Tina C. made this post about public accounting. I would agree. I have met individuals with the 'second tier' firms that seemed to have a life. However the deadlines brought on by tax time are well laid out in the post below.
think it would be fair to say that the second tier firms (and so on down the line) still expect long hours and don't pay any better.
I strongly urge students to be sure they know what they are getting into with Public Accounting – not everybody is cut out for it! and there is no shame in choosing a different path if it is more appealing to you. Anybody considering accounting as a career needs to research the various paths and choose one that matches their goals, expectations and personalities. Find out what it takes to "climb the ladder" in the areas you are interested in. Are you willing to work 60+ hour weeks? Are you willing to not have a life around deadlines? How will your kids (family) handle the schedule? (My elementary age kids know what April 15th and October 15th mean… and they know "deadline" means momma won't be home much).
Professor Elam 
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