[OnmywaytoCPA]

I’m in a dilemma. I have been working at a small CPA firm for about 16 months as an auditor. A month ago, a friend of mines that recently became the president of a small law firm, gave me a call. His law firm has around 30 employees. He called me and said that they needed a controller. I hate auditing, but I love the owner and my co-workers. I had my annual review and I’m getting a 10% increase which is quite nice, even though I have only passed two parts of the CPA Exam. Plus I’ll get reimbursed for all of my exam fees. Now I called my friend today, and told him about the raise, because he originally said that they could not go that high because of their budget. Now he said that he could go a couple grand above what my new salary will be at my current job.

I also told the owner about the new offer, and he said that he is prepared to counter the law firm a few grand above their final offer. I told my friend that, and he said it’s only so high that he can go, but he wanted me to think about the fact that I hate auditing, and that I always wanted to be a controller. I guess what I’m trying to figure out is what if my current employer offers me $5,000 more than my friend can offer, should I accept my friend’s offer, because of my love for accounting, and the fact that I’ll have the opportunity to be a controller.

Also, with my current job, the hours are crazy, and our busy season is from August – May. The only slow months are June and part of July because our audit clients have various year ends throughout the year. I’m also tire of the traveling to different clients as well, but I don’t want to pass up the extra money. I need help with seeing the right choice to make. It may seem obvious, but I’m so perplexed.

REG - 74, Retook 6/10/16, scored a 72 (Hate this exam)
BEC - 69, 79, 8/1/15
AUD - 83, 4/4/15
FAR - 77, 2/27/16

[amandafaith15]

I don't think the extra 5k will make enough difference. It sounds like you really want to be a controller. You're still getting a raise!

REG -73 (8/2015) 81 (10/2015)
AUD - 73 (11/2015) 84 (1/2016)
BEC - 84 (2/2016)
FAR - 77 (6/2016)

[TheHoundThatRides]

There's no right answer here. But I'd consider the fact that with your experience, it's likely that public will always be there waiting for you if you need to go back. Not at that firm, but at any other small/medium firm most likely. Have other employees of that firm had good exit opportunities?

BEC - 78 (August 2015)
FAR - 80 (November 2015)
AUD - 73, 67. (Ok I gotta confess I was even more lazy this time around)
REG - August 27th, 2016

[EuroAddict]

Tough call. I am in my mid 30's and still a beginner in this accountant thing, but not a beginner in life. Finding a work environment where you get along and actually like your boss and co-workers is huge. Not saying to stay or go but take that into consideration.

And audit does suck lol

P.S. your friend that gave you a limit and is now saying he can go higher makes me wonder.

-----------------------------
BEC - 77, 03/2015 (first try)
FAR - 79, 05/2015 (second try)
REG - 83, 12/2015 (first try)
AUD - 84, 03/2015 (first try)

I got 99 problems but the CPA ain't one.

[Author]

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