[Kev]

I’m 37 years old. Interned at Deloitte from 1999-2001 during summers as an undergrad. First job out of college in 2002 was at PwC tax making about $55,000. Worked there for about 2 years before leaving to pursue a master’s degree in an unrelated field. Ultimately ended up pursuing a PhD in philosophy. Worked part-time accounting jobs along the way to help pay for school. Left PhD program in 2014 with two master’s degrees. Didn’t like the job outlook and wasn’t enjoying the academic life, so I went back into accounting full-time. Got a job at Fortune 500 as Tax Accountant (one-step above entry level), making $70,000 with no bonus. Took opportunity 2 years later to become Tax Associate at smaller company (but large for our industry) now making $85,000 with 15% bonus. I have passed 3 parts of the CPA and will finish this summer.

I want to be a manager by the time I’m 40. I am a top performer and am more mature than my peers. I am given quite a bit of responsibility considering my title/tenure, and I deliver. I know that my manager/director/CFO appreciate my work and i do feel adequately recognized…however, I feel like I should at least be a Senior Associate and would love a higher salary (who wouldn’t – i’ve got 2 kiddos and one on the way, wife is still in grad school).

Should I:

A. Ask for a raise/promotion, even though I’ve only been at current company for 1 year?
B. Be patient and content because my salary is pretty good as it is. Promotion will likely come next year.
C. Something else…?

Not complaining at all, by the way, just really want to hear some opinions on how best to advance my career. I’m impatient to be moving forward, given my age and experience, and don’t want to wait around if I shouldn’t. While I’m confident in most things, salary negotiations make me nervous. I’m generally afraid that I will give in too quickly and not fight for myself.

Appreciate the feedback.

[Recked]

No offense but what did you think a PhD in Philosophy was going to do for you?
A bit off topic.

I would always recommend negotiating for a higher salary. I probably would not make a move or jump too soon, you already have a sketchy enough past as it is.
See if the promotion comes this year or next year, push like hell for it as soon as you wrap up the CPA exams. Those 3 letters are crucial in this field as you are well aware.

The answer will always be no if you never ask, and if you do ask then perhaps you can get an ear for how long it will take, and if its worth sticking around for it now.
Maybe they will say 6 months, maybe they will say maybe in 5 years, and then you can put on the parachute.

The biggest factor right now is keeping the income and health insurance for the kiddos and wife who is still in grad school.

Don't trade your soul to the Devil. If you current job gives you a good salary and bonus, and decent work life balance so you actually get to see your kids grow up and experience some of their lives… There are some things money can't buy.

[Kev]

Thanks for the note, Recked. I definitely won't be quitting this job anytime soon. With the exception of moving to be closer to family, I am quite happy here (even if I am anxious to move beyond my current role). As you mentioned, I care about work/life balance, unlike my years as a PhD student. That being said, I'd like to be a director or VP someday, so despite my ‘sketchy' background I am working towards that goal.

When I left PwC to pursue philosophy, I never thought I would return to the accounting world. I pursued the PhD for both personal and professional reasons: personal, because I (still) care deeply about my particular niche in philosophy; professional, because I *thought* I wanted to teach philosophy for the rest of my life. I love ideas, constructing arguments, and exploring the life of the mind. The truth was that I was not a good fit for the academic world, for reasons I won't get into here. But compared to my PhD qualifying exams or writing my dissertation, the CPA is not really that difficult. So the transition hasn't been that hard for my family. It is definitely hard work, but conceptually manageable. And my salary is 4 times my graduate stipend, which doesn't hurt. But I work harder and smarter than my peers and want to be compensated accordingly.

Thanks.

[Missy]

I think when you've passed the 4th exam and have the experience requirement met, thats the time to negotiate. Your position now to request a promotion is pretty good but would be much stronger after you're actually licensed.

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

[Recked]

One thing to point out, as I heard it on NPR this morning.
Managers need to be people oriented. They need to know how to manage people and work flow, to achieve objectives.
If you are a top performer, you can become too valuable as a performer, to switch from performance to managing people.
Keep that in mind, and also keep in mind how you interact with other people. Your want to portray top quality people skills to transition into management.

[Kev]

Thanks, Missy. That's helpful advice. You're right that I will be in an even stronger position once certified. I just have to work on my impatience! 🙁

Thanks, Recked. I have thought about this a lot, and I don't know if I'll ever fall into the “too valuable as a performer” category. But it is a good reminder to work on people skills more than I probably do.

Many thanks, all.

[Author]

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