My office is weird...no one talks to anyone. I can go an entire week without a single person talking to me with the exception of good morning and good night. I am a very social person but I don't talk at work because I've kind of been given the cue that social catching up isn't cool. People only have very short and to the point work related discussions. I am a CPA, a tax accountant specifically.
I was laid off last July due to the company I was working for shutting their doors. I sent my resume out to a bunch of firms near me and interviewed with about 5 and was give 4 offers within two weeks. I totally shot high on hourly rate and I'll fully admit that ($60/hour as employee for 30 hrs per week + 3 weeks vaca and 1 week sick prorated for 30 hrs per week + 401k with decent match). This firm gave me an offer on the spot so I know they were hard up. The demand for senior level tax people is high...so that's a long winded way of answering your question. Yes, I could get another job tomorrow. Would it be at $60/hr, probably not, probably closer to $45.
This is the first time he all out yelled at me. He has been short with me in the past but never yelled. Back story: I did something on a return and he changed it without talking to me. I had spent an hour reconciling the issue and making sure I nailed it down, all work was in the file. Many times he changes things on returns and doesn't let the preparer know (doesn't fly well with me). I looked back at the return and noticed he changed it. I brought my work to him and tried to explain why my work was right and why he shouldn't have changed it. I told him I wanted to let him know as it is a software issue and the issue will pop up on other returns he is reviewing. He freaked out on me and yelled "why do you waste time on this shit?". You're busy, I'm busy, this return is done. Why are you pulling it out? Why aren't you working on the other 20 returns we have to get done before 10/15. He later apologized and said he is having an exceptionally stressful day. Yeah, I have stressful days too...don't we all?
My review was I'd say a 3 out of 5 back in June. They want me to be faster (i.e. sloppier) as my realization was 75% for my first 9 months. They said I'm too detailed. I said I've never had anyone complain about my detailed and concise workpapers. My realization is closer to 100% for the last 3 months because I'm working on clients for the second time (gained efficiency). I don't think they can argue with 100% billing realization. Anyway that's my story.