[MintsRGood]

I am so sorry in advance for this juvenile rant/post BUT I really need to get this off my chest about a co-worker who has no clue what A71 is and will never read this! 😉

I’m not sure if this person has IBS or some other medical condition to cause this situation but it’s reached a point of near mutiny at my office and I need to rant…this person is constantly passing awful and disgusting gas in their office. To the point where you feel yourself becoming nauseous if you have to go in there for too long. The odor is simply horrendous and it’s becoming a daily occurrence. It’s seriously horrible and everyone keeps complaining to me about this person on a daily basis. Granted, I am generally the person in our firm to deliver news about office decorum compliance BUT it’s not like you can just walk up to a person and tell them to stop crapping in their pants on company PP&E! 😉

I’ve instructed everyone to act like adults, to ignore the behavior, to consider that a medical issue may be in play, and scolded people for gossiping about it…but off the record I’m just as grossed out as everyone else!!!! There really is nothing to do but pretend like it’s not happening…it’s the only professional thing to do…but come on, man!

Rant over.

REG: 75 DONE 🙂
AUD: 61, 71, 68, 92 DONE 🙂
BEC: 76 DONE 🙂
FAR: 72, 74, 79 DONE 🙂
Licensed Michigan CPA 🙂
-Some people dream of success...others wake up and work hard for it!!!
-The cowards never start and the weak die along the way!
-You better work, b***h!
-Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.-JFK

[tough_kitty]

…and due to distance 😉 but thanks anyways.

No luck with tax jobs. Had one “interview” yesterday. A small firm looking mostly for full-time and they want CTEC certified people. I used to have CTEC license before (minimum required to be a paid tax preparer in CA – in case anyone is curious) but now I don't need it since my CPA license is pending. The lady “interviewing” me was probably an office assistance because she asked me: “what license is that, again??” ….either way they require you to have a PTIN number with IRS, an insurance bond, etc. Seemed like too much trouble and kind of like a freelancing job except they provide me with clients and software. So, I'm not expecting a call back from them. Besides, my availability is very limited since I do have a full time job.

Funny, the lady thanked me for being on time. She said I'd be surprised how many candidates show up late! And I was actually 15 min early!

Sorry for off topic, everyone… but this was an OT thread anyway 🙂

No horror stories over here, other than burping sounds by this one guy at his desk….apparently he doesn't care….but to me it's just gross….

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[tough_kitty]

…and due to distance 😉 but thanks anyways.

No luck with tax jobs. Had one “interview” yesterday. A small firm looking mostly for full-time and they want CTEC certified people. I used to have CTEC license before (minimum required to be a paid tax preparer in CA – in case anyone is curious) but now I don't need it since my CPA license is pending. The lady “interviewing” me was probably an office assistance because she asked me: “what license is that, again??” ….either way they require you to have a PTIN number with IRS, an insurance bond, etc. Seemed like too much trouble and kind of like a freelancing job except they provide me with clients and software. So, I'm not expecting a call back from them. Besides, my availability is very limited since I do have a full time job.

Funny, the lady thanked me for being on time. She said I'd be surprised how many candidates show up late! And I was actually 15 min early!

Sorry for off topic, everyone… but this was an OT thread anyway 🙂

No horror stories over here, other than burping sounds by this one guy at his desk….apparently he doesn't care….but to me it's just gross….

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[M.O.D.]

Have you tried cold-calling some firms that you'd like to work for instead of answering ads?

I can't imagine a CTEC looking for a part-time CPA to do personal tax returns. Too many contrasts there:

You would be more qualified than your boss

CPAs with years of experience don't do “intern” part-time work

Nor do they stick to personal tax returns only, unless very complex ones

I would call up some CPA tax firms, explain your situation, and I would be surprised if they turn you down.

There is also Robert Half though I don't know if they hire for part-time work.

BA Mathematics, UC Berkeley
Certificates in CPA and EA preparation, College of San Mateo
CMA I 420, II 470
FAR 91, AUD Feb 2015 (Gleim self-study)

[M.O.D.]

Have you tried cold-calling some firms that you'd like to work for instead of answering ads?

I can't imagine a CTEC looking for a part-time CPA to do personal tax returns. Too many contrasts there:

You would be more qualified than your boss

CPAs with years of experience don't do “intern” part-time work

Nor do they stick to personal tax returns only, unless very complex ones

I would call up some CPA tax firms, explain your situation, and I would be surprised if they turn you down.

There is also Robert Half though I don't know if they hire for part-time work.

BA Mathematics, UC Berkeley
Certificates in CPA and EA preparation, College of San Mateo
CMA I 420, II 470
FAR 91, AUD Feb 2015 (Gleim self-study)

[Anonymous]

The gas thing was funny.

Unfortunately, I'm dealing with a similar situation. The main difference is the woman in question is a bookkeeper with a very nasty disposition, she also has problems with her chair getting wet. I try to stay out of her office, but the fax machine is in there, so I'm holding my breath a lot. Every time she goes to lunch, I spray her office with febreeze. I also bought the glade plug ins and scattered them around the office in an attempt to combat her stench.

The difference here is, she knows and apparently doesn't care, or maybe is just so used to her own stench.

What's hilarious is that I burn rosemary mint oil, because it's supposed to help with memory (I'd burn a dog turd if it helped me pass, however the rosemary mint just smells like mint). Anyway, she brought me a W-3 for one of my clients, and actually complained about the smell.

Tough Kitty, I do some of my CPE through Pacific Northwest Tax School, and they have a job posting section, you might look at that.

I'd also just start networking. Once your licensed, you'll find a lot of doors open, especially if you join local groups like the chamber of commerce, and so forth.

[Anonymous]

The gas thing was funny.

Unfortunately, I'm dealing with a similar situation. The main difference is the woman in question is a bookkeeper with a very nasty disposition, she also has problems with her chair getting wet. I try to stay out of her office, but the fax machine is in there, so I'm holding my breath a lot. Every time she goes to lunch, I spray her office with febreeze. I also bought the glade plug ins and scattered them around the office in an attempt to combat her stench.

The difference here is, she knows and apparently doesn't care, or maybe is just so used to her own stench.

What's hilarious is that I burn rosemary mint oil, because it's supposed to help with memory (I'd burn a dog turd if it helped me pass, however the rosemary mint just smells like mint). Anyway, she brought me a W-3 for one of my clients, and actually complained about the smell.

Tough Kitty, I do some of my CPE through Pacific Northwest Tax School, and they have a job posting section, you might look at that.

I'd also just start networking. Once your licensed, you'll find a lot of doors open, especially if you join local groups like the chamber of commerce, and so forth.

[Anonymous]

I actually left the CPA firm I was working for and found another job because of a problem similar to this. The lead on my audit team had a problem that was so severe I couldn't stand to be near his office. I would literally gag it was so bad. He had medical problems and I felt sorry for him but I had to ride in his SUV to audit clients every day and I finally “saved myself” by leaving the firm (after I got my work experience). He always wanted us to put our audit bags in the back of the vehicle so I played dumb and opened my side door first every time and then “remembered” to put them in the back. He made fun of me for being forgetful but really…I was just trying to let fresh air blow through the truck before we got in and closed the doors again.

[Anonymous]

I actually left the CPA firm I was working for and found another job because of a problem similar to this. The lead on my audit team had a problem that was so severe I couldn't stand to be near his office. I would literally gag it was so bad. He had medical problems and I felt sorry for him but I had to ride in his SUV to audit clients every day and I finally “saved myself” by leaving the firm (after I got my work experience). He always wanted us to put our audit bags in the back of the vehicle so I played dumb and opened my side door first every time and then “remembered” to put them in the back. He made fun of me for being forgetful but really…I was just trying to let fresh air blow through the truck before we got in and closed the doors again.

[tough_kitty]

Ummm…..I don't have “years” of experience as a CPA…..and my schedule is really not that flexible, which is the biggest problem….but I do know a few people at work who are CPAs and they do taxes on the side, so it is possible…..

Ancel – thanks for the tip! I'll check it out.

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[tough_kitty]

Ummm…..I don't have “years” of experience as a CPA…..and my schedule is really not that flexible, which is the biggest problem….but I do know a few people at work who are CPAs and they do taxes on the side, so it is possible…..

Ancel – thanks for the tip! I'll check it out.

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[san4596]

Kitty – get a business card, print some nice resumes, and forget cold calling. Put on your spiffies and drop by firms. Always ask to see a partner, and put the resume in their hands. DO NOT give it to the secretary/front desk. That is how I have landed every job in my life, with the exception of my current job.

CPA EXAM: DONE!!!!
Ethics Course: Passed
Application Mailed: 3/16/15
Professional Conduct Exam: 97
Certification Date: 4/2/15!!!

[san4596]

Kitty – get a business card, print some nice resumes, and forget cold calling. Put on your spiffies and drop by firms. Always ask to see a partner, and put the resume in their hands. DO NOT give it to the secretary/front desk. That is how I have landed every job in my life, with the exception of my current job.

CPA EXAM: DONE!!!!
Ethics Course: Passed
Application Mailed: 3/16/15
Professional Conduct Exam: 97
Certification Date: 4/2/15!!!

[neika822]

@Lilla – I'd definitely look into some sort of wipes. Maybe freshening up once or twice a day would help!

Along those lines… the same woman who farts in the office also leaves QUITE the stench in the bathroom. Our bathroom at work is horrible, there's no ventilation in there and it seems like the heater never turns off. So this woman will use the bathroom (a lot, actually) and leave quite the stench combination. Last week I had to prop the door open and get fresh air in there. So digusting…

Of the annoying habits listed… I'm guilty of flossing (ONLY when I have something in my teeth, and ONLY when people aren't nearby… lol) and I also sometimes file my nails. I don't clip them, though… 😀

R - *77*(02/'13)-Becker & NINJA
A - 71('11); *87*(04/'13)-Becker & NINJA
F - *76*(08/'13)-Becker & NINJA - "server upgrade" survivor
B - 60('11); *82*(10/'13) -Becker & NINA

DONE, DONE, AND DONE.

CPA in Massachusetts; issued 01/24/14

[neika822]

@Lilla – I'd definitely look into some sort of wipes. Maybe freshening up once or twice a day would help!

Along those lines… the same woman who farts in the office also leaves QUITE the stench in the bathroom. Our bathroom at work is horrible, there's no ventilation in there and it seems like the heater never turns off. So this woman will use the bathroom (a lot, actually) and leave quite the stench combination. Last week I had to prop the door open and get fresh air in there. So digusting…

Of the annoying habits listed… I'm guilty of flossing (ONLY when I have something in my teeth, and ONLY when people aren't nearby… lol) and I also sometimes file my nails. I don't clip them, though… 😀

R - *77*(02/'13)-Becker & NINJA
A - 71('11); *87*(04/'13)-Becker & NINJA
F - *76*(08/'13)-Becker & NINJA - "server upgrade" survivor
B - 60('11); *82*(10/'13) -Becker & NINA

DONE, DONE, AND DONE.

CPA in Massachusetts; issued 01/24/14

[MintsRGood]

@Kitty Mr. Mints & I assembled a treadmill over the weekend and it was awful! I'm not the least bit embarrassed to say that once we hit the 3.5 hour mark I consumed the majority of a bottle of Riesling while Mr. Mints had to bust out the power tools to get the job done. Fitness equipment is horrible to assemble even with a man who in my case happens to be an engineer! Just get a cordless drill from Home Depot and you'll be money! Our treadmill is done and sturdy but I will never do that again. Ugh. Did you finish it and do you like the elliptical? We are loving our treadmill!

@Lilla I'm sorry that you are going through this and you should consider trying a new doctor! You don't have to just accept and deal with something that is making you uncomfortable just because your current doctor doesn't have any new ideas.

@Neika We also have someone in our building who could peel paint off the walls with their daily restroom stench! UGH, what on earth do people eat????????????

Update: Mrs. Toots has either e coli or salmonella poising per her physician and is on some very high grade antibiotics. Apparently I've become her new work BFF because everyday she gives me detailed descriptions of her symptoms, bowel movements, aches and pains, etc. She told me her doctor read her the riot act about not coming in sooner and that a “friend” at work encouraged her seek treatment.

I always thought Mrs. Toots hated my guts after I was promoted over her awhile back, so that was nice to hear. On one hand it's awful to listen to all this as she's VERY descriptive but at the same time I'm choosing to focus on the fact that I turned an unfriendly and nasty co-worker into an ally. She is still occasionally stinky but now that the staff knows that she is having a medical issue people are trying to be kind about it. So glad that I majored in accounting and not HR, I have no idea how people in that industry deal with this stuff everyday!!!!

REG: 75 DONE 🙂
AUD: 61, 71, 68, 92 DONE 🙂
BEC: 76 DONE 🙂
FAR: 72, 74, 79 DONE 🙂
Licensed Michigan CPA 🙂
-Some people dream of success...others wake up and work hard for it!!!
-The cowards never start and the weak die along the way!
-You better work, b***h!
-Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.-JFK

[Author]

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