[Anonymous]

On Monday I start working for a CPA to begin my 2,000 hours of public accounting experience. The last 7 years I have worked for a licensed Accounting Practitioner and not a CPA, so SC does not recognize my prevoius experience.

The lady I am going to work for does not have a nice repuation. Two people I know worked for her and said she’s a slave-driver. I told her I’d like to be paid by the hour so that there is not gray area as far as unpaid overtime, vacation or holidays; pay me for the hours I work under her direct supervision.

I still have my own clients that I have to work around.

Does anyone have any advice for me before I start? Been through something similar? Does CPE usually count towards this time? I don’t want to get burned so I want let her know my expectations before I start the clock.

[Tux]

I'd suggest communicating with her and having a good understanding of expectations up-front, AND also as time goes on. (i.e. weekly or bi-weekly meetings to discuss any issues)

What did she say when you asked to be paid by the hour? Did she agree?

Also, did you tell her that you'd be working around your own clients? What was her response to that?

Just make sure that you're on the same page with expectations up-front, then if things change, you'll have some specifics to bring to her attention.

I'm pretty sure that CPE's do not count toward work experience.

If you're hesitant about this woman (I don't blame you, if you are), I'd start working for her, but keep networking for other opportunities, in case it doesn't work out. If it starts going badly, you don't want to start from scratch looking for opportunities, since you'll already be working like a “slave”.

FAR - 86 - 2/27/14
AUD - 75 - 5/29/14
BEC - 80 - 8/31/14
REG - 89 - 2/27/15
Praise Jesus! I'm done!!

Study resources:
Becker
Wiley test bank

[jelly]

Definitely track your time and document what you did during that time so that it's established when she signs your timesheet to get paid. It's also good back up to have when you go to claim your 2,000 hours experience, and also in general, in case something happens to your supervisor.

I don't know if you're going to be an independent contractor relative to her, but you'll definitely want to sort out in writing:

1) all the insurances

2) when she can/can't call/text/email and which days off for holidays, illness, etc

3) how does time get counted for travel to/from client sites, periodic meetings and researching subject matters

4) reimbursements for travel to/from client sites/cell phone usage/home internet usage/computer equipment/software upgrades

5) What happens if there's a conflict with your own current clients, independence-wise and such

Couldn't pass again!

[MeaDebitum]

Is she aware that you have other clients you'll be working on? That sounds like it could easily become a very contentious subject.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the advice. I've been told to document every hour with her. She wants me working in her office so I am assuming I will get a W2 and be treated like her employee. While I'm there I won't work with my own clients at all. My plan is to work weekends on catching up with them.

Because I am a tax accountant, I told her in my interview that I could only give her 20 hours a week during tax season. This has been why it has been a challenge to find a CPA who will let me work with them.

I'm definitely going to keep networking. My assistant knows me and knows her and said I won't last 2 weeks. I am going to give her my best and see what happens.

[Author]

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