[Mei]

Can I get yall input about my situation.

So at work, my newly promoted Manager and I both studied for the CPA exam (nobody at work knows I was studying) while he basically told everyone he is doing so. He hasn’t passed while I have successfully completed mine.

The dilemma, my state board requires work experience certified by the candidate’s supervisor. Although I work under him, we both work under the General Manager who is a CPA. I can get our GM to sign off on my work experience, but I am debating whether I should give my form to my Manager and let him take it to the GM or go straight to our GM. My roommate told me I would be rubbing it off his nose if I go through him, but at the same time I would look like I’m bypassing his authority if I go straight to our GM. So what should I do?

Thanks everyone!

[Missy]

Congratulations.

Your roomate is mistaken. Always go to your direct supervisor first. It would be bypassing his authority to go straight to the GM.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Pork Flavored Bacon]

Congratulations on passing the exam.

Just wondering, why would it be “bypassing his authority” if Mei brings the form directly to the General Manager? He doesn't have any authority to sign the papers anyway. Unless you mean out of respect.

I guess I don't know Mei's relationships within the company but if it was me, I'd just give the manager a heads up I was going to go to the General Manager.

FAR - 75 | REG - 87 | AUD - 82 | LAW - 81

[Tim]

I sense a lot of resentment in your tone about your boss (“he basically told everyone”). Do you fault him for selling himself and trying to advance his career? Maybe there are other legitimate reasons to resent him but I would try to avoid giving off that sentiment at your workplace as it definitely won't help you. Your best course of action would have been to be open and honest about your studies to begin with and you wouldn't have this current “dilemma”.

edit: But, yeah, as the poster above said you generally don't just go over your manager's head.

[jenpen]

Since it's your experience that you need to have a signature for, I would think that you should be the one to go request the information from whomever may be able to do it. If your supervisor is taking the exams, then I'm sure that person knows the licensure requirements. And if that person knows you passed the exams, then getting the signature is the next logical step.

AUD - 56 - 68 - 61 - 9/8/16
REG - 75
FAR - 7/15/16
BEC - TBD

Wiley CPAexcel and NINJA 10 Point Combo

[tygolfer]

I'm confused why this is even an issue, given the situation if it were me I would just go ask the GM to sign off. I don't know why you would need permission from your manager….and in my opinion it would be rubbing it in his face because he obviously knows the requirements to sign off, and he obviously doesn't meet them.

In my situation, I went straight to the director of my department, but that is because my manager has only been with the company for 8 months and is also on the state board of accountancy.

[tskits75]

I'd just go give it to HR and let them get whomever to sign it, thats what I did.

AUD - 92
BEC - 79
REG - August
FAR - TBD

[sacpa]

I don't have anything to say about your dilemma. Just want to ask tskits75 some tips for AUD & not trying to hijack your post.

@tskits75: Can you share study tips for AUD or share a link to your previous posts with study tips. TIA.

FAR - < than 75, 10/2013, 2/2015
BEC - < than 75, 10/2013
AUD - < than 75, 8/2015, 1/2016

~ Winners fail until they succeed. Losers quit when they fail. - Robert Kiyosaki
~ I survived because the fire inside burned brighter than the fire around me.
~ Something will grow from all you are going through. And it will be YOU.
~ Right now you may not be where you intend to be, but it's where you need to be in order to get where you want to go.

[tskits75]

@sacpa Honestly I don't think I would be very helpful. It was the first exam I took and I over studied. I started around Nov 1st for a test around Jan 10th. I work in the audit dept and I worked on NPO Gov't clients so I able to apply personal experience. I don't really have helpful study tips besides what you can find elsewhere on this forum. Also, it was before the exam changes too.

AUD - 92
BEC - 79
REG - August
FAR - TBD

[sacpa]

Ok, thanks, tskits75!

FAR - < than 75, 10/2013, 2/2015
BEC - < than 75, 10/2013
AUD - < than 75, 8/2015, 1/2016

~ Winners fail until they succeed. Losers quit when they fail. - Robert Kiyosaki
~ I survived because the fire inside burned brighter than the fire around me.
~ Something will grow from all you are going through. And it will be YOU.
~ Right now you may not be where you intend to be, but it's where you need to be in order to get where you want to go.

[TommyTheCat]

agree with tskits, go to HR and let them sort it out.

[Son]

Let's imagine for a second you're going to approach GM directly and give him your form. Would he/she be able to verify your experience without talking to your manager first? Or is he going to forward the manager your request and ask to review it before GM signs it?

Next, let's say you're finally licensed and want to change your email signature or LinkedIn profile to “Mei Doe, CPA.” Or, GM sends a congratulatory email to your department letting them know of your accomplishment. How would your manager feel about being the last person to learn about it?

My personal take is that the manager will learn about you passing the exams one way or another. Better he/she learns about it from you directly and in a one-on-one setting, and has the time to compose themselves when the news breaks to the rest of your team.

P.S. No matter what your manager's feelings might be, it's a great accomplishment. Don't let others get in the way of you feeling proud for conquering these exams.

AUD - passed
REG - passed
BEC - passed
FAR - passed

[Author]

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