[NYSCPA]

Hi everyone,

Looking for some input from the community. To make a long story short. I will taking over part of, if not all of, a book of business for one of the partners at the firm where I work. We’re talking 2-3years out. That being said, I am in the process of moving. Monthly parking near the office is $600/month. I want to consider moving upstate 35min-1hr outside the city. But only if the company will pay for the parking (or even partial reimbursement). I figure, worse case scenario my boss says No. Any downside in asking that I’m missing? Thank you.

[r00shine]

I would ask, what level are you? I wouldnt ask if you are a 2nd year associate but if you are a manager or someone that has been at the firm for a while, i dont see why the harm.

[Recked]

Quick question. Are you being admited as partner? Are you buying out the exiting partner or being “given” the book of business?
Do you have a non-compete?

If you are being given a book of business that you can ultimately take with you if you were to leave, then I would not ask for anything extra on top of that, as long as you are fairly compensated for your work/time.

If you are taking on more responsibility with no addition benefit, then ask away.
The answer will always be no to a questioned un-asked. Just don't be greedy.

[NYSCPA]

Thank you both for your responses.

I'm not in public per se, so no level, but I am CPA with soon to be a decade of experience. I'm in the tax department of a business management company. There are 4 other “associates” in my department, 1 manager, and the Partner. 99% of my work is tax. The other 1% is account manager work (I will take on more account manager work in the time to come). The head of my department(Partner) has told me since my first year (now in year 4), that he along with another partner are concerned about succession planning. In that, hiring me, in due time I will be part of the succession plan (i.e. one+ partner is looking to retire and will slowly assign me more of his clients to me to manage). Sp, definitely, nothing to “take withe me” I figure if what i'm being told is true, i'll retire from this place eventually. Not sure of particulars yet (if I'd be admitted as a partner, etc.) There is currently one “head of accounts” while is he not a partner, it has been said to me that this individual has there own profit sharing arrangement outside of base compensation and other perks. I also know that this individual lives upstate and can only drive into the city. I am not privy as to whether or not they are reimbursed for parking, but I figure If i'm truly on the path of taking over, parking should be an added perk?

[Recked]

The general idea is to grow the firm, and then raise the talent internally to eventually buy you out, thereby financing your retirement/pension.
The sooner you get your foot in the door with an equity position, the less you will have to buy on the back end.

Keep your eye on the prize and try to get a deal in writing. The longer they can have you do the work while they retain the equity, the better off they are.

All that being said, sure ask for parking. But don't lose sight of the end game. Don't get distracted by a $7200 perk.

[Fratty Redneck]

Call me greedy, ignorant, or whatever else you will, but I just don't understand how your employer can expect you to take on the burden of $600/month just to come to work.

That has to be built into your total compensation one way or another if you are coming out of pocket for it.

I'm in the Southeast and realize things are much different/affordable, but I'm very well compensated for this region and my employer takes care of my parking fees. I don't know the dynamic there, but it seems very unreasonable to require employees to pay parking fees of that magnitude just to make it to work.

$7,200 of net pay, NOT GROSS PAY, is a good chunk of change. If you're making 100k salary, really you're only making about $90k when you consider the fact that you have to pay that as a condition of employment.

[Author]

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