[Anonymous]

I am in need of some advice about my career in Accounting and whether I should continue.

My firm is tiny: 1 Partner/Owner, 1 Senior Accountant (CPA), 2 Staff Accountants, 1 bookkeeper, and 1 admin. I’m one of the two staff accountants but the other staff accountant doesn’t do Audit/Review/Compilation engagements. The Senior Accountant recently let the Partner/Owner know that she’s job searching to move to a bigger town about an hour away. Great for her but sucks for me because that leaves me alone to handle most (owner will help) of these type of engagements although the owner says she plans to accept less of these type of engagements going toward. The owner doesn’t have any immediate plans to hire another Senior Accountant and has made it very clear that my work has been subpar.

She has said I’m not at the level she’d like me to be at right now and that it’s taking me longer than she expected to “get” the work. It’s been 15 months since I started. The person leaving was promoted to Senior after 1.5 years. I’ve read that most bigger firms promote after 2-3 years. I’m stressing out and feeling like I’m just not cut out for Accounting. I’m tired of being yelled at, laughed at, called “honey”, etc when I ask questions while at the same time being told I am not asking enough questions. My morale is very low and I’ve stopped studying for the CPA exam because I’m not sure I even want to remain in Public Accounting. I was not seeking to rush into a Senior position asap. I’d rather learn the job and do it well then see what happens.

Any suggestions of whether I should stay or seek other employment?

Thank you!

[Pete]

I can't really attest as I was only in a firm for a few months, but I would consider yourself lucky. My friend was merely “laid-off” because he wasn't “learning fast enough.” At least that's what he was told. Firm even had the audacity to bring in his replacement, while he was still there. They even had him cover another associates work, the week before they got rid of him, since the other associate was on vacation. So he had a really busy week (with salary), then didn't have a job the following week. My firm got rid of me after 6 months because the “chemistry just wasn't working.” In my case as well, it came without warning. Consider it a great thing they told you this; many firms would just “lay you off” for this issue. Some won't even tell you the reason for legal reasons.

In both our experiences, accounting firms are extremely cut-throat. Mind you, these were both small firms, so I can't attest to the larger ones. I would suggest you start networking heavily, just as a precaution. Even if things were going great, you just never know what's going to happen. Both of our lay-offs came suddenly, without warning. My firm did the same thing, after me. Someone else joined as was laid off a few months later for the same thing.

B=84 This exam was such a b**** that I thought I failed-don't know how these things work
A=76 Slacker I am, I'll happily take it
R=81 I LOVE taxes
F=80 I don't wanna get banned for an expletive I'm thinking with "yea" proceeding it

[Anonymous]

I worked at a firm similar to yours….get out. Contrary to popular belief, there are good firms out there. Ones where you will be appreciated and treated with respect.

In regards to being promoted, at my firm you have to be a CPA before you can be promoted. I know this is a general prerequisite for promotion to senior at many firms.

But in response to what you said, I'd definitely go somewhere else. Getting promoted wont change the lack of respect and how you're being treated. You're a professional and a human. Find an employer who will treat you as such.

[marqzho]

“I’ve stopped studying for the CPA exam because I’m not sure I even want to remain in Public Accounting.”

not a good excuse 🙂 go and study please honey.

REG 90
FAR 95
AUD 98
BEC 84

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the replies! I have asked for a sit down with my partner/owner to discuss things. I'm not the only one here who feels she talks to people in a demeaning way.

@marqzho – haha I really should just to be on the safer side in case I need to find another job.

[Amortized and Energized]

I'd have a sit down like you are planning and let it be known, you understand the partners comments but you are serious about becoming a senior and want to know if they have any recommendations on what you can do on your own to improve performance or learn to understand things better. Initiative goes a long way. Otherwise people think you are just coasting day to day for a paycheck.

At the same time however, I'd never work for anybody that called me “honey” (not just because I'm a guy) if it wasn't in a humorous, joking, breaking someone's balls type of way. Other unacceptable nickname referrals in my book are Sport, Slick, Bucko, Bud 🙂 If someone dropped something on my desk and said, “Hey have that to me by 4 o clock would ya Sport?” And then had a douchey grin and maybe even gave me the pistol fingers, I might have a conniption haha.

Don't stop studying. Finish your tests and get your license, because once you got it, you got it. Even if you decide you don't want to be an accountant ever again another day of your life, you still got your license.

FAR - Aug 2015 (58), Feb 2016 (81)
u
BEC - May 2016 (79)
AUD - Jul 2016
REG - Aug 2016

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I'm having a hard time pushing past the “honey” and laughing at my possibly dumb question to a co-worker as if I wasn't standing there.

I'll get back to studying Auditing this weekend. It is all I'll have after this episode.

Thanks

[.]

They sound like jerks. Are you in Chicago?

FAR - June 2016 - 88
REG - July 2016 - 89
AUD - Aug 2016 - review phase currently
BEC - Sep 2016 -

Wiley CPA Excel & Ninja MCQ

[Anonymous]

I'm from Chicago. I live in New Hampshire right now.

[Meg267]

I don’t think I could work for someone who called me “honey” as well. It’s almost demeaning. Have you thought about private accounting? I’m going for my CPA but have no desire to be in public accounting.

[Anonymous]

I have thought about private accounting. With less than 2 years of experience I'd be starting over as entry level if anyone will consider my resume at all. I haven't applied for anything to see how realistic my chances may be but what I've found locally require 3-5 years of experience.

[Missy]

I'd never allow someone to speak to me like that, I would get out ASAP.

That said its almost impossible to apply a timeline to promotions. Yes some will do it in 1.5 years. Some will be promoted half that time, some in twice the time. Far too many variables from the companies needs to the managers estimate of how prepared a person is.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Anonymous]

When work is good, it's amazing. When it's bad, it's like an abusive relationship and I wonder why I'm still here. It seems the consensus is to continue pursuing the CPA, network, and job search for a better work environment. Thanks everyone, I really appreciate the comments.

[ScarletKnightCPA]

Starting off your career as an accountant can by incredibly rough unless you have a very good mentor and/or manager that is willing to support and encourage your professional development.

If you don't have that, it's going to be a very tough first few years.

Unfortunately, when you are in a bad work environment, it will NOT get better on its own. People become accustomed to continue behaving towards others in a certain manner. First impressions are difficult to shake off even if you became the best accountant in the world.

When dealing with difficult managers/colleagues it may help to keep a few things in mind.

1. Have solutions rather than problems. When you are not sure of the correct course of action. Develop a plan or what you think is the solution before approaching your boss. Then ask for confirmation
2. When you are explained something that you're not sure you completely understand, repeat what your boss told you and how you are going to accomplish those tasks to seek their confirmation.
3. Develop very good notes. All my notes are in an excel file with a table of contents on the first sheet. Immediately write notes as they are being explained. Then after, organize your notes in a fashion that makes sense to you.
4. Keep channels of communication open. Keep them updated on what you are working on and what you are planning to work on next. If your manager/colleagues are giving you conflicting instructions or priorities tell them what you are going to do and request confirmation.
5. Make sure that your work is top quality. Don't cut corners because your manager is pressuring you to complete your assignment to decrease turnaround time if it results in obvious errors.

Far: 76 (Wiley Test Bank)
Aud: 77 (Wiley Test Bank)
Reg: 61, 76 (Wiley book, Wiley Test Bank)
Bec: 86 (Wiley Test Bank)

MBA in progress

[Anonymous]

I did find I was forgetting instructions or steps when my manager gave me a mile long list so I started waiting things down as she was talking and I bought a recorder which helps during meetings.

Researching is something I'm getting better at. In the beginning, I'd just ask but was constantly pointed to our bookshelf of standard guides. Now I try to research first to reduce the likelihood of dumb questions.

We do weekly or monthly WIPs depending on how busy things are.

These are good suggestions! The firm policy is 15 mins to research and then you have to ask so you're not wasting billable time. It usually takes me longer than 15 mins to research mostly because I'm still learning where to look for certain things. Google is faster but not always accurate.

[Vanessachy]

I am in a small firm as well, a little bigger than yours. Normally getting to a senior would need 2-3years at least, 1.5 years is fast. Big four promote people quickly if u can stay.

I was happy in my firm and they like me. Recently it got bad after they promoted one of the partners to be the managing partner. He is rude, micromanaging, and not forward thinking. Once he called me “good girl”, I was pissed. Anyway, I just got an offer from a big regional firm after passed all of my CPA exam.

The problem with the small firm is that they don't have enough resource and experience to train new employees who just finished college. My pervious co worker left because they said that she asked too many questions. Now they told me that I should ask more questions (they said that just because you passed the CPA exam, doesn't mean you know everything), but they would tell my friend (i referred her to our firm) not ask too many questions. Small firms just don't have the well organized structure.

My suggestion is don't give up the CPA exam, Unilize your resource there, gain your experienc and then move on.

Far 10/26/2015, 64, 1/4/2016, 82
Reg 7/10/2015, 60, 2/27/2016, 86
Aud, 5/9/2016, 74 (ouch), 7/26/2016, I cannot wait to take this test again
Bec, 6/10/2016, 70,9/8 retake

[Author]

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