[Anonymous]

Background: I interviewed at a small public company last week and met with the accounting team. The interview went well and I thought to myself I had a good chance of landing the job. In the interview a bunch of them mention the accounting department is a bit behind because of recent acquisition and year end audit.

I get a call from one of the accountants saying they would like to bring me in for a month as a contractor and see how i fit the GL accountant position then make me an employee after that. Has anyone had a experience similar to this, which they bring you in as a 1099 contractor first then make you a full-time employee? In the interview they didn’t mention anything about coming in first as an contractor nor was it written in the job posting.

[y_u_no_pass]

That seems shady. If you will be doing the same work in both positions it is unlikely they can legally do so. Saying you would have a probationary period is one thing, but I don't think you can be hired as an independent contractor first. I wouldn't do it.

Florida CPA!
Took final exam 2/25/15.
Sent in Application 3/12/15.
Issued License 3/20/15.
Used CPA Excel solely for all exams.

[Anonymous]

It's not illegal, although there are some technical requirements for someone to qualify as a contractor for tax purposes.

Based on your description of the situation, it sounds like there are a lot of red flags here. Hiring a contractor in that circumstance sounds to me like a way to get you to help them out with their departmental deficiencies for the time being, and then they can oust you if they want/need to without having to worry about severance, unemployment, benefits, legal issues, etc. It just sounds unstable.

Unless you are in dire straits for income, I'd say look elsewhere.

[acamp]

If you are leaving employment to get this job, pass.

If you're unemployed right now, why not pick up a month's worth of work? Just keep the job search chugging along in case a full time position does not materialize. As its only a month, I probably wouldn't get too crazy with pay, but know that a contractor with no actual position with the Company, no medical, no dental, no 401K, etc, should be paid MORE than a regular employee.

Ninja + Wiley Test Bank: [FAR - 81] [REG - 76] [BEC - 88] [AUD - 73](doh!)

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[ruggercpa2b]

I agree with what everyone has said. When I worked at Deloitte we had coontractors and they were more like temp employees. One of the reasons they liked filling certain positions with contractors was because they did not have to pay you any benefits and they could let you go whenever. One guy had been a contractor for about a year and half.

I would be skeptical because it sounds like they do have a need but maybe they just need you to help them get caught up and then they can let you go.

AUD - 73, 72 retake 7/2/2016
BEC - 8/20/2016
REG - TBD
FAR - TBD

I am so ready for this nightmare to be over. Been at this way too long.

[Anonymous]

I appreciate all the input everyone offered.

I decided to take it and see what comes from it, hopefully at the end of the contract they make me employee status. I will still continue my job search until i find something that has a bit more job security. I do need the money at this time

I will give an update if they make me an official employee at the end of the contract.

[Anonymous]

I got an offer to become a full time employee. 😛

[Author]

Replies