[Anonymous]

Hi everyone,

I passed all my exams in Dec of 2013 and got licensed as a CPA in the middle of last year. At my firm we have cubicles for the staff accountants and also offices that supervisors and seniors get to share. Well me and a Senior accountant were both going for our CPA’s in 2012 and 2013. I passed my exams and the Senior did not pass theirs. In fact that the senior has now ultimately decided not to pursue her CPA anymore.

Since that time my billing rate has increased to the same as theirs….. and for this upcoming tax season, the managing partner has told me that my billing rate will now be higher than the Senior accountants and my title will now the same or actually a higher titled position than theirs.

He also brought up if I don’t like the fact the I’m still in a windowless cubicle while my co-worker (who has decided not to pursue the CPA designation after being unable to complete the exams with a passing score), Has an Office…and To be honest, it does. My billing rate is higher than theirs and management has told me that my skill level has surpassed theirs in many areas of tax and accounting.

My question to you all is this……..I know if we switch desks, it would be awkward in the office, but at the same time, I have earned my spot in the firm through hard work and through hours of studying to advance my skill to get my billing rate up……..So, should I feel bad or not try and push the issue? Or should I tell him that I do deserve the switch and push the issue (he already told me that he is strongly considering it before I even brought the topic up)?

Thank you for your input.

[Mayo]

It's a desk…like was said in Frozen..”Let it Go”….

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Anonymous]

It is true that having a window does put you in a better mood…and that is a big part of it. A cubicle feels like a prison. No offense….but I'm thinking that the people who are hating don't work in a tax firm where they meet with clients….cause if they did they would understand that being able to meet with tax clients in your office is a huge step towards taking your career to the next level …..and it looks so much more professional to clients..

And… I mean, if your at the office 60 hours a week during tax season, why wouldn't you want the most comfortable environment with a window and an office???? Especially if your putting in more work to improve your craft than someone else? And tax season is upon us…so I would be able to meet with clients this year in my office instead of the conference room. why wouldn't I? I put the work in and they did not…I'm not busting my butt everyday…taking away time from my family… so someone else can rep my rewards while they slack. No thank you…..

Work hard get rewarded……slack or just do the average amount of work , then you'll get passed.. bye! If you don't agree with that….then maybe you agree with not keeping score at little league games or not having grades in school so others don't feel bad. Competition is what drives success…without you are not going to be your best.

[Anonymous]

@Impska – good stuff man! Dropping knowledge and a fresh perspective.

[mla1169]

Haters? Not so much. If you think you saw “haters” here step slowly away from the internet. So all of the benefits of having an office should be taken away from someone who already had them because passing 4 exams makes you more entitled to those benefit than a lowly non-CPA and anybody who disagrees with that notion must just not be savvy enough to understand the dynamics of a tax office. Gotcha.

I'm guessing the senior you desire to boot also meets with clients and it would look REALLY bad for them to go from seeing her office to meeting in a cubicle, but who cares about her clients or their perception of the firm, since she didn't get her license anyway. You say she slacks, but if you mean that she didn't follow through on the exams I'd hardly consider that slacking. Why not let her manager/supervisor worry about her performance? There's a reason she made senior after all and I hardly believe she did so with a poor work ethic. Does she not also put in the hours at work and take time away from her family?

Based on what information you've provided here the only difference between the two of you is that you passed the exam and its seeming to give you an inflated ego and sense of entitlement. Truly you sound like a child having a tantrum because there are no vacant offices available so you want to take one away from someone else, and while I'm sure there are others in offices who have not received their license you've decided THIS person is the one who must give hers up. Trust me when I tell you people in your office will perceive that too.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

Taking that office would be a horrible idea. I've always heard that accountants are socially impaired / introverts, whatever you want to call it… This takes the cake. Put your ego to rest and lay claims on the next available office, you won't be looked down upon, if anything others will probably admire your humbleness. If you take that office, or even act this way to coworkers (egotistical / entitled) I have some bad news…

[zieba]

original poster comes across as a self important whiner who is clearly lacking social acumen. the problem with being a very important and accomplished person posting on A71… is that your audience is comprised of your peers who are just as accomplished (and don't forget very important!).

This is a good example of book smart and workplace smart, as is the case quite often, being mutually exclusive.

AUD - 75*, 88 done 5/14! (*exp)
BEC - 74 , 77
REG - 65 , 76 (10 point combooo!!)
FAR - 69 , 75

Dr: perseverance
Dr: intelligence
Dr: luck
. Cr: . advisory score

[san4596]

Plain and simple. Tell your boss that it is their decision, and you would prefer the office especially if you are promoted to supervisor. I see no issue with switching desk, and do not see it as an ego trip. Simply put:

1) She made the decision to give up her desk when she decided to not pursue the CPA, and that is something she has to live with.

2) Even if they only promote you to Senior with a higher billing rate, they are only delaying the inevitable. You will surpass her in time, and she will have to move anyways.

3) I do not care who you are, but having a CPA is worth more. So, Senior w/ CPA should be looked at as a higher designation than just being a Senior.

You worked for it, and it should show.

CPA EXAM: DONE!!!!
Ethics Course: Passed
Application Mailed: 3/16/15
Professional Conduct Exam: 97
Certification Date: 4/2/15!!!

[Shel_178]

I certainly understand why you would want a private office over a cubicle, HOWEVER, I think that you may not be going about it in the best manner. Maybe let those in charge make the decision and if they move you into that office it was their decision. When you start pitching for someone else's office and discussing it with other co-workers, no matter how deserving you may be, it may come across a little shady.

Where I work, you only move offices when and where you are told by the partners…that eliminates any drama.

REG - 86
FAR - 80
BEC - 79
AUD - 92...I'm done woohoo!

Licensed CPA since Feb. 2014

[Anonymous]

Hey Mia….I don't know if you read….but I just didn't pass the exam. I also passed them in skill (according to 2 different supervisors & managers)in billing rate, and now in title So I don't know were your get this “all you did was pass 4 exams” garbage. I worked my butt off and they have to realize – Like @San4596 said:

“She made the decision to give up her desk when she decided to not pursue the CPA, and that is something she has to live with.” and ” Even if they only promote you to Senior with a higher billing rate, they are only delaying the inevitable. You will surpass her in time, and she will have to move anyways”

AND I never pitched the idea – MY boss is the one who brought it up…not me. I was the one who was debating it.

I guess there are 2 different types of people on this forum with opposite views on this topic.

The last Super Bowl winner the Seattle Seahawk's coach – Pete Carroll- has this same philosophy. It doesn't matter who you are or how long you've been there….THE BEST PLAYER gets the starting spots…because he believes if you don't you are lifting the less skilled and suppressing the people with more talent and drive.

This is a business

[mla1169]

I read just fine, thanks. The only thing you've done to set yourself apart from the senior is get your license. Of course the billing rate is higher for a licensed CPA. The title is also due to getting your license. Your skill set? Your manager actually told you that your skill set is higher than a peer? Uh, not likely. And if they did they have no business in management. As I said before (but you didn't read that, of course) if your manager wants you in an office its going to happen and there's nothing for you to debate or do until your manager says grab your stuff you're going over there!

Please produce another sports analogy while I too accomodate your narcissism by changing my screen name from mla to mia. Congratulations on all of your accomplishments by the way, but keep it in perspective really. At the end of the day when your career has racked up the years mine has, it IS much more about the relationships with the people you spend 2000+ hours with a year than the props you receive or how people you see 4-10 hours per year perceive your status.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

Trust and respect is the most valuable asset and it's very hard to gain and regain.

Business-wise, the only benefit for you is impressing your clients that visit you.

Business-wise, the cost is that you may possibly get a bad reputation within your office.

I think that the business/career costs outweigh the benefits. I really wouldn't take such a risk. I also suggest not letting your boss make the decision and to ask them to give you an office when one becomes available. Even if the boss actually does make the decision, you could be blamed to some extent.

Life and relationship isn't about what's fair and right. It's a matter of what you want in life and who you want to be friends with, and then what you need to put up with to get those two.

So, do you really want to potentially jeopardize your career and alienate everyone else in the office for this office? Will the client be so impressed with your new office that it'll make up for it?

[Anonymous]

Can't we all just eat some cupcakes and get along? They're pretty damn good 🙂

[Leach2587]

Hey don't buy into it. I wouldn't take the office. Who cares about billable rates and all that jazz. If it were me, I wouldn't take the office. If we are the same level or even if I am higher than them I don't need an office to show that. IF they really wanted to show you how valuable you are then they would pay you a lot more and at the end you would be getting the thing that really matters which is the money (that's what you work for). The other senior is already in a pretty bad spot seeing as how she couldn't pass her exams and now wants to quit pursing the license (I've been there as well in public accounting). No need to rub it in even if your supervisor brought it up. I would just wait for another office. Whether cube or office if you are a high performer you will still get the recognition. You don't need the office to show that.

[Anonymous]

Why not leverage it? Say you don't need the office because you don't want to rub elbows with anybody, but that you want a small pay raise in place of not getting an office.

[ScarletKnightCPA]

I am actually pro you requesting the desk if it is being left up to you, image counts. Don't go demanding it though. Always make sure that you are selling yourself but come off as humble at the same time.

I question, how much more ‘skilled' you really are but I'd rather people be measured on hard quantifiable things such as passing the cpa exam rather than less quantifiable things which is what it often comes down to and is usually more related to office politics.

CPA exam is a good way to filter the people who got through their accounting classes by cheating on exams, copying others, and just knows the right people.

Far: 76 (Wiley Test Bank)
Aud: 77 (Wiley Test Bank)
Reg: 61, 76 (Wiley book, Wiley Test Bank)
Bec: 86 (Wiley Test Bank)

MBA in progress

[Author]

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