The accounting of a "career-limiting" move
My friend (let's call her Sarah) faced a career crossroads a few years back.
One morning, the Founder pulled her aside with an offer: “How would you like to be our new CFO?”
Her heart skipped a beat. This was the promotion, title, and one she had worked for over a decade.
But then came the catch: the company already had a CFO—her mentor, who was truly making a difference.
The reason? “Their style just isn’t for me. Too many changes.” He wanted her to keep the offer quiet, especially from her mentor.
Sarah considered it, feeling the thrill of possibility… but something about it didn’t feel right.
This wasn’t just a job—it was someone’s hard work, sacrifices, and legacy. Her mentor had:
Rebuilt a finance team from scratch
Uprooted their entire life to take this role six months ago
Brought in essential processes that, sure, shook things up—but made real progress
Despite friends warning her about "career suicide" and telling her that she was making an obvious "career-limiting" move, she declined.
She chose integrity over title and character over opportunity. She knew who she wanted to be.
She told me she couldn't throw someone who had been so instrumental to her career, another woman who was being punished for her assertiveness in a male-dominated industry, under the bus.
While they taught us how to create a brand in school, character is not taught. As I reflect on the value of character in this upcoming election, I want to highlight the lessons learned from Sarah.
1. Numbers Don’t Lie, But People’s Motives Might 🔍
When someone wants to “fix” progress, it usually means there’s something they don’t like in the spotlight. Trust the numbers, but look deeper. Sarah left this job a couple of weeks later, just like most of the executive team and her mentor. The culture was toxic just like the tone at the top.
2. The Hidden Costs of "Success" 💭
Some costs never show up on a P&L statement. The ability to look in the mirror with pride? Priceless. Not every opportunity that glitters is gold. Be careful about the type of opportunity given to you.
3. Your Reputation: The Ultimate Asset 📈
In accounting, we obsess over audit trails. Your career choices leave a trail, too. Make it one you're proud of others following. Sarah's integrity is her moral compass. Despite being one of the most ambitious and competitive women I know, she told me she would never be able to live with herself, knowing she had succeeded by backstabbing another woman. She is still not a CFO, but she is well-known in her industry for her kindness and thoughtfulness.
4. Trust: The Foundation of Leadership 🤝
We can implement endless controls, but business fundamentally runs on trust. Once broken, no corner office can rebuild it. Somehow, the other execs knew that the Founder had approached Sarah, and they trusted her to make the right decision.
5. Playing the Long Game Wins 🎯
Plot twist: The mentor knew about the offer all along. After leaving the company and finding better opportunities, they became excellent friends, even vacationing with their families. The CFO is one of the best sponsors/coaches/mentors Sarah can have in her corner. She has opened the door for Sarah to work at a more prominent company where she can develop her skills to become a great CFO soon. Sometimes, the best career moves are the opportunities we turn down.
Have you ever faced a similar crossroads? What "career-limiting" decisions have you made to maintain your character?
#thebalancedsheets #cpa #FinanceLeadership #IntegrityFirst #CharacterCounts #CareerGrowth #WomenInFinance
