job offer - what should I do? (calculated, closing)

[goodlyfe]

Hi All
I received a job offer and I am unsure whether to accept it or not:

Details:
1. It is for $6000 more than my current salary (so about $250 more per paycheck semi-monthy).

2. Senior Tax Accountant (which is what I currently am, so its lateral move, but they have more opportunities to move up to manager than my current job).

3. My commute will be longer (about 10 minutes) currently it takes me about 40 minutes to get in to work. And it will require about $100 more a month in tolls.

4. The people are really nice. There are 4 Managers, 3 seniors, 2 staff, 2 part-time staff, and 2 contract.

5. My current firm has myself, another tax accountant, a tax manager, an accountant/bookkeeper, an office manager/hr and the partner. The partner is down right nasty at times and can be quite hard to approach with questions. I have been here for about 6 years.

6. Currently, I work on a variety returns, individuals, corps, partnerships, etc. And, I love the variety, but the place that I received the offer from has mostly complex trust returns (60% of the returns they do) and a lot of state returns (I absolutely hate preparing both trust and states).

So, I am torn what do I do? Take the better work environment with the not-so type of work that I like. Or stay in the not-so nice environment, but doing the type of returns that I love.

SIDE NOTE: we are planning to start trying to conceive (like around mid August), but firms have maternity leave, all benefits are the same with both firms as well. Also, I don't see myself staying in public accounting forever. Especially after kids, I would love to eventually work for a private company instead of with a firm (for more work-life balance.

[cheryjohns]

You make the new place sound better.

[ethanw]

Job security should be in your mind. If you plan to have kids I would really consider staying where you're if you have good track record, credibility and people know you.
What if for few $$$ you move to the new company, you have kids and then you get let go for whatever reasons. It takes time to establish a track record with the new company. Last come first go and company goes down.

Originally Posted by goodlyfe

Hi All
I received a job offer and I am unsure whether to accept it or not:

Details:
1. It is for $6000 more than my current salary (so about $250 more per paycheck semi-monthy).

2. Senior Tax Accountant (which is what I currently am, so its lateral move, but they have more opportunities to move up to manager than my current job).

3. My commute will be longer (about 10 minutes) currently it takes me about 40 minutes to get in to work. And it will require about $100 more a month in tolls.

4. The people are really nice. There are 4 Managers, 3 seniors, 2 staff, 2 part-time staff, and 2 contract.

5. My current firm has myself, another tax accountant, a tax manager, an accountant/bookkeeper, an office manager/hr and the partner. The partner is down right nasty at times and can be quite hard to approach with questions. I have been here for about 6 years.

6. Currently, I work on a variety returns, individuals, corps, partnerships, etc. And, I love the variety, but the place that I received the offer from has mostly complex trust returns (60% of the returns they do) and a lot of state returns (I absolutely hate preparing both trust and states).

So, I am torn what do I do? Take the better work environment with the not-so type of work that I like. Or stay in the not-so nice environment, but doing the type of returns that I love.

SIDE NOTE: we are planning to start trying to conceive (like around mid August), but firms have maternity leave, all benefits are the same with both firms as well. Also, I don't see myself staying in public accounting forever. Especially after kids, I would love to eventually work for a private company instead of with a firm (for more work-life balance.

[Supermac34]

One thing to think about with raises...its $6000 more/year EVERY year, plus any future raises are compounded on that new amount. So $6000/year doesn't sound like too much, but all future raises, 401K matching, bonuses, etc are ALL calculated on the higher amount EVERY year.

[chris_ut]

Take the new job.

[katydiva]

Message sent....

[City Love]

Originally Posted by ethanw

Job security should be in your mind. If you plan to have kids I would really consider staying where you're if you have good track record, credibility and people know you.
What if for few $$$ you move to the new company, you have kids and then you get let go for whatever reasons. It takes time to establish a track record with the new company. Last come first go and company goes down.

Take the new job, but keep this in mind! Very important and a good point.

[Malvie]

You've already decided to take the job. You just want confirmation that your decision was the right one. (We know because of the way you describe the two situations).

Do what your heart tells you to do, and once you've made a decision, stick to it (no turning back, looking back, or "what if's").

[Oildog]

Do you wake up dreading going to your current job? If so then bolt.

[TheEconomist]

6K is not enough of a raise to justify a longer commute and starting a new job and giving up the security that you will be needing with your possible maternity leave issue. The only way I would move is if you truly do not like your current environment and it is hell. The people may seem nice from the interview, but you really don't know. In your situation, I would only move if it is a substantial pay increase and hopefully not a lateral move, but an upward move. Here, you would be moving for a net gain of 4,400 or 366 a month (6K minus taxes and increased gas and tolls - math may be a little fuzzy but its ballpark). That just doesn't seem good enough to me.

Also remember that anytime you take a lateral move you are temporarily closing the door to a vertical move to a different company because it looks bad to have very short job stints.