[Anonymous]

I received an offer from other company. I submitted 2 weeks notice at my current job. My boss wanted to counter the offer by matching the job title and salary with a promotion. It is a good idea to accept a counter offer? I always read that it is a bad idea to accept a counter offer and burn bridge with the new company.

The new company size is bigger and in a different industry, so I believe I would gain more experience. The commute is 20 minutes longer each way. By staying at the current company, I would get my CPA license 1 year faster and get some supervision experience. With the matching, my current job pay would be similar or 5% higher than the new one and career advancement would be pretty much limited to Senior for both positions. I have stayed 2 years at my current company.

any advice? Thanks in advance

[Lost1]

What was the reason you looked for another job in the first place? money/advancement? was there any reason other than money/title?

if you gave 2 weeks notice already, i think you should stick with it. It is a bad idea to accept the counter offer in my opinion because 1. you already have demonstrated that you want to leave the company to your current employer. It could work against you down the road. 2. as you stated you will burn the bridge with the new company.

Obviously i don't know the details, only you can make that call.

"If you can do it, I can do it better."

[Missy]

Normally I'd say accepting a counter offer is a bad idea (implies your employer didn't realize you were worth more until you gave your notice) however if it makes a difference of 1 year in getting your license I'd say hang in there until you are licensed then start a new job search, Your salary should increase significantly once you are licensed, much moreso than just being on your way to licensure.

I wouldn't worry about burning bridges with the new employer, first because they likely have other candidates waiting in the wings who interviewed when you did. If you are sure you will want to work for the new employer eventually take it but as I said if its going to slow down the license process I can't see an upside to taking it.

Old timer,  A71'er since 2010.

Finance manager/HR manager

 

 

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Tscape16]

This is a tough one. On the one hand, future opportunities have already been burned by them knowing you'll wander if you're not getting paid what you think you should. On the other, you need to get that CPA. I'd probably leave regardless and try to work out with the new employer time to study for the exam as a condition of employment.

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[Anonymous]

@Tscape16 I have already passed the exam. I just need my one year experience to be sign off by a CPA. If I leave my current job, I doubt my current big boss is willing to sign me off. Hence, I would need to work a year under a CPA again to get sign off.

[tomq04]

An additional 40 minutes of driving each day sucks, no one seems to be mentioning this…that's week's of your life each year.

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[Tscape16]

@CalCPA

Take them to court 🙂

…but seriously, I would hope your current employer has a bit more class than that.

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[Anonymous]

If the only pro to the new job is a new industry I would lean on staying. It seems that you feel the career advancement is limited to the same position at both companies so I don't see any reason that leaving would truly be beneficial unless you just dislike your current work conditions. I'd stick it out and look for a company with better advancement opportunities especially considering you will be licensed soon.

[Anonymous]

Agree with Tom. 20 minutes each way is huge. Not exactly weeks, but it adds up to over 7 additional full days spent in your car (173 hours) for the year.

[fuzyfro89]

Why would you take a new job if there's no room for advancement?

… unless you don't want to advance.

[Anonymous]

@fuzyfro89 I am taking the new job because the pay is much higher and the job title is a more senior role. I assume the new job advancement would be limited because the manager have been there for a long time and the accounting department is only 10-12 people.

[mscav76]

Move on to the new company. Counteroffers are bad news. I wouldn't worry so much about burning bridges at the new company, as others have said they will others waiting to fill the position, but if you stay your environment will change and generally not for the better. Most people who accept a counter offer end up leaving within 3 months anyway. Even if the person giving you the counteroffer really likes you and genuinely wants you to stay, others will be resentful and see you as disloyal. You will also always wonder if you made the right choice. Most of the time when one is ready to leave their job there are more issues then money or title. When you get the money and/or title those other issues are often amplified. It sounds as if you leave right now it will be an amicable split. If you take the counteroffer when you eventually do leave, a bridge will most likely be burnt and worse, you may not get to leave on your terms. Here is a good article:

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140619114149-115601827-career-mistakes-1-never-accept-counter-offers-after-you-resign

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[Author]

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