[Anonymous]

I’ve recently considered taking a break from my career to stay at home and spend more time with my kid. I do plan on re-entering the workforce but as a staff or senior accountant; I’m currently a senior tax accounting in industry. I have both private/public accounting experience with a solid six years of experience. Have the CPA and a MSTax.

Will it truly be difficult to re-enter the workforce if I have a short gap on my resume because I opted to leave work for a short period? I’ve heard mixed reviews on resume gaps. It does seem to be the first question HR folks have when they call back for a potential interview (I had a four month gap to study for the CPA exam and relocate). Allegedly, some resume gaps automatically disqualify some applicants.

Any thoughts? I’m making six figures, hate my job, commute 400 miles a week in terrible traffic and miss my kid. I told my wife I would stick it out a year in my current job but after four months, that looks like an eternity. I’d be willing to take a huge pay-cut when I return to work.

[Anonymous]

Disclosure: I am not qualified to speak on hiring practices.

Here's my two cents anyway: You are a CPA with private and public experience who is willing to work for less than you're worth. I can't imagine that you'd struggle that much to find a job.

[mla1169]

It will raise a few eyebrows for sure, dad leaving a six figure job to spend time with the very reasons he ever accepted a six figure job in the first place. (Yes, dads are supposed to be hunters and gatherers, we haven't come as far as we think!)

That said, I'm sure it does't completely put you out of the running and in fact depending on who is interviewing you just may come across as a guy who has his priorities right in life.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[tomq04]

read a bit of info on the mrmoneymustache forums. Lots of folks are doing this over there without any problems. If you are sharp and have the resume to back it up, you won't have problems moving forward. You will never regret spending time with the kids, they grow up, and jobs tend to stick around.

This will be one of the best decisions of your life.

REG- (1) 76
FAR- (2) 64, (5)74, (7)83 (Over achiever!)
AUD- (3) 70, (4) 75
BEC- (6) 75

[Anonymous]

Oh, and my wife works/commutes half my hours and makes more than me. That doesn't hurt….but I'm paranoid her medical technology position will dissolve someday and if I leave the work force for a while that I won't be able to get back into the employment loop.

Will definitely check out the mrmoneymustache forum as well. Thanks for the feedback.

[CPA50]

Hi Smith,

I did/am doing/sort of the same thing. Only when I went back to work, I decided to work for myself! While I was at home with child, I did contract work, telecommuting and popping into offices a few hours a week. It saved my resume from looking like there were gaps, and it kept me involved with adult projects. I look at my now 10 year old and think I still didn't spend enough time with her. Time truly flies by. Best wishes!

AUD - 80
BEC - 77
FAR - 80
REG - 80

3 years

+ 16 tests

+ 2 expired sections

= DONE FOREVER!

AUD 88 (expired), 80 retake
FAR 64,69,67,73,67,73,73,73, August 3
REG 75 (expired) September 7
BEC 72, 77

The adventure continues...

[Valerie_Jo]

@Smith…..your wife makes six figures doing medical technology? Like a medical tech? How is that possible?

FAR: 84
BEC: 88
REG: 33 (winged it, bad plan), 77
AUD: 72 ,72, 81 FINALLY DONE!!!!!!

WI Ethics Exam Passed - 92!!!!

Licensed CPA in WI

[TNCPA16]

Last year we hired a guy who had taken a 3 year break to stay home with his child. Jobs will always be there, your kid won't.

[Anonymous]

We all should have gone into healthcare. My wife is a perfusionist, effectively a heart surgeon's assistant. She did an undergrad in micro-biology and decided she didn't want to p*ss away ten years of her life on an MD. Found a one year specialized degree that allowed her to have a life and make decent money. I leave at 430am for work, get home at 4pm and she is almost always there when I leave/return. Amazing. Granted, when she screws up somebody can die; definitely want well compensated/intelligent individuals doing that stuff. If she were a Physician' Assistant, I'd feel more comfortable taking a career break as there is never ending need for PAs. Not so sure about her long term career….it only takes one medical breakthrough and the position disappears into thin air.

[tomq04]

Turn into mustachians!!!

80k/year is plenty of money to live happy fulfilling lives! Mr money mustache, can help put a bit of perspective on your current predicament. Hope you like some of his posts, and find out more at those forums.

Sorry if it sounds like a cult, it kind of is…frugality for all, all while living like kings.

Long story short, enjoy some time with the kid…if you wife's job disappears, you have the credentials to immediately head back, and you wouldn't miss much of a thing while she enjoys her time.

REG- (1) 76
FAR- (2) 64, (5)74, (7)83 (Over achiever!)
AUD- (3) 70, (4) 75
BEC- (6) 75

[LKD CPA]

I agree with others, jobs will always be there, but your kids won't. If you can swing it, spend time with your kids. No one goes to the grave wishing they had spent more time at work.

I would like to add, that my resume makes me look like I have ADHD. My husband is active duty military so, when the Marine Corps says move, we move. Which means I have had a LOT of random miscellaneous jobs over these last 14 years. But, the key point – I am currently working in a position and with a company I love. There will always be jobs!

FAR: 74, 83
REG: 76
BEC: 77
AUD: 89

[fuzyfro89]

To burst your bubble (nicely)…

Yes, leaving the workforce makes it more difficult to get back in.

HOWEVER, that doesn't mean you should not do it. It's up to you to judge the risk/reward.

The best thing you can do while not working full time is to find a way to keep your skills relevant/updated. For an experienced & licensed accountant with 5+ years of experience, the major concern any employer will have is if you can be hired to do a similar job within a reasonable period of time.

Perhaps see if there is some part-time work you can do at a local firm? Even doing tax prep/bookkeeping/etc? I'm just spitting out random ideas. Someone who has done this before is probably a better resource.

[Author]

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