[Anonymous]

I’ve decided to appeal to the wide wide world of A71 to get some career advice. 😐

Career history: Graduated college 5-2012, got public accounting job 9-2012, turned out to be a terrible work situation that had to end quickly but had a non-compete that restricted working in public accounting, so took an accounting clerk job 9-2013. I’ve been there right around 2 months at present. Got my last passing CPA score a couple weeks ago, just have to send up paperwork to be official.

Career question: I am still signed up for all the job alert emails that helped me find this first job and I click them out of curiosity…but saw a job posting today that made me sit up straight and lean closer to see more. It’s for a Senior Accountant, posted by Robert Half but appears to be on behalf of a bank. The part that’s surprising is that I qualify for it. :O It requires a 4-year degree, which I have, and 1 year of accounting experience, which I have. Stated base pay is approx 25% more than my current pay.

The problem is that I just started this job 2 months ago. It’s a job environment that’s tight-knit and expects people to be there for awhile. My boss knows this won’t be a forever-job for me, since she knew I was working in the CPA exams when I first interviewed, but I think they would all feel mis-treated if I left after 2 months. Opportunities for promotion are questionable. It sounds like my boss wants me to do work essentially like that off the “Accountant I” on staff, but I think that with corporate policy it would be hard to create another Accountant I position. Other than that, promotion opportunities would require transferring to headquarters approx 1,000 miles away. However, the boss and coworkers are both great, and the work is fine, and that means a lot too!

I know that someone else can’t tell me what the best course of action is for my life. So really, this all boils down to 2 questions: How bad is a 2-month stint at a job vs how bad is it to be in a Clerk position for a couple years after obtaining my CPA certification?

[ruggercpa2b]

I say that you should interview for the job posting you saw that caught your eye and see how you feel after the interview. Sometimes you get to a place and know right off the bat if its for you or not. I hate to have regrets in life and always wondering what if. Will there be opportunities for advancement at the new job? I have a mentor who is a tax director and I asked him about switching jobs and he said always be truthful but never say anything bad about current or previous employer. I know with your current job only being 2 months some people leave that off their resumes.

PS I have started restudying for audit and plan on reading the Wiley Books. It has been working so far in terms of retaining information and I have since dubbed it the “Lilla Method.”

AUD - 73, 72 retake 7/2/2016
BEC - 8/20/2016
REG - TBD
FAR - TBD

I am so ready for this nightmare to be over. Been at this way too long.

[ruggercpa2b]

I say that you should interview for the job posting you saw that caught your eye and see how you feel after the interview. Sometimes you get to a place and know right off the bat if its for you or not. I hate to have regrets in life and always wondering what if. Will there be opportunities for advancement at the new job? I have a mentor who is a tax director and I asked him about switching jobs and he said always be truthful but never say anything bad about current or previous employer. I know with your current job only being 2 months some people leave that off their resumes.

PS I have started restudying for audit and plan on reading the Wiley Books. It has been working so far in terms of retaining information and I have since dubbed it the “Lilla Method.”

AUD - 73, 72 retake 7/2/2016
BEC - 8/20/2016
REG - TBD
FAR - TBD

I am so ready for this nightmare to be over. Been at this way too long.

[Anonymous]

You should definitely apply for the other job and see what happens. If you aren't granted an interview then no decision is needed. If you are granted an interview then do your best to get the job. Do not talk bad about your current employer, but you can be completely honest that you think this new opportunity would be more in line with what you wanted in the first place. There isn't an employer on the planet that doesn't understand that bills have to be paid. People take jobs all the time that they hope will turn into other opportunities within the same company, but once you got into the job you realized that wasn't likely to happen. If you don't get offered the job then you still won't have to make a decision. The tough part comes once you get offered the job. Then it is up to you to figure out if having great workers and feeling bad about only being there two months outweighs the more significant role starting out and the greater possibility for advancement later on, without having to move 1,000 miles away. Just be careful to ask good questions during the interview. You can really get a feel for what type of company you are going into during the interview IF you learn to read through the bullshit that prospective employers can throw at you. It all depends on what you value in a job and how quickly you want to progress.

[Anonymous]

You should definitely apply for the other job and see what happens. If you aren't granted an interview then no decision is needed. If you are granted an interview then do your best to get the job. Do not talk bad about your current employer, but you can be completely honest that you think this new opportunity would be more in line with what you wanted in the first place. There isn't an employer on the planet that doesn't understand that bills have to be paid. People take jobs all the time that they hope will turn into other opportunities within the same company, but once you got into the job you realized that wasn't likely to happen. If you don't get offered the job then you still won't have to make a decision. The tough part comes once you get offered the job. Then it is up to you to figure out if having great workers and feeling bad about only being there two months outweighs the more significant role starting out and the greater possibility for advancement later on, without having to move 1,000 miles away. Just be careful to ask good questions during the interview. You can really get a feel for what type of company you are going into during the interview IF you learn to read through the bullshit that prospective employers can throw at you. It all depends on what you value in a job and how quickly you want to progress.

[Anonymous]

Yes. Apply for the other job. There's no way of knowing how it will shake out. At worst they never contact you, at best you get the job. Its also possible that you just get interview experience, make a connection there and you don't get the job anyway.

I wouldn't worry about the 2 months at your current job. If the interviewer asks why you're leaving just explain your current duties and tell them you have been looking for a job that fits your qualifications. Keep it short and move on to why you think you are perfect for the position they are offering. In the long run, you could remove the job from your resume to reduce noise on the page, no one cares about a 2 month gap.

Also, I wouldn't worry too much about your current workplace if you end up leaving. I'm sure they can find another accounting clerk somewhere. They should be able to see that you are overqualified for that position.

[Anonymous]

Yes. Apply for the other job. There's no way of knowing how it will shake out. At worst they never contact you, at best you get the job. Its also possible that you just get interview experience, make a connection there and you don't get the job anyway.

I wouldn't worry about the 2 months at your current job. If the interviewer asks why you're leaving just explain your current duties and tell them you have been looking for a job that fits your qualifications. Keep it short and move on to why you think you are perfect for the position they are offering. In the long run, you could remove the job from your resume to reduce noise on the page, no one cares about a 2 month gap.

Also, I wouldn't worry too much about your current workplace if you end up leaving. I'm sure they can find another accounting clerk somewhere. They should be able to see that you are overqualified for that position.

[Tncincy]

Apply for the job, if you get it then like everyone else said there is a decision to make. I can appreciate the loyalty to the current company, and if I were your boss I would appreciate the loyalty and perfectly understand pursing the career you want. With that said, go for it. Remember that Robert Half is a staffing agency and sometimes they advertise positions to get resumes and responses knowing that the position is filled or with someone else in mind. Go for it and see where it leads. Does this current company have to sign off on your experience?

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[Tncincy]

Apply for the job, if you get it then like everyone else said there is a decision to make. I can appreciate the loyalty to the current company, and if I were your boss I would appreciate the loyalty and perfectly understand pursing the career you want. With that said, go for it. Remember that Robert Half is a staffing agency and sometimes they advertise positions to get resumes and responses knowing that the position is filled or with someone else in mind. Go for it and see where it leads. Does this current company have to sign off on your experience?

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[melann526]

It doesn't hurt to call up Robert Half (and after dealing with them, definitely call, do not just submit your resume). There may be additional requirements that aren't listed on the job board, they may have already submitted a bunch of people for the position, or it may be an ideal position.

It can't hurt to apply, especially knowing that the process may take longer with any job listed through a recruiting company.

[melann526]

It doesn't hurt to call up Robert Half (and after dealing with them, definitely call, do not just submit your resume). There may be additional requirements that aren't listed on the job board, they may have already submitted a bunch of people for the position, or it may be an ideal position.

It can't hurt to apply, especially knowing that the process may take longer with any job listed through a recruiting company.

[Anonymous]

it doesnt hurt to apply, you can evaluate the pros and cons after interviewing. by then it'd be prolly be over 2 months at your current job…

[Anonymous]

it doesnt hurt to apply, you can evaluate the pros and cons after interviewing. by then it'd be prolly be over 2 months at your current job…

[LSNYC]

Just wanted to say i agree with everyone here! APPLY! You can interview and then when you get the job offer and then you really need to make the decision. Which if that happens, remember to think about you and your career not feeling bad for your employer.

Good luck! Keep us posted

A - 61, 91!!
B - 78!
F - 76!!!
R - 71, 73, 74, 69, 77!!!!

Finally done!

This is my 2nd attempt at the exam, I had two parts passed (failed many) and I stupidly quit, big mistake. Now I'm back and with a vengeance!

[LSNYC]

Just wanted to say i agree with everyone here! APPLY! You can interview and then when you get the job offer and then you really need to make the decision. Which if that happens, remember to think about you and your career not feeling bad for your employer.

Good luck! Keep us posted

A - 61, 91!!
B - 78!
F - 76!!!
R - 71, 73, 74, 69, 77!!!!

Finally done!

This is my 2nd attempt at the exam, I had two parts passed (failed many) and I stupidly quit, big mistake. Now I'm back and with a vengeance!

[UNC MAcc]

Apply. It's not going to hurt. Leaving after 2 months happens from time to time. You won't be the first.

B - 89
A - 80
R - 78
F - 86

CIA, CFSA, MBA, MAcc (too many f'ing degrees and certs, I know, trust me)

[Author]

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