[magatha12]

Okay in a nutshell,

I don’t want to disclose too much detail, as I am paranoid my employer might read this (even though its highly unlikely).

(I am an MBA graduate in May- I’ll have my 150 credit hours- and then was planning on the CPA exam. My employer paid for my tuition- I went to a local school so they’ve paid around $5k- where I am required to stay there for 2 years, if not, I have to pay back my tuition)

But I am at a crossroads- maybe a quarter life crisis. I am absolutely, and I mean absolutely miserable at my job. My boss makes my life a living hell, he takes jabs at me when I’m down bringing confidence and self worth further and further down.

No one in management values training or continuous education. They have a very old school mentality with the software they use (as400 from 1975) and the STRICT 8-5pm workday with no flexibility whatsoever. I work for a division of a VERY LARGE and profitable corporation (will not disclose where). My boss has made me cry on various occasions (in the bathroom so he would not know). It is accepted and put up with, which disgusts me. My boss is very aggressive and I don’t know how to put it- but simply does not care about people’s well being.

I am a 20-something looking to develop my career and myself professionally. I don’t feel like it will ever happen here with how I am treated and how I don’t fit in with the company culture. I was not aware of this when I took the job. But I feel like this is a sign that I should move- part time or full time to public accounting. I will even work at the mall!!!!

I know everyone will have an awful boss at some point, but I feel like this is the lowest of low.

I just don’t know if it will be completely stupid, as I will have to pay back my tuition- but I don’t have kids, not married, and don’t have a mortgage yet. Maybe I can just take out a loan and pay them back and move on with my careeer??

Advice please! I am at a low- and can’t think clearly anymore. But my gut tell me I need to go

FAR: 79
AUD: 81
REG:5/29/15
BEC:85

Using CPA Excel, NINJA notes and audio, NINJA MCQs

[Anonymous]

Awwww magatha12 :'(

I have been in your shoes before (and also around the quarter age of our lifetime). I can only say from my experience that a) you absolutely don't deserve this and are entitled to better opportunities and b) you need to think about yourself and only yourself (since you are single and unattached). It is just you in your life and you should be your main priority.

You didn't say if you were an accounting or business MBA graduate, but with either one, you should be in FANTASTIC shape to get a job pretty much anywhere. I'm not sure where you are located, but you definitely should start looking around or getting set up with some headhunters. You should look at your situation like this: the biggest “con” in this situation is that you might have to pay back your tuition. The biggest “pro” is that you will be changing your life for the better. Maybe now its hard to think about that, but exactly what you said, “you are at a crossroads.” I'm a believer that everything happens for a reason. This might be that opportunity to move on. And although it might be hard at first, it will be well worth the change in the future (as long as you are patient and don't stop believing in yourself).

Best of luck 🙂

Oh, did I mention my advice is that you should leave your current job? 😉

[magatha12]

Thank you for the response 🙂

My friends and family all want me to get the hell out, but I just need an outside opinion. The thought of being unemployed for any point of time freaks me out- I have never not worked. My MBA is in business administration (a sort of generalized one), I figure the CPA or at the least the fact that I want to work towards it will prove to my advantage no matter what my MBA is in.

The biggest thing holding me back is the $5k I would owe them. Yes it does seem like alot! But maybe in the long run, it is truly insignificant, since my mental health is going down the crapper right now. My parents are telling me that I'm too young for this!

It clicked last week that there's NO WAY I can stay the 2 years. But I just want to make sure it is not crazy- since some people say that 2 years isn't that much time- but with this boss- it will feel like FOREVER..

FAR: 79
AUD: 81
REG:5/29/15
BEC:85

Using CPA Excel, NINJA notes and audio, NINJA MCQs

[mla1169]

There's always the chance that they won't actually enforce the tuition repayment. My previous employer didn't.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

If you can afford to pay back the $5K, then I'd say bail. I'm also not the happiest at work, but thankfully my situation doesn't sound as bad. But if I were in your shoes, and I could afford to pay back the $5K, I'd be looking for a new job.

[magatha12]

I was thinking about taking out a loan (worst case) if I can't find a job right away. That way it won't hurt as much in the short term so I can get by. Or paying them back in payments if I really have to. I can probably give them half up front, but then will stress myself out if I can't find another job soon after.

FAR: 79
AUD: 81
REG:5/29/15
BEC:85

Using CPA Excel, NINJA notes and audio, NINJA MCQs

[Erica H]

If you can handle payments on the loan (or take a 401k loan or distribution to pay it back) I'd do it without hesitation. And getting a new job does not mean you need to be unemployed. Start looking while you're still working there!

Without hesitation, if your job makes you miserable and your boss is as verbally abusive as you say, you should leave sooner rather than later. Your self-esteem and ability to leave will only decrease more as long as you stay there.

In addition, it sounds like you aren't doing your career any favors by staying either.

I had a client the other day who was SCREAMING at one of his accountants while one of my employees was speaking with her, all over Fedex delivering their payroll a day earlier than requested. We sent it 2nd day air, and it arrived in 1 day.

After this discussion, I said to someone in my office, “If one of my bosses spoke to me that way, I'd tell him to go F— himself and walk right out the door.” There is no call for people to behave that way in a professional setting. If someone else wants to submit themselves to that abuse, it's their problem, but it sounds like you've realized you're ready for it to not be your problem any more!

Be brave! Go for it!

Spectrum.

AUD - 92
FAR - 73, 82
REG - 72, 82
BEC - 84 DONE!!!!!! 🙂

[LSNYC]

Have you started looking? When is the two years up? (I am not suggesting you stay)

I would start looking, and interview while saving up to pay them back. As soon as you find something leave and when that happens figure out the 5k. Not to sound rude but in the long run your health and happiness are worth way more than 5k and this job is NOT healthy!

A - 61, 91!!
B - 78!
F - 76!!!
R - 71, 73, 74, 69, 77!!!!

Finally done!

This is my 2nd attempt at the exam, I had two parts passed (failed many) and I stupidly quit, big mistake. Now I'm back and with a vengeance!

[Anonymous]

Stay at the job while looking for a new one. I have found myself in a situation similar to you and have made it an additional 6 months by showing up like a robot while I go home and study for the GMAT and send out resumes. By envisioning my goals and working toward them and telling myself my current situation is temporary I have been able to hold out through a lot

[magatha12]

I'm looking and I've applied to many places so I'm going to follow up next week. My boss is travelling next week so my plan was to just give my notice while he's away and then be done with them. (and taking the chance even if I didn't have anything lined up yet)

My 2 years is up after their last payment to me..so as of right now it is Jan of 2015…

FAR: 79
AUD: 81
REG:5/29/15
BEC:85

Using CPA Excel, NINJA notes and audio, NINJA MCQs

[SonjaBlue]

Get a headhunter to help you with your search; sign up with all of the accounting employment agencies. Your best shot at getting a new job is always when you are currently employed. Then leave . . . $5K is nothing . . . think about it . . . if this were a bad marriage would you stay in it just so you didn't have to carry the $5K debt yourself . . . I bet you'd leave in a heartbeat.

P.S. I personally cannot deal with the STRICT 8-5 workday. So – even if all the other things weren't going on at your job – I would leave – for that alone.

One of my previous employers threatened to get rid of our team's “flex schedules” in a department meeting. I spoke up and asked him how he would feel if all the staff/senior accountants started looking for positions with other companys because in CA most offer “flex schedules”. Strangely enough – we all had new jobs within six months (12 of us) because that “tone” in his voice about taking away the flex schedule was offputting enough – even though they didn't end up changing it. Manage by objectives – did we get our quality work done by the deadline – not by what time I show up at work and what time I leave.

FAR 02/26/13 78 [05/25/12 67]
AUD 07/07/12 85
REG 05/28/13 80 [08/25/12 72]
BEC 11/26/12 81

[FTZ]

.

B: 77 (LC), 75
A: 63,74,88
R: 60,67,80
F: 71,74,74 again, and 86 - DONE!

Ethics and application - done.

Licensed in VA - 07/03/2014

[magatha12]

Thank you guys for sharing and for your advice. It has been so hard- feeling at an all time low while at the same time trying to finish grad school (in which I'm a full time student as well).

While I would love nothing more than to quit while my boss is away, I might have to be patient and wait until I can line something else up whether it be part time or full time to ease the burden of that $5k. The company as a whole is extreme with how lean they operate, so I'm most certain I will require to pay back every..single..penny.

FAR: 79
AUD: 81
REG:5/29/15
BEC:85

Using CPA Excel, NINJA notes and audio, NINJA MCQs

[HappyDayss]

5K?? As in $5000?? Omg, that is nothing. Start saving as much as you can per paycheck and GET OUT. Like you said, you don't have kids, you're not married, and you don't have a mortgage. No body has to right to belittle or make you feel uncomfortable. Shame on your boss if he is making you feel that way. I know that some managers think they are the shiznit, but really there are so many other jobs out there especially with GREAT bosses. Start saving, and send out those resumes. And don't feel intimidated. what could he/she possibly do to you? Beat you up? kill you? The way this situation turns out is all on you. Good luck!

Done ^_^

[FlipACoin]

Ahrg. I hate stories like this. It angers me when people can't just be good to their employees. I once had a boss who would remind me on a regular basis that I was employed in an “at will” state. I had another who would one day say “he couldn't do it without me” and the next (literally the next day) call me into his office and abuse me for 45 mins about how I am worthless (yes his words) and so lucky to have his guidance. Still another who would intentionally throw me into situations unprepared because she had much less experience and was seriously threatened by my experience, background and skills. Even my most recent boss has come out of “the dick closet” if you will. We had a frank discussion and I think it helped. Who knows.

I left each one of those situations (except for my current one, obviously), prematurely and usually found a better spot. LIke the guy who actually valued what I bring to the table and gave me complete freedom to structure my job (it was a new position) as I saw fit. Or the guy who challenged me and when I was up to it, gave me a huge raise in 9 months even though I wasn't due one. What all of these experiences have given me is my own personal management style. I get to keep the good and leave out the bad from each of my past bosses.

With all of that said, although I can relate, external movement is not always the best option and probably shouldn't be the first option. Have you looked for internal opportunities? Have you tried to have a tough, frank discussion with your boss? It's completely cool to be honest, even to a dick, but if you are frustrated to the point where you might fly off at him this conversation is probably best had when you have that new offer letter.

At the end of the day, I fully subscribe to the “life is too short to be miserable” philosophy, especially when you spend 40+ hrs per week there. I would just be sure you do everything you can before automatically assuming the grass is greener somewhere else, because you might find that it's not.

[ParanoidAndroid]

I'm in the same boat….24, the only CPA at work, and I hate that place…I think private accounting just sux…Seems like having a CPA license does not help much either, especially when looking for a job in public accounting…People have even told me I don't deserve to be a CPA because I don't have any experience…I'm seriously considering a career change…

CPA for life...

[Author]

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