[HoosierCPA]

So I’ve heard over and over success stories about how the CPA has opened up doors to new opportunities, most of which are immediate, and I admit I’m a bit envious.

How many people feel it hasn’t reaped the immediate benefits you hoped for? My experience feels a bit unusual, halfway through the exam I was told by my employer that I would get a promotion once I got my CPA (never happened). Now I’m being told to wait a year and add responsibility without the promotion to see how I fair before they offer it. To add to me feeling down is the fact that I felt like I had more responsibility before my CPA then I do now. The controller does not have a CPA nor does anyone else in my department. In fact the only other CPA is our CFO.

I almost feel like I’m being punished for passing, like my boss is jealous and now views me as a threat. However, I have zero intention of trying to go after his job, I am interested in an assistant manager position.

Anyway it just sucks. I’ve began slowly checking out the job market around me and don’t see anything enticing. I’m on the fence whether to wait a year and see if the new promise for a promotion is true or another lie.

Does anyone else have similar experience?

AUD - 80
BEC - 82
FAR - 78
REG - 89

...

FAR - 78
REG - 72,74,71...please just go away REG nobody likes you!
BEC - 82
AUD - Aug 16

[NeedsA75]

The resentment you may be feeling from your boss is very real. I've experienced something similar. I'd really consider changing companies. If they have already strung you along this far, there is a good chance they will keep doing it

AUD - 96
BEC - 86
FAR - 76
REG - 92

PETH - 92
Licensed in California

 

[Recked]

When someone shows you their true colors it's best to believe them the first time instead of waiting around to see it again.
Keep up the job search and you will find someone that values your accomplishments. It just might not be where you are currently working.

On that same token, does your level of work and motivation on the job show a desire to work harder and faster?
If you're slacking at work due to studying or just being burnt out from the exam, it might be reasonable that they want to test the waters.

Please take all advice with a grain of salt.

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)

[HoosierCPA]

@needsa75 thanks, I think that's where I'm leaning.

@recked as of now I wouldn't say I'm visibly showing any signs of being discouraged. I had my talk about my future, obviously wasn't happy with it, but I moved on. However, I think the only thing keeping me motivated is the slim possibility of the promotion in a year. I'm an excel junkie so I've taken all my bosses duties he's passed over and automated all his files and can get entries done in minutes that took him hours. I'm sure it just adds to him viewing me as trying to “show him up” but I enjoy it and its how I kill my free time.

AUD - 80
BEC - 82
FAR - 78
REG - 89

...

FAR - 78
REG - 72,74,71...please just go away REG nobody likes you!
BEC - 82
AUD - Aug 16

[Missy]

I'm not sure where exactly you're seeing most people getting immediate opportunities after getting licensed but it's not the case on this forum. I'd say at least half are disappointed with how long it takes to see a return on the time and expense.

Look to see what's out there. You may even find better than the promotion they're dangling and likely jerking you around with. Some employes simply don't value the license others don't feel it gives value added. Find an employer that does.

Old timer,  A71'er since 2010.

Finance manager/HR manager

 

 

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

[ragepsn29]

CPA license opened up opportunities for me. I got a new job shortly after I got my license. My compensation went up by 58%! I say you just need to find an employer who appreciates your accomplishment. If your boss doesn't like you for a being CPA, then I wouldn't want to work for him. Your life will not be happy.

AUD - 65, 72, 70, 74, 81
BEC - 80
FAR - 66, 71, 76
REG - 69, 65, 82

AUD - 65, 72, 70, 74, 81
FAR - 66, 71, 76
REG - 69
BEC - 80

[Anonymous]

A weird situation, to be sure….. If there was to be no change in role, and no change in compensation after earning the CPA license, I wouldn't guess many people would stick around unless the other jobs being offered to them didn't have greater compensation package and a better job description.

That's very weird that more new CPAs aren't getting better opportunities right after being licensed but it is not surprising to me at all. The job market is not like it was prior to 2008.
No way in hell. I've seen this first hand myself, even though I have no CPA currently. Getting a good job with great benefits package is not an easy feat (and anyone who says “Oh, I got my dream job without even trying, that doesn't apply to me” – consider yourself punched in the face! LOL) The statistics paint the whole picture. The number of good jobs out there does not match the number who are looking for those jobs. The older generation is not retiring. People work into their 70s now. One of the COO's at the hospital where my significant other works is EIGHTY FIVE. You read it right. She's semi-retired but still coming to work most days. And, most workplaces will be loyal to those who have been there a long time, regardless of their credentials and certifications. One of my accounting professors, during my first year of studying accounting about 7 years ago (he was a CPA and PhD) said to us, “You guys need to pray for the death of the older generation because they're going to keep you guys from having good jobs.”

[Anonymous]

Firms don't necessarily have the budget to increase your salary or make changes to support a new role or more responsibilities for you.

If they were to give you more responsibilities, it would take away from another employee's role who might already be doing an exceptional job.

You can either wait it out or search for new opportunities outside the firm.

I've made several posts on this forum about the real world accounting environment and how it's not how it seems on the surface. It can be very political and Machiavellian at many companies if you want to get ahead. Then all the naive people on this forum deny it and want to pretend like it's not true until they see topics like this one.

CPA licensure is not an automatic ticket to wealth and job security. Sorry to say. The CPA designation is grossly overrated, but there are many opportunities where it is still required, and if you want the best opportunities, you will still have to put in the time/effort to get them in addition to passing the exam.

[SaveBandit]

I started job searching after I got my license 1 year ago and haven't found anything yet. I definitely feel like I pissed away 16 months of my life going to school and getting licensed. All I heard before I got my license is how much I need it, and now it seems like it doesn't matter at all. One CFO who interviewed me actually told me that I was perfect and that my resume was perfect. He hired someone else. So if I'm perfect and can't get a job, I guess that means I'm pretty much fkked, right?

AUD - 94
BEC - 86
FAR - 85
REG - 90

If you pray enough, you can turn yourself into a cat person.

4 for 4

FAR 85
AUD 94
BEC 86
REG 90

[M123]

This person may or may not be impeding you due to a threat. Being 20+ years into my career, here's what I would do.

1. If you are only creating connections with one person in the company to help elevate you – huge mistake. Your CFO has a CPA? You should be asking him/her to coffee/lunch/asking for advise/walking by their door VERY frequently, shooting the breeze, bringing up topics, showing you care. You need to find others around you who can recognize you and remember you when it comes time for that new project, new assignment, new opportunity to let you shine. *** On edit – also ask questions. What's up in their world – what keeps them up at night. Then bring them proposed solutions.

2. Do you know any PHds? How hard did they work to get that? Many work harder than to get CPA, I can assure you. I know many a PHd who is either unemployed by choice, unemployable (unable to network/contribute/deliver) and a few who are at the top of their game. The analogy here is – you get out of it what you put into it. It's a foot in the door but once in the door it's all you.

3. I've said many times – the CPA has so much knowledge under their belt for so many things, I would have been so much better off earlier in my career to have that. If you are earlier in your career – now is the time to put everything to work. Do your best work, make sure EVERYONE knows – not just your current boss. Seek out new stuff. Undercommit, overdeliver.

Don't be afraid to seek other opportunities. I have a CEO friend who has achieved everything possible in life – the thing with him – even if he was a janitor – he would treat it as if it's the most important job in the universe. When you do that – good things will come. It's a game of endurance. As they say – hang out in the barber shop enough – eventually you get a haircut.

AUD - 77
BEC - 81
FAR - 77
REG - 81

REG - 1. Becker only - fail (forgot to study depr - oops); 2. Becker only - Pass
FAR - 1. Becker only - fail; 2. added Ninja Notes and MCQ - Pass
AUD - 1. Becker videos; Ninja Notes, Audio, MCQ, Becker Notes - Pass
BEC - 1. Ninja Notes, Audio, MCQ, Becker Notes - Pass

[Want2BeCPAsoBad]

Honestly, it may be time to start looking else where. Your CFO is the only CPA, seek his guidance and mentorship while you are still with the company. Perhaps they didn't think you'd pass and maybe they don't have the money for the promotion. That is not your fault. It is time to promote yourself by moving. Good luck!

AUD - NINJA in Training
BEC - 82
FAR - NINJA in Training
REG - 82

Your intelligence has nothing to do with your score!  It's a matter of dedication, study habit and how well you test.

AUD- 64 (Retake 1/2)-Waiting on score

BEC- 82 (2x)

FAR-May 2018

Reg- 82 (1x)

[HoosierCPA]

Thanks everyone! It sounds like there are many thinking its time to start looking elsewhere which is where I was leaning.

@M123 to answer some of your questions. I try my best to pick my CFO for knowledge but he is VERY busy, people go in and out of his office all day. It kind of becomes a slippery slope as well because my controller has seen me go in there more over the past year and I think it gets under his skin to see me go to the CFO for questions instead of him. It's just another thing to add to the list of reasons I feel like I'm losing my controllers support.

@Angela keep your head up it definitely isn't a wasted 16 months! My post isn't intended to make it seem like the CPA is worthless, I just thought opportunities would be immediate, which they haven't been for me. Both you and I will have something open up. I promise you that!

@Brickell I agree with everything you said. To add, my additional duties are a hybrid between taking responsibilities away from others and new spreadsheets they've been wanting to put together and just never got around to it. It's a tricky situation to try and ask for a promotion because at one point in time there was an assistant manager position–the assist got promoted to controller and they eliminated the assist manager position and promoted me to “senior accountant” years ago. My goal has been for them to open that title back up. But from an upper management position they probably have a hard time justifying paying me for for a position they haven't had for years.

@missy Guess I only remember peoples success stories, if there are a lot of people in my situation its good to know its not super unusual and an opportunity will come in the future. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, I've been on this forum for awhile now and have always enjoyed your insight!

AUD - 80
BEC - 82
FAR - 78
REG - 89

...

FAR - 78
REG - 72,74,71...please just go away REG nobody likes you!
BEC - 82
AUD - Aug 16

[Author]

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