Mrs

[stehaggan]

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Edited November 22, 2010 by Guest

[C&T]

Do you have anything in writing saying you have to stay X number of months or you have to pay back the course fee's?

 

If not, and you have passed your final exam, I'm afraid I would be writing my CV... It's what I did a while ago, although different sets of exams.

 

You will be due a massive payrise once qualified, and it's not fair of your current boss not to recognise that he has a much better qualified employee now, that he can make more money out of, and he needs to recognise that. And to be honest, I would imagine you need to move on to gain more experience.

 

You may find that by handing in your notice, he will suddenly jump into action and offer a salary increase - but personally I feel if they will only jump into action when threatened, then there isn't much future.

 

Being loyal only works if both sides are loyal to each other.

[Olly]

This is business, not friendship - and an accountant should be more aware of that than others!

If there is nothing in your contract to say that you have to stay for a certain time after training, then more fool him - I don't think you should feel any obligation, because he certainly hasn't treated you fairly.

 

It was open to him to impose some sort of condition, and he didn't - it sounds as if the business is poorly managed anyway. I'd move on and find somewhere with better conditions.

[Egluntyne]

Just a bit worried that if your user name is you actual name, your boss might be able to identify himself if he reads this and it could have repercussions for you.

[chick wiggle]

I can only agree with what has been said. If you are under no obligation to stay, then i too would be writing up my CV.

Explain to your boss i suppose, excatly what and why you are doing, but you really must consider yourself before the company in this instance.

Good luck

[Bramble]

Hello! I found myself in a similar situation with my professional "training". I reluctantly left that job once I'd qualified, that was over ten years ago and if I had stayed I know that I would be no further forward now than I was then. You have to think of yourself. Yes, your employer has invested some money in your training, but you have invested something as much if not more valuable - your time. You can't afford to stay in a job which doesn't seem to have much in the way of prospects etc if it's not where you want to be. I found it very hard to leave at the time so I know how you feel, but with the very valuable benefit of hindsight, I can see that leaving was absolutely the right thing to do. (There was nothing in my contract about repaying the cost of training etc and I know that that was what made my then boss cross that i left, but even if there had been, I would still have left).

The only problem I guess is how easily you would find another job in the current "economic climate", but it wouldn't hurt to make some enquiries, would it?

Good luck, with whatever you decide.

[WarrensWorld]

I know how you feel, been there.

1, Don't hand in your notice. You'll have been deemed to have made yourself unemployed and won't receive GSA.

2, Get your CV up to-date, and put it about.

3, Find another job.

4, Hand in your notice.

5, If your boss asks you to stay tell him you want ALL your back pay. If he says yes tell him to put it in writing. Bet he doesn't.

6, Leave he sounds a total waster, and you deserve better.

[Patricia W]

Warren'sworld's advice is good. Don't feel bad about leaving, but don't resign until you have a job to go to. There are lots of recruitment firms anxious to place people like you, so go for it.

 

I work for a very large accountancy firm ( but am not an accountant- can't do numbers!) and I know we are always looking for qualified people. We expect to lose a signficant number of our trainees once they are qualified as the market is very bouyant, but we always wish them well. They often come back to us later, all the better for a more varied experience.

[Lydia]

Your boss sounds very much like my boss. I wonder if they're related!

 

As Olly and other said this is business. I know it's often more difficult to do anything in a small firm because it feels more 'personal' (I work in an office of 4 people and salary increases, large expenses etc are difficult), however, you have to remember that you are employed to do a job. And it sounds as though you are doing it well, above and beyond what is required.

 

I think you have to look at why you may want to stay and what are the benefits of leaving. I too go beyond what is required. I often answer emails on my days off, I often work extra days and don't get any more holiday entitlement or other entitlements and my boss often calls, texts and emails me on my days off (sometimes all three at once!). I get no benefits (pension, health, Christmas bonus etc) and I've not had a salary increase for 3 years. My job is also terrifically easy and my brain is rarely stretched. However, the reason I stay is because the job suits me; it is part-time and the hours suit me. It is a 10 minute commute and means I can nip home at lunchtime if required. And my boss is very flexible if I need to get a hen or cat to the vet at short notice or need time for doctors appointments etc. And although the salary is not great, it's OK for me and I know how difficult it is get decent part-time work and a decent salary.

 

I guess what I'm trying to say is sit down, be honest with yourself and think about what you like about your job (if anything) and what you don't like. Then make your decision based on that and put the feelers out. If there is nothing in your contract you have no obligation to stay just because your boss funded your studies.

 

I don't know your circumstances and you may be OK without a salary for a period of time. But, if not, don't assume you'll walk into another job - it may take time, especially in the current climate. When I worked for several major accountancy firms they were quite difficult to get into; you had to be a graduate and either join as a trainee right at the bottom and train with them, or enter at a quite senior position because you have a very particular skill they need. You could of course use your skills in industry. That was a while ago though so I may be wrong.

 

I agree with Egluntyne's comment about your username by the way. Never underestimate the powers of Google.

[Angie]

Sorry to say this but it is time to look for a new position.

If your boss isn't taking a set wage and dips in to profits all the time for his needs

then how does he manage the business accounts and tax returns ?

Let alone the accounts of other businesses......i would not like him

handling my tax returns if his own business is run like this.

Write your CV, and send it around town you may be very lucky.

[Daphne]

I would support what other posters have said; I would find yourself another job and then leave. I know what its like in a small firm you feel dreadful about doing anything remotely 'disloyal'. I well remember walking round the block at least 3 times when I was much younger, too terrified to hand my notice in to a very small company which I loved working at but which couldn't offer me any progression. When I did pluck up the courage I was offered a 25% pay rise -which shows you how little I was earning and how much they knew they were getting away with. I stayed on for a year and then left because the fundamental issue for me was still there. With the benefit of hindsight and several employers since, I would say employment is first and foremost a business relationship and selfish though it sounds - if you don't put yourself first, "Ooops, word censored!"ody else is going to. Its sounds as though you've already given your boss much effort and loyalty and essentially you owe this person nothing more. However, assuming your career is important to you, then you do owe it to yourself to actively explore all the options and hopefully make the best decisions for your working future.

[abwsco]

I've worked in small accountancy firms (some time ago though now) and from my experience you have to look after yourself and fight for everything when it comes to them parting with cash! One boss used to brag about how much he'd spent on his latest car or the gold taps in his house but when it came to giving out wage rises it was like getting blood out of a stone. Funnily enough though when I went to hand my notice in he was quick to offer me an increase then and couldn't understand why I refused it and still left.

 

My Mum and Dad always told me never to stay at a job if they only offered you a salary increase when you were going to leave as they should have been paying you that anyway. I've always followed that advice

 

Good luck.

[stehaggan]

Thanks people... i think you have all just confirmed what i was thinking myself.

 

I get my final exam results mid december so I certainly think I will spend this time rewriting my CV and dishing it out.

 

I do need to look after number 1 as hes not looking out for any of us really. He said to me ideally in 2 years time he wants me to "buy in" to the practice - does he not realise I actually have to have money to do that and that the only place I can get that is from him - like I said its his dream world.

 

thanks again - now i don't feel half as badx

[Tiggy]

I dont work in the same field as you but exactly the same thing happened when I worked for the health authority, my BSc & MSc were paid for by the nhs. I stayed with a practice for many years after I had my MSC & was taking all the responsibility that went along with an advanced post but was told that I could not get a regrade. Eventually I left & got the grade & the pay that I was entitled too. Sorry but sometimes loyalty can be taken advantage of, it has to work both ways

[Plum]

Never seen a poor accountant. You deserve better so don't feel bad about leaving.

[majorbloodnock]

Please remember that you don't owe any company any favours. They do pay you (although it sounds too intermittent to be acceptable in your case), but you provide something in return. It's not a one-way street. Imagine if you told your credit card company you couldn't pay the bill this month since you'd already spent this month's money, but you'd be paying them in a few weeks. If they didn't put your service on hold, they'd at least get you paying through the nose for the privilege. Why is your employment any different?

 

Just because you know the person who's employing you doesn't mean the business arrangement has to get personal too.