From Em's Desk

Am I being paid what I'm worth?

Emsights
Hi, I’m Em! I’m a former mathlete who found out I like people even more than numbers. I started Empath Talent to do accounting recruitment properly, which means I meet every candidate myself and only put forward matches I back 100%.

Short answer: maybe not. And you probably won't find out by googling it.

Public practice has a quirk. Most firms review salaries once or twice a year, usually at Xmas and EOFY. The increase is tied to a budget set before anyone looks closely at what you’ve actually accomplished at the individual level. 

The market doesn't wait for your review date. If you've been at the same firm for three or four years, there's a fair chance someone walking in at your level tomorrow gets offered more than you're on.

So what can you do?

Start with your title, then ignore it. A Senior Accountant in a four-partner firm in Toowoomba and one running 150 clients in the CBD are doing different jobs. Look at what you actually own: the size (and $$ value) of your portfolio, whether you review other people's work, how much of the partner's load you're quietly carrying, and whether you're the one people come to when a return gets weird.

Then compare yourself against roles with that workload, not that title. Salary guides give you a rough line. A conversation with someone who sees real offers every week gives you a much sharper one.

Account for what isn't base pay too: study support, flexibility, what busy season really costs you in hours, and whether the WFH day you were promised actually happens.

If you're under market, ask about it. Bring specifics to your review: what you've taken on since the last one, and what the market pays for it. Most decision-makers respect a well-made case rooted in commerciality. If your boss doesn't, that tells you something too.

If you'd like to know where you really sit, I'll tell you, the good, the bad and the ugly. No resume needed, it stays between us, and you're not signing up for anything.

Call me. I'll pick up.

‍

Em

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