What happens if you are asked to do something questionable at work?
Asked by beingsmartisrelative
I am working at a CPA firm and so far I have been asked to sign tax returns I have not prepared or reviewed. And, I have to track down money on an invoice that technically the partner should be doing. I work as a staff accountant. Is it time to find a new job? Or, am I over-reacting? I cannot exactly leave in the middle of tax season, right?

Best Answer:
You are ultimately responsible for your own behavior. Do not let your co workers get you into something you cannot get yourself out of. They will deny everything and leave you " holding the bag" so to speak. Watch them. They will set you out for their own selfish reasons. If you feel the need to jeopardize your job... find a new one. You are not overreacting. Tell your supervisor. Better them than you .. in trouble Honeychild!

1) Since you are ultimately responsible, you should not be signing returns nor should the firm be asking you to do so. I would push back big time. There could be something illegal going on. 2) You work for the firm. You are lower paid than the accountant. They are paying you to do the grunt work. Unless the tracing involves some kind of confidential material that you shouldn't be privy to, then that's your job.
Answered by kramerdnewf

Ok - it is the middle of the tax season you I don't see the problem with your doing so work for a partner - he is probably snowed under. It shows trust in your abilities. With respect to the tax returns. Perhaps they are expecting you to review them first? Just say politely that at your level, you would appreciate reviewing them first before you sign them. Smile and say that you will not learn from this but will also be more comfortable signing them. If there is anything shady going on - they will simply not give you many more to do. I think that it is more of a case that they are starting to rely upon you for more senior work during busy periods. It might be more of a time for more training and a raise rather than a new job. Ask when the dust settles.
Answered by Biz Guru

Any time I have ever had a boss ask me to do something that is in a grey area I ask them to put the request in writing. You can also rephrase the request. For example (in the army) I once had a boss tell me to get a certain part from another unit and to do whatever it took. His implication was pretty clear, but I made him say it anyway by asking, "Sir are you asking me to steal this part?" Most people will back off at that point. So when the boss wants you to sign papers that aren't properly prepared you can ask, "Are you asking me to break the law?" Then have him put it in writing and then you can decide if you want to do it or not. If you do decide to leave, or if you get fired, you have written proof that your boss wanted you to do something unethical.
Answered by baldisbeautiful

My suggestion is to not over-react and think there's something shady going on here. Most likely, it's pretty hectic around the office this time of year, and so they're simply asking you to help out by going beyond your normal responsibilities. And it could be a positive to you because they might feel you're capable of handle the extra responsibility and doing a good job of it. However, I don't see anything wrong with voicing your concerns about this, especially if they're going to hold you responsible for mistakes or errors. But ten to one, it's innocent and being asked simply because it's a busy time of year.
Answered by msoexpert