There has to be a Boundary to Say No to a Project, Right?!

Anonymous

July 15,2023 at 2:00AM UTC

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There has to be a Boundary to Say No to a Project, Right?!

I am honored to say someone from leadership asked me to present payroll processing procedures and payroll compliance at an Upper Management Meeting. This includes directors and executives above. Many directors do not follow payroll policy and would like more training to understand what they are responsible for.

My job title is general accountant 1 and I handle all the payroll processing. I understand the ins and outs of the system. It was part of my expectations to train our accounting director, which has successfully been completed. I wear many other hats as well with many general job duties. Even duties I am not sure they should be assigned to me honestly, but I say yes because I’m motivated to complete these tasks correctly. I mean I have been keeping track of projects outside of my job responsibilities totaling 127 additional projects. I get no recognition whatsoever, but I’m getting asked to present at a directors meeting.

I am honored to do so, but I have too much on my plate right now to complete this. My main issue with this is why am I responsible for training directors when I’m in a general accountant role. I have the accounting director fully trained for payroll, so the accounting director should be able to handle presenting.

I thought through this and felt I should be given a senior level position to be a considerable advocate for this meeting. If I’m training every single director at the company, I should not be looked at as a general accountant here. I should be respected with a senior role.

I brought this up to the accounting director and he said I cannot say and I will need to check with HR and the Chief Financial Officer for this change. He was taken off guard and surprised by me asking for a title change with a compensation adjustment. I’m not happy with this because I’m getting asked to do way more but I’m way overlooked for my job capabilities.

What should my next steps be if I am told no, we are not changing your job title at this time? I have thoughts in mind but I want to keep it professional.

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SusanJuly 15,2023 at 1:08PM UTC
This is your opportunity to shine and get your face in front of the higher ups that couldlead to your advancement. Take the reins and do a stellar presentation ( not too long though) you’ll get your advancement soon!!! Good Luck ? you must be a superstar!
AnonymousJuly 15,2023 at 2:53PM UTC
Oh I’m definitely doing the presentation, no matter what! :) Im happy and excited for the opportunity. I relayed my title change and comp adjustment expectations to my boss and if they’re not willing to work with me I guess my feeling of under-apprecaition will have me turn in my resignation.
AnonymousJuly 15,2023 at 1:26PM UTC
if this happened in my field they'd agree to not make you do it, but would crucify you for it in your annual review. They can say this should be under "other duties as assigned" and you're not doing your job, and that you are not a team player for leaving them to struggle to find another presenter. Especially if you made them annoyed or angry.
(sadly I speak from experience. do not turn "opportunities" down. )
AnonymousJuly 15,2023 at 2:50PM UTC
Oh I’m definitely doing the presentation, no matter what! :) I’m worried about not getting the promotion I clearly deserve. I relayed my expectations to my manager of a title change and compensation - that’s basically all I can do. It should not be a shock to them if they don’t make any effort on their side that I decide to turn in my resignation notice.
Joyce Breitweiser HallJuly 15,2023 at 3:11PM UTC
You are doing what you can. If the company doesn’t appreciate your talents by paying you what you are worth, they don’t deserve to have you working for them. I hope they realize your value before it’s too late. Good luck to you!
AnonymousJuly 15,2023 at 1:27PM UTC
Yes, you seem to love your job & you are good at it! Others are recognizing you, too. Being asked to present is an honor and you should look at it that way. Continue to respectfully ask for more opportunity. The advancement and pay increases will come. Great job!
AnonymousJuly 15,2023 at 2:54PM UTC
Thank you for your kind words :)
Erica MitchellJuly 16,2023 at 10:34AM UTC
This could be a great advancement opportunity. Do a great job and you just may see your title change. Look at this in a positive light.
AnonymousJuly 16,2023 at 5:05PM UTC
Often the best way to get promoted is to make sure that senior leaders are aware of your skills and accomplishments and then they start asking, why is this person at this title when the work they're doing is higher? Though it's immediately more work, doing the director level presentations may be the marketing campaign you need to be promoted. Also, make sure you're having periodic skip level 1:1s (if the Accounting Director is your boss, you should be meeting with their boss at least once or twice a year).
AnonymousJuly 17,2023 at 1:10AM UTC
You are seen as a SME (subject matter expert) and it is one step towards advancement. Not all who present to the C-Suite are in the highest role, they may be the best person at the time to do the presentation. If I were you, I would say yes, do the presentation and show you can do the job. They may be checking to see your potential in stretch circumstances. You should take the time to talk to your boss on the expanded role and what is next for you. When are reviews? Ask for feedback as well.
AnonymousJuly 17,2023 at 11:45PM UTC
Reviews occurred in June 2023. So this is something I brought forward after my review.
AnonymousJuly 17,2023 at 1:54AM UTC
Clearly the company is using your specific talents beyond what you were originally hired to do. The main question here is what do you want? Do you want to continue to be just an accountant? If so then let them know you have too much on your plate to do this or take vacation days when this is expected to be done, or medical days. If you want to get promoted and want to be recognized the audience for that is the one you would be presenting to. Perhaps slipping another project and showing them in person and up front why they need to promote you and give you more is the way to get what you want (if you want it) then use that time to reach out to the audience specifically around the room and let them know you want to get ahead. Be sure the presentation is polished and you are too. Then if you do not get the things you want take that polished presentation and your hard working skills and peddle them elsewhere. It;s good you spoke up now keep speaking up!
Clydene HorriganJuly 17,2023 at 5:23PM UTC
I suggest putting together a list of your accomplishments that are at a higher level than your role so you’re prepared with data and ask for a follow-up meeting if you haven’t done this already. Be objective when reviewing the 127 projects you took on as while they may not be part of your role, they may be projects at your level. I would categorize them as additional projects outside your position and talk about how you’re a team player and how they add value. If most projects fall in this category, you may be able to get a raise but not a title change which is a step in the right direction. Also, if that is the case, I would ask what you would need to do to get to that next level and go after those projects and fewer of the “I’m helping on yet another project outside my role that doesn’t bring me closer to a promotion.”
AnonymousJuly 17,2023 at 11:42PM UTC
Outstanding! I love these tips! The whole “I’m helping on yet another project outside my role that doesn’t bring me closer to a promotion” is exactly how I feel!!
maria roseJuly 18,2023 at 6:18PM UTC
Sounds like you are very good with the details of doing the accounting job which in itself is great. But ask yourself what would you gain by getting that title change with a compensation adjustment ( hopefully more money). I don’t get the impression that you want to be in charge of others whose work you would have to be responsible for their performance in doing, but you want to be compensated for doing what needs to be done correctly in the accounting process. I gather a lot of your work involves reviewing that things are properly handled in correct order. The title of “Senior Accountant” role must mean something else in your company than being the type of accountant that you are. I would recommend you get the extra compensation rate adjustment than worry about getting a title that will give you job performance tasks that you don’t need to take on without creating a more stressful job situation.