[Lindrobe]

So, I found out last Friday that I was getting a lot of additional responsibilities added to my formal job description, but no additional pay. I was hired in as an entry level staff accountant and was gradually given more and more of my coworker’s higher level work to do (while she spends more and more time on Facebook each day). I finally stuck up for myself about a year ago and my boss agreed that my position description should be evaluated. One year later and I find out that I get the additional responsibilities formerly added, but no raise. I currently make about 25-30% less than the average accountant makes in my area. I have a MBA and about 10 years of experience.

I was in tears last week when I found out and I let my boss know that I feel taken advantage of. Now I feel like I am shunned because I stood up for myself. I have a follow up meeting with him that he initiated this afternoon. Has anyone else been in this situation?

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"

[longnguyen87]

Sorry to hear that you had a tough time with your company. I think even with a pay raise, the working environment may not stay the same anymore for you with all the bad experience you had with the boss and your coworkers. I think you would have no problem finding different position with the salary you deserve. Good luck!

BEC 91 (01/06/13)
REG 91 (01/24/13)
FAR 86 (02/10/13)
AUD 93

Feel so close 😀

[longnguyen87]

Sorry to hear that you had a tough time with your company. I think even with a pay raise, the working environment may not stay the same anymore for you with all the bad experience you had with the boss and your coworkers. I think you would have no problem finding different position with the salary you deserve. Good luck!

BEC 91 (01/06/13)
REG 91 (01/24/13)
FAR 86 (02/10/13)
AUD 93

Feel so close 😀

[fuzyfro89]

Not sure why you thought you would get fired (saw the update below, glad that wasn't the case)! But I think your loyalty screws in your head are on too tight. There is no reward in the business world (or any working environment) for loyalty. People no longer get raises simply for sitting in the same seat for a long time.

Employer's have gotten creative in their reasoning for not giving employees raises. It all comes down to supply/demand. Does it really matter WHY he won't give you a raise? Maybe the company can't afford to pay more, maybe he just doesn't want to pay you more, maybe his mistress that he's embezzling money for is too expensive…

Not your problem. In our world, you get what you pay for (not just salary, but benefits/work environment/etc). Do you think Google gives free food and snacks and drinks because they're generous? No. They do it to be competitive and attract good talent. Your manager can find out the hard way what $44K is going to buy him in your market.

Time to wake up and get what you're worth somewhere else!

[fuzyfro89]

Not sure why you thought you would get fired (saw the update below, glad that wasn't the case)! But I think your loyalty screws in your head are on too tight. There is no reward in the business world (or any working environment) for loyalty. People no longer get raises simply for sitting in the same seat for a long time.

Employer's have gotten creative in their reasoning for not giving employees raises. It all comes down to supply/demand. Does it really matter WHY he won't give you a raise? Maybe the company can't afford to pay more, maybe he just doesn't want to pay you more, maybe his mistress that he's embezzling money for is too expensive…

Not your problem. In our world, you get what you pay for (not just salary, but benefits/work environment/etc). Do you think Google gives free food and snacks and drinks because they're generous? No. They do it to be competitive and attract good talent. Your manager can find out the hard way what $44K is going to buy him in your market.

Time to wake up and get what you're worth somewhere else!

[Lindrobe]

My coworker (the one with no MBA, no CPA that makes $53k) definitely won't have as much time to spend on Facebook when she had to do all of my job once I find something else.

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"

[Lindrobe]

My coworker (the one with no MBA, no CPA that makes $53k) definitely won't have as much time to spend on Facebook when she had to do all of my job once I find something else.

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"

[How many letters do you need]

Lind: Glad to hear you didn't get fired, I thought it appeared to be more of an information gathering type of meeting. Some supervisors you can be direct with, and others will take it as a personal attack. At my current position, for example, I was promised a lot coming on and not much has happened after about two years now. I sat down with my boss about six months ago and expressed my displeasure, and of course he acted like he had no idea what I was talking about and in very subtle ways threatened my job (“Are you SURE you are happy here?”—By the way…this is a NO WIN question, similar to the question I get from my girlfriend when she asks how she looks…there IS only one correct answer and be sure you answer the right way).

So, with that glorious information, I did exactly what you are doing. Presented to my boss over the next few months a happy employee (even though I am not) have checked out mentally and started looking. Probably going to give it to the first of the year (I really want that CPA experience sign off) before I seriously consider looking, but for all intents and purposes I've checked out. What is that line from office space? “My only motivation is to not be hassled, well that and fear of losing my job, but that will make somebody work just hard enough to not get fired….”

MBA,CMA,CPA, CFF?, ABV?

[How many letters do you need]

Lind: Glad to hear you didn't get fired, I thought it appeared to be more of an information gathering type of meeting. Some supervisors you can be direct with, and others will take it as a personal attack. At my current position, for example, I was promised a lot coming on and not much has happened after about two years now. I sat down with my boss about six months ago and expressed my displeasure, and of course he acted like he had no idea what I was talking about and in very subtle ways threatened my job (“Are you SURE you are happy here?”—By the way…this is a NO WIN question, similar to the question I get from my girlfriend when she asks how she looks…there IS only one correct answer and be sure you answer the right way).

So, with that glorious information, I did exactly what you are doing. Presented to my boss over the next few months a happy employee (even though I am not) have checked out mentally and started looking. Probably going to give it to the first of the year (I really want that CPA experience sign off) before I seriously consider looking, but for all intents and purposes I've checked out. What is that line from office space? “My only motivation is to not be hassled, well that and fear of losing my job, but that will make somebody work just hard enough to not get fired….”

MBA,CMA,CPA, CFF?, ABV?

[Anonymous]

If you are in a position to do it financially, don't be afraid to simply quit and focus on your CPA. It might actually end up being the fastest way of getting the right job. Just my $.02

[Anonymous]

If you are in a position to do it financially, don't be afraid to simply quit and focus on your CPA. It might actually end up being the fastest way of getting the right job. Just my $.02

[Lindrobe]

@azCPA2B: I have definitely thought about it, but I am afraid it would ruin my resume and I would be worried about having to explain it in interviews. I have one last exam that I am scheduled to take on May 27, so I am going to try to tough it out. The university that I work for is the biggest employer in the entire area. There are no Big Four firms, just smaller regional firms. The accounting jobs around here are not the greatest.

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"

[Lindrobe]

@azCPA2B: I have definitely thought about it, but I am afraid it would ruin my resume and I would be worried about having to explain it in interviews. I have one last exam that I am scheduled to take on May 27, so I am going to try to tough it out. The university that I work for is the biggest employer in the entire area. There are no Big Four firms, just smaller regional firms. The accounting jobs around here are not the greatest.

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"

[Anonymous]

Can I add my $.02 to this? For what it's worth, it's easier to find a job when you already have a job so I'd stay there until another offer comes along. And as you have a paycheck coming in, you can be more selective in the job market. This can be the catalyst that encourages you to explore other opportunities that you may not have before. Good luck with your job search!

[Anonymous]

Can I add my $.02 to this? For what it's worth, it's easier to find a job when you already have a job so I'd stay there until another offer comes along. And as you have a paycheck coming in, you can be more selective in the job market. This can be the catalyst that encourages you to explore other opportunities that you may not have before. Good luck with your job search!

[Nute]

Get yourself out there, plaster your resume and lock up the CPA, that's your blueprint to finding a better job, and a higher paying one as well!

Passed All Four Exams!

Best Exam Advice (came from a fortune cookie after I got a 74 on my first exam):
"Study and prepare yourself and one day, your day will come"

That day came on June 9th, 2015

Licensed NJ CPA

[Author]

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