On the job for 10 days and already know it was a big mistake

[Anonymous]

Thanks all. I have two meetings tomorrow that will likely seal the "I need to leave immediately" deal. I can't imagine they will go any way other than how I think they're going to go. So Friday will likely be my last day. I can't believe this happened. I hate it for everyone involved. Especially the lower level staff in accounting. They are trying hard and likely don't have the options I do.

[Anonymous]

I was the PP who quit after 2 weeks. I'm also in Accounting. We are in a precarious position. Accounting/Taxesis a job where there is only downside. Bosses expect the #s to be right, there is no room for error. So, when you aren't given the tools or the right information to do the job right, it will negatively reflect on you.
Same as you, I started a job that had screwed up, hard coded numbers to begin with, and the prior person, had no processes and lots of the info stored in her head. I knew it was a recipe for failure and that I would go down in flames if I stayed, so I had to go. I always wonder what happened to the person who eventually took that job.

[Anonymous]

to 21:14 - thanks for your comments. It's good to hear from someone else in accounting. I have found bank accounts (including two in foreign currency) that haven't been reconciled in a year. Depreciation hasn't been booked. 401k payable isn't clearing because they haven't been making timely or proper payments. The pension accrual for the partners isn't current (some will depend on the tax return, but not even an estimate as been accrued.) And, we're a firm with a lot of pass-through billing to clients - we aren't even accounting for those properly, so there's no way to know if our clients have been billed properly. And, the list goes on. Additionally, they are in the middle of a software conversion - they seem to think that new technology will fix non-existent procedures.
I think you are the poster who said you told your new boss that it wasn't a good fit. I feel like that's what I should, too, but I also think they should know about these issues?
What do you think?

[Anonymous]

Does the firm operate only in the private sector? Are federal dollars involved (via contracts, etc)? Should you stay and consider a whistleblower lawsuit?

And after your meetings if you still feel strongly about the plight of the accounting staff and how the firm execs are in the dark you could consider going above your boss's head to report what you suspect is going on before you head out the door.

But if it were me, I'd leave today, after your meeting. The longer you're there and aware of the dysfunction the more at risk you become for being liable. Bad boss may be hoping to pin everything on you. Get out.

[Anonymous]

Thanks - we're just in the private sector - no federal contracting.
I've decided to leave, but haven't decided what to say yet.
There's a part of me that thinks they should know, but since I'm not going to stay, I'm not sure it matters.
Thanks again,

[Anonymous]

Let us know how it goes, OP. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

OP, you've said a couple of times that you could fix what ails this firm. I wonder if it weren't for the terrible boss if you'd actually be kind of excited at the prospect of facing the challenge of getting this place in order. That's kind of what I'm reading between the lines. If you are sort of excited at the idea of fixing the problems, you could throw a hail mary and go to the Exec Office and lay it on the line. "I've only been here two weeks but it is clear to me that the accounting department is a mess. I'm confident that I could get it back in order but I cannot do it with Mr. xxx at the helm. I have resigned and will be seeking new employment. If personnel changes are made here that would enable me to return, give me a call."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, you've said a couple of times that you could fix what ails this firm. I wonder if it weren't for the terrible boss if you'd actually be kind of excited at the prospect of facing the challenge of getting this place in order. That's kind of what I'm reading between the lines. If you are sort of excited at the idea of fixing the problems, you could throw a hail mary and go to the Exec Office and lay it on the line. "I've only been here two weeks but it is clear to me that the accounting department is a mess. I'm confident that I could get it back in order but I cannot do it with Mr. xxx at the helm. I have resigned and will be seeking new employment. If personnel changes are made here that would enable me to return, give me a call."

NP here. That is a cool idea. Worth a shot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Accepted a new job. In first ten days, I can tell it was a big mistake. Culture is awful, partners bickering, no accountability, every man for himself type of mentality. Other managers came to me in the first week to warn me about the guy I work for (not trustworthy, will throw you under the bus, incompetent). I'm already seeing the way he blames others. And the department that I am in charge of (accounting) is in complete disarray. It will take years to fix and it's clearly not a priority for the firm as they've let it go unmanaged for years. I think it would be best to get out fast and let them find someone else. For what it's worth, I have been in the work force for 30 years, so I've seen a lot of dysfunction, but this is over the top. Any advice from others who have found themselves in this situation?

this happened to DH! Only ours included a cross-country relocation. Within the first week on the job DH realized he made a HUGE mistake. his boss was certifiable, an alcoholic, terribly incompetent, threw him under the bus on a daily basis and stole large sums of money from the company. But because we made a cross country move DH felt he needed to stick it out. big mistake.....

OP - start looking for another job yesterday. get ....out.....NOW!!

Is your husband still working there?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you've said a couple of times that you could fix what ails this firm. I wonder if it weren't for the terrible boss if you'd actually be kind of excited at the prospect of facing the challenge of getting this place in order. That's kind of what I'm reading between the lines. If you are sort of excited at the idea of fixing the problems, you could throw a hail mary and go to the Exec Office and lay it on the line. "I've only been here two weeks but it is clear to me that the accounting department is a mess. I'm confident that I could get it back in order but I cannot do it with Mr. xxx at the helm. I have resigned and will be seeking new employment. If personnel changes are made here that would enable me to return, give me a call."

NP here. That is a cool idea. Worth a shot.

when you have f-ck you money, a whole new world of negotiations opens up. I have never had the ability to just quit and very jealous!

[Anonymous]

OP - Unless you know you could not be held liable for any of the myriad of accounting issues, I would move on. No way could you remain even as the boss with "the current boss" still on the payroll. It just seems that there might be other shortcomings that are not yet visible to you that the partners could end dumping on you as your responsibility if you try to clean up the mess. Since you are in your early 50s, do you have any hesitation in being able to find another job at your level? That might be the only reason that one would consider going to the top management and laying it out there.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. I resigned yesterday, simply saying that the job wasn't a good fit and since I'd been there such a brief time I thought it was best not to delay the decision so that they could move on. To the poster who read between the lines and saw some interest in fixing the problem, you were right. I enjoy the challenge of solving problems and fixing messes. But only in an environment where there is transparency with senior management - meaning, they understand the problems and want them fixed. In this case, several of the significant problems have been allowed to exist by the equity partners who don't want a hit to their capital accounts to fix the mess on the balance sheet. And, I have learned that my boss has a very close personal relationship with one of the equity partners (who happened to bring him in for the job.) So, no opportunity to go there and suggest I could fix things. And, to another poster, yes, I am in my early 50s so while that may be an issue finding my next job, I am willing to take that risk. I think if I had stayed, this house of cards would have ultimately fallen down and I would have been the finance/accounting person standing there when it did. Thanks again. I am relieved and a bit scared, but confident it was the right choice.

[Anonymous]

I've been the same situation and it was a big mistake. I should have left right away. Then you don't have to list them on your resume and explain in future interviews why you are leaving.

I quit another job for similar reasons and did get a call a few weeks later offering me a position in another department. I declined though it was a better position because I had a good contracting career.

Just leave. I really wish I had!

[Anonymous]

Oh, I see you did leave. Good for you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. I resigned yesterday, simply saying that the job wasn't a good fit and since I'd been there such a brief time I thought it was best not to delay the decision so that they could move on. To the poster who read between the lines and saw some interest in fixing the problem, you were right. I enjoy the challenge of solving problems and fixing messes. But only in an environment where there is transparency with senior management - meaning, they understand the problems and want them fixed. In this case, several of the significant problems have been allowed to exist by the equity partners who don't want a hit to their capital accounts to fix the mess on the balance sheet. And, I have learned that my boss has a very close personal relationship with one of the equity partners (who happened to bring him in for the job.) So, no opportunity to go there and suggest I could fix things. And, to another poster, yes, I am in my early 50s so while that may be an issue finding my next job, I am willing to take that risk. I think if I had stayed, this house of cards would have ultimately fallen down and I would have been the finance/accounting person standing there when it did. Thanks again. I am relieved and a bit scared, but confident it was the right choice.

OP, are you a CPA? Also look at the DC Chapter of the Financial Executives Networking Group. They may be able to help.