[Ntw6817]

It seems like everyone has had a boss who was hard to work for at some point in their life. I was wondering if anyone had any tips on how to get through it? I’ve been trying to be super nice but I’m still new and learning and asking a question sets her off. I try to only ask questions when I’m done and try to keep them brief but it doesn’t seem to work.

It may be because I’m more of an introvert and on the shy side so she feels she can be kinda a bully towards me because she knows I’m just going to take it.

It’s a real shame because except for this one manager, I would love this job but right now I’m looking to transfer.

[mla1169]

When you say it sets her off, how so? How exactly does she let you know she's set off?

I had a manager who agreed to meetings with me at 2pm twice a week, and I saved my questions for then. He was mentally prepared for the questions and no longer seemed put off by them.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mla1169]

When you say it sets her off, how so? How exactly does she let you know she's set off?

I had a manager who agreed to meetings with me at 2pm twice a week, and I saved my questions for then. He was mentally prepared for the questions and no longer seemed put off by them.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[TXgurl]

1.Are the questions the problem? ie, can you find the answers out on your own without asking your manager? If so, that may be irritating her.

2. If not, then can you confer with other co-workers on these issues?

3. If neither of these ideas would work, then I would ask her “when is a good time to address my questions on this project?” Or “Of course, I am still new and I will have a few questions on this project. When is the best time to address my questions?”

Do not be rattled, stay calm but not too humble, that just enrages a person who tends to bully. Assume a professional demeanor, and look her in the eye with a confident air (but not arrogant). Keep it strictly business, but relaxed.

REG 75
FAR 88
AUDIT 82
BEC 74, 12/4/2013 84 Thank You Lord Jesus !!!

[TXgurl]

1.Are the questions the problem? ie, can you find the answers out on your own without asking your manager? If so, that may be irritating her.

2. If not, then can you confer with other co-workers on these issues?

3. If neither of these ideas would work, then I would ask her “when is a good time to address my questions on this project?” Or “Of course, I am still new and I will have a few questions on this project. When is the best time to address my questions?”

Do not be rattled, stay calm but not too humble, that just enrages a person who tends to bully. Assume a professional demeanor, and look her in the eye with a confident air (but not arrogant). Keep it strictly business, but relaxed.

REG 75
FAR 88
AUDIT 82
BEC 74, 12/4/2013 84 Thank You Lord Jesus !!!

[vanadium3]

No job is perfect, so I think the main thing is to never take it personally when she sets off on you. I know it's hard to do if you are an introvert, but we live in an extroverted world. Just got do what you have to do and leave it at that. Fight fire with fire may or may not help.

Switch when you find the best time to do so! Don't let it ruin your resume puppy!

CPA

[vanadium3]

No job is perfect, so I think the main thing is to never take it personally when she sets off on you. I know it's hard to do if you are an introvert, but we live in an extroverted world. Just got do what you have to do and leave it at that. Fight fire with fire may or may not help.

Switch when you find the best time to do so! Don't let it ruin your resume puppy!

CPA

[Mayo]

I'm also curious on how this manager is “set off”. Hopefully the OP can give some more background.

In the meantime, here's some general advice on asking questions that I think applies to most accounting jobs:

1. Ask her how she prefers to be asked questions on the projects you're working on. Some people prefer you to wait until you have a good list, and others prefer you to ask as you have them.

2. More broadly, maybe you should have a meeting where you both discuss her expectations of you and your position. If she's expecting something from you that you're not performing, that might just be adding to her overall irritability.

3. When you ask a question, don't just say “Hey how can I do A?”. Instead, you should try and figure it out on your own and/or ask coworkers for help. Spend 10-15 minutes on it, and then go ask her by saying something like,

“I'm having troubles figuring out A. I've tried B, C, and D, but it's still not making sense. I reached out to John, Jane, and Jack Doe, and they're seeing the same thing I am. Any thoughts?”

4. Bring in a notepad every time you talk to her. That way if she says something important or complicated, you're able to jot it down before you forget all the details. Plus, that way you can confirm you're understanding of what she told you, “Just so I'm clear then., you're saying X is Y, because of Z reason? Oh I see. Hmm, can you clarify Z? I'm not sure I'm getting that part…”

5. Pay attention to what you're asking. you shouldn't be bothering her with the same issues more than once or twice. Otherwise, something is wrong and to her it might seem like: A.) You didn't get the answer the first time, and you didn't bother to clarify OR B.) You're lazy and just want to be spoon fed the answer OR C.) You're lazy and just suck at your job enough to not get simple concepts. Even if those aren't true, it can seem that way after the fifth time she explains what a certain concept is.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Mayo]

I'm also curious on how this manager is “set off”. Hopefully the OP can give some more background.

In the meantime, here's some general advice on asking questions that I think applies to most accounting jobs:

1. Ask her how she prefers to be asked questions on the projects you're working on. Some people prefer you to wait until you have a good list, and others prefer you to ask as you have them.

2. More broadly, maybe you should have a meeting where you both discuss her expectations of you and your position. If she's expecting something from you that you're not performing, that might just be adding to her overall irritability.

3. When you ask a question, don't just say “Hey how can I do A?”. Instead, you should try and figure it out on your own and/or ask coworkers for help. Spend 10-15 minutes on it, and then go ask her by saying something like,

“I'm having troubles figuring out A. I've tried B, C, and D, but it's still not making sense. I reached out to John, Jane, and Jack Doe, and they're seeing the same thing I am. Any thoughts?”

4. Bring in a notepad every time you talk to her. That way if she says something important or complicated, you're able to jot it down before you forget all the details. Plus, that way you can confirm you're understanding of what she told you, “Just so I'm clear then., you're saying X is Y, because of Z reason? Oh I see. Hmm, can you clarify Z? I'm not sure I'm getting that part…”

5. Pay attention to what you're asking. you shouldn't be bothering her with the same issues more than once or twice. Otherwise, something is wrong and to her it might seem like: A.) You didn't get the answer the first time, and you didn't bother to clarify OR B.) You're lazy and just want to be spoon fed the answer OR C.) You're lazy and just suck at your job enough to not get simple concepts. Even if those aren't true, it can seem that way after the fifth time she explains what a certain concept is.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Ntw6817]

@mla1169 It sets her off in the sense that she becomes visually agitated and starts yelling a little bit. I've noticed that it's worse when it's just me and her in the office. When there is a partner or someone around she is perfectly pleasant.

@Txgurl I don't think the questions are the problem. The questions tend to relate to things that I've never seen before and everyone knows I've never seen them before so it would make sense that I would have questions. I spend a good amount of time googling stuff and trying to find the answer on my own before asking.

[Ntw6817]

@mla1169 It sets her off in the sense that she becomes visually agitated and starts yelling a little bit. I've noticed that it's worse when it's just me and her in the office. When there is a partner or someone around she is perfectly pleasant.

@Txgurl I don't think the questions are the problem. The questions tend to relate to things that I've never seen before and everyone knows I've never seen them before so it would make sense that I would have questions. I spend a good amount of time googling stuff and trying to find the answer on my own before asking.

[Mayo]

“I've noticed that it's worse when it's just me and her in the office. When there is a partner or someone around she is perfectly pleasant.”

I'd say this part is very concerning. If you can't get a different boss, I'd seriously consider transferring. Bosses like those don't ever get better. Things will just get worse IME.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Mayo]

“I've noticed that it's worse when it's just me and her in the office. When there is a partner or someone around she is perfectly pleasant.”

I'd say this part is very concerning. If you can't get a different boss, I'd seriously consider transferring. Bosses like those don't ever get better. Things will just get worse IME.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[mla1169]

Then I'd be honest with her. Say you've tried to find the answer already. If she starts to raise her voice ask her point blank when and where she'd prefer you ask her these questions. Is she responsive to emails? Maybe you'd get a more professional response from her if she had to put it in black and white.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mla1169]

Then I'd be honest with her. Say you've tried to find the answer already. If she starts to raise her voice ask her point blank when and where she'd prefer you ask her these questions. Is she responsive to emails? Maybe you'd get a more professional response from her if she had to put it in black and white.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[magatha12]

I can certainly relate to this. I had a horrid boss and I was not learning anything from him, could not ask him questions due to mood swings, was given attitude being the youngest worker around (I am 24 and thought of as the “entitled” person because of my age). I ended up leaving because if I'm not going to learn, not be able to ask questions, or grow professionally, there is no point in sticking around.

FAR: 79
AUD: 81
REG:5/29/15
BEC:85

Using CPA Excel, NINJA notes and audio, NINJA MCQs

[Author]

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