UPDATE - The good news is I no longer have to listen to the political and religious rants

[TexasBushwhacker]

Last edited Sat May 20, 2023, 12:31 AM - Edit history (1)

of my boss's wife.

*****BREAKING NEWS - I GOT A JOB!!!!*******

Had a Zoom interview today. I guess I knocked it out of the park, because he called the headhunter and said "Don't let her get away". I start in 2 weeks. Whew!!! I was tired of crying every day!

Thanks for all of the support here. To quote Aristus, I love you all!
.
**********************************************
The bad news is I got laid off yesterday.

I worked as a bookkeeper for a single CPA in private practice. "Fully loaded" during tax season (which includes August) we usually had 4 full time plus my boss's wife who works half time as the office manager. They are antivaxxers and gave COVID-19 to the whole office last August. The admin and the young CPA he hired to help out with the taxes never came back. He found he prefers to work from home, so that left me alone at the office 50% of the time.

Having to cover the phones by myself half the time, and even as back up when she was in the office, cut into my bookkeeping time. I mentioned that we really needed an admin at least part time, and her response was that they had been "trying to find someone" and that "no one wants to work anymore".

About 10 weeks ago, before "tax hell" as she calls it, we had a meeting, all 3 of us to discuss keeping on top of things, yada, yada, yada. At that point, we had been without an admin for over 6 months. When she started to dig into me about a problematic client, I pointed out to her that she admitted she had missed things because we were understaffed and I added that it affected me too.

I told them "When I took this job, I promised I would never walk out during tax season, and I meant it, but I didn't sign up to be the only person here half the time. If something doesn't change, fast, I'll be looking for another job after April 18th."

Surprise! They hired an admin who started a month ago. I like her and it's been a lot off my plate to not have to answer the phone most of the time. I still wanted to find something else, but it wasn't as urgent.

Well, he beat me to the punch. He let me go and is farming the bookkeeping work out to someone 20 miles away. Wouldn't even let me stay a few days to tie up loose ends.

I'm not really worried about finding something else, but I would have preferred it to be on my terms. So here I am, age 66, looking for work again.

[BlueWaveNeverEnd]

1. " If something doesn't change, fast, I'll be looking for another job after April 18th."

you basically quit by telegraphing that you are going to quit. good news... you will be elig for unemployment. Wishing you the luck on your job search.

[TexasBushwhacker]

4. But something DID change. They hired an admin after dragging

their feet for what ended up being 8 months. That was what I wanted. When I pointed that out to my boss, he said I should have let them know I was happy they had hired someone.

I "telegraphed" it because I didn't want to leave them in a bind with just the 2 of them there. He needs a hip replacement, badly, and is 10 pounds away from getting his BMI where it needs to be (40) to be eligible. With that on the horizon, I planned to stay until after his surgery.

[Diamond_Dog]

2. I'm sorry.

They sure sound like a bunch of effing, selfish, slave drivers.

I’m so sick of that excuse “Nobody wants to work anymore.” Maybe people are sick and tired of being treated like crap, and working slave hours, did they ever think of that? I wonder how hard they tried to find help, really.

[TexasBushwhacker]

5. With it being such a small company, they don't offer health insurance

or a 401K. Those things are worth $$$ and in a competitive market, they would have to offer a higher salary. Anyway, I like the admin. I hope she lasts. The wife has managed to run off 2 during my 3 1/2 years, and 3 before then.

[wnylib]

15. With your tax experience, could you

be an independent tax preparer? I did clerical work for
H & R block one year. Besides the big rush of people during the Jan - April tax season, they did tax records bookkeeping year round for some businesses.

[TexasBushwhacker]

19. I have to pass my Enrolled Agent exams first

But now I have the time to study for them!

[wnylib]

21. My brother was very good at math since high school and

used to say that he wanted to be an independent CPA.

But, he joined the Navy out of high school and made a career of it. During his Navy career, he got a good education and hands on experience with telecommunications, so he worked in that field after retiring from the Navy.

But he still wanted to be his own boss. So he worked for a tax preparer a few years, studied for a CPA exam, passed it, and set up his own business. He had good sales skills for drumming up business. Other people get friends and acquaintences to spread the word, or get a good web site built up for themselves.

Good luck. We've all had bad job experiences or lousy bosses at one time or another. When we move on, we work out something where we're happier and better off.

[debm55]

3. I am so sorry TexasBushwhacker. Could you apply for SS? My neighbor took an early retirement on May

!st He is 62. I wish you all the luck in the world my friend. Is it possible to set up your own business?

[TexasBushwhacker]

6. I had really wanted to work until I am 70

A lot of my friends have had to take early SS. I really need to replace some of my low earning years from when I was my mom's caregiver. I need to save more in my IRA too. I'll be eligible for my full SS in July, but it's not enough to live on, so I would have to work part time. I'd rather just work FT for 3.5 more years (January 2027!).

[debm55]

7. Is there a way you work from home and maybe start your business? And not have to take crap from any

one?

[TexasBushwhacker]

9. Honestly, I prefer to go into the office at least part of the time

I struggle with depression and working from home means I'm pretty much a hermit. It would be hard to get enough work to make the kind of money my experience warrants. But it's one option.

[Karadeniz]

8. I'm sorry! I hope you can go back in a year and thank him for letting you go, since you found a much

better place!!!!

[Fla Dem]

10. At least this way can't you collect unemployment?

If you quit you can't collect, if you're let go, I believe you can.

[TexasBushwhacker]

12. Oh yeah. I'll get UI

I just don't want to be on it too long. I actually had an interview this week (didn't get it) and while my resume has all the years I worked, without gaps, the owner wanted to know all the months I started and ended jobs. Oy! Can't have a LOSER who was out of work for more than a couple of months!

I mentioned being unemployed for a while after being laid off "during the recession in 2010". He said "were we in a recession in 2010"? YES, unemployment was still near 10% in January 2011 - YOU ASS! It didn't get back below 8% until January 2013. THANK YOU PRESIDENT OBAMA!

[wnylib]

18. You didn't lose anything by not getting that job.

The employer sounds like an ignorant ass.

Keep putting yourself out there and putting out feelers among friends and acquaintances for good openings. And maybe brush up on resume preparation and interviewing through books or possibly through a local employment office that has job listings.

This could turn out to be an improvement over the job you just lost.

[TexasBushwhacker]

23. One thing I've found is that accountants don't necessarily know much

about economics. A recession "ends" when it hits rock bottom. Employment gains return much more slowly.

They don't necessarily know much about handling their personal finances either, or as the case is with my boss, they let their politics get in the way. He doesn't have a 401K for himself (or the rest of us) even though he's in the 24% marginal tax bracket because he thinks taxes will be even higher when he retires.

[erronis]

11. I don't know if this helps, but I started a new job (techie) at 62, retired at 68, and then

started a new one after another year. After 55 years of working, I think I'm really ready to stop.

The labor market is totally crazy, at least in my field (programming, web, database.) Hard to tell where it's going to go with the silicon valley crap and venture capitalist crap. I would think that your field is a lot more stable.

Good luck!

[TexasBushwhacker]

13. There are plenty of bookkeeper jobs

I just have to find one that pays me what I'm worth. I'm not an admin who learned a little QuickBooks. I'm a bookkeeper with over 20 years experience. I catch my CPA boss's mistakes sometimes. I'm going to go ahead and study to get my Enrolled Agent license (3 tests from the IRS) because now I have the time!

[SunSeeker]

17. Good idea. Get your EA and go where you're appreciated. nt

[Hope22]

14. I wish the best to you!

I hope you find something that is a more enjoyable fit. Stress at work really eats at the soul. My friend worked until 73. He tried to resign 15 months prior but they needed his help so he stayed. That last five months was too much. He made it though. He is into retirement Five days of freedom so far and counting! 😁👍🏼

[SunSeeker]

16. He did you a favor. They were making you miserable. That was not good for your health. nt

[LoisB]

20. Good luck to you. With your experience, I wouldn't think you will have any trouble finding

a new position since you want to keep working.

[DFW]

22. Here's cheer for you from the stands!

Hoping you find something you both can do and want to do. Everyone is different, and no one understands that more than someone who IS „different,“ and I think we both qualify. My wife was a social worker who liked her field but had a corrupt, manipulative boss (church-related) who loved to bully both employees and their charges. She took a disability early retirement, draws a miserable pension, and is happy as a clam, having less free time now than when she was working. At 71, she has so many volunteer posts, she wouldn‘t have time for a salaried job any more, and I am fortunate enough to be paid enough to able to pick up the slack. This was supposed to be the start of a calmer period for me, but I took most of April off due to our new grandson in the USA, and now I‘m paying the price. Monday to Friday next week: Switzerland-Belgium-France-Belgium-Holland, and I have to be in Portugal the week after that. IF I make to next week, that is! I‘m 71, too, after all.

In other words, if you want to keep working, can keep working, and are good at what you do, there is no reason why you shouldn‘t do it, and find a job that pays you what you‘re worth.

[marble falls]

24. Wish I had good news. My wife and I are comfortable because of fortunate circumstances ...

... but I like to work and a little extra cash would be nice. It's not that people don't want to work, it's that we don't have to because there's plenty of full time jobs. The people who need workers, need them for the reason they once challenged us by saying, "don't make enough? Get a better job". And people did.

The companies that want part time labor want people available 48 hrs a week for very short wages. It's hard to find an employer that wants an older employee. Or will treat us right.

[area51]

25. I'm sorry this happened to you. I'm in your age range.

I hope you'll get a better job soon.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

26. "Nobody wants to work anymore" unjustly leaves out

..the caveat "for lousy pay".

Hope you get your dream job.

[Joinfortmill]

27. Wishing you well. Keep us informed.

[calimary]

29. Yea, indeed, dear TexasBushwhacker.

Please keep us updated. Cuz otherwise, we’re gonna worry.

[TdeV]

28. Your remark about having time to study for EA exam speaks loudly.

I think you'll do splendidly!

[drray23]

30. Can you consider opening your own practice ?

If you do maybe you could take enough clients and work from home?
In my area ( Virginia) there are lots of CPA's running small one person business and having enough clients

[yonder]

31. Good luck TBw and with that EA exam too.

A small, family business can be a pain to work for especially with non-educated, small minded owners.

I worked for one many years ago. Seven people all together. Husband/wife owners, two managers and three of us worker bees. A little top heavy, huh? Then they hired their teenage daughter who decided some worker bee tasks were beneath her. I was gone soon after - best move of my life.

Again, good luck.

[Laffy Kat]

32. That sucks. Overworked and under-appreciated.

It's always a blow when it happens, though, and happens to everyone at some point.

[TexasBushwhacker]

33. I GOT A JOB!!!!

More money, nice new office, longer commute but doable - WHEW!

[Nittersing]

35. Hooray!!!!!

What a relief!!

[Fla Dem]

34. Good for you!! Congratulations. Enjoy your 2 weeks off! You earned them.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

36. Nobody wants to work any more

Congrats on your new job!

[TexasBushwhacker]

37. That's hilarious! I had never heard the expression until recently

but apparently it's been around for a long time. I've always heard the expression "disgruntled worker", but no one seems to ever follow up as to WHY they are disgruntled.

Oddly enough, as a bookkeeper, I was finding lots of job listings for 100% remote work, which I am not personally interested in. I checked them out anyway, but found they were often underpaid or weren't full time. It's good to know I can transition to that after retirement though.

So I'm happy to say that at the new job I'll have my own office, the commute is doable (at least for the short term) and my new boss is younger than me, so I know he'll be in business for as long as I want to work. That's a huge relief!

[Hermit-The-Prog]

38. Hoping it's a fun place for you

People can make work fun, or torture. Hope you land amongst other crazy people who want to work.