[blink fan]

Hello everyone. I just started a new job at a small firm. I love the small atmosphere feel, and the owners are very nice. I came from a large company where I was strictly working on 1040 and the gift tax returns and trust returns for the family office group. I wanted a new change and the salary was right so I took this current job, and the job entails accounting work, quickbooks, bookkeeping, as well as tax work.But I haven’t done accounting in over 10 years! I am so rusty and I feel like I am going to get fired. I’m almost embarrassed at how rusty I am with bookkeeping to ask for any help. I’d rather work on a complex 1040 return with 100 k-1’s and multi state than any accounting type work. Should I just bail now before tax season revs up and try looking for a similar job strictly in 1040/tax ? Or just stick I out ? Thanks for any advice

[turo9992000]

Be honest about where you are and talk to your boss. They could push work down to you based on your level.

[eMeRGeD]

I would just ask yourself if you'd rather be a niche specialist or a more well-rounded accountant. Both have their advantages/disadvantages. Small firms definitely will push you more toward the latter since there is no option but to do everything. I'm at a small firm and do everything from sales tax to 1040's to 1120's to 990's to IT troubleshooting (because I'm the only one under the age of 30 LOL).. I like feeling like I could handle anything. “If you aren't making mistakes, you aren't working on hard enough problems” – Frank Wilczek

[Mike J]

If it's a matter of learning QuickBooks, go to coursera.org and find a class on the cheap. Intuit also has a basic class for its ProAdvisor cert. It's also free.

For basic journal entry info, crack open your principles of accounting textbook. You can also peruse accountingcoach.com.

We all have limitations. It's good you identified yours. Now go research them. Best of luck!

[TommyTheCat]

do what is ultimately right for you. if i were in your situation id stick with it and learn/re-learn the nuts and bolts accounting you need to in order to get up to speed at your current gig. it'll only help you down the road.

I run a tax department at a public accounting firm and i cant tell you how frustrated i get when my associates and seniors lack the basic debits and credits and financial accounting 101 bookkeeping chops.

[Mike J]

@TommyTheCat, I'm pretty comfortable with debits and credits. Focusing on that helped a ton with FAR. I'm working on my MST now because I want to become more confident with taxes. That, and I don't have a degree in Accounting so why not get one while strengthening a weakness? Just out of curiosity, are you in New York?

[blink fan]

No not in NY, but not sure if that was to me the question lol. I agree working with accounting at my job could definitely help with FAR. I actually just got an offer for a firm with what I want to do work wise. Now I’m in a predicament with quitting this job after a month right before tax season. Pay is actually a little less but I know it is more of the work I enjoy. Any advice ?

[lurking_CPA]

Relearning the nuts and bolts I think will do more for you personally and professionally than mass completing basic 1040s. Basic accounting, quickbooks, and bookkeeping work are hard skills that will stick with you through any type of small business job year round. Tax work can only largely sustain you during tax season. It will frankly make you a better person to push your comfort zone a bit and feel dumb. That's how you grow.

[Mike J]

Couldn't agree more with @Lurking_CPA. Well said

[Mike J]

@Blink Fan,

Since you just started the current job, and you're absolutely sure you want to take this new one, just take the new one and leave the old one off the resume.

It isn't the most professional thing to do, but protect your best interest. A company will always protect theirs. They will let you go when it's convenient for them. So if you don't think you will be burned doing so, submit a 2-week notice and don't look back.

[Author]

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