Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 101254 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101254 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
I paste on a smile. “Nice to meet you. Please call me Tessa.”
“Absolutely. One of our HR managers will be out to collect you in a— Oh, here she is now.” She gestures. “Barb, this is Tessa Logan.”
“Good morning, Tessa.” Barb, an older woman with dark hair graying at her temples, holds out her hand. “The misters Black told me a lot about you. They speak very highly of you, as does your previous employer.”
I shake Barb’s hand, attempting a smile once more. “That’s kind of them.”
“Come back to my office. We’ll get your paperwork filled out, and then I’ll take you to the accounting department where you’ll meet your manager.”
With a smile still pasted on my face, I follow Barb down the hallway to another office.
“Have a seat,” Barb says before firing up her computer and peppering me with questions.
I answer her questions robotically and sign all the papers she gives me.
I widen my eyes when I see my salary. Quite a hefty raise from what I was making before.
“Does everything look in order?” Barb asks.
“Yes, thank you so much. I truly appreciate this opportunity.”
“We’re happy to have you here at Black Inc.” Barb rises. “I’ll take you up to accounting now.”
Accounting turns out to be one floor up, and a few moments later I meet my manager, Luke Barr. Once Barb leaves, Luke asks me to his office.
“Let’s get down to business, Ms. Logan.” He holds out his hand.
I shake his hand firmly. “Tessa, please.”
“Tessa. Please call me Luke. I’ll be your immediate supervisor, but we all report to the vice president of accounting, Marietta Wilson. She’s not a micromanager, which we all appreciate.” He smiles.
“I’ll do my best to do an excellent job for you,” I say.
“I have no doubt.” He sits down behind his desk. “You come highly recommended.”
Something is a little off in his tone. He knows why I’m here. Nepotism at its finest.
But I need the job, so I’ll do my best to show Luke and the others that I’m a good addition to their staff.
“I’m going to ask you a few quick questions,” Luke continues, “just to make sure we’re all on the same page.”
“Of course. I can tell you about what I did at my last job, if you’d like.”
“No need. Mr. Black already talked to them and got a detailed summary of your duties. I’m interested in other things. For example, how do you keep up with current accounting laws and regulations?”
“I regularly read accounting journals and attend workshops, when I can. I personally subscribe to CPA Practical Advisor.”
He raises his eyebrows as if he’s surprised. He really does think this is a pity hire.
“Good.” He looks down at his iPad. “How do you manage tight deadlines?”
“By meeting them. I prioritize tasks and keep a detailed calendar. I work extra hours when necessary. I’ve never missed a deadline, Luke. I pride myself on that.”
He seems to warm up to me a bit. “Excellent.” He looks back down at his tablet. “I don’t think I need to bother you with any more questions for now. Welcome aboard.”
“Thank you, and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your faith in me.” I pause a moment. “I hate to be the person who gets a job and then asks for time off, but I’m scheduled to go to Jamaica on Thursday. I’ll be back Monday for work.”
“Oh, yes. We’ve already been told.”
The tone is back.
“If this is a problem, I—”
“Can cancel going to your best friend’s bachelorette party? Is that where you’re going with this?” He raises his eyebrows.
“No.”
I’m not sure what else to say, so I leave it at no.
He rises. “Let me show you to your desk.”
“Thank you.”
Luke leads me to a small interior office. It’s windowless, but at least it’s better than a cubicle. “We use all the standard accounting software, but if you’re not familiar with it, there are user manuals in your file cabinet or you can access them online.”
“I’m familiar with all the standard software,” I say. “I won’t have any problem, Luke.”
“I’m sure you won’t. Check your inbox, and you’ll see your assignments. Everything should be self-explanatory, but if you need me, I’m just down the hallway.”
In his office with windows.
But he’s a manager, and I’m not.
Management is no longer my thing. I used to aspire to management, but it means dealing with people.
I used to be good at that.
Now? Not so much.
I like numbers. Numbers represent order and structure in a chaotic world. Numbers don’t mess with your head or play with your emotions. With numbers, you can usually find a right answer. An answer that makes sense. An answer that follows the rules. Numbers don’t talk back, and numbers don’t manipulate you.
I get through the day and even stay past quitting time so I’m not leaving any projects unfinished. Luke leaves at six thirty, and I leave at seven.