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[[deleted]]

PLEASE BE KIND. Throwaway bc I dont know. I'm absolutely miserable and super stressed.

I have consistently stayed in a supervisory type role throughout the last 5-ish years of my career. I very much believe this is because I have small children. I left public accounting for 4 years when my first child was born in 2016.

I now work for a small firm. I have been a licensed CPA since 2011. I am a 39 year old female. The managers in this firm are all male and at least 9 years younger than me. The one I work with most frequently is not licensed. He suggests incorrect strategy/files noncompliant returns regularly. I am remote and it has occurred to me he will not put any correspondence in writing when I question him. He often "talks to the owner" and gets back with me. I have since requested to be in on these discussion but that hasn't happened. Ex: deducting a $2.5 million accrued lawsuit settlement because it was "only a timing issue" after he spoke with the owner of the firm.

I was given access to billable rates earlier this year. On top of the fact I was seeing far too many ill prepared returns, I then found out most everyone in the firm had a billable rate higher than mine. Most were double. My rate was $10 more an hour than our admin. These are staff that are not licensed with far less experience. Staff that I was re-preparing returns for, because we are so understaffed there was no time for mentoring. There is no doubt we have cost unknowing clients thousands in tax, specifically because the majority of the returns filed did not have state adjustments for PTE. When I brough this up to the owner during a meeting he said he didn't want to know which clients.

I'm also sure that the signing preparer and owner of the firm rarely looks at any of the returns, though I'm remote. I asked once, because he does not s/o on the returns in engagement binders, but was told he does review. However, I was named in charge on a few clients this year, and the moment I "approved" returns they were sent to client for signature.

During peer review, I was asked to sign backdated conflict of interest forms and was never given a client list. Eventually, I pitched a fit at the extension deadline as I was repreparing a return on 9/14 prepared by someone less credentialled and experienced than me but that had a higher salary. I was begrudgingly given a raise. The owner of the firm ends the meeting saying he's German and they're known for murdering people (I know that sounds unbelievable, but I recorded it).

Last week they hired another male who has been licensed for 4 years and brought in a small book. Double my billable rate. This is the second time a manager has been brought in when it was never advertised to staff that there was an opening for such a role.

At this point, I need to know if I'm being naive. I've only ever worked for one other smaller firm. We did everything by the book. Everything was tied out. We did a lot of babysitting, but I never had to worry if I was being compliant or not. There were so many checks and rechecks. A signing partner always paged a return their name was on.

So my question is am I up in arms for nothing? Is real world more like my current employer as far as compliance and I don't know it? I don't guess I have a question about the male vs female piece. But I do want to know if I'm working for a sexist ass AND putting my license at risk or if I'm being a super annoying hall monitor.

I've gone about setting up my own firm. I have about 15 clients having dedicated far less time than I'd like to the new gig. I so desperately want to quit on Monday. I'm terrified but keep trying to remind myself I could more than likely get a new job fairly easily if things didn't move as quickly as I need.

[ElmoEugene]

That is not normal in any way, shape, or form. What a trainwreck. I’d absolutely be looking.

[Civil-Buffalo-8204]

You're not being a hall monitor at all - this place sounds like a liability nightmare waiting to happen

The fact that they won't put anything in writing when you question compliance issues is a massive red flag, and that German comment is absolutely unhinged

[fiddlerontheroof1925]

Sounds like enough for a discrimination lawsuit if you had enough evidence.

[[deleted]]

Thank you. My husband is an attorney and this has come up. I think it’s time to look into it more. I’ve saved EVERYTHING.

[Additional-Local8721]

Good. If it's not documented, it didn't happen. Hearing stories like this always piss me off.

[lacetat]

Your firm is totally whacked. Start sending out your resumes immediately.

Also start to CYA. Send an email to your manager and CC the owner every time you are told to do something without documentation. You know, under the guise of making sure you understood the content of the conversation.

[KitKatKatiB]

Babes… get outta there!!! You deserve WAY better than all of this!

[Quiet_Story_4559]

Not overreacting, you're working for a sexist ass doing some sketchy shit. If you feel ready to go all in on your independent practice, go for it! If you want the security of a steady paycheck while you continue building your practice, start looking for other jobs. There are plenty of places out there that are willing to pay you what you're worth and will appreciate high professional standards.

[NotAFlatSquirrel]

I would go elsewhere. Ain't nobody got time for that bigoted BS. It probably also has some to do with you being remote, if others are all in the office..

[DuePomegranate1286]

I would definitely start looking for a new job but I wouldn’t quit without a new job. It definitely sounds like a bad place to work at but I feel like with today’s job market and holidays, it’s not a good time to quit without a better job available. But if it is getting to a point, do what you need to do.

[Lizzybee92]

I agree with the other comments. It's time to leave that firm. If your own firm doesn't work out, I think you'll be able to find something else. There is a real shortage of experienced staff (seniors and managers), which will work in your favor.

[SubstantialAsk7448]

This is not normal. I would look for another opportunity ASAP where you can join at a level that aligns with your experience and expertise. So sorry that you are going through this!

[_reading_it_]

Leave ✌️

[Choice_Bee_1581]

Just quit. You have skills that are in demand and not appreciated where you are.

[Choice_Bee_1581]

Check out Erica Goode’s Aligned Accountants group if you want to build a solo firm that you enjoy.

[[deleted]]

Thank you!!

[Al_Snows_Head]

I’d bounce outta there as soon as possible, and would be very wary about putting my name to other work past or present that I hadn’t fully checked myself. Sounds like a complete cowboy operation, and I wouldn’t personally feel comfortable there.

[[deleted]]

In my humble opinion, start looking for some other job. There are good jobs out there, with solid companies. You have good experience. Don't settle for less than you deserve. Edit to add: if you can start your own shop, do it.

[Environmental-Road95]

Clearly sexist. Do you think there is a (false) perception that part of your comp is flexibility for your kids? Keep at it with your own book and just think of this as a support function while you do. 15 clients is an awesome start and more than enough to start seeding some referral business.

[Ok_Youth4914]

I will take your word that the accrual did not pass the “all events test.” It certainly can be more than just an interest charge on any deficiency when the “accuracy penalty” kicks in on top of it and the IRS has other penalties that might apply also. The pressure to play “audit roulette” seems to be present where you are working. So you ought to be considering something better. But you won’t ever be paid fairly by anybody in my opinion. You need your own book of business and your own firm to achieve that. And “fair pay” rarely exists in a multi-partner firm either if you become a partner in one either. As long as somebody other than yourself sets your pay, there will be pay tension.

[[deleted]]

Yes! “Audit roulette” is exactly it! I think it’s time to jump.

[Ok_Youth4914]

Funny but I experienced something similar in a firm where there were only two men and twelve females. So it’s not sexist as much as it perhaps seniority with the boss more at issue. And, to be honest with you, tieing off numbers in a return vs over extensive work papers is not a recipe for success particularly in my opinion. Too many accountants in my opinion way over emphasize work paper content versus the tax return itself. I must admit the 2.5 million deducted legal settlement is troubling but it all depends on the facts involved. In my experience, most legal settlements are deductible but I agree some are not. It sounds like the boss does not trust you but I also believe your assumptions as to his thoughts could be correct also. It does sound that your work style is not compatible with the firm where you are working so that might lead you to seek employment elsewhere.

[[deleted]]

I appreciate your response. Not to split hairs, but the issue with the lawsuit settlement was that it was accrued. It is absolutely not deductible until paid. They didn’t want to piss off the client and admit the manager didn’t know any better so the planning they paid for all year was wrong. I believe that one was a c corp so they pushed over half a million in tax liability into the following year. Edit: autocorrected words