[Anonymous]

Hello all,

Just to give some background. I have been working at a small Public accounting firm (2 staff, 1 manager (not a CPA, recently hired), 2 partners, 1 senior (me) and a secretary).

I have 4 years of public accounting experience (1 of which is in a big firm, the other 3 here at my current place of employment). When I originally took the position at this office, I did so knowing I would not get compensated as well as I would at any big company (like the one I left), however, I also knew that this firm would allow me the ability to study and live life in general.

It has been 3 years now and I have passed the CPA exam. Additionally, my role in the firm has expanded to where I am now a senior accountant, I also handle most of the IT related work in the office, and because of a set of circumstances related to the old manager that used to work here, my seniority is that I am third in the office behind both partners. While a manager has been hired, she is not a CPA and the partners have made it clear that her position is more to keep the office structure than it is that she is a true manager (sounds weird to me but I whatever).

For some time I have felt as though I was a bit underpaid, however, I didn’t think much of it seeing that I didnt have my CPA and I work at a small firm.

However, having passed my CPA, as anyone else would do, I did my research on salaries and what not. Turns out that a person in my current position, with my experience, in a small firm (gross less than 25M a year) should be making on average, based on roberthalf research (as well as other sites I used for reference) 59,000-77,750. These amounts are without a CPA or a graduate degree.

The numbers go up 5-10% with the CPA/Grad degree, the above numbers are also without the inclusion of bonuses.

Before my CPA, my salary w/o bonuses = 52,500, now with the CPA, my salary w/o bonuses = 59,000.

I love the place i work for, however, I do also think I am a bit under compensated.

I have never asked for a raise, much less a better raise and I have no idea how to approach my bosses to discuss it, especially on the heels of having received one for the CPA, however, am I crazy to say it is a bit lower than it should be.

I do the job of a senior, plus admin stuff, plus IT stuff and then some.

How should I approach my boss? Should I even approach my boss. Any help is appreciated. And don’t feel bad telling me I am being an ungrateful punk, that answer is ok.

Thanks in advance everyone.

[Reed2654]

Did you apply the local market factor? I know the Robert Half survey includes region-specific figures. I notice from your post you're from Florida. For instance, say you live in For Myers, Florida, that range would be 51,625 – 68,031. The guide I have has the following factors depending where in Florida you are:

Fort Myers – 87.5

Jacksonville- 93.0

Melbourne- 89.5

Miami/ Ft Laud 106.7

Orlando 98.5

St. Petersburg 94

Tampa 96.5

West Palm Beach 99.5

[Anonymous]

How would I apply that factor to my calcs?

Would i take the scale and multiply it by that factor to determine the region's base?

Edit: never mind I got it

Wow…that makes the gap even more… I am in the Miami/Ft Laud area

[Anonymous]

[mla1169]

Where exactly did you find that salary range, just curious. Its been my personal experience that if you look at 3 different sites you'll find completely out of the ballpark salaries on each. For what its worth I've been doing accounting for 20 years and have my CPA, and don't make much more than you. I'm in Boston (well just outside boston). *sigh* Thanks again, gender salary gap!

The true test of whether you're undercompensated, is if you can get an offer for what you seem to believe you're worth. For example I thought I was undercompensated at my last job, looked around, got an offer that was a 40% increase. Obviously I was right.

Don't forget to take into account other things like vacation time, how much your health insurance costs, etc. Not worth it to jump ship for $5k more if you're going to lose 2 weeks vacation time and your health insurance will increase.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

No I definitely don't want to jump ship at all. I would just like to be properly compensated where I am.

The difference is $7,000 when considering the CPA plus the Miami/Ft Laud factor.

The information is from Robert Half information. Which has been consistent with other websites. The ball park is within the above mentioned ranges.

[Anonymous]

It might be more effective to hang on for a bit, and then discuss it after you've had the CPA raise for a bit. Like, maybe in 6-12 months. I'm trying to decide method and timing to talk to my boss about a raise, too. Adjusting national figures for local averages, I'm getting paid about 2/3 of the low end of the range for my position/experience/etc. I'm pretty sure my boss is unaware, not intentionally underpaying, but it's still hard to figure out how to approach the topic! My firm is even smaller – at the moment, just me and my boss (who of course is the owner). So, if he gives me a $3000 raise, it directly means a $3000 cut of what goes in his pocket, since there's just me and him and the business is holding steady. So, I understand the hesitation and uncertainty! Even though I know I am very underpaid, it's still hard to figure out how to ask for a raise, having never done so before…

By the way, I love the consistency of your scores! Should've scored 1 less on BEC. 😛

[Anonymous]

@Elisabeth – I feel the same way about my boss, I don't think it is an intentional thing (but then again there is the cynical side of me that thinks bosses are sharks looking to get the best bang for their buck).

I was talking to a friend of mine who is pretty high up where he works and he offered me two options to think about:

1. What you said

2. Go in and make it more of a conversation than a demand. Start by saying “Can I ask you a question, and you let me know if I am being unreasonable, but I wanted to know if I could mention this to you.”

This of course is assuming you have that type of relationship with your boss. The point to option two is that you let the boss speak on it, you let him think about it, you bring it to his attention in a way that assumes he wasn't aware of it and you ultimately keep the “goodness” of your work relationship, but at the same time let him know what is out there and let him respond + take the wheel.

I think either option is good. And I think that if I wait the 6 months, that using option 2 upon my annual review would work even better.

And no I much like having gotten one more point lol. Reminds me that I studied like crazy for BEC for an extra point lol

[Senk Tank]

HiYa!

Embrace the Pain

"Quality over Quantity" - Tony Horton, P90X

AUD - 84 10/2015
REG - 91 2/2016
BEC - 5/28/2016

[Senk Tank]

HiYa!

Embrace the Pain

"Quality over Quantity" - Tony Horton, P90X

AUD - 84 10/2015
REG - 91 2/2016
BEC - 5/28/2016

[Anonymous]

@CS2428 All of what you're saying makes sense. Right now I'm trying to hold off and be patient…for most of the time I've worked here, my boss and I definitely had the relationship that would allow me to just be like “Hey, what do you think about this?” The last month or so he's been acting weird, so I'm trying to see if this mood will pass and things will go back to normal! If they do, I think that we'll be able to talk about it in conversation, but it's still hard to address it in such a manner that you don't seem to be saying “You're not paying me enough”, but still convey that it is a bit low. Guess we'll both get to figure it out before long!

[CPApracticer]

@CS2428 i would like to help you better assess the situation. how many hours a week do you usually work and what are your benefits like?

F: 54 (4/13) 60 (4/14) 67 (9/14) 66 (10/14) 63 (11/15) 79 (2/16) PASSED
A: 60 (5/13) 80 (4/16) PASSED
R: 60 (7/13) 61 (2/15) 70 (4/15) 77 (7/15) PASSED
B: (6/16)

[jelly]

I would look at a couple of factors:

1) Is there more revenue coming in, i.e. additional or new client work? How much more work?

2) If the answer to #1 is yes, then I would just start interviewing or talking to recruiters to see what the numbers are for someone at your level in your area.

Then definitely go talk to your boss. No need to ambush him or mention that you have an offer, but you at least need some research (and maybe a ticket to leave) so that you can evaluate your boss' response to see how much of it is/isn't BS. If he can't or won't offer money, can you get more vacation days or some kind of company-paid training?

Couldn't pass again!

[Anonymous]

Finally had the conversation.

It went real well. I just asked him how my position and pay are determined to get a better understanding of where I stood.

He explained it all to me. As it turns out, he sees me with only 2.5 years of experience rather than 4 years. He says that I only have 2.5 with the firm and he can't attest to the first year….so the scale he used has a range of 49000 – 63000, using that one, I am mid range…

Do I agree with his assessment of my experience….absolutely not. When he hired me, he had no problem seeing my first year at another company as experience, so then he shouldn't have a problem seeing it still.

This should be a fun follow follow up process.

It's either that or wait until December for my annual review. Just started an IRS audit that I've been allowed to do from start to finish. This experience would be something nice to have under my belt, so I see myself sitting tight at least until December.

Thank you all for the help.

For those that asked, my benefits are as follows:

2 weeks vacation (soon to be 3 in December)

1 week sick

401(k) match up to 4%

70% of health insurance covered (for me only, wife not included) (not the best I have to say…but better than nothing I guess)

I work 40-45 hours a week.

During busy season maybe 50…but for the most part, a consistent 40-45 hours. Closer to 40 more often than not.

Can't complain on that note.

[kmaahs]

Look at it this way…

Probably 75% of the country would kill to have your combination of pay,401k,vacation,health benefits, and hours worked.

Your plan to wait it out just a bit is a good one, I think. If time keeps rolling on and your pay becomes grossly incommensurate with your experience, a change may be in order.

It doesn't sound so bad though, from your description.

C.P.A.

[Author]

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