[Anonymous]

I received an offer from a big 4 firm, and had a general question of the salary that I said I currently made at my current job.

Let’s just say, for arguments sake, that I currently make 50,000 at my current firm. However, I was promoted mid year with no raise, and was told that my work from January to October without a raise would be considered at my yearly review date. Thus, I took this into consideration when telling the prospective employer my current salary. I also included a conservative year end bonus I normally receive at my current firm.

Thus, like before let’s say I make 50,000, included a raise of 8% (which I felt was conservative), as well as the year end bonus of 2%. So I told them I made 55,000.

Will this come back to bite me if I do not disclose the facts of my stated salary before I accept the offer, or should I just wait and explain it if the topic comes up in the future.

Thanks for the responses

[MaLoTu]

I thought that all your salary information with the IRS came up in a background search … is that not true?

Almost always from my phone... please excuse my typos!

All 4 passed - 2016

CA CPA

[mw798]

At my company, if a job candidate request that The Work Number (or another background checking firm) block all verification requests, our HR will contact the candidate for them to unblock this request as a full background check is a condition for employment. If the candidate refuses, the offer will be withdrawn unless the candidate submits to another form of employment verification, but this will delay the offer.

And The Work Number and HireRight verification reports are VERY detailed. They list all the companies, positions held, annual salary numbers, bonuses paid, bi weekly gross pay figures, and vacation balances. There's not much wiggle room.

At my company, the guidelines state that lying about your salary is the same as lying about your GPA, it's grounds for withdrawal of an offer or immediate termination if somehow it's found out after the fact.

[Anonymous]

Are these two websites accessible to the public or is it a paid for service by companies? I want to look myself up lol

[trish_1234]

@cpa8488 hahah good question me too… must be available for use too I would expect! I want to know how this iformation is retrieved through IRS?

great thread…..

AUD 69, 92 7/15 Gleim and Ninja test bank
FAR sometime in 10/15 Gleim
BEC not taken
REG not taken

[jm962011]

I wouldn't freak out over the information provided by a few responses above. What is done, is done, just don't do it again, especially the promotion increase. However, I have found that most recruiters will ask for your base pay and any bonus/profit sharing separately. If they didn't and you lumped them together, that is fine.

[fuzyfro89]

Big 4 specifically has such narrow salary bands, especially for staff and seniors, that it likely won't matter what you currently get paid. Like jm96201 said, what's done is done. I would not draw attention to it, but if asked about that later, then own it and explain your rationale. Whatever happens is really out of your hands now.

Every industry is different, and the proper tactics vary as you advance through your career. Even if your current salary is 30k, you have to give it up for background check purposes (much later in the process). However, if the market for what you are applying for is 55k, then you have to be willing to walk away in order to not continue to be underpaid if you end up receiving an offer. It sucks, but that's the hard truth.

In industry, I would take the same approach. I think too many people short change themselves out of full pay by not standing their ground or not negotiating. If there is mutual interest, the company will negotiate. At staff and maybe low level senior positions, the negotiation room is fairly small, so don't hold your breath. Pay bands are much narrower. After all, what's the difference between 55 and 57k? Not much in the scheme of things. For public firms, they may hold steady just to keep al staff at the same level. Again, you have to be willing to say no. Given most people seek big 4 for experience purposes, it makes it difficult to negotiate significantly.

In industry, I honestly would take the same approach. Much “salary negotiation” advice today has been written during a recession/slow recovery, so doesn't really apply as much to the market today. It's hot in many geographies and for certain skill sets. But again, your situation will determine how aggressive you need to be depending on what you are trying to achieve.

Overall, I'd say:

– use common sense

– be respectful

– be confident/stand your ground

– be willing to walk away

– know the market value range of what you are applying to

For the last several years, employers had the upper hand knowing it was easy to find people. Today, the balance is shifting to job seekers as there are more options for seekers.

[Mayo]

I 100% with what fuzyfro89 says.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Author]

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