How to Resign from Your Audit Job
Resigning from an audit job, much like any job, can be a political nightmare, below we’ve compiled some top tips to help make the process as un-traumatic as possible.
Be certain you want to leave
It seems obvious advice but you’d be surprised how many people accept a job offer and hand in their resignation only to change their mind a few days later. Once you’ve resigned that should mean you’re leaving and not be the start of your thinking process. Clearly evaluate the job offer and compare it honestly with you current audit role. Ask the advice of others but make sure the final decision is yours.
Work out your timings
Every job has different notice periods; careers in audit often have quite long notice periods. Try and work out how to time your resignation for primarily your but also your employer’s benefit. It’d probably be better if your final day were not the day before you are due to present your findings to the board or some other similar deadline.
Put it in writing
While it’s often polite to let your boss know that you are leaving your audit job in person, make sure you have a printed letter of resignation. It’s required legally and by dating the letter it will make sure you don’t have to work longer than your contractual notice period.
Don’t go into too much detail
When writing a resignation letter it’s often tempting to explain in detail why you are leaving. While this might be a cathartic process it often can be counter productive. You are obliged to give no more information than your intention to leave and you intended leaving date. An excessively detailed resignation letter can often land you in hot water during your notice period.
You don’t have to tell your employer where you are going
It’s a common misconception that you have to let your employer know where you are moving next. You are under no obligation to tell them. Often it’s advisable to keep your cards close to your chest, especially in a competitive world like auditing. If you boss incorrectly sees your move as a conflict of interest you might find yourself frog marched to the door which makes the process of recovering the money you are owed significantly more difficult.
Don’t burn bridges
When you are leaving a company it’s often appealing to make your attitudes and emotions toward individuals and the business abundantly clear, especially if you were hiding them before. However this is a fools errand, you never know later down the line when you may want to return to your employer or a colleague might move to another company and take a negative reputation of you with them.
Offer to help find a replacement
One great way to placate your bosses, who may not be too pleased about your new audit job, is to offer to help find your replacement. If you are leaving on good terms the chances are no one will be better qualified than yourself to recruit the ideal person.
Leaving a good audit job is always difficult but if you handle yourself with professionalism and foresight the process is significantly easier.
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