[Sunny15]

Hey A71-ers! I’ve been a long time lurker seeking some career advice from those with more experience than I have. I’m a CPA and have been with my firm (a Big 4) for a few months shy of two years. The culture, environment, people, and structure really hasn’t been a good fit for me and that’s why I’ve been making moves to leave.

I’ve been working with a recruiter and today I was extended an offer for a senior corporate accountant position. It’s a 10k increase in base plus a 10% performance based bonus. The people I interviews with say they rarely stay past 6 and it seems like a friendly, enthusiastic environment. I’m hesitant because I’m worried about making the dreaded career limiting move. I’m not sure that there’s a ton of advancement within this position but it seems stable and routine, which I want after being a traveling auditor.

And the recruiter wants a decision by tomorrow. Because I’m a person who needs to really think things through, this has been stressing me out. There’s quite a few questions I want to ask him before I accept. Are these requests unreasonable?

– a possible increase in PTO (I currently get 18 days but here there’s 10 vacation and a few sick days)

– another day or so to really think the offer through

– a start date that’s near the end of June. I’d have to move to take this position so after two weeks notice I’d like a week or two to settle into my new place.

– I want to know more about annual raises

– and I’d want to ask about paid holidays simply because I’m curious

So are these reasonable questions to ask? And does this sound like a decent career move?

Thanks, guys!

[MaLoTu]

This is a pretty big decision and there should be nothing wrong with you getting the information you need to make the best decision. It sounds like it is pretty high pressure and I find that to be a red flag… although I think it is likely the recruiter making it that way.

If they cannot give you all the information you need then I would just keep looking.

Almost always from my phone... please excuse my typos!

All 4 passed - 2016

CA CPA

[livealittle]

yes, make a list.

in order to make an informed decision, can you please provide full information on the following topics…
– process for raises, annual or otherwise
– complete listing of paid holidays, other PTO, vacation v sick days, etc.
– if I accept this offer, it will involve relocation for me, what are the options on start dates

etc….

BEC - 8/8/16
REG - 66, 77
AUD - 81
FAR - 9/8/16

[Sang]

Regarding career advancement, I think it is very common for people to hop from one company to the next in order to get promoted or raises.

I think you can accept the job to gain some experience. If they don't offer the career advancements and promotions that you want, you can always find better opportunities with other companies 2 or more years in the future.

FAR: (5/24/16) | (7/16/16)

AUD: (9/07/16)

BEC: TBA

REG: TBA

FAR: (05/24/16) | (07/15/16) | (10/22/16)
AUD: (09/07/16) | (11/29/16) |
BEC: TBD
REG: TBD
Using Roger CPA Review + Ninja (MCQs, Notes, Audio)

[Sunny15]

Thanks guys!

I think the recruiter is the one who's being a little pushy. Granted, this could be prompted by the company, I'm not really sure. Is there an average for how long the candidate could take to decide? If it's any consolation, there was about 10 days between the interview and the offer.

Excuse my ignorance, but is that the method that most people use for advancement? Like every few years or so they change companies to get the increase in salary and position that they're looking for rather than be promoted from within? And when leaving public, do you guys think there's anything I absolutely must have as to not short sell myself with this career move?

[Anonymous]

I don't think your questions about the company and the position are unreasonable at all. You've actually picked the perfect time to bring up benefits/perks-related questions, i.e. when the company has made an offer and not during the interview. And don't let the recruiter push you into making a decision before you're ready. Some of them use this as a scare tactic, thinking if you'll say yes out of fear of having the offer revoked. If the company liked you and they know that the reason you haven't accepted is because you have perfectly reasonable questions you'd like to have answered, they aren't going to revoke your offer.

When to change jobs is a function of your career goals and whether or not you feel your current company is a good fit for those goals. And be specific. It can't be “oh, I want more money” or “oh, I want a promotion.” What do you want to be doing next year that you aren't doing right now? Are you ready for those new responsibilities (or are you committed to getting ready for them?)? Have you talked with your manager(s) about your career path and whether or not your goals are attainable within your current company? You need to be prepared to discuss what you want to be doing, whether that's within your current firm or with a new firm. A lot of recent grads are still in the frame of mind that promotions and raises are automatic and that everyone understands this. But that's not how it works. A company can't always manufacture a new position out of thin air or give you a raise for continuing to do the same job. You have to know WHAT you want to be promoted to, WHY you should be promoted, and whether or not that is a realistic probability in your current company.

[the LAST Coffee]

Scare tactics. Be reasonable (as you are now) and ask those questions, it's a good time to speak up. Especially knowing there's a huge drop in PTO from public to private, although that's offset by less hours of working. However I prefer working hard and having more PTO than other people so it really depends on your needs.

FAR 84 (AUG '15)
BEC 83 (AUG '15)
AUD 79 (OCT '15)
REG 71, 78! (NOV '15, FEB '16)

[Peterman25]

Remember, recruiters get PAID when you accept a job. So, of course there will be pressure from any recruiter for you to accept a job. They don't want you to take a whole lot of time to talk yourself out of an opportunity because they will miss a payday.

As others have pointed out, you are absolutely within reason to ask those questions.

I think that it what you are doing is the norm. People work for a few years in their positions and then look for something else (if that is what they want and want to advance). You should expect the paycheck for the position and responsibilities. Don't expect more just because you have been there for X years. I have been with my current employer for almost 11 years. 10.5 of those years were as the Sr. Accountant. We get government holidays off and 160 max hours of rolling PTO. Annual increases are anywhere from 3-5%. No bonus structure at all. The only reason why I was promoted at the beginning of the year was that I obtained my CPA license. They knew I was gone if not promoted. I'll take the increased responsibilities and learn some new things over the next couple of years and then look for something more if I want a bigger paycheck. There is no promotion left for me at this company unless my boss leaves and that just isn't happening.

BEC 7/14 - PASS
FAR 10/14 - PASS
AUD 1/15 - PASS
REG 4/15 - PASS

AZ license - Official 8/20/2015

[Mayo]

“It's a 10k increase in base plus a 10% performance based bonus”

What's the % increase? 10K seems really low, but it might be a geographical thing. Then again, you won't get a huge bump leaving before making Senior.

“And the recruiter wants a decision by tomorrow. Because I'm a person who needs to really think things through, this has been stressing me out”

I recommend dropping him if you decide to decline this offer. You should be talking to 2-3 recruiters to be honest. You'll get a few of the same job offers thrown your way, but it'll help you compare and contrast if you're being unreasonable. The recruiter you have now seems excessively pushy.

“So are these reasonable questions to ask?”

100% reasonable.

“Excuse my ignorance, but is that the method that most people use for advancement? Like every few years or so they change companies to get the increase in salary and position that they're looking for rather than be promoted from within? And when leaving public, do you guys think there's anything I absolutely must have as to not short sell myself with this career move?

I'd say it's the most common if your company's growth just doesn't support another position. I'm currently coming up on my year anniversary from leaving the Big 4, and have started to think about advancement. Normally, your options can include:

1a. True promotion. Responsibilities greatly increase as well as the complexity of things you deal with
1b. Promotion in name only. Normally done when there really isn't a place to go, but the company is willing to pay you more and increase your scope of work gradually. It also helps you from being a Senior forever, which can hinder you wanting to get a Manager position. It's not a bad gig if you really love the company and the people
2. Lateral move to another department
3. Go to another company

Most companies understand and it's not a big deal to leave after 2-3 years, depending on your experience.

“And does this sound like a decent career move?”

Can you post more about the position?

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Author]

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