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ellejayParticipantThank you all. I have decided to leave the firm, mostly because the counter offer does not resolve the issues I had that caused me to want to leave in the first place, but also because I do believe that the firm will see me as less dedicated in my role since I tried to leave (and as someone else mentioned, I will most likely want to leave again in a year or so).
I'm not confident the new job is a great fit for what I want my career to become, but I have some time to think about that. This job will be less hours so I will have more time to study for the exams to hopefully pass them. I'm thinking if I pass the exams and have been out of PA for a year or so but with the experience I have, I could probably find another PA job in a small firm if I decide I want to go back. This has been a hard decision because I feel like I am giving up, but I need to change my thinking.
My current job did ask me to do some contract work for them, so there's that too.
FAR - 63, rematch February 2018ellejayParticipantRecked,
Thank you very much for your response. To answer your questions: “What's the future of the firm look like in 5 years, or in 10 years? What does your future look like if you stay there? Are they looking to promote internally to build the younger staff into partners to take over the workload/firm? Or are they just looking to use you as a tool to get the work done, to continue to build the book to ultimately sell to someone else or be bought out by a larger firm?”
The firm is growing very quickly. Right now we have been turning down some clients because we don't have the staff to do the work. We are down a manager, and the other two partners are elderly. When I interviewed for the position 2 years ago I was told that I could become partner in 10 years if I get my CPA and work at it.
My boss has mentioned promoting to senior, but he said I need to work on some things before I am at that level. I have a bit of an issue with seeing the “big picture” on a return and overlooking big errors-something I am trying to improve on.
So I am sure the ability to move up is there. We have the openings, I just don't have the skills yet and I'm trying to figure out how to get there.
I really like your suggestions, specifically to find out how much I billed for the firm last year. I will have to find out how to get that info.
FAR - 63, rematch February 2018ellejayParticipantThe choice depends on what you value the most – your marriage or your job. Personally I would keep my marriage over any job, without skipping a beat. I recommend distancing yourself from the senior in the meantime and being transparent with your husband. I’m assuming he’s not being overly insecure and that he discovered something about your relationship that he found inappropriate given the poor timing of his request you leave the job.
FAR - 63, rematch February 2018ellejayParticipantMy firm has office politics but mostly because we have a 50+ yr old office manager who thinks the firm would melt into oblivion without her. She has even come to me and told me she could take my job any day of the week if she really wanted (with her associate's degree, LOL). I've dreamed about the day I quit and tell them she is the main contributor of why I quit (probably won't do that, but it's a dream)… She makes every day stressful with her garbage attitude and crap talk about others in the office.
FAR - 63, rematch February 2018ellejayParticipantOn the notice does it say which SSN is being claimed as a dependent elsewhere? Normally they put the last four on the notice somewhere. I actually just received this notice too and the person being claimed as a dependent on another return is actually me, as my SSN is on the notice – so I have to call them (haven't had a chance, busy with tax planning). But I have a feeling it is identity theft.
FAR - 63, rematch February 2018ellejayParticipantBonuses are taxable at same rate as your regular wages.
FAR - 63, rematch February 2018March 16, 2018 at 5:55 pm in reply to: Happy Coprorate Deadline-Give me your best public accounting horror story #1738845ellejayParticipantI have lots. But one happened today. Got a call from a newer client who owns 2 businesses, one S Corp and the other partnership. He asks me if extensions were filed for his companies. I looked and the S Corp had an extension filed, but the partnership was nowhere to be found in our tax software. I told him I would call him back and asked our associate in charge of filing extensions if she filed it, and her jaw immediately dropped open and she gasped. No, she hadn't. Ugh.
I was tempted to have her call the client to explain this but decided not to. So I had to call him up and say No, sir, no one filed an extension for you but we will file your 1065 ASAP (of course it would have to be the partnership too).
This is a new client and he does his own books so of course they are wrong. He did his last return so of course his basis is all wrong too. So all day since this morning when this issue was discovered, I have been working on his return and cannot leave until it is done. I'm taking a break right now but it is nowhere near finished. We have to take care of the penalty since this is our fault.Usually we have 2 people check through our list of corp clients to make sure all extensions are filed and accepted. In the five years I've been here this is the first time this has happened.
FAR - 63, rematch February 2018ellejayParticipantI took FAR in November, found out I failed in Dec (already figured anyways), and I have been studying since late Jan. I postponed my exam from March 9 to April 7… so here's hoping we pass this time!
FAR - 63, rematch February 2018ellejayParticipantI am in the same predicament except I haven't passed my exams yet (so obviously not licensed). I've been at my small firm for almost the same time as you as well. I think your plan sounds solid, and is what I will be doing too after I get my CPA. I also think there are plenty of public accounting tax positions after tax season is over, I have seen plenty of them in my area.
FAR - 63, rematch February 2018ellejayParticipantI can't get on. I signed up successfully but it does a 404 Error or other type of error every time I try to log on. I emailed them yesterday and still haven't heard back from them…. so, kind of stuck I guess. Luckily I don't need anything yet. Is it typical that it takes them this long to respond to a support email?
FAR - 63, rematch February 2018ellejayParticipantI'd call the board and ask what can be done. I'd also not waste my time working for him. After a year goes by he could decide he needs you for another year and refuse again, and keep doing that over and over again. And who wants to work somewhere based on manipulation? It sounds like CA has rules against what he is doing – I'd inquire to the board what can be done.
FAR - 63, rematch February 2018ellejayParticipantI don't think there's any harm in asking. I've never actually “sat in” on a client meeting but my boss frequently meets clients and leaves her door open. My office is right next to hers and I can hear pretty much everything that goes on.
FAR - 63, rematch February 2018ellejayParticipantIn my experience (tax, small firm), get to the office early – check emails, return calls, go over to-do list for the day. Talk to my manager/supervisor about game plan for the day (if that seems to be norm for the firm, which it is for mine). Then dig in and work on returns for a few hours. Then eat lunch quickly, then return to my desk and check emails, return calls, go over the to-do list to make sure I am on track (make room for unexpected items). Then continue working on returns until I leave for the day. At the end of the day I usually also talk to my manager and tell her where I am at with all my deadlines. Usually the end of the day is pretty late. Then I go home, spend a few minutes with my family and the next day get up and repeat. Sometimes I get lucky and we have a slow week so I get to leave earlier than usual. This happens at my firm from late Jan to mid-April and like someone else said, it just drops off and can be hard to deal with the sudden stop of work flow. My manager says she gets a little bit depressed (but I certainly don't, lol).
As far as tips, make a to-do list everyday but be flexible for the unexpected tasks that might come up. Know your supervisors' expectations as far as reporting to them goes (my manager likes me to come to her at the end of the day and talk about what is still pending, some may prefer emails and even others may not even want a report at all). Schedule times to check and respond to emails and voicemails – during other times, do not look at your email or take calls. Also, when you have questions, write them down on a notebook. Go to your manager at a designated time when they may not be as busy (maybe after lunch, etc.) and ask all of the questions at one time. This makes it easier on them instead of being interrupted every 20 mins with questions. You can ask all at once. Also like someone else said exercise, and make sure to eat healthy so you feel your best. Keep in mind it's only for 2.5 mos, so it's not THAT bad in my opinion (but then again I work for a small firm, experience may be different at a larger firm or big 4).
FAR - 63, rematch February 2018ellejayParticipantThanks everyone. I did go through lots of MCQs when I was studying and didn't feel like it really helped. Most of what I felt confident about was on topics I have mastered by understanding the concept and not just memorizing, so I agree. I got lucky because a few of the SIMs were on topics I have mastered, and many of the MCQs on the test were as well – unfortunately there were some topics I just didn't spend time on, and I guess I need to go back and master those topics now.
FAR - 63, rematch February 2018ellejayParticipantI took FAR on Tuesday 12/5. I feel ok about the MCQ but didn't notice the 2nd testlet getting harder, so maybe I bombed. -_- The SIMs were okay, but I don't feel good about my performance on some of them. I got 3 DRS SIMs. Two of the SIMs I didn't know at all what I was doing and guessed my best on them. I finished pretty early, though. Not sure if that is a good sign or not. I'm just hoping for that 75 on 12/19 *fingers crossed* (somehow). I'm not sure how I feel about it, but I certainly don't feel confident, and not expecting a 75 which really irks me because I wish I'd spent more time knowing the basics of every concept instead of the details. I'm fully planning to retake in early 2018 but taking a bit of a hiatus until I get my score since this is my first section, I can afford to lose 2 weeks I guess.
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