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I have a dilemma and would like some advice.

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Anonymous

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I have a dilemma and would like some advice.

Two weeks ago, I was approached by a President of a company on LinkedIn about a Controller position at his company. It would be to replace his current Controller because she is making too many mistakes the latest was turning in the month end financials with the balance sheet out of balance.

I met with him last Monday and became even more excited about this job. He wanted me to have 2 more interviews. One with his business partner and one with his retired Controller that still works there about 10 hours on special projects.

I had the interview with the retired Controller on Tuesday. I thought everything went well except I could tell he didn't want any changes made to the current way things are done. I suggested changes since they have outgrown QuickBooks, have 3 companies (1 in Mexico) that all have different chart of accounts and are all on different computer systems, But, are all combined under the Umbrella of the main company. Right now, they use a lot of Excel worksheets that the President wants to eliminate. I agree plus I think they should be one different software package and have 1 COA. Without the changes I do not see how they are going to eliminate the excel spreadsheets.

Anyway, Wednesday morning I get an email telling me he doesn't think I will be able to handle all three companies because I have never done this before even though I have worked with separate out of state manufacturing plants that were pulled together and multiple state terminals that were consolidated. Needless to say, I was very disappointed. I wrote him a nice email stating I was sorry to hear that he could not see my potential and commitment but I thanked him for his feedback and time and wished him luck in finding a new Controller. Well, he called me a few minutes later and offered me the Assistant Controller at 30K less than I was asking for the Controllership. And to top it off I was going to work under the current Controller until he replaced her!

I asked would he change his mind if I came in and prove I could handle the responsibility. he told me not to think it that way and to only consider the AC position. Oh and now the current Controller has to interview me this Tuesday. I believe as a formality because I accepted his offer. But I could be wrong.

My dilemma is I really do not want the AC job but as of yesterday I have been out of work for a year and I am running out of money, so I need a job. I took 6months off to grieve for my husband and mother before I started looking for a job so I took it offer with the intention to keep looking. As I really cannot afford the cut in pay plus a 45min.- hour drive each way.

The more I think about the less I want this job. Should I turn it down and pray something else comes along or bite the bullet and take and still look? Do you think this is a test to see my abilities? I am afraid what if the Controller doesn't want me there, is he going to pull the offer?

What would you if you were in my situation?

Thanks for your advice and sorry this post is so long :)

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  1. Anonymous

    I think I’d take it and keep looking. There are going to be a lot more people looking for work… if you can get a job, take it.

  2. Anonymous

    Well I would be very realistic. This is clearly not the job for you because:

    1. It's well below your capabilities.
    2. The former controller has their own agenda and personal ambitions and will clearly undermine you.
    3. The president will most likely not allow any changes to process and will allow the old controller to nix all improvements.
    4. The current controller will be an obstacle and is not fit but will be allowed to remain.
    5. You are walking into a small, tight knit, group that is broken.
    6. You, personally, have been through a lot of life changing events this past year and this doesn't offer you a healthy supportive environment.
    7. It's a 30% step down in pay.
    8. It is an hour and a half commute every day.

    Reasons to take it:

    1. You need the money.

  3. Jae

    All great points.

  4. Anonymous

    Sounds like a succession plan is in place and you could be part of it. Take the job. Learn all you can and it sounds like the controller is not going to stay (per your note). With that take it, pick their brain, learn all you can. Get paid, then go home. Give it 6 months. If you feel this is absolutely not for you then seek work elsewhere. Our market isn’t one to play with. I bet within a year you will be the controller.

  5. Me!

    a year ago accepted a position at a company I did not want to work for in a position far below my talent w/less pay. I had been laid off and unemployment was ending soon. The red flag’s are constant and everywhere. The job market is terrible and has not improved. My bills are paid and I’m still looking, being unemployed was not of interest to me. Do what is best for you.

  6. Anonymous

    Can you negotiate to be remote 2-3 days a week?

  7. Anonymous

    Consider this: Tens of thousands of highly skilled federal workers are hitting the unemployment lines. If you've run out of savings, you may consider taking the job and tightening your belt, negotiating for a hybrid arrangement, downsizing where you can, and continuing to look for something better. It is always easier to get a job when you have one, so this would definitely be a feather in your cap and an enhancement to your resume.

  8. Anonymous

    Your advice is great as you hit on some key points . The job market is very difficult at this time and a decent job with a few tweaks can be handled .

  9. Anonymous

    Take it, try it what do you have to lose

  10. Yomara Mercado

    This is why they have probation, it's not just to see if you are a good fit but to see if it aligns with your current goals. So, I would take it, once you are in it and feel like it's just not what you are looking for, then be honest with them

  11. Anonymous

    Don't take it if you're going in with a mindset you don't want it. You're not doing the company or yourself any favors. It is not a test of your abilities and chances are they will replace the controller with someone else and you'll be even more angry. It could be years before you move up there. Your full attention should be on finding a job you do want and that's a fit that aligns with where you see yourself going. If you need income, consider a part time job that still allows you time to job hunt.

  12. GirlBossanova934974

    I would agree with one of the posters here. Take the job BUT keep on interviewing for other jobs. This job is a dog but it pays while you look. As an accountant myself, this situation you will be taking on is a complete mess. I would be focused on finding a better position. The job market for accountants is not all that bad right now. Lots of retirements and there are open positions.

  13. Anonymous

    I didn't take a job last summer thinking something else would come along, and now I am 16 months out from being laid off, and things have not gotten any better (I do have a part time contract role, but it doesn't really pay all the bills). So, I would personally think long and hard before passing up the offer as I don't see the overall market getting any better. With all the federal layoffs, it will likely get a lot worse in some roles. I would definitely keep looking though if you do decide to take it.

  14. Anonymous

    I would take the job but keep looking. Also, I wouldn’t mention wanting to make anymore changes. My guess is the retired controller took you wanting to change his processes as an insult and threw shade about you. Some people get emotionally tied to their legacy.

  15. Titra Hamilton

    I agree with others, especially considering the current job market, Take the Associate Comptroller job. Keep looking. While you look, be unbothered. I need for you to act as if you are not upset and continue to do an exceptional job. Document everything you do (e.g., accomplishments) as you now have an opportunity to build rapport new Comptroller. If a negative impression of you does exist, you can get an ally who will counter that, speaking for you when you are not in the room. He/she could support a pay raise for you and provide a good reference when/if you eventually leave. ;)

  16. Anonymous

    I have been looking for work for 36 months. I’m overqualified for everything, but qualified for nothing. I need money. My family is going in debt. Here is what I have decided. If a job is offered, and I need money now, take the job. However, don’t tell anybody, don’t post it on Facebook or LinkedIn or anywhere else. List it as consulting and any new skills you pick up list them. And then, if someone ask, simply say we have a confidentiality agreement. This may sound subversive, however, I cannot tell you the number of times I have been told, you’re just not enough of this or you’re too much of that or you’ve been in that job for a very short period of time why are you looking for something new. Best of luck to you and big hugs. It takes a strong person to accept the rejection that comes with “job hunting “

  17. Anonymous

    Been there, done that. If you need a job to keep a roof over your head and food on the table do it. However, there are a lot of red flags in what you wrote. Every time I have taken a position with reservations it has not turned out well.

  18. Tangela

    Axşamınız xeyir, gecə sanki ekranın işığı ilə başlayır, masaüstümdə kartlar açılır, səs-küy yox, amma içimdə qəribə həyəcan var. Bir az sonra pin-up online casino bölməsinə girdim, sürətli raundlar elə bil nəfəs almadan dəyişir, uduş gələndə ekran bir anlıq donur, uduzanda isə sükut daha ağır hiss olunur. Bir neçə dəfə ardıcıl kiçik qələbələr gələndə əllərimdə yüngül titrəmə olur, sonra yenə hər şey sıfır kimi başlayır, ritm çox qəribədir. Mənə görə burada ən vacibi tempə uymaqdır, tələsmədən oynayanda baş daha soyuq qalır, yoxsa emosiyalar adamı asan aparır. Bəzən çıxıb bir az ara vermək də oyunu daha maraqlı saxlayır, yoxsa hər şey bulanıqlaşır. Sonradan başa düşürsən ki, oyun təkcə şans deyil, ritm və səbrin qarışığıdır, emosiyanı idarə etdikcə qərarlar daha aydın görünür, kiçik fasilələr isə hər şeyi yenidən balanslayır elə orada dayanmaq lazımdır bəzən çox da yox.

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