[Anonymous]

Curious what you guys think about working in the accounting industry and receiving poor performance reviews?

Regardless how hard you work, most firms will give you a poor performance review and focus on the areas you didn’t do well rather than praise you for what you did right.

What are your ideas and theories on why many companies do this and do you agree/disagree with this practice? I have my ideas, curious about yours.

[rb2017]

I agree, criticism is rarely positive – If I got a dollar for every time I got a pat on the back for doing my job I'd maybe have $2. If you are given a “poor” evaluation, in my book that means you're consistently making the same mistakes. There's a difference between being told you're doing poorly and being told there are areas to improve in. You asked what our thoughts are on this subject – those are my thoughts.
You don't have to agree with me or anyone else but you should see where we are coming from. I see where you are coming from – however I've watched way too many stupid reality shows with people explaining they had a strict military dad which resulted in them being some insecure person thinking they'll never be good enough. If I were a manager, I would definitely not mentor staff that way. 🙂

AUD - 77
BEC - 86
FAR - 75
REG - 77

No need to worry, my accountant handles that.

[Anonymous]

Ok thanks Toni, I understand your perspective as well and appreciate your feedback. Unfortunately others are a bit more sensitive and defensive about my perspective although I am simply responding to their questions and not trolling.

[Christopher]

@brickell I and others initially answered your question- only to be attacked personally with passive aggressive and stupid assumptions. Spare me the dramatics and acknowledge your behavior.

AUD - 81, Wiley

BEC - 77, Wiley

FAR - 76, Ninja

REG - 69, Wiley, 70, Wiley, 88, Wiley/Ninja MCQ

[Anonymous]

@Christopher “Which firms/companies do this? I’ve never experienced anything like that. I’ve always been under the impression that a poor review means you’re doing a poor job. I’m also under the impression that the industry itself is shifting towards a more remedial approach to problems (rather than just criticism) when it comes to employee performance.”

This was your very first post in this thread. I've already acknowledged your perspective many times and mentioned that I understand where this perspective is coming from.

And you questioned “which firms/companies do this?” Well if you've paid attention to the ensuing discussion rather than taking offense at a bit of criticism, you may have actually learned a lot from my responses. Which type of firms do this you ask? The public accounting firms that give you specific and specialized training rather than basic generic training because they could care less about your success and professional development.

[Christopher]

@brickell I'm reacting to your behavior in response to input you didn't agree with. Generally in life when you act like a jerk you get btfo.

AUD - 81, Wiley

BEC - 77, Wiley

FAR - 76, Ninja

REG - 69, Wiley, 70, Wiley, 88, Wiley/Ninja MCQ

[Anonymous]

I'm curious to know what do you think is the best way to train employees and review their performance.

[TommyTheCat]

brickell – you seriously have got to be trolling. Right? Please tell me that's what you are doing, because if you are serious then holy moly….

AUD - 85
BEC - 89
FAR - 91
REG - 97

[Anonymous]

@Christopher Ok well sorry if you feel I was being a jerk. I don't consider any of my posts have jerk-intent, but rather they are simply objective and straight forward.

@dankpsu Some employees are more emotional and good cheerleaders for emotional support, some employees are more technical and good at working up the files. Some are better at being a figurative leader and managing a group of people, others are good at dealing with clients, and others are exceedingly good at it all.

@TommyTheCat Not trolling

At the firms I've worked for in the past, each of these people would receive specialized training, some more than the others. And it seems apparent to me that some are expected to be accountants forever while others are trained in a way to develop leadership traits more suitable for Partner or director/CFO roles.

As I posted earlier, it seems reasonable to me that some employees may receive poor performance reviews because they are being assessed more harshly to develop better leadership traits. This is a common training technique in the military and sports teams as well. One of the personality assessments I've taken in the past was the Predictive Index, which the employer mentioned is used in the military as well, so I don't think my perspective is unreasonable at all. It is confusing though that others seem to be so adamant that what I have been saying is delusional when it's not.

[Anonymous]

Op, I agree everyone responds differently to training. I wonder how you feel about how you are being trained and if you feel you are being set up for success. From your pesimistic view on employment and development, I would think it's not going well. If that's the case, you should certainly pursue other opportunities.

[NYSCPA]

@ Brickell

“Receiving criticism does not mean “poor review” though.” “In the best learning environments, perhaps it does.”
What makes you an expert on learning environments?

Correct me if I'm wrong, because you obviously didn't read any of my responses, your premise is that “Criticism = Poor Performance”? If this is true you are dead wrong and there is no evidence supporting that premise. As I said previously, no one is perfect, therefore everyone will receive some kind of Criticism BUT just because you receive Criticism does NOT mean you work poorly. If you personally equate these two things you need to rethink your perspective on this issue.

NYS Licensed CPA. 12yrs in this shit and it never gets easier!

[NYSCPA]

“And it seems apparent to me that some are expected to be accountants forever while others are trained in a way to develop leadership traits more suitable for Partner or director/CFO roles.”

It is comments like the one above that make you seem like a fucking asshole, to be blunt. What is wrong with someone being an accountant forever? When did being a Leader become equivalent to success?

NYS Licensed CPA. 12yrs in this shit and it never gets easier!

[Anonymous]

@dankpsu I don't know how to answer that. I feel I have received excellent training and experience and have had the opportunity to work on clients in several different industries and meet all kinds of people. I really can't assess what to think because I am not exactly clear where other people are at in their accounting careers and what kind of training they receive. I come to this message board to ask career related questions and it seems like everyone works in an entitled environment where special treatment is the norm rather than the exception. I think that entitled mentality is the attitude most people who get stuck in their careers carry or can't make the transition into higher level positions.

@NYSCPA That is your perspective. Sorry you feel that way. I appreciate your input though, really.

[NYSCPA]

@Brickell

What part of my question is “My perspective” I am asking you to clarify your position and you have a bullshit response while addressing someone else's question with “it seems like everyone works in an entitled environment where special treatment is the norm rather than the exception” What special treatment does anyone responding receive?

You are now adding no value to this discussion.

NYS Licensed CPA. 12yrs in this shit and it never gets easier!

[Jdn9201]

I've worked in industry for 10 years in tax. I've never received a poor performance review, but I have received reviews that were less than what I expected. Those few instances were the result of office politics and red-tape – I once had a boss who admitted that his higher rating for me was shot down by his boss, who rarely observed my work. I suspect that it's rare that firms give bad performance reviews just for the heck of it. The review process can be awkward for both sides (manager and staff), and I suspect managers are just as hesitant to give criticism as some employees are at receiving it. If someone receives a poor review without any justification, really the only response is to go find another job. There's no sense fighting it because it just makes you look bad.
I also think context is important. Being able to take constructive criticism and make improvements is underrated. I've even sought it out in times throughout the year besides my review so that I can learn. It's pretty hard to learn how to do your job better if all your boss does is pat you on the back and tell you how awesome you are. On the other hand, the process certainly isn't perfect and politics can play a role. Ratings can get knocked down to limit raises/bonuses. I've even had evaluations by people who rarely if ever observe my work. You have to strike a balance between appreciating constructive criticism that you get, and letting the rest of it go in one ear and out the other.

BEC - 88 8/29/15
REG - 82 11/14/15
AUD - 83 1/8/16
FAR - 80 2/29/16

[NYSCPA]

I could ask you to confirm that “2+2=4” and your response would be “That's your perspective” See how that doesn't add to the discussion?

NYS Licensed CPA. 12yrs in this shit and it never gets easier!

[Author]

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