[Mrs.Magpi3]

I’ve been at my firm for about 6 months now, fresh out of college. But I’ve had practically no work. Now we’re about to start busy season and I still don’t know how to use most of the software because I haven’t had work. I ask around all the time if people have work for me, but they say no most of the time. In fact, I’ve had managers tell me no, then go to someone else and give them a project. Like there is work, they’re just not giving it to me. That happened today, a manager was stressed about a deadline, went to a partner to ask who could help, and that partner named some of my coworkers except me, even though I had already told him I needed work.

I have spent the vast majority of my time scanning documents or making mail runs. This isn’t the work experience that I need to build my career. I intend to stick through busy season, but after that should I quit, and find a firm that will keep me busy? I understand it gets slow sometimes, but I feel like they’re specifically shunning me in favor of my coworkers. I can’t get good at this without practice.

[Spartans92]

If you're fresh out of college that is very normal. Perhaps the manager/partner didnt give you work because that is beyond your level. I was in the same position few months ago, though I get work from time to time. But I guess that is how it is as a first year staff. The firm will definitely bill you to the max come busy season. That is what my partner told me at least. You got the hardest part done (passing these exams). Just wait till busy season fully swings in and you will not feel the same.

I wish I had time to study at work now. You will say otherwise once you start working 12-14 hours a day. Have fun!

BEC- PASS

[Mrs.Magpi3]

I should have clarified, the coworkers in question are also fresh out of college. We're the same level, same age, same education. There's no reason for them to be preferred over me. A bit cocky sounding I know, but I'm really frustrated. Thanks for your words though. I guess I'll wait and see what happens in busy season.

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone,

Does anybody have any tips on how to start memorizing JE's? I use Becker and unlike the IFRS vs US GAAP in F10, they don't have any summarized areas for JE's. Do you just go through chapter by chapter and write them down? Thanks in advance! 🙂

[Anonymous]

Oh jeez wrong post… I'm so sorry please ignore!

[Namstut]

@Mrs.Magpi3 I would try raising your concerns with your manager. Do you set goals or discuss your progress with your manager? What kind of mentoring/training policy does your company have?

It is a manager's responsibility to lead you and help you grow. Maybe asking for a one-on-one to clarify the expectations will be helpful.

AUD 7/6/16 Passed
BEC 9/3/16
FAR TBD
REG TBD

[Goingallin]

I've been in the professional world for over 15 years so I think I'm qualified to give an opinion in this matter. First thing first, you need to do a self assessment. Are you difficult to work with? Are you a slow learner? If you want an unbias opinion, ask a coworker for an honest feedback.

If you think its the culture or company, than evaluate if perhaps the environment is not a good fit for you. Even before considering salary and benefits, my main objective before I accept a position is whether I would enjoy working with the manager and team bc ultimately I would spend more time with them than my own family. Unless we are in a great recession, I would move on if I feel I'm being outcasted for reasons outside of my control. It's not about being a quitter, an unfit environment is physically and mentally unhealthy.

[Spartans92]

^^ Great advice. I was going to ask that next. Being a team player and getting along is very important. I would ask for feedback as well and see what others have to say about your work ethics etc. Hopefully, everything will get better.

BEC- PASS

[Mrs.Magpi3]

uh I'm always nice to everyone, polite when asking questions, considerate of others' time, I can't imagine anyone would say I'm not a team player. What symptoms of a bad team player would you say there are? Difficult to work with? Slow learner? What would make someone say that about me? What would make them outcast me?

I love the culture/company policy and initiatives. We had a firm wide orientation my first week for all the new starts and I loved it. Maybe it's just my office.

What advice do you have for a newbie to be as good an employee as possible? I endeavor to be thorough, I take notes of my work and review comments I've gotten, and always try to improve. Yet, obviously, that isn't good enough. I have no idea what I could have done wrong to make them outcast me. Does that happen? Have any of you seen someone get written off and outcast?

[Missy]

This is a subtle difference but matters to managers: are you just asking for work or are you being observant and taking initiative. There's a huge difference in a manager's eyes between a person who says “I've got nothing to do, can you give me anything?”and a person who says “I see you're working on a bank rec, I'm pretty good at those if you want me to take over so you can move on.” Are your peers coming across as more confident?

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

[KaliKingz]

You mention that you take notes on your points, do you keep making the same mistakes? This is really annoying as a reviewer! Are you following directions?

In addition to @goingallin‘s great advice, you should consider the quality of work you put out. As a new staff, your managers don't expect you to have too much technical skills, but you should have good basic skills (organization of work papers, taking proper notes when given instructions, etc). This has been the biggest issue i see at work for new staff.

Be honest with yourself in assessing your own work, if you don't want to ask for feedback from your managers or colleagues.

[ruggercpa2b]

Another important thing is even though you haven't had work you should be playing around in the software and learning how to use it. You mentioned you have been there for 6 months and do not know how to use the software. When I started at my old firm I searched their intranet to see if there were any guides on how to use our audit software. I also googled the software to see what I could find out there. I also started reading our auditing standards guides on some easy sections and also read up on how we did our sampling. Just because I had no work in the first few weeks I didn't sit around.

AUD - 73, 72 retake 7/2/2016
BEC - 8/20/2016
REG - TBD
FAR - TBD

I am so ready for this nightmare to be over. Been at this way too long.

[Goingallin]

I can tell you as a hiring manager, I dread training newbies bc I'm usually so busy that if someone keeps asking me questions, I would never get to my work done and go home to my family (which is my priority). I love it when my staff observe what's going on and require little hand holding. I think its usually very obvious to someone who's attentive to where help is needed in the department. As someone suggested, make the initiative.

[Anonymous]

Do you have your license yet? If so, you can get another job very easily. I'd do that if I were you. If you aren't yet licensed, well, you've passed all four parts and that should entitle you to a better job. Your current job sounds like it just rather sucks.

Myself…I'm 40 years old and working as an accountant and just starting the exam process (studied for and took FAR, now starting on AUD). I do projects for people all the time. And, I don't expect it's gonna be much better until I have my license…or, until I manage to land a job that is in line with my career path. You have far more than most people do, so you may as well find a job that is fulfilling. It's not like you can't get one quite easily – unless you're out in North Dakota or rural Maine or someplace like that LOL!

[Author]

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