[smyoung0521]

I can only write this as no one except Jeff knows who I am!

I worked at my first job out of grad school for 5 years (nonaccounting) then stayed home and went back to school for 5 years. I started at a state job and very quickly realized that it was not for me and after 6 months had 2 interviews one for a manufacturing plant as a staff accountant and one as an auditor.

The manufacturing plant made me an offer for 33,000 less than I was making at the state but promised that after 3 months it would be revisited. They also promised to pay for my CPA exam. I took that job and spent the first month there in tears after work. The work environment is laid back with the CFO throwing phones around the room and everyone curses like sailors all the time. Bills have not been paid for months on end where phones have been cut off, water threatened to be cut….paychecks have been manual so that they can get float although they sometimes bounce….I found out that money isn’t even put into the HSA like promised….etc….Well, I have been there 4 months and nothing has changed…not my pay not a cent towards my CPA exams….it is a struggle to learn anything there….although I have gotten used to it and learned to love my coworkers…..I will also say this place is 10 minutes from home and has a lenient attendance policy…and I am the 5th person in this position in 4 years and everyone has quit. We are about to hit busy season at this company.

Monday I have a job interview with the regional accounting firm that I had interviewed with prior. It would be a 45 minute commute. A friend has recently began with them in another location and got offered 45,000….So two questions stay or go if offered (hate the job switching aspect) and secondly how do I explain without badmouthing current work which I won’t do.

Thanks for reading and any advice!

Restarting my journey!
Using Rogers and supplementing with Ninja

[Anonymous]

It's tough to be in a spot where there's a BAD job situation that you have to leave, yet saying so of course doesn't look good. The hardest part will be that you have 2 short job stints in a row (6 months then 4), so you've got 2 to explain without being able to say what you really think. My last job-change was from a pretty bad situation to a much better situation, so I understand the difficulty in finding an explanation. To find a solution…are there other reasons, too, that you changed? For example, when I made my job-change, I was also switching from public to private. Private has always held more interest for me, so I could honestly say that I was looking forward to getting into the corporate accounting world…even if boss-issues were also a key factor. Another reason that I was more interested in my private job was that it offered benefits and my public one didn't (2-person company, and I was the 2nd person, so too small for benefits). Think of any of these “other factors” that would contribute to your decision to switch to the public accounting firm. Also, if this firm gave you an offer that you refused before, consider what reason you gave them at the time and how to negate that now (for example, if you told them that you wanted to take your current job cause you just loved private accounting, then you can't tell them now that you're switching cause you love public, but you could say that you have realized that you weren't ready for private accounting and need public experience or something like that, though this sort of line would indicate that you had short-term plans in public so might not be that good either).

Of course, you can always just say that you are seeking another position for “personal reasons”, which kinda says “I can't say anything” and can end the conversation, but leaves it open to their interpretation what that means (“Is this person about to get fired and wants to leave first?” “Is this person dealing with harrassment and eager to get out?”).

Also, if this is a large enterprise in town, it's quite possible that their ethics are known within the accounting community, so it is possible that this public accounting firm will know why you're leaving without you having to say a word. I saw a manufacturing accounting position posted and was quite interested in it, but when I mentioned it to my boyfriend (we live in a small town), he was like “They've gone through a lot of accountants in a short time there, and I”ve known some of them – your job is basically to fudge the numbers and cover things up for the higher-ups”. “Creative accounting” I've heard it called. 😉 But, given that in a small town the non-accountants still knew why the accountants were leaving this place, I would imagine that in a bigger town, it might still be known within the accounting world. So, there's always the chance that they will know all even without you telling. 🙂

But kudos to you for not talking bad about a current employer. Even when the employer is VERY deserving of the bad talk, it doesn't look good, and it's good that you've realized that. 🙂

[Anonymous]

It's tough to be in a spot where there's a BAD job situation that you have to leave, yet saying so of course doesn't look good. The hardest part will be that you have 2 short job stints in a row (6 months then 4), so you've got 2 to explain without being able to say what you really think. My last job-change was from a pretty bad situation to a much better situation, so I understand the difficulty in finding an explanation. To find a solution…are there other reasons, too, that you changed? For example, when I made my job-change, I was also switching from public to private. Private has always held more interest for me, so I could honestly say that I was looking forward to getting into the corporate accounting world…even if boss-issues were also a key factor. Another reason that I was more interested in my private job was that it offered benefits and my public one didn't (2-person company, and I was the 2nd person, so too small for benefits). Think of any of these “other factors” that would contribute to your decision to switch to the public accounting firm. Also, if this firm gave you an offer that you refused before, consider what reason you gave them at the time and how to negate that now (for example, if you told them that you wanted to take your current job cause you just loved private accounting, then you can't tell them now that you're switching cause you love public, but you could say that you have realized that you weren't ready for private accounting and need public experience or something like that, though this sort of line would indicate that you had short-term plans in public so might not be that good either).

Of course, you can always just say that you are seeking another position for “personal reasons”, which kinda says “I can't say anything” and can end the conversation, but leaves it open to their interpretation what that means (“Is this person about to get fired and wants to leave first?” “Is this person dealing with harrassment and eager to get out?”).

Also, if this is a large enterprise in town, it's quite possible that their ethics are known within the accounting community, so it is possible that this public accounting firm will know why you're leaving without you having to say a word. I saw a manufacturing accounting position posted and was quite interested in it, but when I mentioned it to my boyfriend (we live in a small town), he was like “They've gone through a lot of accountants in a short time there, and I”ve known some of them – your job is basically to fudge the numbers and cover things up for the higher-ups”. “Creative accounting” I've heard it called. 😉 But, given that in a small town the non-accountants still knew why the accountants were leaving this place, I would imagine that in a bigger town, it might still be known within the accounting world. So, there's always the chance that they will know all even without you telling. 🙂

But kudos to you for not talking bad about a current employer. Even when the employer is VERY deserving of the bad talk, it doesn't look good, and it's good that you've realized that. 🙂

[onmywhey]

With respect to the job change, say you want to gain knowledge that public accounting can give you. Even though you hate your current job, I would spin it as you love your co-workers and the work, but need some additional exposure and would like an environment that will help you get your CPA. Basically everything you want to say but more positive.

I would definitely go, current job doesn't sound like it is good long-term. The fact that promises they made have not materialized and that you left for less money is probably building resentment which imo is not good.

[onmywhey]

With respect to the job change, say you want to gain knowledge that public accounting can give you. Even though you hate your current job, I would spin it as you love your co-workers and the work, but need some additional exposure and would like an environment that will help you get your CPA. Basically everything you want to say but more positive.

I would definitely go, current job doesn't sound like it is good long-term. The fact that promises they made have not materialized and that you left for less money is probably building resentment which imo is not good.

[MarathonRunner1]

I agree with the other posters. I would also use the “I want to switch to public” angle.

AUD: 94 (Nov. 2013)
FAR: 76 (Oct. 2013)
BEC: 79 (Nov. 2012)
REG: 84 (Dec. 2013) It's Mile 26.2, and we finished. Blood, sweat and tears, passion, perseverance, and never giving up, we did it!

California Candidate

[MarathonRunner1]

I agree with the other posters. I would also use the “I want to switch to public” angle.

AUD: 94 (Nov. 2013)
FAR: 76 (Oct. 2013)
BEC: 79 (Nov. 2012)
REG: 84 (Dec. 2013) It's Mile 26.2, and we finished. Blood, sweat and tears, passion, perseverance, and never giving up, we did it!

California Candidate

[Study Monk]

I would try to avoid from saying you want to go to public accounting to get the CPA experience like onmyway is suggesting. It should be that you want the CPA so that you can be in public accounting. Public Accounting firms have high turnover and you want to sound like you want to make a career out of it. Refrain from bringing up the CPA general work requirements because that is a given and it sounds like you plan to be there only a year. Let them know that you are studying for the test and everything else is implied.

Do not say anything like you want the experience that public accounting has to offer. That is the kind of comment that makes you look like you are leaving in two years. You want to say that you like a career where you can learn accounting deeply and public accounting is that career.

As far as your current job is concerned… You want to leave because you want to dedicate your life(not in those exact words) to being in public accounting. You always wanted to be in public accounting and you took your current job as a way to keep busy until you found a firm to work for. My point is show your passion(whether or not it is real) for public accounting and the reason you are leaving your job will be explained by your eagerness to be a public accountant.

Accounting firms are like women they love to be romanced and told why they are special. You tell them that you will always be there for them and you hope that something special will grow from your relationship. You don't tell them that you want to hit it and quit it.

I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

"Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

[Study Monk]

I would try to avoid from saying you want to go to public accounting to get the CPA experience like onmyway is suggesting. It should be that you want the CPA so that you can be in public accounting. Public Accounting firms have high turnover and you want to sound like you want to make a career out of it. Refrain from bringing up the CPA general work requirements because that is a given and it sounds like you plan to be there only a year. Let them know that you are studying for the test and everything else is implied.

Do not say anything like you want the experience that public accounting has to offer. That is the kind of comment that makes you look like you are leaving in two years. You want to say that you like a career where you can learn accounting deeply and public accounting is that career.

As far as your current job is concerned… You want to leave because you want to dedicate your life(not in those exact words) to being in public accounting. You always wanted to be in public accounting and you took your current job as a way to keep busy until you found a firm to work for. My point is show your passion(whether or not it is real) for public accounting and the reason you are leaving your job will be explained by your eagerness to be a public accountant.

Accounting firms are like women they love to be romanced and told why they are special. You tell them that you will always be there for them and you hope that something special will grow from your relationship. You don't tell them that you want to hit it and quit it.

I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

"Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

[Guti]

And then After 2 years when the passion has faded away, you dumped her to find someone younger, and better looking, in your case, you move to private Accounting.

Im just finishing Monk's analogy,please dont hate!

FAR-84
AUD-
REG-
BEC-

[Guti]

And then After 2 years when the passion has faded away, you dumped her to find someone younger, and better looking, in your case, you move to private Accounting.

Im just finishing Monk's analogy,please dont hate!

FAR-84
AUD-
REG-
BEC-

[mla1169]

This is a no brainier. You interviewed at this firm before you took your current position. You do some research on the firm if you haven't already and say this firm has been your first choice for x, y, and z reasons. You're honored to have the opportunity to discuss a position with them again. Make it clear that it's not as much about leaving your current position as it is about achieving the goal you've had all along to work for them.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mla1169]

This is a no brainier. You interviewed at this firm before you took your current position. You do some research on the firm if you haven't already and say this firm has been your first choice for x, y, and z reasons. You're honored to have the opportunity to discuss a position with them again. Make it clear that it's not as much about leaving your current position as it is about achieving the goal you've had all along to work for them.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[onmywhey]

@ Study Monk

Though I agree with the critique, I think you interpreted it to mean short-term. There is experience to be gained in public that cannot be gained other places so this is a pretty common explanation and scenario. The accounting firms often take people from private so they are no stranger to this type of candidate.

As to not being open if you want to leave after x amount of time, the accounting firms are not dumb, they know that out of a starting class most will be gone in 2-3 years. They have seen so many hiring cycles they have it down to a percentage… This doesn't mean air out that you want to leave, but it's more like a secret that both of you know and do not talk about it. In summary, they're not dumb.

[onmywhey]

@ Study Monk

Though I agree with the critique, I think you interpreted it to mean short-term. There is experience to be gained in public that cannot be gained other places so this is a pretty common explanation and scenario. The accounting firms often take people from private so they are no stranger to this type of candidate.

As to not being open if you want to leave after x amount of time, the accounting firms are not dumb, they know that out of a starting class most will be gone in 2-3 years. They have seen so many hiring cycles they have it down to a percentage… This doesn't mean air out that you want to leave, but it's more like a secret that both of you know and do not talk about it. In summary, they're not dumb.

[onmywhey]

@ Study Monk

I should disclose that I came from industry and got 3/3 offers from the Big 4 that I tried for. Not to brag, but I think they like people from industry that have an understanding of what to expect. This is in contrast to some new hires right of out college that may not have a realistic expectation of what they're getting themselves into.

I openly told them that I wanted experience from public accounting and that all the people in industry in higher up positions come from Big 4. That explanation worked fine for me. I could tell they knew I was probably leaving in 2-3 years but experience and attitude outweighed that risk for them.

[Author]

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