[Willpower]

hi,

I started at one of the big 4 last of October so it’s been 4 months so far. I recently had my performance review and I was told I did not meet expectations. The manager on it had already contacted the resource management and told them to take me out from the team. I honestly don’t know how this happened. I believe I have tried my best. Now I’m really wondering what to do next. I already contacted my counselor to talk about this, but given its busy season I’m probably her last worry. I feel discouraged and defeated. I think I shouldn’t but it is still affecting me. Has anyone gone through something similar ? What did you decided to change/do ?

I’m stressed out but I know that life goes on and there are ups and down. I will definitely do better and won’t give up. Any advice will be welcome.

Passed 4 parts

[Willpower]

Hi everyone. This is a quick update since last post. The separation notice fame in abruptly and there was no warnings whatsoever. After my first low performance review I went into two short engagements and was able to get good reviews. However, it seems this was not enough and got laid off. Now my major concern is how the company will let other prospects employers about my work. Also, how am I supposed to explain why I was let go? I'm feeling defeated and disappointed. I knew of my low performance situation but I did go out of my way to find new engagements when I was unassigned. I truly believe I improved and yet this happened. I don't understand…they did not even try putting me in a improvement program…

I need some life advice on this.

Thank you in advance

Passed 4 parts

[ruggercpa2b]

I am surprised they did not put you in a performance program. I feel like when I was at the green dot they put you on probation for 3 months, but most of the time, no one really ever stayed after those 3 months. In terms of future employers the only thing that they do is verify your dates of employment. A lot of companies do not say much just because you could end up suing them. Accounting firms lay people off all the time. Sometimes its because they lost a big client and have to trim the people. So you can just say that you were laid off and not go into so much detail.

I am sure you will find something.

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.

[Willpower]

I don't believe I was even in probation. I was never told about what I did so wrong aside from the face that I did not meet expectations and that team recommended me to go to a smaller team to improve gradually. I must say I felt lonely and without a support. I had a counselor and I tried working with her however I don't believe she even tried to help me. At one point I honestly believe it was because she was busy. Maybe I'm too naive and too fresh out of school.

Passed 4 parts

[Anonymous]

@Willpower I would second rugger's suggestion of just saying you were laid off. Layoffs aren't abnormal in public accounting, so hopefully no other explanation will be needed, and from what you said, being laid off is indeed what happened. If you were laid off and not fired, then there's no lying involved in simply saying you were laid off. Your performance may, as you say, have improved greatly after the initial review; however, if the company has to cut 15 people (for example), then unfortunately, if your last/only official review showed “Does not meet expectations”, that likely affects their decisions regarding who to cut, cause even if you're doing better, your official record may not reflect it.

Regardless, though, just focus on moving forward. In any discussion of the job with future employers, focus on everything you learned from the job, and try not to discuss how it ended. You may not get much in the way of coaching or counseling on the job, but with practice, you can learn how to fend for yourself and learn how to navigate the workplace.

Do you have any other work experience, non-accounting? If not, then if you're looking for a job for a while, you might find it beneficial to work somewhere entry-level to learn the politics of workplaces to some extent. I know my time working in a grocery store served to teach me many lessons about the workplace in general which helped me navigate my first accounting jobs.

[Anonymous]

Sorry to hear about your fate, but in the world of the B4, if management is looking to trim heads, all you need is 1 bad performance review. They have probation periods but in all honesty, you are still at a 50/50 chance with no obligation to track your progress or help you become better. What's done is done and you should look to move on. Always reference the positives you learned and how your experiences will bring value to another firm or in industry. There are plenty of people out there that were laid off or termed at one point in their lives and are completely happy with their current situation. I know I am.

[Willpower]

thank you all!! I know that this will move on and I know i have just begun my career. just because it did not work out at first it does not mean i cann't make it somewhere else. Job hunting will be arduous but passing the CPA was as well. I don't want to give up. thank you all again

Passed 4 parts

[MOAC]

Many people get laid off within 1 year by Big4s, so don't beat yourself too much. I think you should plenty of interview with the big4 experience. Don't worry something good will come up.

FAR May 2012 81 (lost credit, didn't sit for other sections.)
FAR 86 Aug 2015
AUD 85 Nov 2015
BEC 84 Dec 2015
REG 78 Mar 2016

Passed ALL sections in first attempt!!

[MOAC]

Many people get laid off within 1 year by Big4s, so don't beat yourself too much. I think you should plenty of interview with the big4 experience. Don't worry something good will come up.

FAR May 2012 81 (lost credit, didn't sit for other sections.)
FAR 86 Aug 2015
AUD 85 Nov 2015
BEC 84 Dec 2015
REG 78 Mar 2016

Passed ALL sections in first attempt!!

[gigabyte2001]

Something like 15 years ago I was laid off from the biggest firm I ever worked at. They told me I was a square peg in a round hole & maybe accounting wasn't for me. I went to a very, very small firm and excelled, finished my degree, got a masters, went to a bigger firm, (aka my time in hell) got laid off a year later, and went to industry. I'm still at the same company 10 yrs later. I'm the Controller, we went from 16 people to 300 people in 10 yrs, and I've already been told when my boss gets promoted, I'll move into his slot (CFO/CAO)and have both Accounting & HR departments reporting to me, and the promotions are just waiting on an uptick in business.

My point is – Big 4 is NOT for everyone and it's not the only path in accounting. You can be wildly successful in the field without the Big4. You have a degree & a CPA, you are marketable.

B - 11/11/16
A - 4/16/16 87!!
R - 2/17/17
F - 7/26/16 - Waiting for 8/23

[PharmBoy]

That may be true gigabyte2001 but if somebody wants to work long hours and get divorced at least once, a Big Four job is one of the quickest ways to accomplish that.

[gigabyte2001]

LOL PharmBoy – There's been some long hours in the last 10 years, including an actual all-nighter and the ERP Conversion from hell with it's 12-14 hr days for weeks on end until I actually almost quit (2 years ago this week.) Fortunately, at this point, I have a better work/life balance and enough capital to refuse to do ridiculous things from time to time. Maybe I should've spent some of it and refused this CPA exam.

B - 11/11/16
A - 4/16/16 87!!
R - 2/17/17
F - 7/26/16 - Waiting for 8/23

[Anonymous]

@PharmaBoy. Wouldn't blame the Big 4 for divorces. People pick a partner they know will work a lot and still marry them. No sympathy from me.

As for everyone else, as someone who can't get a job in public some of these stories put a smile on my face.

[gigabyte2001]

I should also mention, my boss the CFO has NEVER worked in Public.

B - 11/11/16
A - 4/16/16 87!!
R - 2/17/17
F - 7/26/16 - Waiting for 8/23

[Willpower]

Hi,

Just wanted to update you all quickly. I decided to go to private firms just because of the work/life balance. I do plan to have a family later on and although money is very important my time with my family is as well. Just like gigabyte2001 mentioned, I truly believe i can success but it does not mean that I have to follow other's people path (aka big 4). that is not to say that Big4 is bad either! things happen for a reason and in my case it may be for my own good and a sign that public is not for me.

Anyhow thank you so much for your advice and support !
Keep it up ninjas ! the CPA is possible for everyone

Passed 4 parts

[ultrarunner]

My problem to work in industry is that I am a bit tired of working with people who are not CPAs nor have any desire to pursue CPA. I am not learning anything. That's why I am thinking about going to public. But everyone is different. Good luck to you Willpower.

FAR 72,67,79 (Roger+Wiley test bank)11/15
AUD 80 (Roger)10/15
BEC 80 (Roger)4/16
REG 63,78 (Roger+Ninja MCQs)5/16

[Author]

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