[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?

[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)

[kmaahs]

You will not be leaving the firm after two months. You will potentially be leaving the firm 2 months plus whatever time the process takes. This could be one week, it could be 3 months. Who knows.

Nut until you have a job offer, there really isn't anything to decide. Apply, interview, see how it goes. The days of a single employer taking care of you for a 40 year career are over. You have to do what is best for you and your family.

C.P.A.

[kmaahs]

You will not be leaving the firm after two months. You will potentially be leaving the firm 2 months plus whatever time the process takes. This could be one week, it could be 3 months. Who knows.

Nut until you have a job offer, there really isn't anything to decide. Apply, interview, see how it goes. The days of a single employer taking care of you for a 40 year career are over. You have to do what is best for you and your family.

C.P.A.

[Anonymous]

I absolutely agree with kmaahs. I felt like I found the place I wanted to work at forever and retire with, but they continually prove that companies don't care about employees anymore. It's very sad. My best advice to you is to explore all opportunities and remember that you have to do what is best for you and your family, if you have one. You can't think about the feelings of others every time you make a decision for yourself, especially not in this day and age.

[Anonymous]

I absolutely agree with kmaahs. I felt like I found the place I wanted to work at forever and retire with, but they continually prove that companies don't care about employees anymore. It's very sad. My best advice to you is to explore all opportunities and remember that you have to do what is best for you and your family, if you have one. You can't think about the feelings of others every time you make a decision for yourself, especially not in this day and age.

[Anonymous]

Sorry I didn't reply. 🙁 But thanks everyone for the advice! I'm going to think things over this weekend and see how I feel Monday. We're in the middle of buying a house, though, and my boyfriend pointed out that this might not be the smartest time to change jobs…so we'll see. Lots of factors to weigh! Thanks for all the advice and thoughts, though!

@CPAMommy My last job was like that – thought I'd be there forever, he talked about selling the place to me in 10-15 years, etc., and after a year, he was treating me like pure crap, and I had to look elsewhere. 😐 So, I feel your pain, having thought you found a great place and then having them prove otherwise!

[Anonymous]

Sorry I didn't reply. 🙁 But thanks everyone for the advice! I'm going to think things over this weekend and see how I feel Monday. We're in the middle of buying a house, though, and my boyfriend pointed out that this might not be the smartest time to change jobs…so we'll see. Lots of factors to weigh! Thanks for all the advice and thoughts, though!

@CPAMommy My last job was like that – thought I'd be there forever, he talked about selling the place to me in 10-15 years, etc., and after a year, he was treating me like pure crap, and I had to look elsewhere. 😐 So, I feel your pain, having thought you found a great place and then having them prove otherwise!

[SeattleAccountant]

Apply for that or other jobs as they become available! You took and passed the CPA exam for reason, don't cheat yourself of opportunities and professional growth.

A word of caution. Watch out for RH and Accountemps. Known for posting non-existing jobs, not looking for your best interest and you might end up just wasting your time while visiting their office, taking their tests and not actively looking yourself. Personally, i would steer clear from them. I'm sure there are others that had great experience with them but word on the accounting street 🙂 is that they are looking to make a quick buck of you or learn from you about other openings.

Becker Class of Jan - Aug 2013: FARB DONE!!!!
CPA license pending 🙂

[SeattleAccountant]

Apply for that or other jobs as they become available! You took and passed the CPA exam for reason, don't cheat yourself of opportunities and professional growth.

A word of caution. Watch out for RH and Accountemps. Known for posting non-existing jobs, not looking for your best interest and you might end up just wasting your time while visiting their office, taking their tests and not actively looking yourself. Personally, i would steer clear from them. I'm sure there are others that had great experience with them but word on the accounting street 🙂 is that they are looking to make a quick buck of you or learn from you about other openings.

Becker Class of Jan - Aug 2013: FARB DONE!!!!
CPA license pending 🙂

[Anonymous]

i went to robert half's office once, they had me fill out an application listing all personal info and then never contacted me after the interview

[Anonymous]

i went to robert half's office once, they had me fill out an application listing all personal info and then never contacted me after the interview

[Anonymous]

I would cut and run at first chance. Staying two years in your current job will cost you a fortune in the long run. In two years from now, if you play the game right, you could be in a mangerial position making 4 times what you make now. The CPA is really going to pay off for you with the right employer, or series of employers. Like someone said earlier, loyalty days are over. We have to switch jobs often to collect the pay we deserve.

[Anonymous]

I would cut and run at first chance. Staying two years in your current job will cost you a fortune in the long run. In two years from now, if you play the game right, you could be in a mangerial position making 4 times what you make now. The CPA is really going to pay off for you with the right employer, or series of employers. Like someone said earlier, loyalty days are over. We have to switch jobs often to collect the pay we deserve.

[Author]

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