[mystical guy]

I got a job offer for a Staff Auditor position. I had a buddy of mine who said he could make my resume outstanding so he changed my original job title (at previous employer), from SCIS Reporting Expert to IT Project Auditor.

In my job, I performed some duties that an IT Auditor/Data Analyst would perform, like validity checks and substantive tests.

During the interview, I explained that I was a Data Analyst but I was later given IT Audit duties.

Question is, when the background check is finished, is the job title issue something that could cause the offer to be rescinded? Also, how long does the average background check take?

Thanks.

CPA - Since 2015
CISA - Smashed 2012
CIA - Passed 2015

[thechapman]

Is it Big 4? I only ask cause that's the only background check I have recent experience with

Passed - 2014

[mystical guy]

@thechapman, it's in a mid-size company in industry. They were very very quick to give me the offer and they're eager to have me come on board. But that little thing is keeping me up at night.

CPA - Since 2015
CISA - Smashed 2012
CIA - Passed 2015

[mla1169]

Yes it certainly can lead to the offer being rescinded if they ask the former employer to verify job title. They may not specifically ask to verify title but you never ever enhance something that may be part of your reference check. At my last job I was absolutely a controller but my official title was accounting manager and that's all I can ever put on my resume.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
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BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[thechapman]

No need to explain, congrats on the job. The only reason I ask is because the background check I had to do recently was very very specific. However, as long as you actually worked for them and it's not some material kind of misrepresentation then I can't imagine it would matter at all. Honestly you probably know a lot better than I do after looking at your sig haha, but I was just trying to help if I could. I'm sure you'll be fine as long as you worked for that company. Good luck!

Passed - 2014

[mystical guy]

@mla1169 ok, thanks for the info. I've had a job agency really tweak my resume to give me titles and duties I never had and I got the job anyways. But in this case, being that it's a finance job, I'm concerned. But all I can do is wait.

CPA - Since 2015
CISA - Smashed 2012
CIA - Passed 2015

[mystical guy]

@thechapman thanks :). My supervisor at work gave me a project and told me it was an “Audit” project and that he had hired me because of my Accounting background. I'm crossing my fingers. And he told me that i do so many different things that he couldn't think of an appropriate job title for me.

CPA - Since 2015
CISA - Smashed 2012
CIA - Passed 2015

[mla1169]

People embellish resumes all the time and don't get caught. That wasn't the question though. And it makes no difference who it is that tweaks this or changes that- ultimately it's your resume.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[thechapman]

@mystical guy Definitely go with mla1169's advice…I'm 23 (read: I don't really know anything). Was just trying to look on the bright side

Passed - 2014

[mystical guy]

@thechapman I suppose it's always wise to be conservative, so I'll wait and see what happens. It seems my buddy has really been embellishing his resume and getting jobs he never even did, with bigger companies like the giant banks we all know. I should probably text him and ask him how he gets away with it all haha.

CPA - Since 2015
CISA - Smashed 2012
CIA - Passed 2015

[mla1169]

I suppose it's not that hard to get away with. But if it's keeping you up at night you already know it's not kosher. Frankly your buddy sounds like a con artist. Gets too damn hard to keep up with a series of lies in my opinion. The only caution I'd give about trying to emulate your buddy is that he may not have a professional liscense that has an ethics component. While I doubt lying on a resume could cost you your CPA, it can certainly get you fired and a pretty negative reference going forward.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mystical guy]

@mla1169, you're right. The lying that's done for these jobs can affect my own conscience too and reduce the enjoyment I get from my checks. I want to have a clean slate if I get this job. I might discuss the job title issue with my Director of Audit, again.

I also discussed the issue with the job agency and they told me not to worry about it, that if anything came up they would take care of it. But I won't be doing this again. I was just very very desperate.

CPA - Since 2015
CISA - Smashed 2012
CIA - Passed 2015

[Anonymous]

Yes it can get your offer rescinded if they find out that wasn't your actual title. It may cause them to believe you are dishonest, etc.

[Jenrose86]

I guess it depends on the company. I worked for a small accounting firm that fired someone when they found out she lied about he GPA.

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AUD - 80
BEC - 71/78
REG - 80

DONE!!! "If you can dream it, you can do it!"

[Anonymous]

Any falsification during the hiring process has the potential to cause an offer to be rescinded. However, if they like you, they're more likely to come to you and ask for an explanation instead of just rescinding it – no guarantees though. I've had a couple jobs where I never had an official title (mom-and-pop type places) and I'm always hesitant about what will happen when those jobs are called since I have no clue what title they'd use for me (and one of them I parted on less-than-good terms).

[fuzyfro89]

At the end of the day, just be sure you aren't misrepresenting anything. Make sure that your final application (prior to background check) has your official title. Your resume is a marketing document, not a source document or formal record of sorts.

I usually run into this problem with people who are in torsion programs and have a new rotation every six months or 1 year. Their official title is meaningless. Analyst…MLDP analyst… Etc. I usually advise them to list both titled, or exclude titles and put duties/department/accomplishments.

Something like:

ABC & Partners LLP

Financial Audit & Advisory

If they ask for a title, give them what your offer letter says. Otherwise, it's more of an HR concern as to whether you actually worked there. The interviewer just wants to know if what you did before can help you do something at their company.

Others may disagree and say that a resume is a contract or pact of sorts, but I'll say that as long as you don't lie about anything when asked, you're fine. And in the final application prior to getting an offer, or after accepting it, make sure to put official titles, pay, dates, etc.

At the end of the day it's a judgment call. Writing that you are a controller when you are a senior accountant is probably a stretch.

[Author]

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