Ask for Old Job back/compensation change?

[catccc]

Sorry, I guess this isn't mainly a financial question, but you are a wise bunch, so please weigh in.

In early 2012, I was asked if I wanted to do something a little different at my company.  At the time I was working in the accounting department, and I was pinpointed for a lateral-ish growth-ish opportunity to move to the finance department.  (less recording stuff, more analyzing stuff).  They said I could do both for a while, and figure out if I liked the finance job.  So I said yes.  For 6 months I did two jobs, and of course, doing 2 jobs was crazy. 

At that point I asked for a raise, but was told that even though I was doing a great job with both jobs, they don't do off cycle pay increase.  I think this is probably BS, but whatever.  If the answer was going to be "no," I would have been satisfied with "you can't do two jobs forever, so you aren't getting a raise for doing 2 jobs."  Anyway, so I said "I can't do two jobs anymore," and they asked me to pick one, and they highly encouraged me to take the finance job. 

So I picked the finance one, even though it was more challenging, because I thought that is what I was supposed to do, and it was what they wanted me to do.  I spent the last 6 months of 2012 doing both jobs, anyway, because it took them forever to hire my replacement in accounting.  So 2013 is the first year I've done just the finance job.  I hate it.  I'm just not as good at it as I was at my accounting job, and I'm really unhappy about it.

It's a good company to work for (after you get over their ruthlessness in letting people go, and if you can manage to stick around).  Should I let the common boss between the two departments know that I want to go back to accounting?  Or should I suck it up and keep at this crappy job, in hopes that it will get easier with more experience?  Or should I just look for a new job and leave the company altogether?

Also, I never really got a raise for making the move to finance.  At least I didn't see it that way.  I got a "regular" raise of 4.5% when annual evaluations came around.  Maybe it would only have been 3% if I hadn't taken on the additional work?  IDK, my raise the prior year was 3.6%, and before that was 2.5%.  So I don't think I should take a pay cut to go back, but should I expect to?

[SunshineGirl]

I sense you might want to start looking for a new job with a different company...but if you do go back to accounting, no, you shouldn't have to take a pay cut.

[CommonCents]

Do they even have an opening in accounting?  You may not be able to move back.

[catccc]

They don't right now, but I know they will be adding staff in 2014.  That's another thing- timing.  We are on a bit of a delay, and our 2013 reviews won't be done until late Jan./early Feb.  They also pay out bonuses in Mid Feb.  If I ask to go back, when do I do it?  After bonuses (after the year is really wrapped up?)  When they announce the opening?

Also, you know the opening could be for a more junior position... hmm, that wouldn't work.

[DoubleDown]

From what you've written, it sounds like moving back to your old job is a win-win decision. You've been at the job in Finance long enough to know you don't like it, and I would not stay in a job that is making you so miserable. Here's how I would handle making the move back to Accounting:

1. Have a confidential talk with the manager in Accounting. Seek them out at a time when you can have a private conversation, and at the start of the talk, tell them you want to speak to them confidentially (i.e., letting them know that this conversation remains between the two of you only).

2. Let the Accounting manager know that you do not like the job in Finance, that you've put everything into it, but it's just not for you. Let them know you really liked working in Accounting better. I can only imagine this will please the Accounting manager. Tell them that if it's possible, you'd like to move back to Accounting. I wouldn't mention anything about what kind of position in Accounting you'd like, probably best to leave that vague. For example, I would not specify moving back to your exact, old position; maybe there's something else even better there for you.

3. If the Accounting manager is receptive to this, then it's just a matter of timing and logistics. Follow their lead, see how they say to proceed.

4. Only once you and the Accounting manager have put everything in place to effectuate your move back to Accounting, THEN you can have a conversation with the manager in Finance and the boss over both departments about making the move.

5. Leave all conversations about compensation out of the discussions, unless a manager specifically brings it up. I think you should be able to move back to your old or a similar position keeping your current compensation, and I would go in with that assumption unless they say otherwise.

Good luck, let us know how it goes!

[goodlife]

Whatever you do, I would definitely do it after your bonus is paid out. Once it hits your bank account, go speak to them about getting back into accounting. If that doesn't work out, then you can still look for a new job altogether at that point.

[catccc]

Thanks all for the advice and encouragement.  I will definitely wait until after bonuses get paid out.  Provided that the wait doesn't interfere with missing the boat should the new position get posted in advance of the bonus.

DoubleDown, thanks for the handy outline, this is a good guide.  I was thinking at first it would be weird if moving back to accounting didn't pan out, and then everyone would know that I was on the lookout for an opportunity outside of the company.  That would just be a weird situation.  So good tip on keeping it quiet to start.

I hope this works out.  When I was in accounting, it was enjoyable enough that I thought "why would I ever retire from this?!"  Now I'm dying inside every day going into work...