[Topsya]

Hey guys!

I wanted to ask your advice on how to deal with the situation that is happening with me at work right now.

I work in a small private company; my title is – Junior Accountant, I have 3 years of experience and I have just received my license last week. We also have 2 seniors and a controller in our department.

And we also have a CFO. Who is a family member of the owner, and he basically runs the company. His qualifications are somewhat questionable.

Anyways, about couple month ago our controller resigned, and while the company is looking for a new one, the controller’s functions were spread across the rest of us, including myself.

During the last month I was working on things which are (in my opinion) way above my lever, such as (here are some examples):

– Giving an advice on the potential sale of the property. I had to calculate gain/loss (different types, such as accounting gain/loss, gain/loss on the investment and also a taxable impact on it)

– I had to prepare a report, analyzing budgeted variances

– I was also tasked with the preparation of the budget of a publicly traded entity (publicly traded oversees)

I receive NO training and extremely vague directions.

I try as hard as I can, but still, every project I turn in always has some flaws (which are always something that is just beyond my lever of expertise that’s why I don’t catch it).

Couple days ago, during my meeting with a CFO, where I was criticized on my work again, I was trying to defend myself, but was asked to leave his office immediately.

A little later in the day, the CFO approached one of my co-workers, complained at my performance, my personal qualities, called me a “princess of the department with an attitude who cannot meet deadlines” (among other things) and asked my co-worker to talk to me and “explain me a thing or two”. Among those “things” I was told that I should position myself as a CPA a little less, because my performance compromising my designation as a professional.

I was also told that since I’m a “lady” (I am quoting here) I am probably using my brain a little less than men do, but it’s not excusing my poor performance.

I find that whole conversation extremely rude and unprofessional. If there are issues with my performance, character, designations or a gender (!!!), I would prefer to discuss it with my supervisor or HR, but no with my peers.

Anyways, what do you think I should do? Should I let HR know? Should I just let it go and see what happens next? Am I overreacting?

AUD - 90
FAR - 83
BEC - 81
REG - 80
ETHICS - 100

[mla1169]

CFO is a family member and basically runs the company tells me going to HR will do no good. You're certainly entitled to go to HR, and it shouldn't jeopardize your job but I wouldn't expect anything to change because of it. And it is beyond unprofessional for him to discuss your performance with a peer.

I'd look for another job.

For what its worth, use opportunities to perform tasks above your level of expertise to shine. I've often had projects thrown on me that I have no clue about, if it means googling, looking at youtube videos, asking peers HERE how to best accomplish it, do whatever it takes to turn in an impeccable project. If you can't get it done during the initial time frame there is no harm in saying you need a little longer to make sure it is perfect. Rising to such a challenge is almost always noted and could result in promotability but all companies want a controller who rises to the challenge without needing a lot of direction from above. Bottom line is with the scores you have on the exams I believe you can pretty much figure ANYTHING out without training and direction-and the people above you likely have less knowledge than you do anyway so you don't WANT them teaching you anything.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Topsya]

Thanks @mla1169!

I am in the process of interviewing with a couple different places right now, so I am hoping to be out of that place as soon as I can :))

I am having same exact concerned with these family ties….. You are probably right, It wont' do any good….

I just hate being blamed for my not-so-perfect performance….

Thanks anyways))))

AUD - 90
FAR - 83
BEC - 81
REG - 80
ETHICS - 100

[impska]

Just look for a new job.

I'm pretty confrontational and I have a good financial buffer, so the situation you're in would make me speak up.

For instance, I would have walked into the CFO's office and said, “Hey, So-and-so talked to me as you requested. He said that you wanted me to know that my poor performance is at least partially due to the fact that I'm a woman and women use their brains less than men do. I just wanted to confirm that this was your actual feedback on my work.”

Then I would have advised him to provide all feedback directly to me, in writing, so that we could avoid future misunderstandings.

That said, Mla is right. None of the things you've mentioned are above your knowledge level. They may be a stretch, but this stuff is mostly covered on the CPA exam. The CPA exam also stressed research for a reason – so you know where and how to find answers. The most important thing you should take from this “feedback” is probably the deadline issue. If you are not meeting deadlines, then that's a problem. And since you tend to need your work reviewed, you should be turning it in time for it to be reviewed and updated prior to the deadlines. And you should be communicating that you'd like to have it reviewed.

REG - 94
BEC - 92
FAR - 92
AUD - 99

[Topsya]

Thanks @impska for your feedback!

1) love your position and have a lot of respect for it

2) i knew I wasn't meeting the deadline and I let the CFO know in the middle of the day. It was totally ignored

3) CPA based on GAAP and our company does not use GAAP. We also have no written policy as what kind of standards we are using. Most issues I am having are not with my inability to perform, but with the lack of directions or not communicated expectations.

Thanks for your feedback!

AUD - 90
FAR - 83
BEC - 81
REG - 80
ETHICS - 100

[I'm, Ron Burgundy?]

1. It seems the office environment is very unprofessional. The CFO has a title that should set the “tone at the top.” A manager, executive, coach or any leader should know that you praise in public and reprimand in private and never, ever, complain about subordinates to those at the same level. As Tom Hanks says in Saving Private Ryan: “Complaints go up the chain of command, not down.”

2. Fortunately I have never had to feel the sting of office discrimination. However, if I witnessed it in my office, whether happening to me or another I would speak up. Nobody should have to put up with that from their leadership or anyone else.

3. You work in accounting, nothing you submit will ever be 100% correct. This is why we have people review our work at multiple levels. Don't take review points personally, learn from them. It's accounting, it's mistake prone.

4. You accomplished your exams and nobody will take that from you. Don't let anyone belittle or make you feel that you are not living up to the title. You earned that title through a ton of hard work.

5. Finally, we live in a free country and you have a profession with one of the lowest unemployment rates. There will always be a need for accountants. Basically, move forward and maybe you will find the right fit, with more pay (now that you're licensed).

just my $.02 – good luck!

"If you're going through hell, keep going"
- Winston Churchill

"I've missed over 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost over 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot, and missed. I've failed, over and over and over again in my life. And that is why, I succeed."
- Michael Jordan

BEC: (54), (72), 80 (losing credit on 02/02/15 - nervous)
AUD: 78
REG: (74), 91
FAR: (71)

[NYCaccountant]

I would leave as soon as possible. Who states, ” Since you a are lady, you're probably using your brain a little less than men do, but it’s not excusing your poor performance” in 2014. Ignorance has no limits. You should leave.

AUD - 99
BEC - 84
FAR - 93
REG - 87

NYC born and raised.

FAR - 93
REG - 87
BEC - 84!!!!
AUD - 99!!!!!! CPA exam complete.

[Topsya]

Thank you, @I'm, Ron Burgundy?

Everything you said is very encouraging! Appreciate your input, thanks!

AUD - 90
FAR - 83
BEC - 81
REG - 80
ETHICS - 100

[M.O.D.]

Well, I think the CFO is acting unprofessionally by talking behind your back to your peers and even asking them to talk to you instead of him. I would call him on it, and refuse to talk to your peers about what the CFO thinks. Tell them that if the CFO wants to talk to me tell him to do so himself.

I think you intimidated him when you defended yourself, so like a immature baby, he resorted to personal attacks. And I think you are letting this get to you, which is his intent.

So continue to fight back, hit him even harder by reminding him that he should not fear to talk to you directly. No need for HR, that would be a sign of weakness on your part.

As far as the CPA attack, that is also a personal attack. Tell him that the CPA board decided that you are a CPA, not him.

Fight back, hit hard. Also ask for a raise since you are now doing the controller's work.

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)

[Topsya]

Thank you @M.O.D.!

He does act like a child a lot, and it really shows. There are many other situations proving that point.

AUD - 90
FAR - 83
BEC - 81
REG - 80
ETHICS - 100

[Mamabear]

Aside from the opportunity to work on higher level projects, there isn't anything about that company that sounds promising. Use them to gain experience you may not gain with the same title at another company and look for another job. Your CFO sounds like a jackass and you really have no ground with a family fun company like that. Could you sue for hostile work environment? Sure, but it would probably be better to just move along and find something better but take some of that knowledge with you to your next job. Anytime you can work on something above your pay grade, do it!

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!!

[Topsya]

@Mamabear – THANKS!

I am working on moving the hell out of here)))))))

Thanks for your input, really appreciate it!!!!

AUD - 90
FAR - 83
BEC - 81
REG - 80
ETHICS - 100

[UHC2005]

Leave as fast as you can and be sure to leave a bag of flaming dog poo in front of his office on your last day.

Using Ninja MCQ, NINJA Notes, Audio, Flashcards and BLITZ, and 2014 Wiley Text

FAR - (61,63)
AUD - (68)

Keep Calm and RTMFQ

Accountant, what is best in life? To crush your MCQs, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentation of their SIMS!

[Topsya]

LOL @UHC2005

that's hilarious!!!!!

AUD - 90
FAR - 83
BEC - 81
REG - 80
ETHICS - 100

[Anonymous]

Honestly it sounds like an awful place to work. Getting out of their asap and into a new company is probably best.

“I try as hard as I can, but still, every project I turn in always has some flaws (which are always something that is just beyond my lever of expertise that’s why I don’t catch it).”

You are probably already doing this. But just in case, be sure to ‘go over' your projects before you turn them in. Get some time on your supervisor's calendar, say you haven't done this before and then ask very specific questions about the judgments/things you are being asked to do that are above your level. Sounds like the CFO is a dick but hopefully everyone there isn't.

In my role (which is somewhat new) I almost always receive vague directions but I'll work thru what I can, then when I start spinning my wheels or making judgments that I am not sure about, I meet with by super and tell her my approach, assumptions and ask her if my actions/approach/judgments make sense. The key is to be specific in your questions and frame them in a way that they know you haven't done this before, if you are then oftentimes asking these types of researched questions can make you seem ‘smart' and not stupid – and allows your supervisor/reviewer to buy off on your judgments before you turn something in as a final which is really just a very rough first draft.

[Topsya]

@Anonny thank you!

Very thoughtful and useful advise to help me to survive before I get a new job! 🙂

It's a relieve to hear that I'm not the only one with the vague directions.

Thank you for sharing, I am going to start acting that way, that should definitely help!

AUD - 90
FAR - 83
BEC - 81
REG - 80
ETHICS - 100

[Author]

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