[Keepmyheadup]

Hello all,

I’m new to the forum but have been a long time reader. I’ve shared in your triumphs and setbacks. I would like to seek some advice as I seem to be going through some career setbacks myself.

I started my career in public accounting at a regional firm. I did well there and got early promoted to senior. I left right around the 3 year mark to take a position as an internal auditor at a Fortune 500 company. I was also half way through my CPA and thought that my new reduced work schedule would help me find more time to study.

I was hopeful that this internal audit position may lead me to other positions in management. I have since been I. Internal audit for one year and I must say I can’t take it anymore.

First of all, my sections expired as my company doesn’t give much advanced notice before needing me to travel. I am traveling so much some weeks I fly out ever other week and I spend most Friday nights and Sundays traveling.

My prospects at the company aren’t also the best as management is disorganized and the company as a whole is going through some growing pains (layoffs/reorg)

I have been looking for a new job for approx 6 months now with no avail. Not a lot of employers seem to value internal audit experience. Needless to say, not having my CPA doesn’t help either.

There are staff accountant or bookkeeping roles available but I feel that if I take another position down I may be hurting my career in the long run. (Nothing wrong with being an accountant or bookkeeper.. We all gotta start somewhere).

I feel like I’m in a take one step forward two steps back situation. Should I try to wait out my current miserable situation in hopes of finding the right position while studying again?

Or should I suck it up, take a staff or part time position to finish my CPA and then do the job search over again?

Thanks so much for your time and advice!

[fuzyfro89]

Never take a step down to “study”.

Experience is hard to step up if you are in a job below your abilities/qualifications.

Suck it up, buy a 100-pack of 5 hour energies, a 50 pack of Red Bull, and a little crack while you're at it. Find a way to get it done. It won't be easy, but taking a “step down” in your career to pass the CPA is generally not a good thing. This is only anecdotal, of course, but I've never seen anyone do this successfully. I will say that if you absolutely cannot pass the CPA, it will hold you back, so at some point (ideally while working or in between jobs) you need to get it done if you want to stay in accounting/tax/audit/finance.

Has anyone else done this successfully? I'd be interested to know… My opinion is that it hurts you more than it helps you, but someone who has tried it may be able to offer better advice.

[Author]

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