Professional opinion needed for Accounts Payable/Receivable?

Question

I work at a car dealer where I started as the evening receptionist making $7.50 an hour. I was promoted after 6 months (after giving my 2 weeks notice*) to daytime receptionist and compensated with a raise ($10.50). After a full year I was moved into our accounting office and was made the accounts receivable and payable clerk and my comptroller gave me a $0.50 raise. I'm also a backup when needed for our receptionists whenever one quits, needs a day off etc. I train any new receptionist we have to hire and I've also learned how to do more tasks in our accounting office (dealer trades, putting contracts together for deals, warranty credit postings etc.). I've been here for a little over two years and I'm still finding it hard to get by with the money I make. I want to ask for a raise but I'm not sure if I'm in the position to. I've researched what people are making on average at my position and its more than my current rate. Should I wait to ask for a raise or should I just go for it?

*after working for the company for 6 months and not receiving any raise I applied at another dealer and they were going to pay me $9.50 and give me a morning shift as oppose to the evening which I had been working. This is why I was moved to daytime receptionish and given a raise. Another month after this happened my office manager (most direct boss) was fired and since I've been working under our comptroller.

Answer 1

Write down your hire date and then write out a timeline of how and when you have gained more responsibilty. Also, note your raises.

Write down everything you do. It doesn't have to be a detailed descripition, just that you do A/P and A/R, train people, etc.

Ask for a meeting with the person who is responsible with giving you a raise. Let them know you want to talk to them about your position with the company so they will be prepared to spend more than 5 minutes with you.

Go over your timeline and responsibilities with that person. State that you have done research into comparable salaries for someone in your position and present those figures. Ask if they have any plans to give you a raise and when they might be doing so.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Your employer obviously views you as an asset. Personally, I would think they would give you a bigger raise when you transitioned from Day Recep to Accounts Payable/Rec. than Night to Day Recep. but either way, I would talk with your supervisor and let them know you feel you are due for a raise. If you have a review coming up, I might wait until then, but if you don't have one scheduled, I would just go ahead and get it out there.

Be prepared to give them detailed information on your job description, and how you have gone over and above what is asked of you. Most employers will take that all into consideration.

I hope you get a raise! Good luck!

Answer 3

My past experience has been in the offices of construction/building companies so I'm not familiar with the car dealership. But I have come to find that if a company can get good help "cheap" they will. If you have been attending classes within their employment to further your education in this field whether they are compensating you or you're paying out of your own pocket, then, YES!, I would definately ask for an increase. All they can do is say "NO". If nothing else, ask for an evalution within 6 months.

Answer 4

If you've been working in this current position for two years without a raise, point that out. Also tell them that you have taken on more duties and responsibilities and that you deserve a raise. All they can say is no.

And if they do say no, you might just think about updating your resume and sending it out.