[Zyx]

I reached out to a partner of a firm who audits my company asking if there might be an audit position available in the future. I have not heard back from the firm and thought they were not interested in me.

The firm reached out to the CFO and controller of my company to get a permission to interview me, which I was not aware of. I’m just a staff accountant,not be able to influence my company at all.

It turned out that CFO and controller were so upset. They never knew that I’m working on CPA and passed 2 parts. We had a talked this morning and I explained that I just wanted to see what it’s out there, not gonna leave now and blah blah blah. I thought it was fine after the talk. 5hrs later, I was told that my company let me continue my job! So they thought about firing me during that time! I was like wowww unbelievable. I posted this because I was so chocked to what happened and just want to be aware of what might happen in the future during job searching. If anyone can share your job hunting hurts your current job, I really appreciate that.

Also can my company not allow me to interview with this firm?

AUD - 77
BEC - 81
FAR - 80
REG - 77

zyx

REG: 77 x2
BEC: 81 x3
FAR: 68 retake 10/1
AUD: 8/27

[monikernc]

are you in the US? most of us work “at will” and can be let go without cause at anytime as long it is not discriminatory. you learned the hard way that the audit firm has a relationship to protect with your company. they cannot be perceived as stealing away employees and may be subject to an agreement to limit recruiting. you took a risk that you didn't realize with your inquiry. you were also outed as a CPA candidate and your company would have preferred to find that out from you and not an “outsider” some companies do have rules that limit their employees from soliciting employment from vendors and others. i am not sure you are out of the woods yet so tread lightly. you may want to step up your job search in a much more discreet manner.

AUD - 93
BEC - 82
FAR - 76
REG - 88

How have you been?
Ninja book and MCQs and the forum, all first try! 2016
Licensed State of Montana April Fool’s Day 2020
State of Colorado June 2020 - AICPA Ethics 93
Experience was the worst part of the journey for me. You?
If you want things to change you have to do something different.

FAR 7/25/15 76!
AUD 10/30/15 93
BEC 2/27/16 82
REG 5/23/16 88!
Ninja Book and MCQ and the forum - all the way!!!
and a little thing i like to call, time and effort!
if you want things to change, you have to do something different

[Missy]

What monicker said. People go to great lengths to make sure their employer is unaware of their desire to move on from the company. The audit firm values their relationship with your r employer and will be completely transparent with them.

Old timer,  A71'er since 2010.

Finance manager/HR manager

 

 

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

[Zyx]

Thanks lot guys, I definitely learned from that. I just thought I am not in am important position and did not think deeply that it would be a big deal. I have not had any interview with that firm yet and they freaked out because we already had 2 turnovers within 6 months. I should not reached out to the the firm if I knew that.

AUD - 77
BEC - 81
FAR - 80
REG - 77

zyx

REG: 77 x2
BEC: 81 x3
FAR: 68 retake 10/1
AUD: 8/27

[monikernc]

just hang in there. you are passing your exams and opportunities will start beckoning. just be cautious as you proceed. hopefully, your bosses will accept the innocence of your actions. i can't say if the audit firm will invite you for an interview and you will probably never know what was said between your bosses and them.

AUD - 93
BEC - 82
FAR - 76
REG - 88

How have you been?
Ninja book and MCQs and the forum, all first try! 2016
Licensed State of Montana April Fool’s Day 2020
State of Colorado June 2020 - AICPA Ethics 93
Experience was the worst part of the journey for me. You?
If you want things to change you have to do something different.

FAR 7/25/15 76!
AUD 10/30/15 93
BEC 2/27/16 82
REG 5/23/16 88!
Ninja Book and MCQ and the forum - all the way!!!
and a little thing i like to call, time and effort!
if you want things to change, you have to do something different

[Anonymous]

That's a tough way to learn that lesson but at least you still have your job.

[Missy]

Long time ago my husband was offered a job by a supplier of the manufacturer he worked for. When he showed up for his first day his new boss sent him home. Found out his old boss threatened to take his businesses elsewhere.

Old timer,  A71'er since 2010.

Finance manager/HR manager

 

 

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

[Zyx]

I was literally shaking when they called me out. This is my first job and I'm not from the US. I truly did not know and did not think about that at all. I just thought they are a CPA firm and I reached out to a partner just like I did to other firms. Thanks you guys for your feedback. I WILL be more cautions for sure. I feel like a traitor now.

AUD - 77
BEC - 81
FAR - 80
REG - 77

zyx

REG: 77 x2
BEC: 81 x3
FAR: 68 retake 10/1
AUD: 8/27

[monikernc]

no! you are not a traitor. not at all. you just did not know better. you made a misstep and today went your way. hopefully your bosses understand that this is a part of US culture that is not obvious to you and many others. just see how things go. apologize if it comes up again and try not to worry.
believe me, i have done worse and lived to tell about it.

AUD - 93
BEC - 82
FAR - 76
REG - 88

How have you been?
Ninja book and MCQs and the forum, all first try! 2016
Licensed State of Montana April Fool’s Day 2020
State of Colorado June 2020 - AICPA Ethics 93
Experience was the worst part of the journey for me. You?
If you want things to change you have to do something different.

FAR 7/25/15 76!
AUD 10/30/15 93
BEC 2/27/16 82
REG 5/23/16 88!
Ninja Book and MCQ and the forum - all the way!!!
and a little thing i like to call, time and effort!
if you want things to change, you have to do something different

[Zyx]

Thanks again monikernc! We live and learn!

AUD - 77
BEC - 81
FAR - 80
REG - 77

zyx

REG: 77 x2
BEC: 81 x3
FAR: 68 retake 10/1
AUD: 8/27

[jm962011]

I will say this – if the CPA firm didn't tell you they were going to reach out to their client (your employer), you don't want to work there. When I wanted to work in tax for the public accounting firm that audited and did other consulting for my employer at the time, they told me I had to let my manager know and get his ok or if I was uncomfortable doing that, they would.

[ruggercpa2b]

I definitely would be more cautious of pursuing a firm that audits your company mostly because the firm would not want to look like they are poaching employees and could potentially lose that client. People leave accounting firms all the time for the firm's clients which is to be expected a lot of the times.

Obviously it would have been nice for them to ask you if your manager knew that you were applying at the firm. However, people handle things differently and they could possibly have assumed that your current employer knew.

I am glad it turned out in your favor, however, as everyone else said, I would tread lightly going forward.

AUD - NINJA in Training
BEC - NINJA in Training
FAR - NINJA in Training
REG - NINJA in Training

AUD - 1/6/18
FAR - TBD
REG - TBD
BEC - TBD

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.

[fuzyfro89]

Can your company fire you for applying for any job — generally yes they “CAN”, (as in legally allowed to fire you or lay off).

Your mistake was with the accounting firm that serves your current company. The partner has to protect his relationship with the client (your CFO/controller/etc.), and it would not look good if they start hiring from their client without their knowledge. It's not a legal issue… it's a client relationship issue.

As an example, if you applied to work at some other accounting firm, it's very UNlikely they would reach out to your current company… same goes for almost any other job so long as that company does not have a meaningful relationship with your current one.

It has nothing to do with how important you are. It has everything to do with keeping their client (CFO of your company) on good relationship terms.

[Zyx]

I sincerely apologized to my bosses again for not telling them. They expect employees to retire from here and they expect someone doing the same job for decades (it's those type of companies where people stay long time because it's laid back,flexible but not good pay, no advancement). 2 of us have been with the company for over 10 yrs in the same position. I was asked on my first that if I see myself retire from here. I just started my first day. I could not say that! But when I'm there, I work my butt off. They seem not appreciate that. After worked there for a year I wanted to switch to public accounting so I started my journey so I can get out of there. I saw that 2 workers and it scares me being stuck in the same job for 10 yr, no promotions.

Anyway, good news that I got invited for an interview. My bosses thought I will go somewhere else sooner or later anyway. Besides,they already posted my position 3 days before they talked to me. Now I think I have to land a new job asap. It is a hard way to learn.

AUD - 77
BEC - 81
FAR - 80
REG - 77

zyx

REG: 77 x2
BEC: 81 x3
FAR: 68 retake 10/1
AUD: 8/27

[monikernc]

good luck with the interview. keep looking and moving forward.

AUD - 93
BEC - 82
FAR - 76
REG - 88

How have you been?
Ninja book and MCQs and the forum, all first try! 2016
Licensed State of Montana April Fool’s Day 2020
State of Colorado June 2020 - AICPA Ethics 93
Experience was the worst part of the journey for me. You?
If you want things to change you have to do something different.

FAR 7/25/15 76!
AUD 10/30/15 93
BEC 2/27/16 82
REG 5/23/16 88!
Ninja Book and MCQ and the forum - all the way!!!
and a little thing i like to call, time and effort!
if you want things to change, you have to do something different

[Anonymous]

Looks like you kinda got thrown under the bus there. The guy from audit firm could've asked you if you'd mentioned this to your boss. I don't know what the fit-pitching is about on their end – god have they looked at linkd in lately – it seems young people change jobs every year. I get that it's tough training people, but if people are leaving there is a solution to that – throw some money at them, or better working conditions, or both. Of course they want people to stick around until they retire – but that world is gone along with the pensions and job advancement opportunities that supported it.

I think your only mistake was some naivete; you were wise to keep your exam plans a secret. Just be professional and let it blow over. It was a bad tactical move, not a reflection of your character as an employee or as a person. I realize you feel vulnerable, but you don't have to show them that.

Think about it another way, they could've found out you were doing this and said “wow, your talking the CPA, that's a great skill set to have, I wish we'd known, what can we do to keep you here.” In a way that would be worse, because then you'd have to feel guilty about leaving.

[Author]

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