As most of you know, I am an Accountant. Exciting, yes I know. But I am no run-of-the-mill accountant. I am a Chartered Accountant.
What exactly does that mean? It means that I endured seven years of schooling, including a thirty-month practicum and a four-day final exam. When all was said and done, I was bestowed with the initials “CA”. For my American friends, it is the equivalent of being a CPA. Correction. It is better than being a CPA. We CAs are far cooler than CPAs. Why? Well, I don’t exactly know, except that we just are. Trust me on this one.
(Wake up! It gets better! Um. Maybe.)
I often don’t discuss my designation because we have Rules that we are required to live by. Namely, the Rules of Professional Conduct. Sometimes I do not know if this here site would get me in trouble for not “Maintaining The Reputation of The Profession”.
I’m kidding. Sort of.
The initials took a whole lot of blood, sweat and tears to acquire but have paid me back tenfold. I have never lacked for work, should I want it. I spent many years working in public practice and then switched to the education side. The flexibility works for my young family and I love to teach. I had wanted to be a teacher before I majored in accounting.
The course that I could teach in the spring is one that makes me want to take a fork and insert it into my eyeball. Many times over. Matthew’s industry (lumber) has come to a standstill. So. I did what needed to be done. I met my former boss from the accounting firm I used to work for and begged for some work asked if they could use some help. (Un)lucky for me, they needed another qualified individual.
As of next week, I will be working a few days a week. In an office. Away from home.
This is not the first time I have done this. When Graham was but a mere eight months old, I left him in the (more than) capable hands of his Daddy and went back to the exact same office. On that first day back I received an email from Honey. Attached was a photo of my wee baby boy holding a sign that said, “WE MISS YOU, MOMMY”
SO NOT FAIR.
I went back the tax season after Nathan was born and did my time. Then I got onto the education track and vowed I would never endure another Tax Season again.
And yet, here I am.
You do what you need to do to make ends meet and to make sure your family is provided for. I am blessed in that I have the type of career that is “recession-proof” (Two things are certain in life: Death and Taxes.) I know this, and I am truly thankful. I do not do well with change, however, and think that a list of Pros and Cons will make me feel better.
Pros:
I get to hang out with adults and have grown-up conversation.
I get an entire HOUR at lunch to myself.
I get to wear “work clothes” instead of yoga pants.
Cons:
I won’t hear “You are THE BEST MOM” on an hourly basis.
I don’t get to dish out fresh cookies at lunch.
I won’t be working in my yoga pants.
Shoot. It appears we are at a tie. Could there be a tie-breaker?
Yes.
I will not have to stare down the barrel of a butt-crack and/or wipe any bums.
Score! for the office.
I will likely start posting to The Working Closet Flickr pool more often since my attire will branch out beyond jeans/yoga pants and a t-shirt.
I have a half-hour commute each way, but the bulk of it is on a four-lane highway next to a lake. Not too shabby. I will also be able to listen to any music my heart desires without the peanut gallery shouting out song requests from the back of the vehicle.
I have to admit that I am a little nervous about venturing back into an office environment. It has been four years since I traded office politics for family dynamics. I’m feeling a wee bit rusty in my knowledge of topics outside of the courses I teach. I also hope my current wardrobe will be sufficient for the office as spending all of my earnings on a bunch of new clothing kind of defeats the purpose of going back to work.
I am a little sad that I will be missing out on the day-to-day activities with my kids. Yes, really. For while there are moments where they drive me batty, the bulk of the time they make me laugh. They’re pretty spectacular little beings.
So here I sit. A swirling ball of mixed emotions, unsure of how my life will play out for the next few months.
Wish me luck.
36 Comments
I noticed a tweet of yours back at the end of 2008 about this and was wondering when it was going to happen.
I’m sorry that you have to go back to work (outside the home). But, like you said, it’s definitely got it’s good points. Now that I’m back at work (I work when they sleep, but I sleep when they’re awake) I don’t have to change as many diapers either. I don’t really miss it. I definitely miss that time that I miss while I’m sleeping, but it makes the time I DO have with them all that sweeter.
I hope that you have a smooth transition. And I’m glad that you don’t have to depend on SOMEONE ELSE to look after your children because you get to leave them in the capable hands of your Superman husband. That’s a definite bonus.
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Comment by Mrs. Wilson on February 23rd, 2009 @ 1:25 amGood luck! I’m impressed at your willingness to do what needs to be done.
My husband is finishing up a masters in accounting (and prepping for the CPA exam this fall) and I am so so grateful he has chosen a field that is pretty darn secure.
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Comment by Janssen on February 23rd, 2009 @ 6:14 amGood luck!
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Comment by Domestic Extraordinaire on February 23rd, 2009 @ 6:42 amyou KNOW i’ve been there. i guess you should consider yourself lucky that you work in a field where it’s not all or nothing, yannow? you can still work in an office part-time and still be home part-time…it’s, like, the best of both worlds! (not to quote hannah montana or anything 
)
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Comment by ali on February 23rd, 2009 @ 6:43 amI wish you the best of luck. I know it will be hard to be away from the kids but hopefully some of those pros on your list will make it not be so painful.
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Comment by Sizzle on February 23rd, 2009 @ 7:35 amOh Angella, you will take this on like everything else you do, with grace! Part of me wants to go back to work too but the other part doesn’t want to give up the flexibility of my life. I am not at the stick a fork in my eye with the modules point….yet. When I am I’ll come asking you for your perspective 
good luck!
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Comment by Kami on February 23rd, 2009 @ 8:22 ambest of luck to you.
my friend recently went back to work, and said one of her pros was being able to appreciate her little girl’s time a lot more.
i bet your weekends will be stellar.
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Comment by mpotter on February 23rd, 2009 @ 8:36 amGood luck Angella. You’ll do awesome! Everett has decided to start his own firm so we are in a bit of a transition as well. Change is scary but oh so exciting at the same time. I will pray for you. Love you.
Comment by Tanya Duerksen on February 23rd, 2009 @ 8:53 amMy dad is a CA and he used to work for a large firm downtown. The day after the tax deadline, all the CA’s would take their office chairs down to the street and have races. And then drink for an entire day.
So what I’m saying is, chair races and all-day drinking should make it onto your Pros column.
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Comment by hillary on February 23rd, 2009 @ 8:54 amWhy did I not work for your Dad’s firm when I was in Vancouver? I WANT A REDO.
Comment by angella on February 23rd, 2009 @ 8:57 amGood luck! I’m sure that when you come back home, the having-been-away part will make the family-life part a little more sweet =)
Comment by Sarah @ BecomingSarah.com on February 23rd, 2009 @ 9:33 amBest wishes. I think part-time work is having the best of both worlds!
(I’m working full-time now, doing what I need to do for the good of our family, and it’s HARD. The guilt, oh, the mother guilt.)
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Comment by Trenches of Mommyhood on February 23rd, 2009 @ 10:48 amGood luck! I must admit, I was happy to return to the Adult World after each of my babies. Can’t wait to hear about it!
Comment by Laurie on February 23rd, 2009 @ 11:09 amI’ll be praying for you!
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Comment by bethany actually on February 23rd, 2009 @ 11:20 amI have nothing but admiration and jealousy for someone for whom numbers actually make sense! And you have the added bonus of being able to make money with said sense! Good luck on the semi-new venture! And blessings!
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Comment by Kate on February 23rd, 2009 @ 11:51 amAll the best for the upcoming changes, Angella. Like you say, you gotta do what you gotta do. And of course you know that your darlings are in very capable hands. Just think of the “me time” you will get on the commute and during your lunch hour! Bliss! Of course I know you will miss your children too. I’ve totally been there, done that!
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Comment by Hannah on February 23rd, 2009 @ 12:41 pmI don’t suppose you could educate us self=employed contractors as to what kind of organization of documents we must present to our accountant, could you?
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Comment by witchypoo on February 23rd, 2009 @ 1:03 pmI don’t see how wearing working pants instead of yoga can be on the pro side at all.
But I’m one who loves working from home. I love my quiet house and my yoga pants (or pajamas–whichever I’m in the mood for!)
Congrats on the job, though. Have fun!
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Comment by Heather on February 23rd, 2009 @ 1:15 pmGood Luck! I’m sure it will be more fun than heart ache.
Comment by Heather on February 23rd, 2009 @ 1:22 pmAngella I feel your pain!
I just accepted a 3 day a week position at KPMG starting friday! Tim is between jobs and we need the money so he is Mr Mom for a while!
All the best , we will have to swap Public Practice stories!
Well congrats!! And you’ll be okay. Working away from home makes you appreciate the little darlings even more There is always something good in change, you just have to look for it. I’ll be looking it for it soon too
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Comment by Mel on February 23rd, 2009 @ 4:52 pmThough I haven’t been in your situation, I’m sure it was a tough decision to make. But, I’m glad you’re in a position to have options – you certainly deserve it! I’m sure you will be just fine and think about the look of delight on your kiddos faces every time you come home.
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Comment by Melissa on February 23rd, 2009 @ 5:03 pmHmm – not sure if this helps (or if others have commented) but I too have just started working after a nearly 2 year hiatus (I worked here and there but nothing to warrant a full wardrobe change!)
I just allocated $200 to spending on new clothes. I know $200 is A LOT of money BUT…. you can get a whole new wardrobe out of that. I purchased 5 pants and about 12 tops for $200…. with NEW clothes. (You can go second hand but, I’m fat and fat people usually can’t buy used pants ’cause we wear them out on the insides, hehe)… however, you’re skinny (hehe) and just go to stores and check out the clearance bins… skinny folk have a lot better chances at scoring good goods (though this time, I lucked out). A lot of winter clothes are going on sale now… but – where you’re located, you may have a better selection of clothes that are versatile.
Plus….
You deserve to look hot at a new job and besides, just buy clothes that you can wear at home or in day-to-day things….
My suggestion? Go through your stuff, see what you can still wear that’s trendy…. you may only need a few new tops to go with pants you already have.
I have a black, brown and beige pair of pants which are versatile and go with ANYTHING. Then, I just get a few tops that go with the pants… and you can have a huge combination of clothes by mixing them….
Not sure if that helps but… it’s possible to get a wardrobe that will last you another 5 years, on just $200!
Comment by anji on February 23rd, 2009 @ 5:57 pmI have a lot of the same fears about starting my new job next week. New politics! What do people do for lunch? GAH!
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Comment by slynnro on February 23rd, 2009 @ 7:19 pmI think it’s awesome that you have a “real job” to cover for your hubby when his is slow…he must be relieved as well! Not many people have that sort of back up…ahem, that’d be me. I am sure you will enjoy your little time away from home and then be even more excited to come back later. You will rock the office.
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Comment by SarahD on February 23rd, 2009 @ 8:28 pmWelcome to CubeVille! (I’d wish you luck, but you don’t need it.
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Comment by Moose on February 24th, 2009 @ 6:51 amI think it is good that you are able to go back part-time, which means you can still spend plenty of time with the kiddos. And hopefully the economy will turn around soon and you can go back to being at home full-time.
If you worked at my office, you could wear yoga pants to work. I’m so not kidding.
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Comment by Kristabella on February 24th, 2009 @ 7:34 amGood for you for going after what you want. You will still hear that you “are the best mom”. Because you are the best mom for your kids. God never gives us more than we can handle and I will be praying for you and your family while you all are adjusting to this new and exciting change.
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Comment by Susie on February 24th, 2009 @ 8:32 amChiquits, few people are more capable of work life balance. I salute your ambition and although requested, am sure you do not need luck. Just cute shoes. Which I’m certain you have plenty.
xo
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Comment by karla on February 24th, 2009 @ 8:49 amGood luck! My work situation went the opposite direction yesterday. I’m going from full time to part time starting next week and part of me is really excited. Of course our kids are all school aged so my days at home will be full of writing, housework & cooking. I think the time to myself will make me appreciate the family that much more. I hope your commute gives you the “me” time you need as well.
Like mentioned above, my work wardrobe consists of just a few pairs of pants & skirts and shirts to mix & match. Change things up w/accessories and you have a versatile wardrobe!
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Comment by Rhoni Renee on February 24th, 2009 @ 12:10 pmAll the best!!! Let me know what life is like out there…
it’s been a while for me:)
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Comment by Vicki on February 24th, 2009 @ 12:57 pmI’d might go back to work part-time if it meant I could go to lunch without a child or two.
good luck. i think about having to do this all the time.
Comment by gorillabuns on February 25th, 2009 @ 2:13 pmGood for you!!! You’re a pro and you’ll do great!!!
Comment by Michele on February 25th, 2009 @ 10:00 pm[...] mug arrived at a time when I needed a bit of extra sunshine. Remember when I told you that I was returning the office after a four-year absence? Today will my first day back. I am excited, yet a wee bit nervous. When I you are reading this I [...]
Comment by Dutch Blitz » A Cup Of Sunshine on March 5th, 2009 @ 12:09 am[...] is no secret that I have returned to my former place of employment to help out during tax season. Here in Canada, the tax filing deadline is April 30th, which is also the day my contract ends. I [...]
Comment by Dutch Blitz » Crunch Time on April 26th, 2009 @ 7:48 pm
At least you’ll (hopefully) be working “normal” hours. As the daughter and granddaughter of a family of CPAs, I NEVER saw my dad and granddad from December through April 15 every year (they worked–my dad still does–18-hour days). At least there’s that.
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Comment by Camels & Chocolate on February 23rd, 2009 @ 1:05 am