[Anonymous]

I am just trying to get a feel of what market value is for me.

Currently I am with a small (65ee) public firm that specializes in tax and compilations on the IL/WI eastern border.

I have 3 years experience and have been licensed for a year now. I also had about a year internship with a publicly traded company.

I review and suggest changes on financial statements, handle communications with tax authorities, prepare all types of tax forms, suggest tax saving opportunities, business structuring, ways to improve/consulting, best practices etc, under a manager for some clients and on my own for others.

I was told I was going to have a full book of clients transferred to my control in the beginning of the year through the summer and there has been little to no movement on that. I am currently doing pretty much what my manager is supposed to do now anyway, with no formal communication of transfer at this point.

I am the firm expert in ACA, tangible repair regs, SALT, and auto industry.

I started at 36.5k hourly with overtime and have since been switched to salary at 46.5k told I will be bumped to the minimum allowed for salaried employees with the new labor laws 12/1. For reference, managers at the firm makes 100k+ based on their book.

This tax season will likely be ever more grueling and I can see myself working everyday of it at least from Feb-March.

I am feeling as if they are delaying to get another cheap tax season from me and may change my comp after that (MGRs are commissioned based on collections, which is greatest during tax season).

I am considering asking for a higher salary for the next year, but using the salary guides are unreliable and I have a hard time fathoming more than a 10% pay change and I feel like my opportunities are likely to be closer to 70+, but I’d like to stay in public.

Any ideas? I will jump ship

Update: Found Accounting Compensation Report – GoingConcern.com

[ChristieF]

I work in industry, so I may not be helpful… but I would ask what their plan is 12/1. If they aren't willing to go high enough – I'd start looking elsewhere. I am not a CPA yet and work in industry and make more than that. I'd definitely do something to get a change if I were you. You're definitely worth more than you are making. Just my .02

[Anonymous]

Wow. For having 3 years experience and a CPA, you are definitely being underpaid. Even if they were to give you a 10% raise, you would still be getting underpaid. You should definitely start looking into other companies.

[Anonymous]

I also think you're way underpaid. Even with a 10% raise you would be making less than my company pays new college grads with zero experience and no CPA license. Aside from your compensation, do you like working there and want to stay for a while? If you do, see if they're willing to go higher. If not I would just start applying to other places and not bother asking for a raise.

[Anonymous]

I enjoy what I do and who I work with.

The owner told me over lunch that a manager with a full book usually makes at least $80-90. I am just having a hard time imagining that jump.

[Author]

Replies