Decisions, Decisions, Decisions
13I know somewhere I posted that I was interviewing with a VP. The meeting went wonderfully. We shook hands on him hiring me as an IT auditor. That was almost 2 months ago and they have informed my VP of their intentions to hire me, but it has gone no farther.
Today, another VP gave me a call and asked if I would be interested in becoming a Manager of Accounting with a focus in SOX/Compliance control of the new system we implemented recently.
Both jobs are similar to my current pay: the auditor, they had to raise the grading of the job to meet my current salary; the Manager is a titled position. Both jobs will require me to learn new skills: the auditor will be of a variety of technologies; the manager, the ins/outs of accounting and Sox compliance for financial products.
I made it clear that I had already shook hands on the original job, that I am not chasing the Manager role.
Basically, I am unhappy in my current position and anywhere I could go and be effective is fine with me and since the auditor role isn’t in writing yet, nothing is official. From experience, until they are in writing, offers are prone to being revoked.
Each job is an amazing opportunity! I am too young to retire, and my previous work/education is not exactly transferable to other companies. I am trying to make myself more marketable, so what are your opinions, Mehtizens? Which is more in demand?
- 16 comments, 22 replies
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I would go with the auditor position unless you have a love of finance & accounting, and wish to embrace that much more deeply.
IT auditor could lead you to a lot of other positions depending on your eventual skill set and responsibilities, and IT security looks like it will continue to highly in-demand for years to come.
I do a little IT security, and would be happy to share anything I can with you- you probably have my email, but if not, dashcloud19 at gmail.
@dashcloud Thank you!! I wanted to be an unbiased as possible, but I think the auditor has more potential, internally and externally.
Congratulations, @mikibell on having obvious respect leading to positive options. Sorry I can’t help with your choice, but we’re proud of you little grasshopper.
@KDemo Thank you!!! I am mostly respected by people I don’t work for!! They see the potential I have, but not my current boss’s boss.
Life can be so complicated. Well, the good news is that you are wanted. Yay! I kinda like the IT auditor job; it sounds like it would be far more interesting (I loathe accounting). However, they (whoever “they” are) have been making you wait for two months for you to take over the auditor position? Hmm.
Is there anyone you can contact to give a little nudge to make sure that the auditor position is still available to you? I’d hate to see you turn down the manager’s position and get stuck in your current job.
Gee, that was a lot of help, wasn’t it? Sorry.
Edit: You have my email. I’d be willing to share anything about social work with you.
@Barney I am not a fan of numbers either – thus why I was an English Major. Page numbers and indexes are about the extent of numbers there! Thank you. I am going to nudge the gentleman when I am back in the office next week.
As for social work, I would be a fail there. I either have too much compassion, or not enough, depending on the situation. Probably wouldn’t make a good juror either!
If I had the choice I’d go with the IT Auditor. While I loved having a manager title, no one wants me keeping track of their money…lol…and anything regarding technology is interesting to me. On the other hand, I did like being a manager, people actually did what I asked. Congrats on having so many options, not that I’m surprised. I agree that getting an update on the position you already accepted might just make the decision for you if they say it’s going to be more waiting or the position has been put on hold. I’m not much help either, sorry.
@mehbee You input is quite valuable, thank you!! I didn’t ask how many people would be reporting to me, if any. Oopss…
IT auditor, because any auditor will be constantly surprised and possibly entertained by how many ways users can find to make things go wrong. There is no limit to human ingenuity. Just when you think you’ve seen it all…
@OldCatLady My only fear here, I don’t have enough imagination to envision the myriad ways to trick the system. But, I do agree about the entertainment aspect… Thank you!!!
@mikibell Oh, you don’t have to imagine them. They come to light because the geniuses crash and burn. It’s usually something silly that trips them up. They outthink themselves. Best of luck in whatever you choose. With your positive attitude, you will be a tremendous asset to whoever gets you.
@mikibell, I would stay clear of any SOx compliance jobs, if it were me. SOx is just such a world of hurt and you may end up hated by everyone as you become the stopper of everyone being able to do their jobs easily. We often call our SOx Compliance team the Sales Prevention Department.
But either way, it’s awesome that they want you in both roles!
Conga-rats!!!
@curtise Thank you!! I think Auditors are in the same boat as Sox compliance people – they are all swear words in MY book!!! I have always striven to have ONE person, any person, afraid of me… maybe I will finally reach that goal.
I love that image!
if you enjoy being a manager, that would be a good job, but personally i hated being a manager - getting it from both sides all the time
@Yoda_Daenerys thank you!!
Auditing is boring and makes people hate you (if you have to report them) or love you (if you their life easier). In any case, there’s likely less room for growth.
Manager, if you know how to play politics, has much more room for growth (take courses on the side like PM and MBA) and SOx compliance is really easy one you know the rules. You just learn the rules, learn what the accepted practice is from web sites and forums, and sympathize with people as you explain the rules to them.
@chacham I have considered the roi on an MBA – it isn’t there yet. I think it might be an option in the future though. Company will pay for the classes. I finally have the pre-reqs for the MBA program in town! Thank you!
@mikibell cool. Let us know what you decide and what comes of it.
@mikibell Were we any help at all? Any other questions, or updates here?
@dashcloud I think it is funny how split people feel – perhaps that is why I am torn!
I think you should bag it all and chase your dream of professional ultimate Frisbee player.
You DO have that dream right?
@cinoclav regular frisbee, no – Ultimate Frisbee… absolutely!!!
Congratulations!
SarbOx sucks!
In just about every way. Go near it at your own peril, boredom, and love of quicksand.
And whilst the Auditor role might not be well-loved by many in the org, at least it is acknowledged as an important role rather than a 100% resource sucking, counter-productive process.
@dashcloud so… and update… My Vp is balking at the end date that my director gave, so that I could start the new position. She seems to think I know more than I do, which is perplexing, because I have been excluded from so much and my review was horrible!
I keep mentioning to my contact in audit, if he doesn’t get me a start date soon, they will keep pushing out my end date… sigh!
In the meanwhile, Accounting VP went to Auditor VP and said he had greater need for me in his org than in the audit org. Audit VP said, Good-luck, “May the better man win.”
Auditor VP called me in and started espousing how wonderful I am for their organization, and how the other job is going to be offered to me and I should serious consider the pros and cons of the Sox job. He then proceeded to tell me, if I came to their org, I would keep my bonus at the same rate, get an 8% raise, and start training as soon as he could get my VP to agree to a start date – so far a week in NYC and some other 3 day trainings. He is finally putting it in writing and will discuss with my VP at their meeting next week.
When I first discussed the job, I had said I would like a bump in pay, but that I was willing to move at the same rate, because I have a huge learning curve. I think the SOX VP approaching him has finally given them the kick in the pants they needed to get the ball rolling (hmm not sure if pun is intended)…
Honestly, I didn’t want to get into a bidding war with my own VP and the Auditor VP, so I never gave my VP the opportunity to offer me anything to stay. This is weird. I just want to go to work everyday and feel like I am learning and growing and the work that I do is quality.
@mikibell That’s such a good attitude! Thanks for the update.
@dashcloud @barney @et.al … it is official!! I will be an IT auditor as of 8/15!!!
@mikibell Fucking Congratulations! You deserve something good.
@mikibell Woohoo!
Yay, @mikibell! Congratulations!!
@mfladd thank you … I don’t deserve it any more than anyone else, but I AM glad I got the job
@dashcloud I actually looked foreward to going to work today!
@KDemo I have been smiling so wide all the wrinkles around my eyes are showing!
@mikibell Wild party at your house this weekend! Adding my congratulations
@mikibell I’m so happy for you! This deserves another happy, happy, joy, joy Barney dance.
@Barney
So happy for you! Way to go!