[oneday23]

The place I work I have observed people do various things in office, such as going to the gym to workout (while during the day) and playing games on their cell phone, and even studying for the CPA exam in office. So I thought it was okay to study for the CPA exam in office. Turns out that was not correct. So someone reported this to my manager and my manager gave me an indefinite written warning. Fast forward a few months. I was casually chatting with my manager and this topic came up and my manager gave away a piece of information that basically after that I knew who it was that reported me. And I think it was kind of hypocritical of that person to report me because that person has also studied for the CPA exam in office. I am just wondering, should I report this person? Should I leave this company? The reason I don’t want to report this person is because I don’t want to cause any office drama. And I think it would be rather difficult to transfer to another area in this company with something like this on my record. Comments and suggestions are welcome.

[M.O.D.]

Do mention that the reason you were studying was because you saw that other person studying and think it hypocritical that she reported you.

It was not you who started the drama. There is no need to continue it, but also no need to let meanness slide unmentioned.

BA Mathematics, UC Berkeley
Certificates in CPA and EA preparation, College of San Mateo
CMA I 420, II 470
FAR 91, AUD Feb 2015 (Gleim self-study)

[Anonymous]

If u like ur company I would just let it go. Ur coworkers true colors will be seen eventually.

[Anonymous]

My condolences.

[oneday23]

@M.O.D.

Yes, I mentioned that. Unfortunately, I got the warning regardless.

@almostdonenow1

Thanks. I believe in the saying, you reap what you sow.

I'm just concerned I won't be able to transfer to another area because of this, not because this doesn't allow me to (which is not the case), but because the job market is very competitive, and I feel like it's going to be difficult to transfer with something like this on my record if I'm going up against many other applicants for the same position.

[Tux]

Tricky situation –

Reporting the other person won't clear your own record. You'll still have that warning in your file. However, have you made a formal statement to H.R. explaining your side?

That should go in your file also – you can let HR know that you saw this other person studying, so you thought it was ok.

That way, it's not like you're trying to get the other person in trouble. You're only trying to go on record with your side of the story in rebuttal of the written warning. In fact, when you initially talk to HR, don't mention any names. This shows that you have integrity. Just say that you saw someone else studying, so you thought it was ok. If they press you for a name, then tell them who it is.

If telling on this person doesn't help your own case, then you're only reducing yourself to their level if you say something out of revenge. In that case, as hard as it is, you may need to take the high road and just move forward without saying anything.

Just focus on your own career path from here. I don't believe that you should leave the company, but watch your “P's and Q's” very carefully.

I understand that working close to this person may be difficult. For now, don't try to transfer to another area. Try to use the experience to grow from. Things like this will happen wherever you go (unfortunately), so it's important to learn how to deal with it. (I promise – I'm not preaching. I know that it would be a very hard situation for me, too)

I'm learning about emotional intelligence which helps to build emotional strength in dealing with difficult situations. Maybe this is a good situation for you to learn about and build your emotional intelligence. I promise, it will make you a stronger person overall, and it will help in all areas of life.

Look up videos on youtube and books on amazon to learn more about it.

FAR - 86 - 2/27/14
AUD - 75 - 5/29/14
BEC - 80 - 8/31/14
REG - 89 - 2/27/15
Praise Jesus! I'm done!!

Study resources:
Becker
Wiley test bank

[oneday23]

@Tux

Thanks for the support. I had a meeting with human resources and my manager and I did mention that I saw someone else doing this to HR but I didn't specify a name, but I'm pretty sure my explanation was not on paper that has the warning. My manager said that I can add my rebuttal to my file but my manager also said that if I do that it could potentially look like I'm bitter to a manager in another area (my manager is aware of my interest in transferring). And what do you mean by watching your P's and Q's?

[mikiluv]

if you do not mind me asking, why can't this warning be removed from your file? It is literally permanent?

Thx

[taxman89]

perhaps you should work at work and do personal things(like the cpa) on your personal time. People spend so much time worrying about what coworkers are getting away with its insane. just do your job well and the rest should take care of itself

AUD - 75
BEC - 77
FAR - 78
REG - 82

AUD: 61-67-75 (Thanks ninja aud)
BEC: 77
FAR: 78
REG:69-73-70-82

Aud-75 3x I knew i never liked you
Bec-77 1x being in the bubble is stressful
Reg-82 4x its not me its you...and no we cant be friends
Far-78 1x easiest section

[Tux]

Oops! Maybe I'm showing my age by using a phrase like “watch your P's and Q's”.

I guess people don't say that very much.

It's just an old saying that means – be on your best behavior.

FAR - 86 - 2/27/14
AUD - 75 - 5/29/14
BEC - 80 - 8/31/14
REG - 89 - 2/27/15
Praise Jesus! I'm done!!

Study resources:
Becker
Wiley test bank

[Anonymous]

“Best mind your Ps and Qs Buster!” – Cameron, Ferris Bueller's Day Off

[ruggercpa2b]

I do not think adding a rebuttal will show that you are bitter. That manager will seem petty for writing you up for something that you saw other people doing. He could have just given you a verbal warning. At the end of the day you have to look out for yourself. I say write a rebuttal and just be professional about it.

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.

[MUCPA]

You should let this go. There is no way to factually prove that your manager “let” other people do it. He can simply claim that he hasn't seen anyone else studying – and trust me, nobody is going to come out of the woodwork to defend you.

At the absolute most – you can write a letter and request that it be placed in your file, stating that, based on what you had witnessed in office during your time there, you believed that studying for the exam was acceptable.

- 2.5 years experience in Public Accounting (Audit)
- 2.0 years experience in corporate accounting
- All 4 CPA Exam sections passed first time
- Currently CPA & Controller at a small manufacturing company

[alboreland]

Did the manager see you do this or did he just take the other person's word for it? It seems strange how you can get in trouble because someone just tells the manager and a formal warning is on your record. I think a real manager would have told this person to mind their own business because they have seen them do things they weren't supposed to be doing then would have reminded the group what the correct behavior is at work. It soulds like this person is acting like a spy for the manager. How many other people did they turn in?

The company sounds too uptight. I can see this a problem if someone higher up caught you, but a written warning for being turned in by a coworker at your level is a little too much.

[Uhartsoccer21]

Man, who woulda thought studying for the cpa would be so frowned upon. Obv if you were studying you were on top of work flow. But I guess that's an extra buck fitty you just cost the company! Very uptight.

A - 89 10/23/2014
R - 90 2/27/2014
F - 75 5/25/2014
B - 83 8/28/2014

[oneday23]

@MUCPA

So would you suggest I write a letter?

[Author]

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