[jessie424]

I need some helps here. 2 weeks ago, I got an offer from an accounting firm. Lately, I had some difficulties to get alone with the boss, so I decide to quit by handing my resignation letter to the HR. But the boss wants me to sign some kind of termination package and she thread on me that if I don’t sign her package, she will report me to the board of accountancy.

Below is her e-mail.

“I , xxx CPA, personally request you to come in our firm to sign off the termination package since our firm had client confidential information and Board of Accountancy did require CPA candidate of signing confidential information requirement sheet. If you did not sign off, we had the right to report to Board of Accountancy and put your name on the pending of not qualifying as CA CPA. For your own benefit, I recommend you to sign on the termination package related to confidential information. I heard from Youa Her that she did request you of coming

in signing on the sheet, you refused and hanged up the phone. That will seriously impact you on the qualification of CPA in the future.

I sincerely request you of stopping by our office within three days to sign off the form. Otherwise, we will report to Board of Accountancy and that will seriously

impact on your CPA qualification.”

Does anyone know about this? If that’s valid, candidates, we will be in trouble. Whenever your boss doesn’t like you, he or she can ruin your career life.

REG: 81 expired. Schedule in July 2014. 86 done!!!
AUD: 86
FAR: 80
BEC: 75

[jelly]

Pick up the forms, and tell them in writing that you will respond after 10 business days (2 weeks) because your lawyer needs to review it.

I don't know what's in these forms, but it wouldn't surprise me if there's some kind of legal release that you decided to leave on your own accord, and that you won't sue them for discrimination (like becoming an expecting parent, or workplace sexual harrassment).

I'm a little surprised if there's anything about client confidentiality, as it's standard for workers to sign client confidentiality clauses BEFORE starting work.

And I would think an accounting firm is more worried about what you will report about them to the accounting board or to their clients, b/c you tend to know more about they have and haven't done properly.

Couldn't pass again!

[Anonymous]

I had to sign a confidentiality agreement BEFORE I started work. I'm in Louisiana but it sounds like this should be uniform from state to state. I think Jelly is right. Let an attorney read it! CYA!!!

[KEMcpa]

It is always good to avoid burning bridges when changing jobs. I'd certainly find out more about exactly what they want. It may very well be good for you and them as well to have the termination event well documented so there is no chance for misunderstanding later.

Licensed Texas CPA!

[The Dingo]

Couple of thoughts:

1st, congrats on ticking off the boss so quick, it happens to me, too, but usually I last more than 2 weeks!

No, seriously, while I generally agree with an earlier poster's sentiment about not burning bridges, it would seem from their email that train left the station, and you were there so briefly, it won't appear on the resume nor be a reference for you.

I don't practice law, but from my experience, I don't think a former employer can enforce any agreement. You might come across something like an agreement not to sue them if they terminated you and provided you a severance package, but under voluntary resignation, I don't think so….

Was it something they were supposed to have you sign before? Then it's their problem, not yours.

Here's the meat of their letter:

“Board of Accountancy did require CPA candidate of signing confidential information requirement sheet. If you did not sign off, we had the right to report to Board of Accountancy and put your name on the pending of not qualifying as CA CPA.”

The Board required you sign a confidential information sheet? What?

Put your name on the pending of not qualifying?

Where did this jabronie learn the English language?

I think he's just trying to eff with you and he's pead-off at you.

Is this guy licensed?

If so, I would consider if his threats to your career and livelihood are something you should report to the CA board.

Here's what you do:

DO NOT respond to him directly. Don't go there, don't have any communication. Don't give them reason to document any communication with them.

Find a local employment law attorney, sit down with attorney for free consultation. (OR better yet, find someone you know personally who went to law school and is licensed in your state)

Have the attorney reach out to the HR department and registered agent of the company. Let him indicate that his client (you) may have suffered damages from their accusations.

Let the attorney request the “letter” or whatever and the attorney will send a demand letter also indicating you will vigorously defend any false accusations to the full extent of the law seeking both civil, criminal and regulatory recovery for any damages incurred.

The jackass will back down. He's just a DB.

[mla1169]

I'm sure the state board is equally interested in knowing this firm allowed you to work without a confidentiality agreement in place. Looks like a violation of theirs as well if its actually reportable.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Sandra]

Your post is so poorly written that I'm having a little bit of a hard time understanding what it is your boss requested. Not sure if you reworded the letter into your own words or if you have a relatively illiterate boss.

Honestly it sounds like you were hired for a job that is a bad fit- it happens. No big deal. Also because you were JUST hired it sounds like they hadn't gotten around to having you sign some required paperwork. While this is their bad, I don't think you should be difficult about this and make it into a hassle for either party.

Maybe its because I'm a little older than most of the people on this board, but I don't think everything is worth fighting about. Read the agreement- if you feel uncomfortable with it, bring it up. But refusing to talk to her? Telling them you're hiring an attorney? Give me a break- WHY would you? Even if you are in the right, you probably don't want to be reported to the board and then have to deal with resolving that later on.

[FindaJob]

When i was hired i think they wanted to know if i was in any lawsuits … employers dont like the employee that sues his employer !! it looks like nonsense to me ! but why cause trouble if you can avoid it …

Good luck 🙂

two to go !

[Mayo]

I'm with the above poster. Given that the paperwork they want you to sign is nothing out of the norm, I would go ahead and sign it.

It looks like they realized they never had you sign the confidentiality paperwork, realized that was a huge no-no, freaked out, a (stupidly) decided to try and scare you into signing.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[KEMcpa]

Well said, Sandra and Mayo.

Licensed Texas CPA!

[jessie424]

Thanks all for your replied. I emailed her back and asked if she can send me the package by email, also stated that after i have reviewed and signed the paper, I will send them back to her. But she insisted that I need to come in to the office and she stated that “hope you are not against the law”….

I guess I just need to sign her package no matter what. but is there anyway I can report her for the accusations? have anyone deal with EDD before about the similar case?

REG: 81 expired. Schedule in July 2014. 86 done!!!
AUD: 86
FAR: 80
BEC: 75

[mla1169]

It just seems like you are seeking conflict here. In every detail you've mentioned, from giving your resignation letter to HR, to hanging up on them, you want to fight. Just sign the papers and move on.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[jelly]

Just go to the office and pick up the papers. You have the legal right to pick up the papers and take them with you, out of the office, to review within a reasonable amount of time; you don't have to sign anything while you are there. Bring a friend (not a relative) with you on your visit as a witness who can observe any verbal comments or exchanges that the HR lady or your boss decide to say to you. If either ask, this person is there to accompany you, and to maybe help you out (but you don't need to go into detail, just be very brief).

I would just take them with you so that you can review them at home, and especially if legal documents written in English trouble you (they trouble native English speakers too). You have every right to take them with you without signing them, and review them on your own and with a lawyer. Your friend who accompanies you can observe if they decide to give you the paperwork or not, and allow you to leave with the papers without signing. If you sign these papers without understanding them, it is very difficult to dispute later on that you signed them under threats/duress; having a friend go with you makes it a little easier if there's a future investigation.

As someone's posted, I have a feeling you won't be using them as a professional reference anyway, so I wouldn't worry about that, and don't even bother to list them on your resume. And it sounds to me that the firm screwed up somewhere and is desperately trying to cover their ass, hence the threats about reporting you to the accountancy board. Are they more worried about you reporting them first?

Couldn't pass again!

[The Dingo]

@Sandra

“But refusing to talk to her? Telling them you're hiring an attorney? Give me a break- WHY would you?”

The “why”: is because the OP is on the receiving end of a fairly strongly worded accusatory letter, in which the former employer is attempting to torpedo the guys career.

I don't know how others may feel about their professional reputation and their license, but my reputation and my license are two of my most valued assets, and I WILL aggressively respond to and defend my reputation against all comers…I've worked very hard to build a presence in the profession, and I would not allow some sniveling little weasel to slander me…AND neither should any of you.

But that's just me…others may not mind those kind of accusations against their rep.

If I was the OP, I would fire back with both barrels.

AND read into this:

If the former employer is not willing to email the documents in question for your review, they're sure as hell not going to let you walk out of there with them. Something is fishy about that place.

[sacredtheory]

I think something's fishy about the OP's story. There has to be more to it than what he/she is telling us.

BEC: Passed
AUD: Passed
REG: Passed
FAR: Passed

Jared

[Lidis]

These confidentially agreements are signed by time you start employment. I believe are valid up to 18 month from the date of departure of your job. You cannot reveal anything about the company to a competitor for 18 months. I wouldn’t sign a confidentiality agreement after I leave the job. If they didn’t ask you to sign at the beginning of your employment is their fault.

What the Board of Accountancy has to do with this confidentiality agreement?

It is sound that a cock and bull story to me. She/he trying to get back up at you for kicking them to curb.

Please consult a lawyer before you sign anything.

Vicki

[Author]

Replies