[Allergic2CPA]

By management I mean a position in which you have direct reports, especially when they are professional ones.

I have my CPA, MBA, and undergrad in Accounting (thinking of pursuing my CMA). I worked about two years in industry and then moved to a University for 7 years and will have 1 yr. in Oil&Gas in a month or so.

At the University, higher ups always spoke well of my work and would also compliment me in emails. During my last two years, a few opportunities arose and those same people didn’t promote me…something I will always be baffled by. In addition, I had applied to a competing college for similar roles…I met all their requirements and then some…nothing happened.

For this reason, I ended up with my current employer due to lack of growth. While my current employer does provide ample opportunities for growth, no one has a crystal ball. My lack of industry experience certainly doesn’t help.

I guess it’s a matter of time so I may gain more industry exp., network, and some luck. Not sure if it’s a good move to go to Big4 if I can’t find what I want in the next year. In the meantime, I have requested more leadership roles…don’t know if they’ll payoff or not.

If it’s not too much trouble, I would like to here some inspiring stories from those that have gone to management roles when all hope was lost.

FAR 46*, 77
AUD 70, 79
BEC 67, 82
REG 75

Texas License July 2013

Used Yaeger lectures based on Wiley textbooks

*Studied less than two weeks, forgot I had purchased NTS.

[ScarletKnightCPA]

In my experience you become manager and get reports if the higher ups want to keep you and promote you.

Them wanting to keep you comes down to various reasons.

Best you can do is make it known to your manager what your goals are but of course there's no guarantees with that.

Far: 76 (Wiley Test Bank)
Aud: 77 (Wiley Test Bank)
Reg: 61, 76 (Wiley book, Wiley Test Bank)
Bec: 86 (Wiley Test Bank)

MBA in progress

[Mamabear]

I was asked to manage an accounting department when I wasn't even in accounting and these were the reasons they presented to me when they asked.

1. The department needed a leader and I had proven that I could lead through various instances over the prior 3 years (various acquisitions that needed someone to create processes and make sure they were followed through)

2. I had stepped up and been willing to do my job and each staff accountant's job when they were on leaves of absence for various reasons. That gave me the opportunity to learn nearly every function in the accounting department without actually being in the department. Most people in other departments won't volunteer their time to help out when/where the company needs them to.

3. I was dedicated. I was there for every month end, just in case they needed me. I was there, sometimes until midnight, to make sure the executives had the reports (I was in finance at the time) and information they needed for an early morning meeting. I worked through lunches and could (and often did) work late at a moment's notice.

Those were the reasons given to me when formally asked to manage the department. Other reasons were given to me informally over the years after I took the job. Other driving reasons were the fact that the staff accountants that could have possibly been promoted had proven to be unprofessional or not dedicated or had issues with coworkers or thought more about compensation than actually helping the department when the department was in need. My personality and the fact that I was willing to help when needed, but didn't put off the vibes that all I wanted to do was to control others was a deciding factor as well. My point is that I came in, did my work, didn't “boss” anyone around when I did take on leadership roles, never expected anyone to do work I wasn't willing to do, gave credit where credit was due, and openly admitted when I screwed something up. If an executive thanked me for something that I turned in, but didn't do myself, I copied the person that did it on my response to make sure they got credit. It all plays in to decisions. It usually isn't the direct manager making the sole decision on when to promote from within. Everyone above them has a say and most are good at determining if people want to be in management just to have a title or if they really care about what goes on in a department or if the company is better off by their actions. I've seen several people who made it known that they wanted to “manage” be passed over because managing is not just a title. It is a responsibility to do the right thing. Sorry for the rant, but the decision to promote me from outside the department was questioned by many people (staff accountants) during that first couple of years and I've never been able to say any of this to them so I'm saying it in hopes that it will help you understand why someone may have been chosen over you. If it is where you want to be then go for it. Put off the right vibes, do good work, don't cause drama, and make sure you want to be in management for the right reasons.

CPA Exam - Finally DONE (November 2014)
BEC (08/10/13) 80
AUD (08/24/13) 65 (11/13/13) 85
FAR (04/12/14) 81
REG (07/19/14) 69 (11/29/14) 87!!

[ScarletKnightCPA]

Unfortunately doing one thing doesn't work in every circumstance. In a former job I volunteered to learn other responsibilities of the group but my director response to my manager was,

“oh, so he doesn't have enough work?”

and the request was denied.

Then while my manager was on maternity leave one of my director's ‘feedback' on the review was,

“Understanding of responsibilities and functions of other members of the group does not meet expectation.”

Derp.

Far: 76 (Wiley Test Bank)
Aud: 77 (Wiley Test Bank)
Reg: 61, 76 (Wiley book, Wiley Test Bank)
Bec: 86 (Wiley Test Bank)

MBA in progress

[Mamabear]

Your boss sounds like a jerk. I remember us talking about something similar in another thread months ago. You've definitely had a bad experience before. I guess it all depends on the kind of company you are in and what type of executives they have. Truthfully though, I probably wouldn't want to be a manager in a company with Directors like that. I've had similar experiences, but not in any place I considered important to my long term career goals.

CPA Exam - Finally DONE (November 2014)
BEC (08/10/13) 80
AUD (08/24/13) 65 (11/13/13) 85
FAR (04/12/14) 81
REG (07/19/14) 69 (11/29/14) 87!!

[Allergic2CPA]

@Mamabear

Thanks for your response.

So it sounds like opportunities arose to prove your leadership due to acquisitions and coworkers' absences. Not possible at the University but was the backup for two positions in a small dept.

I am definitely dedicated as I volunteered to present the annual supporting schedules to management and the University at large and write detailed guidance. When unable to help, I would on my own accord redirect to someone who could. I also asked my boss if she any additional work for me…nothing.

I have a strong work ethic. The University didn't require long hours but worked what was necessary and in my current role managing the close, I have to work at all hours regardless if it's a holiday or not. I pursued my CPA…definitely strong work ethic.

The Assistant VP would complement my work via email and would copy my boss, her boss, and the VP of the business dept. The Assistant VP interviewed me twice but nothing

How many 20-something year olds get email complements from the freaking Assistant VP?!?!

Here's a riddle…who do you provide as a reference when those interviewing are your references? That's literally the situation I was in.

Thanks once again for your detailed/thought out response. You mentioned reasons why some get promoted and others don't but it seems as though those reasons are inapplicable to me.

FAR 46*, 77
AUD 70, 79
BEC 67, 82
REG 75

Texas License July 2013

Used Yaeger lectures based on Wiley textbooks

*Studied less than two weeks, forgot I had purchased NTS.

[Mamabear]

Agreed. I don't know anything about working in a University. Did they provide you reasons as to why you didn't get the promotions after you were interviewed? I hate to say this but it could be an age thing if you're in your early to mid twenties. Maybe they didn't feel you were ready for management or they wanted you to get more experience first. It seems odd that they would give you all the signs that you're doing well, choose to interview you, and then give you no reason as to why you didn't get the job.

CPA Exam - Finally DONE (November 2014)
BEC (08/10/13) 80
AUD (08/24/13) 65 (11/13/13) 85
FAR (04/12/14) 81
REG (07/19/14) 69 (11/29/14) 87!!

[Allergic2CPA]

I was 28 or 29 at the time of the interview. Also, there would only be one direct report so I don't see why age would be that big of a deal. I doubt they would tell me the real reason why I wasn't hired so I would have no way of knowing and concluded that it would be rather useless in asking.

Also, they could have honestly hired someone due to having more experience. In addition, I made it to the 2nd round of interviews and I'm doubting that HR policies obligated them to grant me a 2nd interview so not sure why they would interview me if they weren't very interested at all due to my age.

FAR 46*, 77
AUD 70, 79
BEC 67, 82
REG 75

Texas License July 2013

Used Yaeger lectures based on Wiley textbooks

*Studied less than two weeks, forgot I had purchased NTS.

[Mamabear]

And you're probably right about that. I'm just trying to help based on the information you provided. I wouldn't interview for something, especially at a place I currently work, without asking why I wasn't hired for the position. They may lie to you, but you'll never know if you don't ask. Good luck!

CPA Exam - Finally DONE (November 2014)
BEC (08/10/13) 80
AUD (08/24/13) 65 (11/13/13) 85
FAR (04/12/14) 81
REG (07/19/14) 69 (11/29/14) 87!!

[Allergic2CPA]

I'm bumping this thread to see if anyone else wishes to provide inspiring stories in regards to obtaining supervisory/management positions without prior experience in these types of roles.

FAR 46*, 77
AUD 70, 79
BEC 67, 82
REG 75

Texas License July 2013

Used Yaeger lectures based on Wiley textbooks

*Studied less than two weeks, forgot I had purchased NTS.

[Author]

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