[livealittle]

if you count asking a co-worker for help on a specific topic/type of calculation question, then yes. But, I knew we were both studying and she offered to be a “study buddy” so we basically just asked “did you study some last night?” and I told her I was struggling with a BEC calculation and we stayed after work for about an hour and she explained it to me differently than the study material and I “got” it.

BEC - 8/8/16
REG - 66, 77
AUD - 81
FAR - 9/8/16

[livealittle]

I second Linked In.

BEC - 8/8/16
REG - 66, 77
AUD - 81
FAR - 9/8/16

[livealittle]

there are accounting firms hiring in my area as well. keep looking and try not to let it get you down. It's pretty common.

BEC - 8/8/16
REG - 66, 77
AUD - 81
FAR - 9/8/16

[livealittle]

to passed 7 out of 4 tests. Yes, I had to retake multiple sections as they kept expiring. I also had a 4 month window where the AICPA was updating the tests and no one could take a test or schedule anything while waiting to find out if you had passed the previous window's tests. so…there was a long period where the clock kept ticking and you either had passed what you already took or you would have to retake them and the one that expired during the 4 month blackout period.

keep at it. I finally finally finally passed the last section which was a retake of a passed and expired section.

you will never regret finishing, only starting and not finishing.

BEC - 8/8/16
REG - 66, 77
AUD - 81
FAR - 9/8/16

[livealittle]

9 months is possible if you have really good support at home helping you juggle all those things you mentioned

BEC - 8/8/16
REG - 66, 77
AUD - 81
FAR - 9/8/16

[livealittle]

if you watch and see who is promoted and who is not, that will clue you in to office politics

BEC - 8/8/16
REG - 66, 77
AUD - 81
FAR - 9/8/16

[livealittle]

if the company pays the $6000 in July, then that should go on the balance sheet as $5000 in an asset account called Prepaids and expense of $1000 for insurance expense for July. In August expense $1000 by debiting insurance expense and crediting the asset account prepaids.

keep going through out the year. if Cash is spent for a service not yet provided, the balance of the cash spent is an asset of prepaids.

hope this helps

BEC - 8/8/16
REG - 66, 77
AUD - 81
FAR - 9/8/16

[livealittle]

@Etg1991
when I reread the options, I realized what you meant by “is already restricted”. the way I read the option the second time, it's restricted to the cash disbursements bookkeeper. That would be fine if he/she didn't ALSO reconcile the monthly bank statement.

do you see the potential for embezzlement? misappropriation of funds?

BEC - 8/8/16
REG - 66, 77
AUD - 81
FAR - 9/8/16

[livealittle]

if the person who reconciles the bank also has access to the blank checks and signature stamps, that person can write a check to themselves/or whoever they owe money to/i.e. their mortgage company, sign the checks with the signature stamps/plates and then when the bank statement comes, mark it as ok/legit.

people who can initiate payments/write/sign checks should not ALSO be able to reconcile the bank

that person could ok/approve the fraudulent checks

BEC - 8/8/16
REG - 66, 77
AUD - 81
FAR - 9/8/16

[livealittle]

we have a remote work option/policy at our office and have 2 employees who are remote all the time. I'm currently working from home due to vehicle issues. We have others – at all levels except intern – who work remotely when needed due to personal conflicts. Home repairs and sick kids are the #1 items

This is firm wide so it's not been just for 1 or 2 employees, it's a firm wide policy.

BEC - 8/8/16
REG - 66, 77
AUD - 81
FAR - 9/8/16

[livealittle]

I had to budget my time very carefully as I had carpel tunnel bad enough that typing for 5 minutes made my hands go numb. My writing questions/instructions/topics weren't that hard, but typing a good response tested my carpel tunnel endurance. I clicked submit with seconds left. I wouldn't waste a minute of my time practicing the writing portion. I'd spend it learning the material.

BEC - 8/8/16
REG - 66, 77
AUD - 81
FAR - 9/8/16

[livealittle]

the mnemonics helped me the most. MR DIM REPORRTS CRAME Management is Responsible for the Design, Implementation and Maintenance of….and all the others. I wrote those out on flashcards and that helped me a LOT in the test itself. while I didn't score anywhere near where yours are, a respectable 83 on Audit isn't anything to discount either.

BEC - 8/8/16
REG - 66, 77
AUD - 81
FAR - 9/8/16

[livealittle]

lots of contacts can be made from the small firm.

BEC - 8/8/16
REG - 66, 77
AUD - 81
FAR - 9/8/16

[livealittle]

If I recall correctly, the cost of a new book for Becker was very reasonable. Like $20.

BEC - 8/8/16
REG - 66, 77
AUD - 81
FAR - 9/8/16

[livealittle]

I ended up getting a $4K mid year bump after a $3K annual review raise when I presented a similar case to what you are stating to the partners in my annual review. I had researched average salaries for my zip code, years of experience, etc. I was making about the lower 25%. I said that here's what my research shows is the average for our area. If this is the bell curve with average at the top, I'm here (on the lower side), aren't I at least an average employee? so, less than 4 months later, I'm 7k higher in salary. Don't mention what others make, that has nothing to do with what YOU make. Talk about what you bring to the table and what that's worth.

As you pointed out, perhaps they are better negotiators than you. I mentioned that I had discussed what I should expect as an offer when I started with a well known CPA in the area, She said X. The initial offer was $13K less than that. I came back with that I didn't need any medical benefits, and got it bumped up by $5K. I still think my starting salary with the firm was low per industry averages. I mentioned that I realize I started low and that I know I'm not a great salary negotiator. That being said, here's industry average and I'm still $5K below that. Aren't I at least an average employee?

this put the burden on them to explain to me how my technical abilities are well above average, my work ethic is excellent, etc, etc, yet my compensation is below average. They began talking about where they get their industry average salary numbers from, etc and 4 months later 2 of the partners asked to speak to me in a conference room and explained they were bumping my salary up to “industry average”. That's when I got the $4K mid year raise AFTER getting a $3K annual review raise. Most people get a $2K raise if they get one. I got a $7K raise in 1 year.

anyway, all that to say, bring your research to the table, present what people like you in your area are making as industry average and then stop talking. Let them explain how your research is wrong and you are only worth what they are currently paying you.

and good luck

BEC - 8/8/16
REG - 66, 77
AUD - 81
FAR - 9/8/16

[Author]

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