[SIMSLAYER]

This was touched on in another thread earlier. Does the CPA license automatically make one feel impervious to the problems of the general population (like getting fired, losing your home, ruining your credit, etc.)? I work at a small firm (8-9 CPAs), and I can’t believe the cavalier attitude that some have. Not so much the older CPAs, but the ones around my age (20s, 30s, early 40s).

I (not yet licensed) have a general anxiety that if I come in to work late, leave early, dissapear without telling anyone, sneak in and out of a back door so nobody can tell when I am coming or going, consistently no-show on weekends in the heart of busy season, take vacations in the heart of tax season when the owners (60 years old +) are working 7 day weeks, constantly take personal phone calls for extended periods, etc…..I will get fired!!! Why don’t they have this natural fear?

The economy has been horrible and we live in one of the most depressed areas in the nation. Well educated, experienced, respectable people accross the nation have lost jobs, homes, retirements, life’s savings,etc. Professions like ours (and teachers, law enforcement, firefighters) that have always been considered safe bets are not nearly as safe (or lucrative) as they once were.

FAR- 81
AUD- 93
BEC- 79
REG-

[kandisjoy]

It's not like that where I work… Of course, we only have three CPAs in the entire company (including myself). The controller and the CFO are the other two, and they work their butts off. The CFO is usually in his office by 7am., if not earlier (I think I got an email from him at around 6:40am today).

FAR: 71, 77
BEC: 70, 82
AUD: 62, 78
REG: 71, 68, 85

CA Licensed 11/2011

[SIMSLAYER]

Maybe it is something specific to this particular firm or geographic area then. It's just that we recently added another CPA to the staff and this person has demonstrated these same behaviors from day one. I would expect a new CPA to at least play it safe (come in on time, not leave early, not sneak in and out, show a bit of initiative, etc.) for a while before they figure out what they can get away with.

It just made me wonder….

FAR- 81
AUD- 93
BEC- 79
REG-

[kandisjoy]

Gives you something to look forward to… Someday when you're a partner and have the power, you can fire those types of people. 🙂

FAR: 71, 77
BEC: 70, 82
AUD: 62, 78
REG: 71, 68, 85

CA Licensed 11/2011

[saucesah]

SIMSLAYER-

You hit it head on! definitely more in-depth and more amusing to read than my thread… I wanted to note I like your comment on “…people around your age…20's, 30's, 40's” 🙂 Funny you cover such a wide age range. Thanks for a good laugh!

I don't want to make it seem like public sector is cut-throat or anything close to it… because it isn't. But, I think these problems we have are actual problems that could be addressed. Whether they will solve anything, depends on the firm.

To me, it makes it difficult to slave-on day by day knowing what people can get away with, that I can't because I don't have those magical 3 letters… it seriously doesn't make them a better person than me. Or does it? Depends on how you handle the situation, i suppose.

I think…when that day comes for the ones who are slave-drivers when those exams are completed… those audacious rude CPA folks who stepped on us on the way up will need to take another look when they're passing us on the way down.

Today, I became a cool kid.

AUD - Passed
REG - Passed
BEC - Passed
FAR - Passed

[Anonymous]

I don't think this has anything to do with the CPA license. That is just how people act. At McDonald's they have people that work hard and adhere to company policy and they also have jackass slacker employees that don't. It's the same with any job in any industry,

[SIMSLAYER]

Saucesah- Now that I re-read it that does sound kind of funny (20,30,40). I am 38ish!! I guess the point I was trying to make is that I notice a difference in work ethic and overall attitude from those about 45 and older and I didn't want to cast them in the same shadow. At this firm it seems that the people who truly have paid their dues and probably deserve a litlle coasting (age 60+) come in early, leave late, work 7 days per week in tax season. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the younger CPAs have an attitude of entitlement like they have already paid their dues by getting the license (and then display the behaviors described above).

I attributed this to being “a CPA thing” because, as licensed individuals they seem to get away with things that a normal employee would never get away with. It doesn't seem like a normal employer-employee relationship. And it seems like these CPAs know this going in becuase they are so comfortable displaying these behaviors from day one. The firm partners know these things are happening, but treat them the same if not better than those who are in the trenches being productive.

I know, would I like some cheese with my whine?! I just suck it up and move on like I always do because it is what it is. I'm just saying though…

dmtilton- point well taken.

FAR- 81
AUD- 93
BEC- 79
REG-

[katiekanton]

I'm around 35 and I notice a big difference in people who are just 5 years behind me. I agree it isn't a CPA thing, it's an everywhere thing.

I'm a glass half-full type person though, so when I hear people talking about how the 20's generation never wants to work and have everything handed to them on a platter, I just think, “Great. That'll make my great work ethic seem really exceptional.”

AUD - 88
FAR - 90
REG - 85
BEC - 88

[Anonymous]

Maybe it's the tone at the top.

If management allows that to go on, it will. People will get away with whatever they think they can.

I've worked for a Fortune 500 company in both a production environment, where these people would have been fired, and then in sales, where it was encouraged.

[SIMSLAYER]

I think I'm most suprised that such a bold attitude can be maintained in such a scary day in age. The things that have been happening around us for the past few years (layoffs, long-term unemployment, huge student loan debts, stagnent salaries underwater homes, etc.). Not to mention, our billings are way down and have been that way for a while now.

I am not saying that everyone should walk around in fear because of all of this. I would just think that there would be a natural fear just enough to keep people in check a little bit. Like a self-preservation response.

FAR- 81
AUD- 93
BEC- 79
REG-

[vince3151]

You have to remember that our 20 something workforce was born into great prosperity and a time where everyone wins a trophy attitude. I manage a team of 9, and by far I notice the 20 somethings have a lack initiative or wiliness to differentiate themselves from the group.

In contrast the 35 and up associates were raised in a time where political correctness and perceived fairness to all regardless of effort didn't exist. This shows in their work ethic and workplace attitude.

At the beginning, my 20 something associates encounter severe culture shock as they attempt to deal with the reality that your not special just because your here, work isn't filled with constant praise and promotions don't happen just because you feel you want one.

BEC - 76, 77
REG- 75
AUD- 63, 67, 71, 76
FAR- 61, 67, 69, 74, 78

[saucesah]

I'm in my 20's… and maybe i'm a bit different from the crowd i was born with- but, there has always been a fire under my bumm to get stuff done, and done right… no excuses. I was also raised by awesome parents who taught me that nothing is ever handed to me, other than my ass, to shove my head up when I start thinking that way… With that said, I think there may be a few of us in the 20's generation that are exceptions…

Our annual review is coming up, and I'm gathering up courage to express my thoughts to the partners. Hell, at least I could say I addressed the problem and deal with it than be a whiner. (which I am currently doing)

Today, I became a cool kid.

AUD - Passed
REG - Passed
BEC - Passed
FAR - Passed

[SIMSLAYER]

I know there are exceptions like you out there, and probably quite a few. People who are in their 20s, etc. and have a solid work ethic. My frame of reference comes just from what I have experienced here a my firm.

Here it's not even so much an age thing as it is a CPA thing. I'm talking people 43 years old no-showing for entire weekends at a time for consecutive weeks in tax season, finally showing up on a Sunday only to leave an hour later due to a hang over from partying all day Saturday, etc. And these CPAs are the darlings of the office!!

Good for you for having the courage to communicate with the partners head-on. That shows that you value yourself and have a lot of initiative.

FAR- 81
AUD- 93
BEC- 79
REG-

[Author]

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