I lost my job as an AR Manager if 11 years last year due to Pandemic cut backs.

15 Comments

1. AnonymousJune 16,2022 at 7:22PM UTC

   ? Can you finish your thoughts?

2. AnonymousJune 16,2022 at 7:24PM UTC

   No. There is no legal claim here. Just a reassignment of resources.

3. Crystal HowellJune 16,2022 at 8:02PM UTC

   Look at larger accounting firms in your area, or your previous companies competition for better job and benefits.

   Hope you had a pension and/or 401k for your 11 years? Talk to an accounting recruiter, Robert Half companies? Good Luck

4. AnonymousJune 16,2022 at 8:20PM UTC

   How did this employer breach your employment contract? Be careful with this litigious approach. The accusation has to be so substantial and backed with a mountain of proof.

   Why would you sign a title change form without fully understanding what this meant for you? I’m not totally clear on what your beef is. That they pulled you from AR responsibilities and hired someone else to do this?

5. Gretchen SkalkaJune 16,2022 at 8:46PM UTC

   Do you have a contract in place?

   Do both groups report up through the same chain of command?

   I don't know that I have enough information to give you a thorough answer to your question, but I can offer this:

   Think about how long it took you to find this job - paycut notwithstanding. I'm sure you don't want to go through that wait again, so I would suggest beginning a soft search WHILE you are still with this company, albeit learning the AP ropes and not AR, where you expected to be.

   Create a job search strategy for yourself so that you don't get overwhelmed because you will unknowingly but absolutely telegraph it to your colleagues.

   As part of that job search strategy, do an inventory of what you need to do and in what order.

   -Update your resume to include the role you're in now (if you haven't already).

   -Create a cover letter template (they're still a thing) that you can customize for specific applications.

   -Update your LinkedIn profile - and optimize it for the AR-type roles you want.

   -Also update your LinkedIn to show recruiters that you're open to opportunities - BUT make sure your privacy settings are set to not show it publicly.

   Do what I call 'opportunity searches' to see what roles are being advertised - and look to see what keywords are being used most often in the AR roles of interest to you.

   You'll want to incorporate that verbiage into the targeted resume(s) you create from your base resume (the ones you actually send).

   Give yourself a week to do that. Don't get too aggressive with it just now because you are also in a new period with AP with a learning curve.

   Set a goal that you will be ready to begin applying to opportunities by a date a week from now that you're comfortable with.

   And proceed from there with confidence that you have the skills and talent that are in demand with employers - and you've created the documentation and digital presence that convey that value.

   Your mindset will be critical to your success here.

   Right now you are angry and frustrated - and I totally get that, but those are total crap as motivators of positive change - which is what you want.

   You can do this. Believe in yourself. Understand that your present company doesn't have all of their i's dotted and it's showing in disorganization. There are many reasons why those things happen - but they're actually not anything you need to waste your time on.

   You have more important things to do - and those are the ones that will reward you for taking the time to do it right.

   I wish you every success -- and it's on its way!

6. AnonymousJune 16,2022 at 9:25PM UTC

   There's not much you can do, but I'd try to have an honest conversation with your supervisor. Is it possible that you weren't working out in the role, and they were trying to find a different position for you? Something's going on, so maybe if you ask politely and directly they'll tell you.

7. AnonymousJune 16,2022 at 9:43PM UTC

   if you signed a changed of duties to admin level, I am not sure how that would be a breach of contract since that is your last and current contract. See the writing on the wall. No don’t quit, but put in for bids elsewhere. Be open to broadening the scope of what you apply for. Try something different, it might work in your favour. I am sorry about your situation. Everyone goes through a shitty situation or two I’m their career so you are not alone. Keep your head up, apply aggressively for jobs aligned with your interest, does not have to be laser focused to what you do now. And good luck

8. AnonymousJune 16,2022 at 10:51PM UTC

   I don't think this is considered a breach of contract since you signed a contract agreeing to the title change and whatever else that entails. Did you receive a copy of the contract? Does the contract say you cannot apply for the AR position? If not, apply for it if you want to try for the position. Personally, I would apply. I would also keep an eye out for better opportunities elsewhere.

9. AnonymousJune 17,2022 at 12:20PM UTC

   It’s awful when you feel disrespected. Sounds like your manager isn’t good with the people side of things. . This might be good resume building if you can get over the way it happened. You will now have A/R and A/P experience. Might be a good time to hunker down and learn. Who knows, if boss keeps messing up maybe that position will soon be open.

10. Susan DixonJune 17,2022 at 1:20PM UTC

    Ok, to clear up some questions. I was hired last August fir an AR position and have a signed contract for that position with amendments about pay increases at 90 days and 120 days. After 1 month, due to loan issues, they said they needed me in AP because everyone else had quit the position, 3 in total since I started in August. My title remained AR Specialist for the past 8 months.

    During my meeting this week he asked me to sign title change document without telling me they were hiring fir a new AR person. I thought that they still had to use loan companies collectors, so I did not bother to question. Only after I signed did he tell me they were hiring from outside for new AR position.

    So I was shocked, tongue tied and angry and just couldn't make a clear thought come to me.

    The next day one of my co workers was encouraged to apply for the AR position.

    So either they don't want to lose me in AP, or they don't want to pay me what they originally promised. Either way, I am absorbing all I can about AP, my resume is polished and I have an interview today. I will not be staying. I have an hour commute each way. It just isn't worth the stress I have to endure for the crap pay and feeling under appreciated.

11. Liz MilneJune 17,2022 at 2:57PM UTC

    That does make it clearer, thank you.

    Can you go and speak to your boss? Tell him you feel you were blindsided and urged to sign the job title change without knowing all the details first, such as the fact that they are hiring for an AR person, which is your area of expertise and preferred job! And once you've discussed that, mention the rises you are due...

    It does sound to me as though he wants you in AP, perhaps because he hopes you'll last longer than an outside candidate - if that's the case, he should be happy to pay you what you were promised?

12. Susan DixonJune 17,2022 at 9:10PM UTC

    We actually already discussed the raises at 90 days. We cane to a compromise since I couldn't reach a goal I was not allowed to work on. It was 1% if total of both promised raises. I think I feel they are trying to push me out and as soon as I find something else I will be obliging them.

13. Liz MilneJune 17,2022 at 10:06PM UTC

    Oh, I see, the raises are goal oriented?! Can he offer you similar goals in the new position?

    If he says 'no', perhaps tell him that you fully sympathise with all the people who held the position so briefly?!

    But yeah, maybe best to just leave - if he's messing you around now, he's probably not going to get any better in time...

14. Afo Ogbeyalu KaluJune 17,2022 at 5:14PM UTC

    As I read your post, what came to mind is not so much that they were disrespecting you, but more the shortcomings of your boss . . . You'd be surprised how many "higher-ups" think that AP, AR, Accounting, Bookkeeping, Financial Analyst-type roles are interchangeable.

    Before you leave, request an exit interview if one is not offered, and let the company and your boss know that the missteps and not honoring your original agreement were key reasons for your departure.

    Also, if you haven't already, register with professional headhunters specializing in Management and Executive placements in your field.

15. AnonymousJune 17,2022 at 11:46PM UTC

    Sadly companies look out for their own bottom line.

    Though people who make these decisions oftentimes don't know their a$$ from their elbow! Best advice is upgrade your resume, continue working on your skills, and hold your head up high as you hand in your resignation. Don't burn bridges, as you never know when people's paths may cross.... But know you are worth so much more! ?
    I was in a similar situation 4 yrs ago when my company's CEO was caught having an extramarital affair, & the new CEO came in and cleaned out the C-suite, including myself (executive assistant). They offered me (& the other exec asst) positions working at the front desk (guising it as an opportunity to increase customer service with our professionalism). They agreed to retain our salary for 2 yrs. I took it, absolutely hated it (people yelling at us all day not wanting to wait their turn), had a HORRIBLE critical, unsupportive boss who caused so much stress that I took almost 12 weeks stress LOA, upgraded my resume & got out of there within 22 months. I returned from leave, cleaned out all my items, documents and Email, then handed in my letter of resignation at the end of the day with a huge smile and sigh of relief. Took a long weekend before my new job started. It took me 1 month to find the new position in my scope (while I was out on leave had the freedom to fulfill MD appointments required to be on leave, AND interviews, and pre-employment requirements for the new job. I'm 2 years in and absolutely love my executive and scope of responsibilities.
    Best wishes to you... Know your worth!