[Tcohle]

My original plan was to pass 3-4 of my CPA tests then start looking, but an opportunity has come up that I don’t want to pass over.

Currently, I work at a small construction business as an accountant. I do all the A/P, A/R, reconciliations, journal entries (most of them), invoicing, and other misc. tasks. I handle a ton of responsibility because we’re a small business. It’s not like we can hire someone specifically to fix computer problems, be a front desk person, etc.

Problem is, I only make $15/hr. I started at $12 coming out of college because I had no experience and needed a job. I’m coming up on 2 years and I’m pretty sure the max I’ll make is around $20/hr and that won’t happen anytime soon. I LOVE my bosses, but my sister’s boyfriend can get me an accounting job at a large finance/bank/firm. I’d probably start at $50k/year and there’s room for growth I believe. I’m tired of not making enough money to even move out!

Problem is, I handle SO many big and little tasks, they’d be burdened with figuring out everything when I’m gone. My two office managers/bosses would understand, but my main boss/president might be disappointed. He always tries to invest in me.

Has anyone every been in this situation? How did you handle it. Also, I don’t want it to affect my path to the CPA cert.

FAR- 5/11/15 76!!
AUD-10/31/15 63, 84!
REG-7/12/16 72
BEC-8/31/15 75!! Perfect Score!

Wiley CPAExcel Platinum
Ninja 10 pt combo for FAR/AUD/BEC

[Anonymous]

Hi, you need a job in public not private.

Take that job in private and stay there 1 year then

start looking for public.

Do not worry what anyone thinks.

[Tcohle]

I'm looking to get my foot in the door there and hopefully move to public. I need something other than the place I work at now on my resume

FAR- 5/11/15 76!!
AUD-10/31/15 63, 84!
REG-7/12/16 72
BEC-8/31/15 75!! Perfect Score!

Wiley CPAExcel Platinum
Ninja 10 pt combo for FAR/AUD/BEC

[Anonymous]

yup like everyone is saying give your notice, try your best to leave things in a good way for the next person, and say goodbye. inless ofc they offer u a bunch of money to stay

[Kikidelivery]

Tcohle, you sound like me! I do AP, backup for AP manager, fixed assets, sales tax, bank rec, JE, misc and in charged of providing all info & answering questions to external auditors. I make just $14.50. I took the job while I was a senior and hope I'd get a raise after first year. It's been over a year and no raise. They said I was kinda like in training in the first year, no work evaluation for me… although I got a thank you email from CFO said I did a wonderful job with the audit ( audit bill was 20k cheaper than last year). Well.. I feel guilty to leave, but with this rate I'll say bye when I pass CPA. I want a raise more than just nice words!

[Tcohle]

@kiki exactly! With the amount you do I wouldn't blame you one bit if you left. I bet you could get a $20/hr job without even trying!

FAR- 5/11/15 76!!
AUD-10/31/15 63, 84!
REG-7/12/16 72
BEC-8/31/15 75!! Perfect Score!

Wiley CPAExcel Platinum
Ninja 10 pt combo for FAR/AUD/BEC

[Allergic2CPA]

@OP

You mentioned you didn't want to hurt your CPA license path. In what way would it hurt such path by accepting this new role?

FAR 46*, 77
AUD 70, 79
BEC 67, 82
REG 75

Texas License July 2013

Used Yaeger lectures based on Wiley textbooks

*Studied less than two weeks, forgot I had purchased NTS.

[Tcohle]

@Allergic I was worried with the transition of a new job and new city I may have to sacrifice time that would normally be spent studying. I have my FAR exam next Monday and have no idea if I'll pass. AUD is next. I'm a newbie in the cpa world so I'm wary of how much time I have to pass all 4

At my job now there's virtually no stress because it's an easy job. The low pay Is killing me.

FAR- 5/11/15 76!!
AUD-10/31/15 63, 84!
REG-7/12/16 72
BEC-8/31/15 75!! Perfect Score!

Wiley CPAExcel Platinum
Ninja 10 pt combo for FAR/AUD/BEC

[Allergic2CPA]

@OP

You typically have 18 months from when you first passed an exam starting from the date of when you took the exam or from the end of the month in which you took the first test you passed. Check with your State Board. So since it appears you haven't passed any YET, it seems you should be fine. Also note that you may need a CPA to sign off on your experience once you pass all your parts.

As far your studies being disrupted, well more urgent matters need to be addressed and not earning a decent living is such a case in my book. However, don't use this as an excuse to not study at all.

Best of luck!

FAR 46*, 77
AUD 70, 79
BEC 67, 82
REG 75

Texas License July 2013

Used Yaeger lectures based on Wiley textbooks

*Studied less than two weeks, forgot I had purchased NTS.

[GSU-CPA]

Have not read any responses after 10key because he/she pretty much nailed it so no need to read any further. I remember reading your post before OP and i can definitely understand where you are coming as i am in a slightly similar situation except if i leave they would be totally fine lol.

But like 10key says you have to do whats best for yourself first…. i am sure if the business was struggling the boss would have no problems cutting your hours or laying you off in order too look out for the business.

Once again like 10key said make sure you have a firm offer and then talk to your boss and explain the situation. You need more money more experience so you have to leave but let him know once you get more experience you would have no problem returning and working for him/her in the future and being a bigger part in the company. I am sure your boss will understand i mean its common sense that you didnt go to college to get $15/hr and you are definitely not passing your CPA to make $20/hr for the rest of your life.

REG-77
BEC -Waiting on score May 5th
AUD - May 30
FAR - Q3 depending on if i pass above two in Q2

[Manuelo]

Dude, the company doesn't care about you. Always look for new opportunities to improve yourself. I know I hate being stagnant. I'd leave the company.

[Anonymous]

One quick question – you mentioned new job in a new city. The new city part caught my attention. Have you investigated cost-of-living differences between where you are now and where you would be moving to, and ensured that you're still coming out ahead? I know without a doubt I could double my income for “easier” jobs moving some places, but I'd more than double my expenses at the same time. My parents' most recent move was from small-town, low COL KY where I am, to an hour outside of DC. Dad got a nice raise in the move, but their finances have been substantially tighter due to the COL differences…so I always urge everyone to assess COL before deciding whether an offer is better or not, when said offer will involve moving (or substantial commuting, but 20k can definitely cover a commute!).

[tamlange]

I didn't read through the thread and all the responses so someone may have mentioned this already. I am in the same place you are and want to leave my job and move back into a management position. However, I chose to stay until I am at the end of the test, maybe completely done. I know my job inside and out, I can get my work done on auto-pilot, and I have the tenure and relationship with my boss to study at work, come in a little late if needed, etc. The biggest thing for me was vacation time to study and test and how the workload of a new opportunity would fit in/affect. The new gig may say it's 4-45 hr/wk, but that's when you know your job, the systems, company culture and expectations. While I do really want to move on, I need my accrued vacation time to take a few days off before the exam this summer to cram and I won't have that at a new gig. And then there is the stress and demands of something new. For me, this is the devil I know and I staying is a better option right now. The downside is that I don't face the extreme upward mobility and financial impact you are looking at. For me, this would just be a lateral move into a larger company with future growth opportunity so it doesn't carry nearly the same weight. You just have to weigh all that out.I put my search on pause for a bit until I was at the end of the exam and I'm glad I did. I just got a 74 on BEC which has postponed everything. I wasn't expecting that and it has really changed the ETA of this whole thing.

REG (72), 77 July '14
FAR (74), 79 Jan '15
BEC (74), 85 August '15
AUD 80 July '15

Material: Roger full review, Wiley test bank all four topics
Ninja MCQ: AUD and BEC retake

[Tcohle]

I definitely thought about that. I finish my work at like 10 am then just study the rest of the day. My bosses don't know that. But I hate living at home and making terrible money. Who knows though, I haven't even gotten an interview yet for this job.

FAR- 5/11/15 76!!
AUD-10/31/15 63, 84!
REG-7/12/16 72
BEC-8/31/15 75!! Perfect Score!

Wiley CPAExcel Platinum
Ninja 10 pt combo for FAR/AUD/BEC

[fuzyfro89]

Well that last note changes things. Get an offer first, and then decide.

I'll just add that you HAVE to look out for yourself, because no one else is doing that for you. You're an employee. You fill a skill/process/some type of need that they have in exchange for salary (wages, whatever). If they valued you, then they would pay you more and work to develop you in the way that you want to grow your career. If the opportunities aren't there, then you have to suck it up and do it anyway.

Sorry it's not all cakes and rainbows, but changing jobs is hard. It's not always fun. Sometimes, there are some costs to the change and not all benefits. It's easy to leave a job you hate, but much more difficult to leave one that you don't. However, that doesn't mean you should stay just because you don't hate it.

50k vs 30k (I think?) is a huge jump. Anyone who tries to convince you that you aren't moving into a new tier of your career is misguided. Of course, you have to consider cost of living, but even if you break even on net savings after all living expenses, moving your career into a better position with more growth opportunities (in that company, or elsewhere) is almost impossible to turn down.

Financial and career progression are a bit easier to determine, but personal factors (location, work hours, lifestyle, commute, job type, etc) are often not so easy to translate to dollars, so that's where you'll have to judge if it's the right opportunity for you.

Good luck! Don't be scared.

[Author]

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