I am leaving a very stressful accounting job where I have worked for 2 ½ years. The compensation is excellent but the job has been very rough and stressful. The hours were excessive and my boss was really bad and the job took too much away from family time & quality of life. After more than 6 months looking for a job I have two offers to choose from (feeling very lucky to even have one). Cash compensation is about the same - both are about a 15% pay cut but to me that is worth it for less stress and more time with family. For stage of life context I have 4 children ages 8 to 16. My wife works part time but doesn’t make much – I account for over 90% of the household income. We are in our mid 40s and in overall fine health other than me being a fatty and my wife has to get outpatient surgery to remove a kidney stone every 2 to 3 years. I am really 50 / 50 on these 2 job options. Details are below - in summary Job #1 would be an overall better long-term career option but Job #2 would be less stress and better to recover mental health wise from a very stressful job – which would you choose?

Job #1:

- I would have 3 direct reports and 7 indirect reports
- It is the type of work I would enjoy doing more than job 2
- This role would position myself better career wise for future accounting leadership role after 3 – 5 years
- I have a 40 minute commute and go to the office everyday / 5 days a week
- Work life balance worse than job 2 (but much better than job I am leaving)
- Medical / Dental benefits really not very good – lets say a C or C-

Job #2

- I would have no one that reports to me
- It is work that I would be fine with doing but I would probably get bored from time to time
- There may be pressure for me to relocate after 2 – 3 years which I don’t want to do
- It is at a large company where I have already worked at previously and I am familiar with the business and culture. I would be at a higher job level than when I worked there previously but it sort of feels like a step backwards to return
- I have a 30 minute commute and go to the office 4 days a week
- Work life balance would be better than job 1
- Pretty sold benefits – we will say a B+