[Anonymous]

I’m working at a small-med sized cpa firm. I’ll have my cpa license in July. This company that I’ve wanted to join for a long time gave me an offer and I accepted. It’s a little bit more money, the hours are sooo much better, and the benefits are tops in the country.

I have a great relationship with everyone at my firm, I get good reviews, and am considered one of the better staff. I fully recognize they will just plug someone in my place, but I think the partners will be disappointed on a personal relationship level.

I’m planning to submit my 2 weeks notice the day after Memorial Day. My performance review is Friday and I want my tax season bonus and comp time (to cash out). So once I sign the new contract I can just hand in my 2 weeks the next business day.

I have two good friends at work. One just told the two of us that he is submitting his two week notice next week. I got the offer last Thursday and am just holding off until next Tuesday. Will my friends be pissed if I don’t tell them beforehand? Also, should I wait until the end of the day to tell the partner or does it matter?

[Anonymous]

It's just business. You have to do what's best for you. Also, I wouldn't worry about the partners or your friends being angry. Be congenial and honest.

Good news: It's either with the state or with the AICPA but it's generally unacceptable for any CPA to withhold work experience forms if there are hard feelings. They could lose their license if it reaches the board (if this is something you've been worrying about).

Bad news: Depending on the agreement you have with your firm, you could lose your bonus if the cash doesn't clear your bank by the time you give notice. Is this an incentive bonus (incentivizing retaining you?) or a performance bonus (based on past experience?)?? Not a lawyer. I'd be careful sharing any information with anyone at the firm. Voices carry.

[Anonymous]

I got my HR department to send in my work experience forms a few weeks ago :). Apparently my state board just holds on to the forms until everything is submitted.

The bonus and comp time is performance based. It's based on last July through tax season. So “past experience”. I don't see any language on our contracts that say I need to be at the firm for a certain amount of time or else I don't get the bonus. But the payout is June 15 and I'm planning on doing my 2 week notice May 30

[Anonymous]

In terms of giving your 2 weeks – do you best to not burn any bridges. People might be a little salty, but if you are professional and let them know that you enjoyed your time and appreciate it on a professional and personal level, I think people will understand. You never know who you will run into down the line, so make sure to stop by thank people who you worked with and tell them you hope to cross paths again in the future. Give out your contact info if anyone needs anything.

I had a similar situation where I was at a firm in the audit group. I left on a good terms and got an offer to come back a little over a year later. They offered me a fairly considerable raise, but was going to have to work in the tax dept. Ultimately I didn't think the added money was worth it so I decided to stay put. I brought the letter to my employer (at the time) and told them that, while I didn't want to work in tax, I did have to think of my finances. My manager appreciated my honesty and saw that my goal wasn't to leverage another opportunity and we met a little over half way for salary. It was only a couple thousand dollars, but at the time that meant a lot more to me.

Point being, leaving on good terms ultimately got me a raise at a job that I liked way more. You never know how things will work out…always better to have more people on your team!

[Mr. Rager]

I just went through this same thing earlier this year. Definitely not an easy thing to do, especially since both my teams were already as short staffed as it gets. This is why I didn't just put in 2 weeks, I gave 3 weeks and took my job as seriously as I did before (which included the midnight shifts) just out of respect and courtesy to my team. I think your partners/managers will think its very admirable, because I'm sure when people put in their notice they totally clock out, or even worse, burn bridges as was mentioned before. I would say this is your best bet to maintain that relationship. If you do it like that, and are a well performing staff as you said you were, I bet there is a very good chance that one of your managers/sr managers would happily volunteer to write you a reference, which could be huge within the industry in general.

Also same goes for me with the experience. My HR person was nice enough to stay in touch after I left and is holding onto my paperwork until I pass the last section. I am sure this is very commonplace for them. Congrats on leaving public accounting!

FAR- 80
REG- 9/7/16
BEC-
AUD-

[Anonymous]

Personally, I wouldnt give notice until I had my bonus in hand but that may depend on your start date. YMMV.

[Skynet]

Put your two weeks notice on a cake. Everyone loves cake : D

[Author]

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