each time you stroll out of your office. But, you likely dont feel that way because you spent the entire day slacking.Thats right, loving your livelihood requires hard work. Its pretty much human nature to enjoy the things were good at. And, in order to be good at your position, you need to put in some serious elbow grease.Oftentimes, its not just the work that we love. Its the reward and satisfaction we get after doing it well. And we all know that getting things done well involves exerting effort and staying at the office for the occasional late night. Its a never-ending cycle.Do what youll love, and youll never work another day in your life. Its a well-meaning sentiment. But, it can actually be somewhat discouraging and guilt-inducing for those of us who do love what we do, yet still feel wiped by the end of the day. Dont worry- its completely normal to love your job, but still think it feels like hard work. Unless youre employed as a professional puppy snuggler. Then I dont want to hear any complaints. Photo of tired woman of Shutterstock.

How to Find Musicians and Start a Band

How to Find Musicians and Start a BandHow to Find Musicians and Start a BandStarting a formation may sound pretty straightforward, but it can be one of the most frustrating parts for many people. If you dont go about setting up your combo right, youll be caught in an endless cycle of trying to replace this player or that. You may also need to try to get the new people ready to play the songs currently in your playbook. Not to mention the fact that a dysfunctional band can out-drama any group of middle school girls. Save yourself the hassle and get your best band going right from the start. Know Who You Need Before you can start finding band members, youve got to figure out exactly what your band needs. Say you and friend are playing together, and you play guitar, and she plays drums. Well, youre set on a drummer, and whether you need a second guitarist will depend on your songs. Sounds obvious, right? But, its easy to end up trying to fit in an unexpected tastatur player or extra guitarist just because you like that person. Remember that your goal is to get a band that can play shows together. Figure out the roles you need filled and match the people to the roles instead of the other way around. Find the Musicians Now that you know what kind of musicians you need, you can start looking for them. There are plenty of places you can track down other musicians, from word of mouth. For more detailed information about your band member search, check out this article Figure Out the Ground Rules When youre just getting started in your band, theres no need to get too overly complicated and start fighting about your future royalties (if you are - consider it a huge red flag). If youre serious about your band, however, there are a few basics you should consider - it will help keep everyone on the same page Band management is about more than just booking gigs. As your band grows, the things you need to figure out together will increase and some may include Setti ng up a practice scheduleSelecting a place to practiceHow to pay any expenses (practice space, etc.) Whos the anfhrer Most bands have a natural leader, usually the songwriter and/or the person who formed the band. Exactly how much you want to exercise this whole boss thing is up to you - for instance, is it your songs, your way or the highway, or can others have some input? More importantly, when you start booking shows and promoting your bands brand, its good to have one person who is the main contact for the band. It can be the person who runs the show musically or someone else good at taking care of details. When youre ready to take those steps, this advice will help Start Playing Obviously, of course, the most important part of starting a band is just getting together and playing some music. Even with the best-laid plans, this is the only way to make sure your band clicks together. It is also a good time to figure out who is taking things seriously and is committed to th e band, and who is not. If you have ambitions to make a living through your music, and your other band members view the band as a hobby, now is when that difference will rear its head. If you and your band arent a music love match, no problem - return to step one React to Changes You dont need to act like youre setting up a multinational corporation when you form your band, but you should also recognize when its time to have some serious discussions. If youre heading into the studio, on the cusp of getting a record deal or investing a lot of money in touring, then you need to talk about how costs will be covered and how income will be divided. It may not be fun to talk about, but it will help avoid resentment later. Who Wrote the Song? Songwriters get the royalties for their songs, and while some songwriters are happy to share that money equally between the band, some, well, arent. Know which one you are before the money comes in. Dont assume everyone is on the same page - s omeone might think that their suggestion on a song gives them part of the songwriting credit, and you may disagree. If you wait until the royalties are paid to argue about it, itll be much harder to sort out without resentment.