Career Move Advice

  • Creator
    Topic
  • #187501
    Valerie_Jo
    Member

    Hello everyone,

    I need some advice. I’ve been at my position now for just over a year and I just found out that I passed the last section of the CPA exam. (YAYYYYYYY!) I’m really thinking now may be the right time to look for another opportunity. My background: 1 year as an accounting clerk while I was going to grad school, and 1 year 2 months at my current position as an accountant for a manufacturing company. I started as an Accountant I and got bumped up to an Accountant II shortly after hire because they were impressed with my performance.

    The pros of my current job:

    -My boss is amazing, he’s very patient, helpful, and open to suggestions. He also fights for his staff at raise time.

    -I only work 40 hours a week, hardly ever any more than 40, no weekends

    -The pay is decent (57K)

    The cons:

    -My co-workers suck….like they’re all in their 50s and higher, and they will NOT let me in their social circle despite my efforts

    -Unless I look for a job at the corporate office, I’m pretty much at the highest level I will be at, unless my boss or his boss retire

    -I feel like now I could make a better salary elsewhere given that I will have my CPA license very soon

    -There’s not much flexibility in any respect…I asked if I could work a flex schedule like one of my co-workers (9 hours M-Thurs, and 4 hours on Fri) and was told no because his commute is longer than mine (load of crap)….GRR

    I want to believe that I would be happier elsewhere, but I don’t want to jump ship to find out I was wrong. I know I have it relatively good, but the grass is always greener on the other side, ya know?

    Please provide your thoughts. I appreciate it.

    FAR: 84
    BEC: 88
    REG: 33 (winged it, bad plan), 77
    AUD: 72 ,72, 81 FINALLY DONE!!!!!!

    WI Ethics Exam Passed - 92!!!!

    Licensed CPA in WI

Viewing 11 replies - 1 through 11 (of 11 total)
  • Author
    Replies
  • #584806
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    There are plenty of “Senior Accounting” positions which might be considered a step forward for you, but the whole 40 hours a week and 57K doesn't sound bad to me. Also, the grass isn't always greener on the other side. Having crappy co-workers can be the best reason to leave, so I understand why you would want to depart for that reason alone.

    Where do you live? 57K in New York doesn't go as far as 57K in Birmingham, AL.

    Would you feel comfortable letting your boss know you feel as though you have hit a ceiling and are considering a different position elsewhere? If you are able to respectfully put that out to your boss, he or she might consider providing you more responsibilities and a “Senior” title. Though it seems silly, having the word “Senior” in your title seems to turn heads on resumes, though so does the CPA (Congrats).

    #584807
    fuzyfro89
    Participant

    It's your choice. Value of future opportunities against your current work life balance.

    Seems your conditions are decent now, but without room to grow, even a great boss couldn't make up for lack of career opportunities. Again, assuming it is your goal to progress in pay/experience.

    #584808
    Valerie_Jo
    Member

    Thanks Smith. I live in the Milwaukee, WI area. I would say the salary is middle-of-the-road here for accountants. I do have a review scheduled for October and I plan on discussing things with my boss before that.

    I just wake up every morning and dread the sound of one of my co-worker's voices….like nails on a chalkboard….all day long. And it's sooooo silent in here that her voice just echoes throughout the building. Even when I'm away from her, I'm not away from her. Lol, see my post in the “Stupid things co-workers say” thread….so bad. That being said, I'm a little spoiled because at my last position, two of the people I worked with ended up being two of my best friends, and still are.

    I think I might just be bored….ugh…I just don't know….I've always been an anxious person.

    FAR: 84
    BEC: 88
    REG: 33 (winged it, bad plan), 77
    AUD: 72 ,72, 81 FINALLY DONE!!!!!!

    WI Ethics Exam Passed - 92!!!!

    Licensed CPA in WI

    #584809
    taxgeek83
    Participant

    @Valerie – I'm sort of in the same boat as you are. Pay is decent for my area, but I've maxed out on the career ladder, and have no chance of moving up until a manager retires or quits – and there's little to no chance of that happening any time soon. If you're becoming bored and looking for a challenge, I say move on!

    I will add, however, that no matter where you go, you will have sucky coworkers. That's just life. I thought after leaving my last job and moving into the professional realm that I would be out of kindergarten and hanging out with the grownups, but I swear, it only got worse! I was a 20-something college student thrown into a group of middle-aged women who had worked together forever (20 years in some cases) and weren't exactly fond of each other – you can only imagine the cat fights that went down every other day….

    #584810
    mla1169
    Participant

    If I were in your position, I'd make a list (actually write it down) of my dream job “must haves”. I would search for jobs that either meet all of the criteria or more of the criteria than where you are now. Its true the grass is always greener but if you know EXACTLY what you want enough that you can put it on paper, you shouldn't settle for any less than that.

    FAR- 77
    AUD -49, 71, 84
    REG -56,75!
    BEC -75

    Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

    #584811
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    @Valerie_Jo I also live in the Milwaukee, WI area. My perspective is that you have it pretty good. I work for a region firm out of their Milwaukee office and started as a staff accountant at approximately $50k per year. I have approximately 5 years of industry (manufacturing, specifically) experience prior to starting in public doing things from general office work to cost accountant at my last job (making $38k after a year and a half). I'd say you have it very good from the experience that I have had. On the other hand, I absolutely LOVE my public accounting job. It is challenging and rewarding and I'm moving along quickly (this week will be 10 months that I have been with the firm and I am scheduled to run some jobs this coming busy season). I get anxious and bored very easily, so my opinion would be to “suffer” with a lower salary but “better” work. Now this is just my perspective, I own a house about 45 min out of Milwaukee and commute to the office or clients and am able to make all payments on my own. If you live downtown and/or have a family/other expenses taking a pay cut may not be feasible for you. But I believe in doing what makes you happy and keeps you interested, regardless of the pay. But that is just the stage in my life that I am at. Hopefully this gives you a little perspective from the same area of the country, although every situation is going to be different.

    #584812

    I'm kind of in the same boat but I've only been at my company for a month. I know that I need to stay for at least a year for experience purposes. I get paid the same as you, never have to work 40 hours and get a flex schedule. My salary is comparable to 75k in DC.

    Now while that sounds good on paper, I feel like work is such a waste of time. If I didn't have the CPA exam to study for, I would have absolutely nothing to do at work. In my team at work, there are 3 of us regularly at the office (the others are at client sites) and the other 2 are older with no/very different senses of humor We essentially have nothing in common. I hate to complain but it's a drag and the only thing I look forward to is lunch. Not to mention, I have to travel about once a week and there was no training so I feel like a complete idiot in front of clients. I have no intrinsic motivation because I don't see how my auditing job provides value to anyone or anything.

    So, Valerie_Jo, just know that there are tons of others out there that also feel like you do. If you've been there for over a year, it sounds like you should explore other opportunities. A good boss and decent salary are not sources of sustainable happiness. You and I would both be happier in a culture that's more in sync with ourselves. Yes, the tradeoff might be a lower salary or higher hours, but my 8 hour days feel like 16 hour days and perception is reality.

    FAR-72,80
    AUD-74,88
    BEC-89
    REG-72,82

    #584813
    Valerie_Jo
    Member

    @FutureHokieCPA So much of what you just said is true for me too. I can't handle sitting at my desk bored out of my mind for 8 hours, it feels like a 20-hour day! And it's not like I don't look for or create things to do….trust me, people are probably so sick of me asking if I can help them with anything. I have filled the time in the past with studying, but now I want to pull my hair out!!!

    One more thing that makes me nervous about making a move though, is that I just got engaged. We are both on the older side (30 and 42) and want to try for a family fairly quickly after getting married because who knows how hard it will be for us. I know taking maternity leave would be fine at my current job, but what happens when you're in a brand new role and then want to take maternity leave right away? I don't want to get “mommy-tracked” either.

    FAR: 84
    BEC: 88
    REG: 33 (winged it, bad plan), 77
    AUD: 72 ,72, 81 FINALLY DONE!!!!!!

    WI Ethics Exam Passed - 92!!!!

    Licensed CPA in WI

    #584814

    I can't even imagine how boring my job would be without my NINJA Notes!

    That brings a whole new dynamic to the picture! I feel like life will work itself out and even if you get a new position, it seems like you'd be able to get several months in before having maternity leave. I wouldn't let the exciting future prospects of getting married and starting a family hold back the present you.

    FAR-72,80
    AUD-74,88
    BEC-89
    REG-72,82

    #584815
    Valerie_Jo
    Member

    Bump

    Does anyone else have any input for me please?

    FAR: 84
    BEC: 88
    REG: 33 (winged it, bad plan), 77
    AUD: 72 ,72, 81 FINALLY DONE!!!!!!

    WI Ethics Exam Passed - 92!!!!

    Licensed CPA in WI

    #584816
    hvansaders
    Member

    I would leave simply based on the fact that you are sitting at your desk bored all day, which means you aren't getting the experience you should be getting.

    I wouldn't worry about needing time off for a wedding, honeymoon or maternity leave. As long as you aren't walking in pregnant and not telling them, and are honest about any time you need off for the wedding it really should not affect you. We had a girl start a job 3 months pregnant, didn't tell anyone until she was here about a month and then went on maternity leave. While that was pretty much looked down on, she is a good employee and produces great work and now a few years later it's pretty much forgotten.

    I'm about your age so my plan is that I want to get into a job or level that I want to be in (get the promotion or whatever you are trying to achieve) and then start having a family. That way you avoid getting stuck on the “mommy-track” in a position or level you don't want to be at (and really shouldn't be at). Just my thought and plan 🙂

Viewing 11 replies - 1 through 11 (of 11 total)
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.