[titoav15]

Hey ninjas. Looking for some guidance here. I am wondering if I should ask for a raise. I live and work in greater Boston MA. I am making in mid 50s currently. Background passed all of the CPA parts will be certified in Q1 2018. Have little over a 1/2 year of public experience and almost 2 years of industry. Have been working for almost 2 years with the same company. Robert half salary guide says I should look for high 60s, is that accurate? Any thoughts? Just want to know if I am underpaid. I know if I leave to a new company I can ask for mid 60s with out a problem. I enjoy where I work though, it’s only a question about the $$$. Thanks!!

AUD - PASS

FAR - PASS

REG - PASS

BEC - PASS

BEC: 5/21/14 82! PASSED HALF WAY THERE!
FAR: 4/2/15 80! Almost there!
AUD: 69, 74, 4/3/14 81! PASSED
REG: TBD

[Recked]

My first suggestion was going to be Robert Half, but you already used that resource.
I have asked around and heard the numbers were a bit off in my area, the same could be true for your area.
My suggestion is to pursue raises often and hard. I made the mistake of not being aggressive with raises during my 20's and I'm still trying to catch up now.
Don't make the same mistakes I did. It can't hurt to ask, and if they say no, ask what steps you need to take to make more money there.
There is something to be said for a nice work atmosphere, but at what price…?

Memento Mori - Kingston NY CPA & EA (SUNY Albany 2002)

FAR-93 11/9/17 (10wks, 250 hrs, Roger 1800+ MCQs, Gleim TB 600+MCQs, SIMs)
AUD-88 12/7/17 (3 wks, 85 hrs, Roger 1000 MCQs no SIMs hail mary)
REG-96 1/18/18 (6 wks, 110 hrs, 1400 MCQs, no SIMs)
BEC-91 2/16/18 (4wks, 90 hrs, 1240 MCQs)

[titoav15]

Thanks for a great suggestion! As a follow up are there any tips you can share on how to ask for a raise since I have not done this before and I think google is not the best resource?

AUD - PASS

FAR - PASS

REG - PASS

BEC - PASS

BEC: 5/21/14 82! PASSED HALF WAY THERE!
FAR: 4/2/15 80! Almost there!
AUD: 69, 74, 4/3/14 81! PASSED
REG: TBD

[titoav15]

Also the fact that I will get my CPA through them, would that hurt my chances of a raise since they are doing it for me?

AUD - PASS

FAR - PASS

REG - PASS

BEC - PASS

BEC: 5/21/14 82! PASSED HALF WAY THERE!
FAR: 4/2/15 80! Almost there!
AUD: 69, 74, 4/3/14 81! PASSED
REG: TBD

[Missy]

Couple of things to consider:

First it depends on the size company you work for. A staff accountant at a 50m company doesn't make the same as a staff accountant at a 200m company.

Second, it depends on your duties. “Staff Accountant” can fall anywhere between a bookkeeper in responsiblity and handling as much as some controllers do. You may find those 60k jobs and get offers, or may find them and be told they needed experience in something you haven't done yet.

Third look at your benefits. A 50K job that pays 100% of your insurance is better than a 55k job that only pays 72% of your medical and dental. A 50K job with 401k match is better than a 55k job without one. A 50k job that you get to leave every day at 5pm is better than a 60k job that runs 50 hours per week on a good week, more at year end.

Finally get your resume out there and get some offers. It would be extraordinary for an employer to give an employee a 20% raise without a huge promotion and additional responsibility (and why would you stay somewhere that was happy to underpay you until you spoke up). You're in a much better position to negotiate with your current employer if you have another offer in hand.

Old timer,  A71'er since 2010.

Finance manager/HR manager

 

 

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

[Recked]

Agreed 100% on shopping yourself around. That's how I finally figured out I am quite underpaid.
If you need them to sign off on your experience then I might not rock the boat… too hard.
Depending on how big your firm is I would imagine you need to talk to your boss or manager, and kindly mention that now that you have passed all 4 parts of the CPA exam you were wondering about the possibility for either a promotion or raise. You should try and find out when raises usually happen at your firm. You would hate to be the guy asking for a raise when raise season is right around the corner and you just jump the gun.

Your safest best would be to wait until you got your experience signed off, and license in hand. Then you “have a reason” to inquire about the raise or promotion, and you also don't stand to lose out on your experience sign off. Do not wait to shop yourself around though. It would be foolish to push for a raise, receive a small increase leaving you wanting more and then leaving for a new opportunity.

Memento Mori - Kingston NY CPA & EA (SUNY Albany 2002)

FAR-93 11/9/17 (10wks, 250 hrs, Roger 1800+ MCQs, Gleim TB 600+MCQs, SIMs)
AUD-88 12/7/17 (3 wks, 85 hrs, Roger 1000 MCQs no SIMs hail mary)
REG-96 1/18/18 (6 wks, 110 hrs, 1400 MCQs, no SIMs)
BEC-91 2/16/18 (4wks, 90 hrs, 1240 MCQs)

[Author]

Replies