The employee shared his dilemma on Reddit, explaining that he works for a nonprofit organization with annual revenue of roughly $35 million and has been with the company for nine years. Currently serving as Director of Finance, he sits directly below the CFO in the department hierarchy.
A promotion many would want, but he doesn’t
According to the post, the organization’s CFO plans to leave in about 18 months. While no formal offer has been made, the CFO has repeatedly hinted that he could eventually take over the role.
The finance director said his boss often makes comments such as, “when you run the ship” or “when you’re in this seat,” though she has occasionally added qualifiers like “if you do well” or “if you want it.”
He noted that she has even mentioned his name during succession planning discussions and informal conversations with outside parties, including auditors.
Despite the apparent vote of confidence, he remains unconvinced that the position is right for him.
Why he prefers staying where he is
The employee explained that he enjoys the hands-on side of finance work. As director, he remains deeply involved in financial analysis, modeling, and execution, the aspects of the job he finds most rewarding.
By contrast, he views the CFO role as heavily focused on strategy, leadership, board presentations, and high-level decision-making.
“The fact of the matter is I have no interest in going away from the execution (what I actually like), no interest in board meetings, and no interest in mainly being involved with strategy,” he wrote.
Employee rejects clear path to cfo despite $40,000 pay raise
He also expressed concerns about whether he is fully qualified for the position, noting that he is still in his early 30s and values having a senior finance leader available for guidance. Beyond job responsibilities, he fears losing the work-life balance he currently enjoys.
The financial upside is substantial
Turning down the role would not be a small decision financially. The Redditor estimated that the starting salary increase alone could be around $40,000 annually, with significantly larger long-term earning potential. He said the current CFO earns roughly $200,000 more than he does, while the executive bonus structure is also considerably more generous.
Also Read: ‘You don’t get my off-hours for free’: Boss tries to lure employee with promotion and bigger paycheck for extra hours, gets shut down
Still, the additional money has not convinced him that the position would make him happier.
Reddit users warn of unintended consequences
While many readers appreciated his honesty, several commenters urged caution before rejecting the opportunity. One user warned that the biggest risk may not be the promotion itself, but who could replace the departing CFO.
“A new boss could ruin your work environment. So, think long and hard before you pass on this opportunity,” one commenter wrote. Others echoed the concern. “Take the job, OP. New external hire could go south real quick,” another user advised.
Despite a bigger paycheck and a shot at CFO, this employee says he’d rather keep his current role; the internet is divided.
Several commenters pointed out that an outside executive might bring major changes to the department, alter existing dynamics, or view internal staff as competition.
One user bluntly warned: “Especially if they see you as competition.” Another added that some leaders arrive and immediately begin restructuring teams or replacing employees with their own hires.
The discussion resonated with many professionals who have questioned whether career advancement should always be the ultimate objective. For some, success means reaching the highest position possible. For others, satisfaction comes from doing work they genuinely enjoy without taking on responsibilities they never wanted.
For now, the finance director has not been formally offered the CFO position, meaning the decision remains hypothetical. But his post highlights a dilemma increasingly discussed in modern workplaces: Is moving up always the right move, or is knowing what you don’t want just as important as knowing what you do?
