[Tcohle]

My original plan was to pass 3-4 of my CPA tests then start looking, but an opportunity has come up that I don’t want to pass over.

Currently, I work at a small construction business as an accountant. I do all the A/P, A/R, reconciliations, journal entries (most of them), invoicing, and other misc. tasks. I handle a ton of responsibility because we’re a small business. It’s not like we can hire someone specifically to fix computer problems, be a front desk person, etc.

Problem is, I only make $15/hr. I started at $12 coming out of college because I had no experience and needed a job. I’m coming up on 2 years and I’m pretty sure the max I’ll make is around $20/hr and that won’t happen anytime soon. I LOVE my bosses, but my sister’s boyfriend can get me an accounting job at a large finance/bank/firm. I’d probably start at $50k/year and there’s room for growth I believe. I’m tired of not making enough money to even move out!

Problem is, I handle SO many big and little tasks, they’d be burdened with figuring out everything when I’m gone. My two office managers/bosses would understand, but my main boss/president might be disappointed. He always tries to invest in me.

Has anyone every been in this situation? How did you handle it. Also, I don’t want it to affect my path to the CPA cert.

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[10keyLeah]

You said it yourself, it is an opportunity you don't want to pass up. It's not easy to leave a job, especially if you like the people you are working with/for. In all honesty though, they probably don't care much about your career. You have to watch out for yourself! I know it may not seem like it, but they will be able to train someone else to do your job.

Make sure this other job really is the right one. Do not quit your current job until you have a written offer from the other company.

Ninja Combo, Yaeger, Wiley -- Licensed CPA, May 2015

[thechapman]

My opinion is if you are really that valuable to them to where it would be a big deal for them to figure out what to do when you leave, they should be paying you more.

Passed - 2014

[Tcohle]

That's what I've heard…every company goes through it. Even my boss says “nobody is irreplaceable” lol. I agree I have to look out for myself. If the company needed to cut me they would to keep it going.

@chapman I've already thought about that. Not only would my new job be a better opportunity, but that's kinda like them saying “oh you're leaving?! Now you're more valuable since we might lose you”

AUD - 84
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REG - 87

Ninja Notes/MCQ/Book/Audio for all

FAR- 5/11/15 76!!
AUD-10/31/15 63, 84!
REG-7/12/16 72
BEC-8/31/15 75!! Perfect Score!

Wiley CPAExcel Platinum
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[Anonymous]

Don't feel bad, they'll be fine. I have seen so many people feeling the same way. They leave, the company finds a new person and it's all working out fine and nobody even remembers your name couple of years later. They are not your family

[Tcohle]

I get that feeling too. I'll do something to detail everything I do and the steps to help them out.

AUD - 84
BEC - 75
FAR - 76
REG - 87

Ninja Notes/MCQ/Book/Audio for all

FAR- 5/11/15 76!!
AUD-10/31/15 63, 84!
REG-7/12/16 72
BEC-8/31/15 75!! Perfect Score!

Wiley CPAExcel Platinum
Ninja 10 pt combo for FAR/AUD/BEC

[Tcohle]

@Anjanja So even though I do a ton of things they'll be able to pick up where I left off? I do all the banking, J/E, A/P, and A/R

AUD - 84
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FAR - 76
REG - 87

Ninja Notes/MCQ/Book/Audio for all

FAR- 5/11/15 76!!
AUD-10/31/15 63, 84!
REG-7/12/16 72
BEC-8/31/15 75!! Perfect Score!

Wiley CPAExcel Platinum
Ninja 10 pt combo for FAR/AUD/BEC

[Missy]

Apple managed to function without Steve Jobs, pretty sure they'll survive without you. Thats not to say there won't be some inconveniences if you leave but they're only inconveniences.

Think of how many people move on to new jobs every day, they ALL consider themselves to have a huge workload that no single person could just pick up. And yet you never hear of a company going under because they just couldn't make it without John Doe.

Old timer,  A71'er since 2010.

Finance manager/HR manager

 

 

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

[Mamabear]

I don't think they will have trouble replacing you if that is what you are asking. Sure there will be a learning curve for the new person, but if you leave a good manual that documents everything you do they will be fine. When one of my staff accountants quit no one knew how to do her job because she had done prepaids and fixed assets for as long as I could remember. No one even had access to the fixed asset software and I had only been the manager for a month. I had her spend a day documenting everything from her passwords to her procedures and had her include a list of contacts for third party vendors that she dealt with. I asked her to leave the next day (she was a volatile employee that liked to cause problems). Another employee and I taught ourselves the entire fixed asset process based on her documented notes and phone calls with our software account rep. We trained the new employee hired a few months later. Everyone is replaceable. I understand the guilt factor, especially in a small company, but you have to do what is right for you and your family (if you have one).

CPA Exam - Finally DONE (November 2014)
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REG (07/19/14) 69 (11/29/14) 87!!

[Tcohle]

That makes me feel better @mamabear. I'd feel great knowing they won't suffer from me leaving. I had a great working relationship with them, just found a better opportunity. The only other thing that worries me is staying on track for the cpa exams with moving and getting a new job

AUD - 84
BEC - 75
FAR - 76
REG - 87

Ninja Notes/MCQ/Book/Audio for all

FAR- 5/11/15 76!!
AUD-10/31/15 63, 84!
REG-7/12/16 72
BEC-8/31/15 75!! Perfect Score!

Wiley CPAExcel Platinum
Ninja 10 pt combo for FAR/AUD/BEC

[Mamabear]

They may try to make you feel like it's the end of the world because they have come to depend on your for a lot of things, but it is not the end of the world. Your leaving will not shut their business down. Don't let them guilt trip you into staying. As for the CPA exam, I am sure you will have to re-prioritize your study versus work schedule because you will be going into a new position and have to spend time learning the new company, software, job requirements, etc but you just need to set a schedule and stick to it as much as possible. It can be done.

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!!

[Anonymous]

If I should guess they'll struggle for two-three months, probably have few thing falling through the cracks, but vendors will come looking for money, employees will come looking for checks, they will catch up. I am sure your boss knows that

[Tcohle]

I'll definitely make a detailed list. Btw the jobs base salary is about 20K more than I make now with probably better benefits!

AUD - 84
BEC - 75
FAR - 76
REG - 87

Ninja Notes/MCQ/Book/Audio for all

FAR- 5/11/15 76!!
AUD-10/31/15 63, 84!
REG-7/12/16 72
BEC-8/31/15 75!! Perfect Score!

Wiley CPAExcel Platinum
Ninja 10 pt combo for FAR/AUD/BEC

[Missy]

And thats the other point, you're exceptionally early on in this, don't even have an interview yet? Seems like you still have quite a bit of groundwork to cover first.

Old timer,  A71'er since 2010.

Finance manager/HR manager

 

 

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

[Tcohle]

I agree mla, I'm just preparing for what may happen

AUD - 84
BEC - 75
FAR - 76
REG - 87

Ninja Notes/MCQ/Book/Audio for all

FAR- 5/11/15 76!!
AUD-10/31/15 63, 84!
REG-7/12/16 72
BEC-8/31/15 75!! Perfect Score!

Wiley CPAExcel Platinum
Ninja 10 pt combo for FAR/AUD/BEC

[Anonymous]

Tcohle, it is always good to plan your exit strategy, whether you are actually leaving or not. I go through it in my head all the time at my current job.

[Author]

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