[shanek327]

private accounting, ive been here for a year.

they have a very generous pto policy that they bragged about MUCH in the interview.

for example…

oh work any 8 hours you want, 8-4, 9-5 etc.

after getting the job I asked to work 8-4 my direct boss said no, 830-430 it is.

also I asked to work 8-4 only one day a week bc of outside responsibilities, and her answer was no.

we are allowed to work from home if a child is sick. this past week my son was sick and I asked to work from home, she let me but wasn’t happy about it.

she gives me a hard time regarding the time I take now, so far…I just take the time I want when I can take it. she can’t say much because, it’s company policy….

I believe there’s resentment developing on her part…against me.

do I ask to speak with her privately and say “hey, is there any issues?”

Or do I just start looking for a new job…?

FAR - 75
AUD - 78
BEC - 82
REG - 77

2 Corinthians 5:21

Our value does not come from our skills and abilities, as good as they may be; it does not come from our GPA, our job, a promotion from that job to a better job, our success on the CPA exam, or anything of the like; but our value comes from the fact that we have a Creator who loves us, cares for us, and desires to help us navigate the rough waters of this life in a way that provides security, hope, and true, everlasting joy while we anticipate the life to come, with Him.

[Son]

“I just take the time I want when I can take it. she can't say much because, it's company policy….”

I'll be completely honest with you – I think one of the problems is right here. If I understand correctly, you feel like you can take any time you want off (provided you have it accumulated and that you feel it won't affect your work). However, many people in charge like to be in control of such things. So, if you make it clear that you're taking next week off and it's not up for a discussion, you boss might be pissed, even if she didn't have any exact plans to use your help that week. Next time try letting her know as far in advance as possible – and ask for a permission (even though it's totally your right, I agree with you on that).

The bottom line – it might be just me, but I think you've tried to use all the perks without building some credit first with your boss. I know they've promised you that much when you negotiated your offer. But a better strategy would be to build a reputation first, show your boss you respect her and that she's in control (even in silly things), and that might change the situation quite a bit for you. Might be just my opinion based on my experience, but something worth considering.

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

[shanek327]

@fuzyfro – i'm not complaining about the schedule, i'm complaining about the fact that each time I go to utilize one of the benefits that the company offered me, my direct boss isn't pleased. and she makes it know.

@Son – No, you're misunderstanding. I take the time I need because I need to and it's company approved. it's just uncomfortable knowing that my direct boss isn't thrilled about it. believe me I am very respectful with my requests for the time off that I take…she approves it, then is essentially a sourpuss about it.

I've been here a year and I have approached her multiple times to ask her how my work is and her answer to everything time is “good, good, good.” I've offered myself up for additional work, and it's been to no avail. (even when one of the other accountants stays late and work through lunch at times because of her workload)

FAR - 75
AUD - 78
BEC - 82
REG - 77

2 Corinthians 5:21

Our value does not come from our skills and abilities, as good as they may be; it does not come from our GPA, our job, a promotion from that job to a better job, our success on the CPA exam, or anything of the like; but our value comes from the fact that we have a Creator who loves us, cares for us, and desires to help us navigate the rough waters of this life in a way that provides security, hope, and true, everlasting joy while we anticipate the life to come, with Him.

[shanek327]

I don't know how significant the factor is…but a lot of the time I take off is to study before exams.

my direct boss is not a CPA, but her boss loves the idea of me getting it

FAR - 75
AUD - 78
BEC - 82
REG - 77

2 Corinthians 5:21

Our value does not come from our skills and abilities, as good as they may be; it does not come from our GPA, our job, a promotion from that job to a better job, our success on the CPA exam, or anything of the like; but our value comes from the fact that we have a Creator who loves us, cares for us, and desires to help us navigate the rough waters of this life in a way that provides security, hope, and true, everlasting joy while we anticipate the life to come, with Him.

[Son]

shanek327, it's obviously hard to guess what sets her off. I've seen crazy people unhappy about someone taking any time off in their first year, because they didn't when they first started, worked hard and all that nonsense.. might also be the CPA thing – did she try taking the exam and failed? maybe that's why she persuaded herself that it's not worth anyone's time, people often do that to justify their failure.

to your main question, I think it's a lot more important whether her boss likes you, and it seems like he/she does. unless her attitude totally poisons your workday, look at the big picture. if in a couple years you'll get a chance to work directly under someone else, don't quit. also, if what you're doing helps you develop self and challenges you, I would think twice before leaving the job, especially only after 1 year.

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

[fuzyfro89]

This is where being able to read her mind would be very helpful. 🙂

I completely get the feeling that someone misrepresented the truth. The public firms talk all day and night about “balance” and “career development” during recruiting, but once you start you realize that you work as much as necessary to get the work done on time (even when new requirements come out of the blue), and when you want to switch clients all hell breaks loose and the project managers get up in arms for your schedule with little regard to what you actually want or what's the best development opportunity for you.

If it were me, I wouldn't bring this up as a big confrontation, but I'd pay close attention to how your performance reviews are trending and if what you perceive is a grudge against you is making its way onto your actual performance evaluations. That would be a huge negative, and I would bring up and dig for specifics at that point. People misread other people ALL THE TIME, so there's really no sense in guessing what she's thinking or why she's doing what she's doing.

If you have a conflict and need to come late/leave early/work from home (provided that's a normal thing to do), then just ask and do it. Don't expect your manager to be happy about it, but just keep tabs over time on whether her crankiness toward you is translating into a worsening outlook in your future at the firm. At that point, you need to get her to put out in the open whatever her problems are with you or your performance.

[shanek327]

so big picture….confront her, or look for a new job?

FAR - 75
AUD - 78
BEC - 82
REG - 77

2 Corinthians 5:21

Our value does not come from our skills and abilities, as good as they may be; it does not come from our GPA, our job, a promotion from that job to a better job, our success on the CPA exam, or anything of the like; but our value comes from the fact that we have a Creator who loves us, cares for us, and desires to help us navigate the rough waters of this life in a way that provides security, hope, and true, everlasting joy while we anticipate the life to come, with Him.

[ruggercpa2b]

I would not confront her because in the 8 years I have been working what HR or management tells you in an interview is not always what is true. I remember saying something about flexibility at Deloitte and one of the seniors laughed in my face and I soon realized that we had to do what the partner wanted.

It would just make your situation worse. I remember seeing a post where you said they guaranteed you a raise after passing the CPA. It sounds like they promised you a lot of things. Maybe its just time to move on and find something else. Just from other posts I have seen that you have made it doesn't sound like your heart is in this one and you are always looking for something that could be better.

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.

[shanek327]

@rugger – I don't mind this place, and would like to stay. i'm looking for more because $50k annually just doesn't cut it you know what I mean.

the flexibility, etc. was promised by HR and my direct boss.

the raise once I pass the CPA was promised by the CAO who is my boss and her boss (my direct manager day to day)

FAR - 75
AUD - 78
BEC - 82
REG - 77

2 Corinthians 5:21

Our value does not come from our skills and abilities, as good as they may be; it does not come from our GPA, our job, a promotion from that job to a better job, our success on the CPA exam, or anything of the like; but our value comes from the fact that we have a Creator who loves us, cares for us, and desires to help us navigate the rough waters of this life in a way that provides security, hope, and true, everlasting joy while we anticipate the life to come, with Him.

[MaLoTu]

You are not going to be able to grow as a professional under the leadership of your direct supervisor. I get the feeling that the hours would be less of an issue if they allowed you to take on new responsibility. Like rugger said, you have to be questioning what other promises they are going to back out on.

Are you truly happy with anything about the company? Are there any redeeming factors that would make you stay? It sounds like this is a bit of a dead end. How long have the other accountants been there?

If you are being objective in your assessment and you are sure that all the circumstances are not your fault, then you should definitely look for another job. Do you even have performance evaluations?

Also, if you get your CPA and the CAO only sees that your performing the minimum of responsibilities, do you think he is going to give you a raise?

[shanek327]

@MaLoTu – see my responses below in CAPS

Are you truly happy with anything about the company? … THEY STARTED ME HIGHER THAN ANY OTHER COMPANY WAS OFFERING ME WHEN I STARTED MY CAREER. THATS IT

Are there any redeeming factors that would make you stay? … HARD QUESTION TO ANSWER, MAY TAKE TIME…

It sounds like this is a bit of a dead end. How long have the other accountants been there?… OTHERS HAVE BEEN HERE 10 YEARS, BUT THAT IS BECAUSE THEY ARE ALL MOMS AND THE PTO POLICY IS VERY FAVORABLE FOR THEM. NO OTHER ACCOUNTANT IN MY DEPT IS LOOKING TO CLIMB THE LADDER…NONE OF THEM HAVE INTEREST IN DOING ANYTHING BUT WHAT THEY ARE DOING

Also, if you get your CPA and the CAO only sees that your performing the minimum of responsibilities, do you think he is going to give you a raise? …I DONT SEE NEW RESPONSIBILITIES BEING CREATED MAYBE MINOR ONES, NOTHING SIGNIFICANT, DEFINITLEY NO POSITIONS BEING CREATED TO BE PROMOTED INTO BUT HE PROMISED ME A RAISE, THAT'S ALL I KNOW

THE COMPANY PRIDES THEMSELVES ON PAYING MORE THAN THE AVERAGE…IM MAKING $50K NOW, AND MY CPA MAY BE DONE BY THE END OF THE YEAR LORD WILLING….

NJ CPA SALARY THAT I RESEARCH IS ANYWHERE FROM $55K-75K. THERE'S NO WAY I SEE MYSELF STAYING HERE UNLESS THEY CREATED A POSITION…IT WOULDN'T MAKE SENSE

FAR - 75
AUD - 78
BEC - 82
REG - 77

2 Corinthians 5:21

Our value does not come from our skills and abilities, as good as they may be; it does not come from our GPA, our job, a promotion from that job to a better job, our success on the CPA exam, or anything of the like; but our value comes from the fact that we have a Creator who loves us, cares for us, and desires to help us navigate the rough waters of this life in a way that provides security, hope, and true, everlasting joy while we anticipate the life to come, with Him.

[MaLoTu]

In light of your response, I would definitely just wait it out. At least you will know at that time how “full of it” they are or aren't. In the meantime you have some flexibility for the exam and that is important. If you start a new job it may push your exam progress back.

[Missy]

You can look for another job but you're much more likely to find the same or very similar than a job that is TRULY flexible with a 40 hour week most weeks. Company policy and manager expectations vary in almost every workplace, and her resentment is probably more your perception than reality.

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

[fuzyfro89]

“so big picture….confront her, or look for a new job?”

Keep producing good work and bring things up directly if you are getting poor reviews as a result of what you view as her having a problem with you.

In all reality, you mention an issue with the whole hours/flexibility thing, but it's on the better end of what companies offer in accounting/finance field in terms of flexibility. Every time you take a new job you take a risk that it's not as great as you heard during the interview… IN FACT, you're living this today.

If I were you, I'd let it go and focus on the exam. 40 hrs/wk is like gold for exam studying after work. Once the exams are out of the way, test the market and see what you can land. If you can get something better (money, flexibility, whatever is important to you), then go for it.

If I saw a long career at the company, I may be inclined to want to make it work and resolve things, but if you're planning on leaving anyway in a year to make more money… then what do you really gain? 30 minute shift in your day? You risk a lot more if you are right about the manager having a problem with you and she holds an even bigger grudge than currently…

[Author]

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