[stephe49]

I am in my first year of public accounting and I don’t know who to ask about raises. I work in a satelite office of my company, so everyone here is new. Can someone tell me what the firm standard is for raises,bonuses, and inflation adjustments?

F - 79 5/31/13
R - 68 07/12/13 Retake 88! 10/18/13
B - 78 08/31/13
A - 64 01/03/14 Retake 75! 5/23/14 I would rather have a 75 than a 99 any day!

[futureCPA12]

I was taught in my Behavioral Management class last year that you should always try negotiation unless its not open to one. What's the worst that would happen? You request a couple thousand dollars more than they present to you. They can't just say, “No, we can't do that. You're fired.” That would be grounds for an employee to sue out of wrongful termination. You always try to negotiate and if they don't budge, you either look elsewhere or take the raise they offer you…

[Never_Give_Up1]

Once you are above a manager, then your negotiating will be more of a factor. The lower ranks though, you have ZERO negotiation power. You have yet to prove yourself, and they are use to people in the lower ranks leaving all the time. Once you have that “manager” title then you have proved you are worth something to the firm and they will try and keep you. Because that is when TONS of external pressure to leave starts to pour in.

FAR - 81
REG - 81
AUD - 82
BEC - 81

Ethics - Done
State License Exam - Done

License - Licensed CPA in Utah

[Never_Give_Up1]

Once you are above a manager, then your negotiating will be more of a factor. The lower ranks though, you have ZERO negotiation power. You have yet to prove yourself, and they are use to people in the lower ranks leaving all the time. Once you have that “manager” title then you have proved you are worth something to the firm and they will try and keep you. Because that is when TONS of external pressure to leave starts to pour in.

FAR - 81
REG - 81
AUD - 82
BEC - 81

Ethics - Done
State License Exam - Done

License - Licensed CPA in Utah

[futureCPA12]

I was just going to say that @never. Its definitely hard to negotiate until you're at that Senior Manager level, because any level below that, you are easily replaceable.

[futureCPA12]

I was just going to say that @never. Its definitely hard to negotiate until you're at that Senior Manager level, because any level below that, you are easily replaceable.

[Never_Give_Up1]

You can be fired for any reason… your employment is not guaranteed. You want a job that is secure, go to France, or work for Government. You are even with your employer after every paycheck. The sooner you realize that the better. You can be let go for ANY reason.

FAR - 81
REG - 81
AUD - 82
BEC - 81

Ethics - Done
State License Exam - Done

License - Licensed CPA in Utah

[Never_Give_Up1]

You can be fired for any reason… your employment is not guaranteed. You want a job that is secure, go to France, or work for Government. You are even with your employer after every paycheck. The sooner you realize that the better. You can be let go for ANY reason.

FAR - 81
REG - 81
AUD - 82
BEC - 81

Ethics - Done
State License Exam - Done

License - Licensed CPA in Utah

[futureCPA12]

I agree. I mean thats what stinks about an “at will” employment contract. But I've never heard of someone getting let go because they tried to negotiate salary. In fact, research has shown that employers like their employees to be assertive rather than passive. It makes sense. Unfortunately, I'm more passive and probably will never negotiate anything in my life…figures.

[futureCPA12]

I agree. I mean thats what stinks about an “at will” employment contract. But I've never heard of someone getting let go because they tried to negotiate salary. In fact, research has shown that employers like their employees to be assertive rather than passive. It makes sense. Unfortunately, I'm more passive and probably will never negotiate anything in my life…figures.

[kmaahs]

To this end, I'm also looking to try some negotiations…

I have two offers for two regional/smaller firms… (One is 60 people other is 150ish).

One offers a better bonus for having my test done, but I like the other firm more…

Should I craft an intelligent email to send HR to try and secure a slightly larger salary, or should I call the HR person directly?

I know my shot is slim, but neither firm appears to have another candidate in the wings should I decline. So I have a slight ability to ask for flexibility…

C.P.A.

[kmaahs]

To this end, I'm also looking to try some negotiations…

I have two offers for two regional/smaller firms… (One is 60 people other is 150ish).

One offers a better bonus for having my test done, but I like the other firm more…

Should I craft an intelligent email to send HR to try and secure a slightly larger salary, or should I call the HR person directly?

I know my shot is slim, but neither firm appears to have another candidate in the wings should I decline. So I have a slight ability to ask for flexibility…

C.P.A.

[litzd2]

what should one expect when going from a staff 2 to a senior accountant position in terms of a raise?

not a big 4 but it is a top 20 national firm.

FAR- 74,70,73,69, [75] 5TH TIME WAS THE CHARM TO FINISH THIS LONG JOURNEY
AUD- 73,[81]
REG- 72,70,[78]
BEC- [78]

[litzd2]

what should one expect when going from a staff 2 to a senior accountant position in terms of a raise?

not a big 4 but it is a top 20 national firm.

FAR- 74,70,73,69, [75] 5TH TIME WAS THE CHARM TO FINISH THIS LONG JOURNEY
AUD- 73,[81]
REG- 72,70,[78]
BEC- [78]

[stephk919]

I recently negotiated my salary after I got my annual raise but that is only because I did research on glassdoor. Even though I was around average for 2nd year senior in NY , I thought my contribution to the company was higher than average.

I guess it really does depend on your company and your contribution to your engagement teams. For me, I knew my worth and if they know that too – they will negotiate with me, which they did. Some people they said “no- theres nothing we can do” and for others they make exceptions. It really is based on employee performance, size of the company, etc. I wouldn't recommend a 1st year to really negotiate salary since you're easily replaceable but once you get experience and are truly valuable to your jobs and company – that would be a perfect time. But you truly have to evaluate yourself. It's not just because you want more money but because you deserve more based on x, y and z. You can't go in threatening anything because you won't get anywhere – go in with concrete facts.

I would say HR is your best bet but I went directly to my partner in charge of HR since they decided my increase. Good Luck!

Recommendation 1st year raise- 5-6% (mid-size) – with good evaluations

AUD - 83!! July 2012 (Expired), July 8 2014... waiting and waiting...
REG - October/November 2014
FAR - Late August 2014
BEC - 82 !!! Nov. 2013

Using Becker Self Study and Wiley Test Bank

[stephk919]

I recently negotiated my salary after I got my annual raise but that is only because I did research on glassdoor. Even though I was around average for 2nd year senior in NY , I thought my contribution to the company was higher than average.

I guess it really does depend on your company and your contribution to your engagement teams. For me, I knew my worth and if they know that too – they will negotiate with me, which they did. Some people they said “no- theres nothing we can do” and for others they make exceptions. It really is based on employee performance, size of the company, etc. I wouldn't recommend a 1st year to really negotiate salary since you're easily replaceable but once you get experience and are truly valuable to your jobs and company – that would be a perfect time. But you truly have to evaluate yourself. It's not just because you want more money but because you deserve more based on x, y and z. You can't go in threatening anything because you won't get anywhere – go in with concrete facts.

I would say HR is your best bet but I went directly to my partner in charge of HR since they decided my increase. Good Luck!

Recommendation 1st year raise- 5-6% (mid-size) – with good evaluations

AUD - 83!! July 2012 (Expired), July 8 2014... waiting and waiting...
REG - October/November 2014
FAR - Late August 2014
BEC - 82 !!! Nov. 2013

Using Becker Self Study and Wiley Test Bank

[Author]

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