[ajurew1]

I just started part time at a very small CPA firm. I am training with two people on different tasks.

Person 1 sits near me while I am working and allows me to work through tasks and ask questions if needed. I enjoy working with this person and feel like I can learn a lot if given enough time, however my time working with this person is minimal.

Person 2 quickly shows me something one time, tells me to just do what she says, and gets very upset when I ask any question at all. Lately I have been mostly working with Person 2. The days I work with Person 2 are very stressful and awful. I get yelled at for everything (taking printed documents off the printer tray before I copy something of my own, moving the paper clip box and not returning it to the EXACT spot it was before, asking questions, not remembering how to put together files in the exact way she wants such as folding certain papers specific ways, stapling something a certain way, not knowing how to unjam the copy machine within 1 second of it jamming, touching my computer mouse before she tells me I can, putting a notebook in front of me to make notes and getting yelled at and told I don’t need to take notes, not pushing the files together enough after filing something, and so on). Her training style does not work at all for me, and the more I get yelled at for everything I do, the more stressed I get and the less I remember. I am just wasting my time and hers at this point because the training style isn’t working. I am not an idiot and have had very good performance reviews in other professional office jobs I have had in the past. I am not sure how to resolve this situation other than quitting. It seems like I will be training mostly with her going forward, and it seems like she is annoyed by my existence and doesn’t really want to deal with me.

Is this a hopeless situation or is there a way to make this work? This is only a part time job now and I don’t need the income. I have other projects I am working on for different companies that pay enough to support myself.

Let me be very clear that this is not my first professional office job. I have been working full time in professional jobs for 8 years and have never had issues like this before, and have always been able to learn new assignments by asking questions and working with people who are understanding that there will be a learning curve.

BEC - 84 (4/13/2013)
REG - 82 (10/17/2013)
AUD - 85 (12/5/2013)
FAR - 75 (10/11/2014)

[thedude]

Your situation sounds like it sucks but consider this. She may have thought you were rude when she asked you to take notes and you refused. Personally, I trained two co-workers who said they didn't need to take notes when I was training them. They later asked questions that I already explained to them multiple times. One I have having to train again after a year because he didn't doing his work right. Not trying to be a jerk, but it sounds like you are doing things without asking. Even if you don't feel you need to, writing notes when she tells you something may help your situation. It will should that you are listening to what she is saying.

Aud: 42 (ouch)

All others TBD

[alboreland]

@thedude Thats just like your opinion man.

[ajurew1]

@thedude, I think you read my post wrong. I had a note pad and pen in my hand ready to take notes, and she yelled at me and told me NOT TO take notes. She said “you don't need to take notes. put the note pad away”.

BEC - 84 (4/13/2013)
REG - 82 (10/17/2013)
AUD - 85 (12/5/2013)
FAR - 75 (10/11/2014)

[ajurew1]

.

BEC - 84 (4/13/2013)
REG - 82 (10/17/2013)
AUD - 85 (12/5/2013)
FAR - 75 (10/11/2014)

[Kimboroni]

Is there anyone else who has worked with her that could perhaps offer some tips on how to deal with her best?

And can you watch interactions with others to see how they deal with her? You may be able to glean some insight.

AUD 84 (1/9/14-Wiley books/TB + free materials)
FAR 83 (5/21/14-the above + NINJA 10 Pt Combo Lite)
REG 84 (7/9/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC/Notes)
BEC 76 (10/5/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC)

Disclaimer: My ninja avatar is not meant to imply that I have any affiliation with this site other than being a forum member. That's a pic of a T-shirt that my daughter gave me for my birthday. 🙂

[thedude]

I did read that wrong. Sorry!

Aud: 42 (ouch)

All others TBD

[ajurew1]

@Kimboroni, since the office is so small, there really isn't anyone else other than her manager, the owner, and the owner's Mother. She sometimes isn't nice with them either, but I don't think they really care because she has no control over them.

BEC - 84 (4/13/2013)
REG - 82 (10/17/2013)
AUD - 85 (12/5/2013)
FAR - 75 (10/11/2014)

[Kimboroni]

If you haven't tried talking to her about it yet, I guess that would be step 1. There are a few tactics above that you could try. If that doesn't work, I guess look elsewhere. This is a toughie.

AUD 84 (1/9/14-Wiley books/TB + free materials)
FAR 83 (5/21/14-the above + NINJA 10 Pt Combo Lite)
REG 84 (7/9/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC/Notes)
BEC 76 (10/5/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC)

Disclaimer: My ninja avatar is not meant to imply that I have any affiliation with this site other than being a forum member. That's a pic of a T-shirt that my daughter gave me for my birthday. 🙂

[Tncincy]

It is unfortunate that an adult would act like a child. The only reason I could see for this behavior is that #2 is being made to train you when they would rather do the work and be done at the end of the day.Most folks resist change, and you bring change and attention where this person may have been working by themselves for a while. You don't have to tolerate disrespect and no you should not quit….it doesn't matter if you need the money or not. Talk to her and find out what is the problem, if you cant get better behavior or liberty on the job, then you should talk to the boss, owner, or who ever is in charge. They might already know that #2 does not want to train you…..So keep a good attitude, and get it straight..you never know you might become the best of friends.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[Jenny]

Can Person #1 help with some of the stuff you are working on for #2? Maybe they have some experience there and are willing to help.

This sounds very familiar with my office a couple of years ago. My small firm hired someone and I was helping training on the tax side of things, but since I also have experience with Audit, The person I was training would also ask me about those things even though I wasn't directly working on it. I definitely didn't mind answering questions.

Oklahoma Candidate
AUD - Pass (8/14)
FAR - Pass (11/14)
REG - Pass (2/15)
BEC - Pass (11/15)
Ethics Exam - Pass (12/15)

[ajurew1]

Person 2 told me I am not allowed to ask anyone else questions on work that person Person 2 assigns to me. Person 1 walked into my office last week and asked if I had any questions. I asked a basic question and Person 1 answered. Person 2 then came in my office and lectured me about not asking anyone else any questions other than Person 2 on work that Person 2 assigns to me.

Also, each day before I leave, Person 1 tells me to put the files on my desk in my drawer. Yesterday, before I left, I put a file I was working on in my empty top drawer and left. As soon as I walked in today, Person 2 immediately lectured me and told me I am not allowed to put any files in my desk, and proceeded to make me feel like an idiot for doing so.

Also today, Person 2 told me that I am not allowed to ask any questions at all anymore and I just have to figure things out on my own.

Unfortunately, I don't think this situation is going to get better. It is clear now that Person 2 does not want me working there and does not like me.

It is time to update the resume and see what other part time opportunities are available.

BEC - 84 (4/13/2013)
REG - 82 (10/17/2013)
AUD - 85 (12/5/2013)
FAR - 75 (10/11/2014)

[Dog pounder1977]

That's just women in the work place. I am 24 and I have worked with a lot of those types when I was in the military and HATED every single one of them in management roles. It is something about them being in charge of a man that makes them feel the need to try and humiliate them. The accounting manager I work with now is the same way except doesn't yell otherwise I would quit in a heartbeat. But she does seem impatient and annoyed when training me but is soooo soft spoken and gentle when working with the other females. I say quit if the crap continues. You don't need to deal with people like that especially if you already have other things going for you.

One day I will face that exam.

[Peterman25]

I think that you should try to get both people in the same room so that you can ask them both about the file situation. Then you can ask them both about asking questions and see what they both have to say. Person 2…such a bully.

BEC 7/14 - PASS
FAR 10/14 - PASS
AUD 1/15 - PASS
REG 4/15 - PASS

AZ license - Official 8/20/2015

[fsugirl2005]

It's possible she could be threatened by you. You're a newbie so she shouldn't be. It's also possible she is just a very mean person who takes all her personal problems out on everyone. You're the closest punching bag. I'm leaning more toward she just doesn't want you there. If the position you have wasn't filled prior to you then maybe she is just having trouble adjusting to a new person.

She sounds bat crazy though. Just pull her to the side and ask her why is she so mean to you. She may ignore you or it may tick her off even more.

AUD - 10/21/16 (75----07/2010 expired)
FAR - 10/28/16
BEC - 11/2016
REG - 01/2017

Using Gleim CPA Review, Ninja Audio, Ninja Book

[ajurew1]

Since the general option here is that Person 2 is a bully and insane, does anyone know of any part time accounting jobs? I will be sending out resumes next week.

BEC - 84 (4/13/2013)
REG - 82 (10/17/2013)
AUD - 85 (12/5/2013)
FAR - 75 (10/11/2014)

[Author]

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