[MUCPA]

My current boss, and every boss or colleague I’ve ever had, derides “job hoppers”. Career counselors have also warned against job hopping. However, of the friends I have that could be considered as such, most of them are doing better than I am financially.

By job hopping, I don’t mean less than a year on the job – I think that would probably be pretty harmful to your career if done consistently. But holding positions for 1-2 year stints then moving on seems to be a pretty good plan for a lot of people I know. Anyone have any experiences with this?

If companies hate it so much – why do they continue to reward job hoppers? I would almost equate it to the “bad boy” phenomenon with women. All women I know claim to want “nice guys”, but for some unknown reason they consistently date meat-heads.

Note: Nothing in this post should be construed to be chauvinistic in any way, simply anecdotal observation.

- 2.5 years experience in Public Accounting (Audit)
- 2.0 years experience in corporate accounting
- All 4 CPA Exam sections passed first time
- Currently CPA & Controller at a small manufacturing company

[OnmywaytoCPA]

My sister constantly told me while I was in college, never leave a job before three years, but I completely disagree and I wish I would have not taken her advice earlier in my career. I have been fortunate enough to increase my salary by $43,000 in the last 10 years (first accounting job paid $25,000 a year), but I could have gotten there in half the time, if I would have started job hopping sooner. Employers in this generation do not value people enough to give them a huge raise every year. My advice is to hop until you find the job that's completely right for you. If you have to spend 40 hours or more a week at your job, it would be nice to at least enjoy it. If you find a job that you really love, that has great benefits, wonderful co-workers, supportive management/supervisors, and great vacation/sick time, then the annual increases may not be a big deal anymore, but until you find that, keep hopping.

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

[Anonymous]

For those who were curious about starting salaries, I recently started at 56k – big 4 internal audit in a large market, but not NY/LA/Chicago. I do appreciate your advice about job hopping. My goal is to stick it out 4 years at my firm regardless of how much I dislike the job. So far, I have really enjoyed the flexibility and my coworkers, but definitely can't say I enjoy the actual work I do.

[fuzyfro89]

MUCPA:

Most employers confuse “loyalty” and think it's only a 1 way street. They expect employees to stick around and be loyal, but don't reward that behavior with compensation (direct) or significant investments in training/development (indirect).

Certainly ironic.

[Lindrobe]

You are exactly right, fuzyfro89. Well said.

FAR 12/3/14, 87
AUD 2/3/14, 90
BEC 4/1/14, 88
REG 5/27/14, 94

Licensed CPA, Indiana

"Successful people do things that unsuccessful people don't want to do"

[MUCPA]

@ CPAOneDay – that's a solid starting salary. That's a little less than I make with 4 years exp excluding my bonus. However, like I said, I'm in a small city and a tiny state.

Thanks everyone for all the responses. I still think that as you progress in your career, continuing to have 1-2 year job stints will hurt you at the higher levels, but heck, maybe that's not even correct.

My goal is to be the CFO of a middle-market company (<$ 200-300 million in sales), preferably manufacturing or mining/minerals – I have managed to hop my way to a great title, but my pay is very lackluster at my current company. This doesn't bother me so much quite yet – because I think I still have a some growing to do before truly deserving the Controller title. So, right now, I'm accepting the lackluster pay in return for getting this fantastic title and experience which will hopefully pay off big for me in the future.

Those of you who have jumped ship for significant pay increases – did the employer inquire as to your current pay rate?

- 2.5 years experience in Public Accounting (Audit)
- 2.0 years experience in corporate accounting
- All 4 CPA Exam sections passed first time
- Currently CPA & Controller at a small manufacturing company

[fuzyfro89]

I'll just add that you need to do what's best for yourself (personal life) and your career, however you decide.

Like others described above, I also had a positive experience by leaving (public, in my case). Was at mid 50's as an experienced associate, and got a raise to be a senior analyst in industry for a 40% raise and better benefits.

They're just bitter… probably because they never got a headhunter or other company to offer a fat raise.

Haterz gonna hate.

[Herbieherb]

From my experience, there's always at least one person in the accounting dept who top management favors and gives them all the promotions and raises and gets less and less work while everyone else gets more work, less pay and left to rot. If you aren't the chosen one, time to hop. Obviously job hopping is a good way to increase your salary. Companies low ball on offers if your history is low, so don't feel guilty or loyal. When you are loyal you get rewarded with 2% and a lower bonus from previous years while profits are up. You gotta do whats best for you. They will fire you or lay you off with no remorse.

NEW YORK- DONE

[alboreland]

I agree. I worked for a company in CT (about 1 hour from NYC) that is a sub of a large and well known corp. and was paid crap. I would always tell them I don't have entry level results, but I am making entry level pay and have plenty of examples to back it up. I would get every exuse in the book, My managers were making crap too, but they didn't care because they liked the health benefits and 401K match.

What really annoyed me was the fact that the company was insulted when I brought up the pay. They acted like their compensation was the best around and no one should complain. My last year I was shocked with a 14% increase, but I was still underpaid. I took a job in NY for slightly more money but that was realy just a cost of living adjustment, worked there for 1.5 years then got a really good position. It took me a long time to leave that place because everyone laughed at me when I asked for competitive pay because it was a significant increase. You just have to know what you are worrth and go after it.

[TNCPA16]

@MUCPA – to answer your question, no, my current employer did not ask and I did not offer my previous salary. When I got my offer, all my boss said was “I hope it's more than what you were making.” I've been in other situations where potential employers ask what my salary is, and then give me a job offer for like $3k more than what I was making.

@alboreland – I was in a similar situation. I worked for a large company and they were paying me the equivalent of a first year staff. When I brought up my salary, they said I was paid middle of the range for my job and there's nothing they can do yada yada yada. Well, wouldn't you know, when I left they had a hard time filling my position. They ended up hiring someone with no experience and paying him pretty close to the salary I was wanting.

[Author]

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