[Anonymous]

I’m looking for some feedback on this situation. I live in a small town with about 5 accounting offices. 3 of them are worth working for. I work at one of them and have an offer from a second one. My boss does not like the other CPA that has offer me a job. Both are looking to either succeed or take on a partner in 4 to 5 years.

My current job – I do basic payroll and bookkeeping. My boss does individual and small business tax and does some estate work. There is another CPA that works with us a few hours a week and he is technically in line in front of me. My boss is going to spend this tax season training the other guy in tax. My boss is looking to back away from the business over the next 2 to 3 years. I am a part of this succession plan, but I’ve not been told to what degree. His is pretty laid back and my pay is hourly and it is not based on performance. It would at least be a base to jump off of if I wanted to start a practice of my own.

The opportunity – The CPA that runs this office is knowledgable, and is involved in various areas from tax to CFO jobs to forensics. He bills way more than anyone else in the area, but works all the time. Pay is a base per hour and then there is a bonus based on performance. He’s offered 20-25% ownership in 4 to 5 years that I would have to buy into. The knowledge I would gain from him is better and more advanced than my current job. However, the hours and hard work I would have to put into it makes me hesitate.

There are trade offs on each side. Either way I choose, I will basically burn a bridge because these two CPA’s do not like each other. My boss would be so mad. It’s tough because burning bridges (unintentionally) in a small town with so few jobs is dangerous. I keep going back and forth in my head so I”m looking for some feedback and insight.

The offer has been left open for 1 week. I’m open to advice on this.

Courtney

[soyanks]

If you can buy into the equity (as described) in few years, you always take the equity.

Also, you've already mentioned that the other guy's practice is bigger, and in your current job, there's another person who is getting a preferential treatment. You also don't have any kind of concrete offer from your current boss.

If you are worried about burning any bridges, you should always do what's best for yourself. Your current boss is expected to retire in few years, and who knows what will happen then? If you do decide to leave, be classy. Just explain that you've been offered an opportunity that you couldn't refuse, and it's for your personal growth. If your current boss can't understand that (and isn't even willing to match the offer), then you shouldn't stay at your current job anyway.

And make sure everything in the offer is written and signed by both parties so it can be legally enforceable in the future (if necessary)

FAR - 86
REG - 85
BEC - 90
AUD - 84

[wombataholic]

It's like the bloods and the crips. If you jump ship, expect drive-by auditings.

Licensed CPA
Passed each section on the first try with Ninja Notes/MCQ/Audio

[Anonymous]

I don't think you'll burn any bridges by going to the other guy.

People tend to remember the good stuff and forget the bad stuff after a few years.

If you're an honest person, a hard worker and resign gracefully, he'll understand the opportunity you take.

[Anonymous]

lol @ wombataholic. I don't think there will be drive-by audits, but I do expect things would get ugly at our local chapter meetings. You can bet that if I do decide to leave, I'll leave as gracefully as possible.

I'm still undecided. I'm getting 15 per hour now, and the other place said they pay their staff accountants around $12 plus bonuses that put them at about 15 per hour. I don't want to jump ship to take a pay cut even though there's the partnership on the table in 5 years. My current boss would probably offer me more to keep me. So, I'm not sure what to ask for as far as pay. I was basically told to lay out my demands/wants.

[tomq04]

$15 an hour and you're a CPA?!?

REG- (1) 76
FAR- (2) 64, (5)74, (7)83 (Over achiever!)
AUD- (3) 70, (4) 75
BEC- (6) 75

[Anonymous]

Tomq04. I don't have the experience to have my license yet. I do not live in a city or affluent area. Far from it.

[Anonymous]

My advice: move to a metropolitan area (1M+)

[Author]

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