To ask for pay rise to be backdated

[HforHavana]

Hi all. So, bit of background info,
I have been in my job 5 years as accounts assistant. I am currently the only person working in the accounts department so I literally do everything, with some help from an external accountant.
I started off just doing purchase ledger and Other bits, but between staff leaving over the years and more recently, redundancies due to COVID, I am a one man band in accounts doing everything from the purchase ledger (which could be a full time job in itself) to payroll to management accounts and everything in between. I have literally learnt from the bottom up and know the business inside out as I know every aspect of the accounts department. This makes me an asset to the business as said by the Owner of the business himself. Basically, if I dropped tomorrow, they would be in the shit.

Over the first lockdown, business basically came to a halt and everybody was furloughed, except me and one other person in a different department. I worked right the way through lockdown and this is where I really progressed. With the Accountant on furlough - later to be made redundant, I picked up the harder tasks I had never done before and managed perfectly with it all. We did not know where the business was going at this point, whether we were going to go bust or manage to survive but eventually we have came out the other side.

My boss has said to me that basically, he is made up with my progress and what Iv been capable off and wants me to carry on doing what I am doing. He has said that with all the uncertainty still, he cannot give me a pay-rise just yet, but after after Christmas once things are a bit steadier and we know 100% where we are with the business, he will give me a decent rise.

Now I am absolutely thankful and so grateful for my job, and the fact I have been able to work throughout lockdown without any loss of income, but would I be unreasonable if after Christmas when I do get a raise to ask for it to be backdated as I have been doing the job now since April? I don't think I would ask for it to be backdated so far but maybe Octoberish which is when the business really picked back up.

YABU - be grateful you still have a job!
YANBU - ask for the back date!

P.s I am only 23 and this is my first proper job I have been in since I left school, so not really familiar with this type of thing!

It's funny because you're pretty much describing the exact situation I was in earlier this year when our FD quit suddenly, though it only took a couple of months to get a new one so now quite as long as you! Honestly, though I did get a payrise and a promotion from finance assistant to management accountant out of it (quick caveat here that I'm one exam away from full qualification so that may have weighed in on that decision too) it wouldn't have occurred to me to ask for it to be backdated. Your boss has already said he will give you a good raise (and if he doesn't follow through I would absolutely think you should chase it) so he's recognising that you have been performing above your job position.

Do you have any formal qualifications in accounting? What I would consider rather than asking for a backdated payrise is to say that you've enjoyed your new expanded job role and would be interested in pursuing an accounting qualification. Your boss may be amenable to funding the study now he's seen your potential which would probably, in the long run, be more valuable than the backdated salary. Anyway, that's just an idea, I don't know if you're actually interested in that!

• NOT quite as long

@melodypondisasuperhero well done on your promotion and pay rise!!
I am only level 3 AAT qualified and part way through level 4 but struggling to finish. The deal was one day a week study in work, but because I am now doing everything, I don't get an hour to study never mind a day! Do you think I should accept the pay rise when it comes, and focus on getting my level 4 as quickly as possible? As as you say, the qualification is much more valuable in the long run.

Hmm it sounds a bit wishy washy to me.

What does a ‘decent’ pay rise mean?

You need to benchmark against people in similar roles and ask for a pay rise (I got 20% pay rise a few months ago).

Look for other jobs too.

I'd be asking for a title change too - Finance Manager or Accounts Manager sounds much more where you are.

@HforHavana If the agreement was that they would pay you to study one day a week it does sound a bit rubbish that you can’t do that now, but still on the same pay! That actually changes my view on the situation a bit...

As PP said, do some research on what other jobs are paying for similar level of experience and qualifications before you decide whether the payrise offered is suitable or not.

It sounds like he's taking the piss a bit to be honest, I would worry he is stringing you along. What would it cost him to replace you? He should be worried you'll go and find yourself a new job paying much better (hence the vague promise)... I'd either get him to put the specific in writing or I would be looking for a new job.

Did he give you an actual figure? If not I can almost guarantee it won’t actually turn out to be what you had expected...

I think your way ahead of yourself here he's not even agreed your getting a pay rise yet never mind how much . He's trying to keep you sweet op , of course he wants you to stay as I would suspect the fully trained accountant you have took over was paid a lot more than you .
I'm also in accounts not a qualified accountant but I'm well aware that the accountant is paid a lot more than me rightly so .
If your literally doing everything then I'd research what sort of salary you should be getting .
I think the requesting it to be back dated thing you could ask but I suspect not .
You've proved yourself and they are happy with the progress just concentrate on actually getting the pay rise as at the moment it's not even confirmed .
If they offer you x amount you could say will it be back dated I doubt they will though .
Make sure you keep reminding boss in the new year about the pay rise too .

I'd ask for a title change too, as mentioned above. Assistant Management Accountant or similar.

As the accounts assistant you will have a good understanding of how the business is doing financially.

So the question you need to ask is can the business afford it? If yes then ask for it to be back dated and if not then be realistic.

May be worth doing a little bit of research yourself also, into salaries in your area for the different levels. Our MA is on 35k but she is underpaid imo. Finance Assistants or PL/SL technicians are on about 20-26k.

I would also recommend you ask about career support rather than a backdated pay rise, but of course you should ensure you are getting your worth. If they can’t afford it now, I would assume they can’t afford to backdate it. Someone has made a good point about tying this in with a change in job title, drop the assistant as you are not assisting anybody and it will make your CV stronger should you decide to move.

One day a week for study is very generous and not something I have seen before, not sure I would be insisting upon it. But I would be looking for financial support for pursuing a qualification and some study leave (to be taken at home) at revision time and for some classes. You may wish to start thinking about CIMA, I believe your AAT will give you some exemptions.

My other tip, based on one of your comments is that whilst you are clearly an asset, don’t mistake this with being indispensable, nobody is. If you dropped tomorrow they might not get an unqualified assistant in to replace you, but if would be pretty easy to get an accountant in that would be able to pick everything up with little to no handover (accounting is my profession).

If you've lost the 1 day a week study time, then you would need to get a 25% pay increase just to be matching your previous pro rate salary.
Have a think about whether having that study time is important to you, or whether you are in with giving it up for a (better than 25%) pay increase.
If they can't afford to pay you what you want, would you consider half day a week study or a day a fortnight?

The only time I've had a backdated pay increase was when there was a delay between the date we were supposed to have our salary review and it actually happening. But it was agreed in advance that it would be backdated.

I think you're dreaming a bit if you think they'll backdate it just because you've been working up for a while. That's not really how it works. Especially if it's not agreed in advance that it'll be backdated.

I also don't think you're as irreplaceable as you believe, although they're probably feeding that idea to massage your ego and keep you sweet given that you're doing extra work and not claiming your study days.

If you suddenly weren't there they could use an outsourcing firm. Plenty to choose from. Wouldn't have your business knowledge but would be economical and effective.

You are very young and have she well. Would definitely consider asking for support to qualify.

If you've lost your one day a week study in work, then you could ask for a salary adjustment to reflect that, assuming the business can afford it. You've got access to the figures to know whether or not they can.

Regarding a pay rise after Christmas, find out the local rates for this kind of work and how easy it would be to find a new position, I'm old and cynical and have seen too many young women exploited over the years by male bosses who are full of promises and deliver nothing.

Look for other jobs and try to get proper qualifications. Can you move beyond AAT to get your ACA?