[Peanut Butter is Good]

So…. I went to a job fair, and (so I think) made very good impressions on a LOT of companies. A handful of public accounting firms (big 4 and so on), and a bunch of corporate jobs were there. Most of the job-seekers were in attendance to search for a position at a public accounting firm. So was I ! However, I still tried to form good relationships with anyone and everyone whom I came in contact with.

So, now it’s a few days later, and one of the small non-public corporate firms (I don’t even know what they do) called me and flat out offered me a part time job right now, with no interview, starting at $22/hr. Now, I’m fully aware that the non-accounting firms were basically just looking for the leftovers, or whomever they could get their hands on, since most of the attendees are all looking to get with the big public firms.

Should I accept this part-time offer for the time being? If I do, I will still be looking to get hired by a public firm this semester, and start work next year at some point. In order to keep my job search going full-steam, however, I am going to have to lie to this employer on a regular basis. i.e. say I am doing work for school, when really I am taking care of interview pipeline shenanagins in pursuit of an audit/assurance position at an accounting firm (big 4 or otherwise), because that’s where I want my career to start.

I do not want to be a shady person, but I feel like if I take this route (and it’s good money for the time being), then that’s exactly what I’ll be doing. i.e. cutting corners, trying to be smooth, and ultimately working at this company in a temporary capacity, although they don’t know it. Any advice? I know this is a delicate predicament, and it’s not going to end well for everyone, including, possibly, me.

AUD - 84
BEC - 88
FAR - 81
REG - 79

If I passed so can you!!

[mla1169]

First of all, find out about this company and what they do. What is the position you're being offered, what are the responsibilities and expectations. By part time do they mean 5 hours or 29 hours? I can't imagine accepting an offer not even knowing who the offer is from.

Second of all, as far as they don't know you're considering the job temporary? Of COURSE they do. You think anybody in their right mind hires someone part time without an interview and expects the employee to be making a career decision? They know very well this is temporary.

red flags galore, but if you need income and this is income, go for it.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[TNCPA16]

I agree with mla1169…lots of red flags here!

An interview is just as much about you learning about the company/position as it is about them learning about you. I would not accept until I had some clarification on this job. You could burn some bridges if you started lying…not worth it, in my opinion.

I would let them know that you were interested in the position, but explain your situation. If you did get a Big 4 offer, they likely won't start you until next fall, so you could potentially work at the part time place for a year.

[Peanut Butter is Good]

Jilly Beans,

You got it… My idea is that I could work here until a public accounting firm starts me next Fall. However, they want me to start tomorrow, and I don't think I can explain to them that I am looking for another job with another firm. Is it possible? Yes. But, I've never heard of a firm that doesn't want you to seem 100% loyal to them forever, even if you are not. That's the impression they want you to give. Again, I don't see why they wouldn't expect me to leave to go work at a CPA firm, but I suppose I could explain my situation to them….I feel like it is risky however, because although I don't ultimately want this job to start my career off with (that would be a public auditing firm), I also don't want to (A) burn bridges and my professional reputation with anyone, (B) miss out on money on a platter which I could be making in the interim.

Basically, I feel like I can definitely get away with scheduling my hours around school, but do you really think this company is going to accept me scheduling my hours around interviews with other companies? Speaking of which, I don't even want to miss the accounting firms' phone calls, to be quite honest, but again $22/hr is 22/hr and that's really not bad side money to be making from a part time job right now. I'm not sure how I want to handle the situation, but I'm open to any and all suggestions, comments, etc.

AUD - 84
BEC - 88
FAR - 81
REG - 79

If I passed so can you!!

[Kimboroni]

Find out more about it and give it a chance. It sounds ideal to me (assuming what they do is legal and palatable). I wouldn't think you'd have an issue working phone calls and interviews around a part-time schedule. Like others said, they probably assume that you will be looking for full-time work.

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[Peanut Butter is Good]

I'm thinking perhaps I could state that I will work for them until I begin working at a public auditing firm any time between now and next September, and that I would give notice immediately upon knowing when my start date would be so that they could plan ahead, and that I would no quit for any other reason up to that point, and they can even make a contract out of it if they want. Or, I could just say the bare minimum, and not tell them much. It's a very weird situation, and I have no way of knowing how it's going to play out. That's why I need as many opinions as I can get, because it feels like it's going to be the wild wild west in there tomorrow.

AUD - 84
BEC - 88
FAR - 81
REG - 79

If I passed so can you!!

[mla1169]

I really think you're overthinking it. I wouldn't say a word to them. They hired you without even an interview, trust me professional etiquette will be lost on them.

What exactly is the position?

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[hvansaders]

Do not form a contract with them! Not sure where you are located, but most states have employment at will for both you and the company. You can quit any time (2 weeks notice is recommended as a courtesy) and they can fire you at any time.

You are really just over thinking this whole thing. If you are part time and need to adjust your hours on a particular day I'm sure they will let you make up the time on another day or w/e or you just don't get paid for those hours. You need to relax. You do not need to lie but you do not need to be an open book either. If you get a phone call, step outside and take the call. For all they know you could be talking to your doctor or w/e. They don't need to know and it wont be a lengthy conversation where you will be gone too long. If you get an interview, tell them you have a doctors appointment or need to meet with a professor but can make up your hours on X day. Most part time jobs are more flexible than you think so stop overthinking it and don't spill your guts. Its not lying, its being profession. No one needs to know all of your business all of the time. And like everyone else is saying they aren't expecting you to stay forever and if they did they would have interviewed you for a full time position. Take the money for what its worth now and pursue a public accounting position if that is what you truly want to do.

[TNCPA16]

You are definitely over thinking this, but I’m the same way so I totally understand 🙂

Not to be a pessimist or anything, but there is no guarantee you will get a public accounting job. Unless you have an offer in hand, I wouldn't say anything about working until XXX date. I also wouldn't tell them that you won't quit for any other reason – what if you start there and realize it's the worst place in the world? You don't want to be stuck in a bad situation.

I’d probably go with the less is more approach. If anything, I might ask what the long term opportunities are with company. Even if you aren’t interested in a full time job with them, asking might clarify their expectations with this position – maybe their intention is that they would offer you a full time position if this works out. Or maybe they realize that this is temporary while you are in school. Who knows. Maybe you start there and realize that you love it and would actually want to stay. Don’t close any doors if you don’t have to….and saying too much can definitely close doors.

You could always intentionally set up your schedule where you don’t work one day a week and try to schedule any interviews for that day, or set up your schedule so you have some buffer time for interviews (ex: if you only have morning classes on one day, say you won’t be available to work until 2:00). Or you can schedule interviews over lunch. I really wouldn’t worry too much about that. I worked part time when I was going through recruiting and I don’t remember it ever being a problem. I just wouldn’t get in the habit of lying about where you are…you can be vague about where you are going if you don’t want them to know (“I have an appointment” is sufficient).

[Peanut Butter is Good]

Thanks for all the thoughts. I appreciate it. The company is a securities investment company that handles investments for high income individuals, banks, hedge funds, etc. As far as I can tell, it provides tools for protection against government and state regulations when it comes to these securities, and there are some portfolio managers working there as well. It is a very small firm, located around the corner from where I live (!), and they want me to work in the accounting department, so it sounds to me like data entry, but who knows. “Accounting” can really mean anything in the hands of certain companies.

AUD - 84
BEC - 88
FAR - 81
REG - 79

If I passed so can you!!

[Author]

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