Books and other stuff I feel like discussing
By education and experience - Accountant with a specialty in taxation. Formerly a CPA (license has lapsed). Masters degree in law of taxation from University of Denver. Now retired. Part time work during baseball season as receptionist & switchboard operator for the Colorado Rockies. This gig feeds my soul in ways I have trouble articulating. One daughter, and four grandchildren. I share the house with two cats; a big goof of a cat called Grinch (named as a joke for his easy going "whatever" disposition); and Lady, a shelter adoptee with a regal bearing and sweet little soprano voice. I would be very bereft if it ever becomes necessary to keep house without a cat.
Mood:
Mixed Emotions
Read/Post Comments (2)
Life and Taxes
As the journal heading notes, I'm retired, but when I worked full time I was an accountant with a specialty in taxation. It's a brutal career, with long hours during several periods of the year, and the taken for granted requirement to work a full day on Saturday and in some firms, even Sunday.
In retirement, I work four days a week for a good friend who has her own tax specialization CPA firm. The atmosphere is based on a lot more common sense than I encountered in several earlier full time jobs, and it goes without saying that the money is nice. I made it clear that I would not come in on weekends and that if an opportunity to travel came up during "tax season" that I would be gone for a week or so.
BUT - I think after years of working in this field, part of my brain is just hard wired to respond to the inexorable pressure of the approaching deadline by planning to work more. One of the full time employees has had a chronic medical condition flare up, is not able to come to the office and won't be able to consult with a doctor until later this week.
I'll probably kick in and work a lot of extra hours. I can't kid myself that I can just shrug my shoulders with a "not my job" attitude. It might be healthier, certainly more restful, if I were to shrug it off, but I just don't think I could.
There is a great deal of personal satisfaction in doing a very difficult job well. But I have never liked being identified by what I did for a pay check. I was greatly relieved to retire, with a self satisfied level of comfort that my financial planning had paid off so that I could afford to retire. So I approach the next couple of weeks with a lot of mixed emotions. A few more dollars in the bank. A few more days of the personal satisfaction I spoke of. But also a few more days of the heavy hand of the dreaded April deadline looming large on the horizon.
It rained almost all day yesterday - The type of rain one learns to long for living in a semi arid climate. Steady moderate downfall for the better part of ten hours, with no wind to speak of. That's the kind of rain which helps farmers & ranchers, suburban lawns, muncipal water systems, and gives bloggers closing paragraphs!
In retirement, I work four days a week for a good friend who has her own tax specialization CPA firm. The atmosphere is based on a lot more common sense than I encountered in several earlier full time jobs, and it goes without saying that the money is nice. I made it clear that I would not come in on weekends and that if an opportunity to travel came up during "tax season" that I would be gone for a week or so.
BUT - I think after years of working in this field, part of my brain is just hard wired to respond to the inexorable pressure of the approaching deadline by planning to work more. One of the full time employees has had a chronic medical condition flare up, is not able to come to the office and won't be able to consult with a doctor until later this week.
I'll probably kick in and work a lot of extra hours. I can't kid myself that I can just shrug my shoulders with a "not my job" attitude. It might be healthier, certainly more restful, if I were to shrug it off, but I just don't think I could.
There is a great deal of personal satisfaction in doing a very difficult job well. But I have never liked being identified by what I did for a pay check. I was greatly relieved to retire, with a self satisfied level of comfort that my financial planning had paid off so that I could afford to retire. So I approach the next couple of weeks with a lot of mixed emotions. A few more dollars in the bank. A few more days of the personal satisfaction I spoke of. But also a few more days of the heavy hand of the dreaded April deadline looming large on the horizon.
It rained almost all day yesterday - The type of rain one learns to long for living in a semi arid climate. Steady moderate downfall for the better part of ten hours, with no wind to speak of. That's the kind of rain which helps farmers & ranchers, suburban lawns, muncipal water systems, and gives bloggers closing paragraphs!
Read/Post Comments (2)
Previous Entry :: Next Entry
Back to Top
