[kma0505]

Hey guys,

So I’m literally at the point where I’m not sure what to do. I currently work at a small CPA firm (7 people in the office). The past two weeks I’ve been reprimanded a few times. Lately, it’s been that I constantly go over budget on engagements. However, at least my returns are correct/accurate. I’ve only received review notes on one in the past three weeks (however the one I did make a mistake the partner pretty much jumped down my throat, for one mistake). This is frustrating because I’ve received no positivity about my other returns, I’ve just been seriously yelled at for one mistake.

Yesterday, I made a pretty serious mistake (not on a return, an error where I could have potentially caused a client’s bank to overdraft). Yes, I was at fault, but yes, I was also told by the client’s banker there was enough money in the account to cover the invoice AND the partner signed off on the check. So, I realize my mistake, but also feel that it should not be entirely pinned on me.

Anyways, partner gets extremely angry, screaming at me so the whole office could hear, dropping f bombs here and there. Maybe this is how most partners are, I have no other experience to compare, but I don’t feel like this was professional AT ALL. At the end of the day, she comes to my cube and tells me that I need to take the next four days off without pay, “to figure out if this profession is really for me and if this is where I really want to be.”

Now, I won’t say I haven’t made mistakes the past few weeks. I have been stressed, taking FAR in a week, maybe my mind hasn’t been entirely there. However, I don’t feel like my mistakes warranted the partner pretty much implying I’m not meant to be a public accountant. I was also given a substantial salary increase about 4 months ago. Obviously if I didn’t show any potential/improvement they would have not made this commitment. At this point, I feel like this is a tactic to get me to quit so that she doesn’t have to fire me. The way she’s been treating me, I’m relatively certain that if I do decide to stay, she will definitely want me gone after tax season.

I make a year on April 17th, so I’d really like to stick it out till then, although I’m wondering if they can refuse to sign off the paper (has anyone heard of this happening?) Pretty much now I have so many thoughts going through my head about maybe she’s right, maybe public isn’t for me, maybe I should try out industry, etc etc. I’ve thought maybe a small mom and pop firm isn’t for me, but then I’m not sure if working at a bigger firm would really be any better. I’ve thought MAYBE accounting isn’t for me at all, and I should just work retail the rest of my life (I feel like I would honestly be a lot happier, but a lot poorer, and I would have wasted thousands of dollars on review materials). If I do stay, I know I’m going to be miserable the next two months (or longer).

I guess I don’t have a specific question, just wanted to vent, and see if anyone had any advice/had gone through similar situations. I’m just at the point where I don’t know what to do, but I know coming home crying every night from work (yes, maybe I’m sensitive, but at least I hold it in at work) and being treated like that is not fun.

Thanks, guys.

REG: 78 (OCT 2013)
FAR: 79 (FEB 2014)
AUD: TBD
BEC: TBD

[Anonymous]

I was in your shoes a year go. I wasn't the only one who felt that way where I worked and since I left 7 others did. Some places are just wired in a way that does not breed a good environment. I made myself make it to a year (I did 3 years in public and then moved to another company which is the one I'm referring to). I would not sign any reviews that you feel are unjust. Once it came time for my review at one year, I listened, voiced my side and said I understood what they were saying but I did not agree. They HATED that because they kept pushing me to agree with their opinions and I wouldn't. I found another job, did not sign anything at the old place related to my performance, and left. If you're someone who never thinks your mistakes are “that bad” I'd say you need to do some serious self reflection, but if you recognize them, improve them and care then you're human and that's okay. In any case no coworker or boss should yell especially in front of others. If you like the type of work (tax) then there are many places to go or a total career change is not unheard of. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I was in your shoes a year go. I wasn't the only one who felt that way where I worked and since I left 7 others did. Some places are just wired in a way that does not breed a good environment. I made myself make it to a year (I did 3 years in public and then moved to another company which is the one I'm referring to). I would not sign any reviews that you feel are unjust. Once it came time for my review at one year, I listened, voiced my side and said I understood what they were saying but I did not agree. They HATED that because they kept pushing me to agree with their opinions and I wouldn't. I found another job, did not sign anything at the old place related to my performance, and left. If you're someone who never thinks your mistakes are “that bad” I'd say you need to do some serious self reflection, but if you recognize them, improve them and care then you're human and that's okay. In any case no coworker or boss should yell especially in front of others. If you like the type of work (tax) then there are many places to go or a total career change is not unheard of. Good luck!

[kma0505]

I agree, some places don't breed a good environment, I feel like this might be one of those times. I feel like they do a terrible job of motivating and developing me, focus on the negatives instead of the positives. I just think other places might have a better work environment that will foster skills instead of inhibiting them.

I do enjoy tax, but I'm now wondering if my chances of finding a different job are low because I can't imagine my current supervisor would give a positive recommendation. Not that this would necessarily be a deal breaker, but I think it could definitely hurt my chances. But who knows, this is all speculation.

Either way, thanks for your input, it's good to know someone out there has been through a similar situation.

REG: 78 (OCT 2013)
FAR: 79 (FEB 2014)
AUD: TBD
BEC: TBD

[kma0505]

I agree, some places don't breed a good environment, I feel like this might be one of those times. I feel like they do a terrible job of motivating and developing me, focus on the negatives instead of the positives. I just think other places might have a better work environment that will foster skills instead of inhibiting them.

I do enjoy tax, but I'm now wondering if my chances of finding a different job are low because I can't imagine my current supervisor would give a positive recommendation. Not that this would necessarily be a deal breaker, but I think it could definitely hurt my chances. But who knows, this is all speculation.

Either way, thanks for your input, it's good to know someone out there has been through a similar situation.

REG: 78 (OCT 2013)
FAR: 79 (FEB 2014)
AUD: TBD
BEC: TBD

[tomq04]

There are always faults on both ends. That being said, sticking it to them to finish tax season is much better than quitting in the middle, that might just be the guy inside me that likes to see action. For what it's worth the last time i boss screamed at me I gave them a 1 months notice the next day and finished out the month…then I was unemployed for 6 months…le sigh. However my balding spot filled in and my grey hair went away (i was 23 at the time)…

If you could survive 2 more months you will have the 1 year mark on your resume and you can leave on mutual terms, assuming you are right regarding them wanting you gone…I would suspect you're intuition is right 🙂

Grin and bear it for 2 more months, count down the days and move on.

REG- (1) 76
FAR- (2) 64, (5)74, (7)83 (Over achiever!)
AUD- (3) 70, (4) 75
BEC- (6) 75

[tomq04]

There are always faults on both ends. That being said, sticking it to them to finish tax season is much better than quitting in the middle, that might just be the guy inside me that likes to see action. For what it's worth the last time i boss screamed at me I gave them a 1 months notice the next day and finished out the month…then I was unemployed for 6 months…le sigh. However my balding spot filled in and my grey hair went away (i was 23 at the time)…

If you could survive 2 more months you will have the 1 year mark on your resume and you can leave on mutual terms, assuming you are right regarding them wanting you gone…I would suspect you're intuition is right 🙂

Grin and bear it for 2 more months, count down the days and move on.

REG- (1) 76
FAR- (2) 64, (5)74, (7)83 (Over achiever!)
AUD- (3) 70, (4) 75
BEC- (6) 75

[kma0505]

That's my plan exactly…I'm assuming they won't let me go before tax season, I mean that would just cause way more stress on them. Finishing up tax season will at least help us not part on SUCH bad terms (hopefully), and put me at the one year mark. The next two months might be miserable, but I'll have a calendar and mark off days, ha.

And then hopefully after that I'll be able to find something more suited for me. I really think it's the work environment, not the profession, that isn't right for me. If not….well, we will cross that bridge when we get to it.

Thanks for the input, guys!

REG: 78 (OCT 2013)
FAR: 79 (FEB 2014)
AUD: TBD
BEC: TBD

[kma0505]

That's my plan exactly…I'm assuming they won't let me go before tax season, I mean that would just cause way more stress on them. Finishing up tax season will at least help us not part on SUCH bad terms (hopefully), and put me at the one year mark. The next two months might be miserable, but I'll have a calendar and mark off days, ha.

And then hopefully after that I'll be able to find something more suited for me. I really think it's the work environment, not the profession, that isn't right for me. If not….well, we will cross that bridge when we get to it.

Thanks for the input, guys!

REG: 78 (OCT 2013)
FAR: 79 (FEB 2014)
AUD: TBD
BEC: TBD

[jelly]

I think there's a few posters here who've mentioned that they've had employers not sign the experience form. I would definitely make them sign it before you sign any releases on your way out.

There's a professional liability problem for the firm if they don't sign it; make some noise with the state licensing board if they don't, and definitely keep track of all of your pay stubs and time sheets. There's also the problem that you have all this knowledge of the legitimate and not-so-legitimate things they've done, so it's in their best interest to sign it.

Couldn't pass again!

[jelly]

I think there's a few posters here who've mentioned that they've had employers not sign the experience form. I would definitely make them sign it before you sign any releases on your way out.

There's a professional liability problem for the firm if they don't sign it; make some noise with the state licensing board if they don't, and definitely keep track of all of your pay stubs and time sheets. There's also the problem that you have all this knowledge of the legitimate and not-so-legitimate things they've done, so it's in their best interest to sign it.

Couldn't pass again!

[Study Monk]

@jelly

Whats the professional liability problem you speak of? I have to contact 2 old employers, after I pass these exams, to get my experience and I would love to have some peace of mind until then.

I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

"Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

[Study Monk]

@jelly

Whats the professional liability problem you speak of? I have to contact 2 old employers, after I pass these exams, to get my experience and I would love to have some peace of mind until then.

I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

"Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

[Author]

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