Would you take this consulting assignment?

[Anonymous]

I do accounting and finance consulting. Generally my assignments pay in the mid-50s to mid-60s per hour and as most clients demand a lot of hours, the compensation is very good. Recently I came across a $45/hour situation that will go for about six months. Multiply the lower comp by 50+ hours/week of work and it adds up. I can still make it, but not in my usual style.

My concern is that projects, as well as other economic activity, is really slowing down because of the Presidential election and fiscal cliff expected in January 13. Just look at the unemployment rate going up in most states.

So what would you do? I can wait after Labor Day and look for something else or take this and start now. One thing: I am very devoted to my clients and cannot leave until a project is done. It is bad for them and would hurt my reputation so I have to really make a commitment. What I am caught in is a bird in the hand, two in the bush dilemma. But my biggest concern is the economy tanking through the rest of the year.

[Anonymous]

I guess you could interview and see what it looks like. Also, they might be flexible with salary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I guess you could interview and see what it looks like. Also, they might be flexible with salary.

It's a large company where a procurement department sets all the rates so there is no flexibility. Already met the people I would work with and the organization has a good reputation as a place to work. I just do not want to go backwards in compensation.

[Anonymous]

IMO a bird in the hand is always better.... however, project forward. If you would be ok if things tanked then wait it out.

[Anonymous]

Take the garunteed work. I don't know anything about your field but I did contract work as an attorney and the longer term projects that had high hours would sometimes offer less hourly. They knew the bird in the hand mentality. It's true. Even though the hourly might have been less, you lose time and money in between projects and it sounds like in your field the down time could be shaky in the near future.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like this will get you over the hump. I'd do it. Can you negotiate something other than the rate?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Take the garunteed work. I don't know anything about your field but I did contract work as an attorney and the longer term projects that had high hours would sometimes offer less hourly. They knew the bird in the hand mentality. It's true. Even though the hourly might have been less, you lose time and money in between projects and it sounds like in your field the down time could be shaky in the near future.

Thank you for your viewpoint. It is only for six month so I am not signing my life over. I was also looking from the perspective of what you said - if I get more per hour but it is a strong of 6-8 week assignments with time in between, I will be making less in the long run. The economy just seems to be slowing down again although I am highly trained in an area with demand, projects are not as visible. SO maybe this is a "safe harbor" until things get sorted out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like this will get you over the hump. I'd do it. Can you negotiate something other than the rate?

The employer is known to be family friendly so one thing I can do is work out of the house at night when I want to leave on time and do homework with my child. This is important to me - flexible hours.