[Anonymous]

I interviewed with a local start-up last Tuesday for an entry level accounting position. The position is more basic than what I would prefer in a perfect world, but the company has a good reputation and is growing so I’m willing to take the chance.

At the interview both the controller and the employee who I would be replacing expressed their concern that the job is boring and mundane. More than once, they said I was overqualified for the position and thought this may be an issue. Management wants everyone in the accounting department to have a CPA or be a CPA candidate.

Anyway, the interview went well and they said they would call me by the end of the week (Friday). Here it is Tuesday and I haven’t heard. I was thinking of following up with a short email such as:

“It was good to meet with both “Joe” and “Tina” last week and gain insight into their expectations for the staff accountant position. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any lingering questions you may have.”

What do you guys think? Should I just let this lie and be patient? Or push a little with an email opening the conversation?

[littlenumberrobot]

I would contact them and also push a little to find out where they are in the process of filling the position. Did you send a thank you/follow up email last week after your meeting with them? If so, focus this email on the checking the status of their process. If you have not, include thanking them for the meeting and say what you posted above, in addition to checking in with them.

Good luck!

CA CPA - All because of the journey listed below
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FAR - 53('10), 8/25/12 79 PASSED!
REG - 66('11), 69('12), 12/06/12 77 PASSED!!
BEC - 58('10), 74('12), 01/05/13 77 PASSED!!!
AUD - 43('11), 66('12), 69('13), 74('13) 7/29/13 85 PASSED!!!!!

(Combinations of Roger, Yaeger, Wiley Book, Wiley TB, & NINJA Notes)

Ethics 90%

[Anonymous]

Thanks @littlenumberrobot . I didn't think it would be out of order to contact them. They have a casual office atmosphere so I didn't want to appear pushy. Also, I totally spaced sending a thank you email – rookie mistake. I guess it didn't occur to me when she said she would contact me in the next 3 days.

Any, ideas on how to address the overqualified issue? It seemed to be a serious barrier for them. They asked for a CPA or candidate so I think there may be some disconnect on what they want and what they actually need.

[littlenumberrobot]

They are probably worried you will be bored out of your mind and not stay long. I assume you are in public accounting now? I agree, if they say they want a CPA or CPA candidate they are looking for an experienced hire, but maybe they think with your background(assuming public) would make you overqualified for the position. You should send a thank you/follow up email. I would focus on what makes YOU a good fit for them as a way to explain that you being a CPA(or candidate) would not make you overqualified. I think that is always the best route to go, just focus on YOU being good for that JOB. That way you are not actually saying you disagree with their idea that you are overqualified. And bottom line… do you think you are overqualified in any way? Be honest with yourself.

CA CPA - All because of the journey listed below
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FAR - 53('10), 8/25/12 79 PASSED!
REG - 66('11), 69('12), 12/06/12 77 PASSED!!
BEC - 58('10), 74('12), 01/05/13 77 PASSED!!!
AUD - 43('11), 66('12), 69('13), 74('13) 7/29/13 85 PASSED!!!!!

(Combinations of Roger, Yaeger, Wiley Book, Wiley TB, & NINJA Notes)

Ethics 90%

[Anonymous]

Yes, I am totally overqualified. They told me it is mainly data entry and some reconciliations. In my opinion this is at best a bookkeeper position.

They know my salary requirements, so I'm speculating that maybe they want to pay bookkeeper wages? But management wants a CPA or candidate, so they may have some disharmony there. I am interested because they said it is likely I would move up, although they were frank and said they couldn't promise when that would happen. I've been in public for years and am burned out, I could use a break from the long hours to finish the exam.

The company is hip and has a good reputation. If it meets my salary requirements, I would rather gain the opportunity and be bored for awhile.

[littlenumberrobot]

Hope it works out and keep us posted!

CA CPA - All because of the journey listed below
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FAR - 53('10), 8/25/12 79 PASSED!
REG - 66('11), 69('12), 12/06/12 77 PASSED!!
BEC - 58('10), 74('12), 01/05/13 77 PASSED!!!
AUD - 43('11), 66('12), 69('13), 74('13) 7/29/13 85 PASSED!!!!!

(Combinations of Roger, Yaeger, Wiley Book, Wiley TB, & NINJA Notes)

Ethics 90%

[mla1169]

Why on earth would you want this job? If you, the potential boss, and your predecessor all agree you're overqualified and would be bored, keep looking. There are dozens of threads here of people absolutely miserable at their jobs. Unless this job is the difference between food on the table or not, move on.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

@mla1169 because I'm burned out at my current position in public (Long hours are only one reason) I have 300 hours of PTO that I can't seem to use.

The position I interviewed for was open because the employee moved up. I know two people at the company who tell me it is a good place to work. They also offer benefits which I don't have in my current position.

I am a the point where if I can have better benefits, equal or better pay and only have to work 40 hours a week, while having an opportunity to move up (don't have that now) then I will take it.

[mla1169]

I'd still look for a 40 hour position with better benefits that would be a challenge for you. Sure the predecessor moved up but was he/she as qualified as you are?

If you've accumulated 300 hours PTO you've been there long enough that you've got a solid resume. You're actively pursuing the CPA, you're a catch! Theres a job for you that's the total package without compromise 🙂 I just worry that once you've got those bennies, better hours, and potential you'll still feel like something is missing because youre not challenged.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

@mla1169 I hear you, definitely. It has concerned me that I won't be challenged. I tend to be kick ass at implementing changes or technology upgrades and they hinted I might take that on as an additional responsibility. Most companies tell me I'm under-qualified. (I have no audit experience, only tax.) I have been looking for over a year without luck.

Also, if it gives you an idea I earned that 300 hours (331.17 to be exact) over this last tax season working like a dog. I'm just spent. Everyone in the office keeps getting sick. You think the partners would connect the dots. We do quality work here and I respect the experience of everyone I work with, but I'm not cut out for the hours they expect. An experienced CPA left last year for the same reason.

[ImaCPA168]

If you want this position, send the follow-up. Add in a thank you/pleasure to meet you since you forgot to do that after your interview. Don't apologize for not sending the thank you though. Also, I would take out the word “lingering” from the draft you wrote. That word just doesn't appeal.

Sounds like, they warned you that the position has very limited responsibilites right now and can get mundane. Honestly most lower level accounting jobs are that way. Doing the same weekly/monthly/ quartely procedures over and over. Why they warned you is that they want to make sure you are aware and are OK with it. There is nothing wrong with having a mundane job. Not all of us thrive on doing something different every minute of every day on a project by project basis. Some people are very well suited and like having these so-called mundane desk jobs. They are just making sure you're going to be OK with it for at least a little while so that the position is not constantly in transition.

It also sounds like there is potential for the position responsibilities to expand and/or upward movement. This is probably why management wants a CPA or CPA candidate and not a clerk type person even though the current tasks are more suited for a clerk.

Hey if you're burnt out and want to chill and are looking forward to the potential of this job…I say go for it.

B - 83 Done
A - 88 Done
R - 81 Done
F - 77 Done

Ethics - Done
Attest Hours - Done

Licensed-May 2013!

[Anonymous]

Update: They did not extend an offer. I found out yesterday they hired an undergraduate fresh out of college, with no CPA. The have no experience, their last job was an unrelated service industry position. I guess they didn't want what they asked for.

/sigh So frustrated with my job search. I just want a position where I don't have to work 70-80 hours a week during tax season, where I get training and some respect for my path towards becoming a CPA.

[littlenumberrobot]

I'm sorry bluegirl. It seems they advertised for a more qualified person than they truly wanted. I understand, I left my previous place of employment due to hours and work environment. I lucked out with a small CPA firm. I work 50 hrs. weeks during tax season and that's it! plus very flexible with my exams. These places exist, I hope something comes up for you soon!

PS Congrats on your AUD score of 76! I'm jealous!!

CA CPA - All because of the journey listed below
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FAR - 53('10), 8/25/12 79 PASSED!
REG - 66('11), 69('12), 12/06/12 77 PASSED!!
BEC - 58('10), 74('12), 01/05/13 77 PASSED!!!
AUD - 43('11), 66('12), 69('13), 74('13) 7/29/13 85 PASSED!!!!!

(Combinations of Roger, Yaeger, Wiley Book, Wiley TB, & NINJA Notes)

Ethics 90%

[Anonymous]

Bluegirl,

I've been in your shoes. When they say you are “over qualified”, it's their way of saying we don't want you – and if they don't want you, you probably don't want to work there anyway. I believe they are really afraid that if they hire you, you'll be so under challenged that you'll be on the lookout for a new job quickly. Since I've been in your shoes, I understand where you are coming from…but can you understand where they are coming from in not wanting to hire someone that they believe will be gone within months?

Keep looking…something will come up that will be a PERFECT fit.

[mla1169]

” I guess they didn't want what they asked for. “

EXACTLY!!!!!

The one thing a job coach drilled into my head is that they ALWAYS ask for more than they want. Before I went to college (remember, I started college at 33), every job I had “REQUIRED” a Bachelors degree but I got it anyway. If you look for a job that says they “require” a year in public but you don't have it, APPLY ANYWAY.

They put these lofty requirements to screen out people who have no business applying for the position. But they are almost never ever a hard and fast requirement.

So if you see a job listed which is a 75-90% fit for you but you are lacking x, y, or z, apply anyway. You've seen it firsthand now that you don't have to meet every single last requirement.

good luck!

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the kind words. I hear all kinds of news about more accounting jobs and there is nothing around here except a bunch of accounttemps listings starting “Staff Accountants” at $12/hour. Or the opposite end, looking for CFO's or Managers with 10+ years experience. Really discouraging, I've been looking for over a year. I've had four interviews and one offer (lateral move at best so didn't take it).

[Author]

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