It's true!!! RonMAN
For the first 3 years, life really sucks. A lot of work and as for money... really dunno what to say!! Eh... you shd know.
If you choose to work for commercial companies,you will either too busy rushing and closing monthly accounts... as you need to familiarise with the company accounts you are working for. When it comes to year-end, all the budgeting, planning and meetings start to fill up your time. As compared to CPA firms, life will be more relaxing but prospect wise it will not be that good.
If you choose CPA firms as your stepping stones, then there will be peak period Jan to June. As most companies year-end are in December. This will be a terrible and stressful period for you as you will required to do several company audit concurrently. But this will be like an international passport to you once you have attain your CPA status and your years of experience.
After all these slogging years, life will not be the same... more opportunities and better prospects waiting for you... and it really pays well.
Can say "xian ku hou tian" or "ku ji gan lai"