[Anonymous]

Hi all,

I’ve been a fan of the forum since I started taking the exams, but this is my first actual post and I wanted to see what people thought about my current situation and whether anyone has experienced something similar.

I’ve been working at a big 4 firm for over 2 years now, and I am finally on my last exam section which just happens to be FAR. As we all know, FAR is a beast and you really need to put an incredible amount of time into it which I just can’t seem to find these days. I’ve decided to start job searching for industry jobs that are much more stable and regimented, which leads to my current predicament.

I am taking FAR right before Thanksgiving and I am nowhere near as prepared as I should be. My Audit credit expires next May, however given my busy seasons it’s pretty much all riding on this exam part as I would not be able to take it again until May (not sure if I want to chance knocking FAR out with 4 weeks of studying). So, i’ve been toying with the thought of leaving before having something new lined up in order to devote more time to job searching and being able to study full time and finally get this exam over with.

However, from what I hear this is not a good idea as you become less marketable when you’re not currently working. I get this to some degree, but I feel like having all 4 exams passed and becoming a CPA would take precedence over that to potential employers. Has anyone experienced a similar situation and left their job to study full time? If so, was it difficult to find something new down the road? I appreciate any advice you all can give me, and from what I have seen in the forum I know it would be helpful.

[mla1169]

Can you move FAR out to the very beginning of January and take it before busy season? That gives you 5 more weeks.

No I would never consider leaving a job unless I had another lined up.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Mamabear]

I wouldn't quit. I would ask your employee for the next two weeks off, even if you have to take them unpaid, and get this exam over with. Then work through your busy season while you wait for your license. Then go on a job hunt during the nonbusy season.

CPA Exam - Finally DONE (November 2014)
BEC (08/10/13) 80
AUD (08/24/13) 65 (11/13/13) 85
FAR (04/12/14) 81
REG (07/19/14) 69 (11/29/14) 87!!

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately, I have way too much work that's been piled up leading to my exam (finish before taking off for the exam) that I don't think they'll allow me to. And my winter busy season begins in mid-December due to my engagements, so the option of taking it in January really isn't there. My hopes were to leave and be able to take the exam again in February and again in May if need be, and I figured i'd have a new job by then that would give me some more flexibility.

Also, with the upcoming busy season I don't think I would be able to take “sick days” to go on interviews without catching some SERIOUS heat for it.

[Anonymous]

I'm also taking FAR at the end of November and I'm also crazy behind on studying (not even halfway through CPAExcel's unnecessarily long second book )

sorry I don't have my to say other than, hang in there

[soyanks]

Nowadays, HR won't even look at your resume if you currently don't have a job, which makes it more difficult for the unemployed individuals to find work again. So I wouldn't quit the job just so you can try to pass the CPA exam.

FAR - 86
REG - 85
BEC - 90
AUD - 84

[fuzyfro89]

It's a risk, so that's a risk for your to judge. Your Big 4 experience will greatly outweigh having/not having your CPA… though obviously it's better to have both.

That risk is something you'll have to decide if it's worthwhile and how much you think having the CPA exams done will help.

Some factors to consider that may increase/decrease the risk, depending on your view:

– how strong you feel your network is

– how strong the job market is in your area

– how strong is your resume (existing experience)

– how well do you interview

[Anonymous]

Maybe ive got it all wrong but having a job AND at a big 4 firm (getting awesome experience) > cpa certification and no job. your cpa certification will come with time, young padawan. now if you had a job lined up, that'd be a different story

[PurpleK]

When I was at the Big 4, the majority of my starting class was taking exams in January/February while working 70+ hours a week. Since busy season never really ends at a Big 4, you just have to make it work.

And to be honest, if you have been at a Big 4 for 2 years and don't already have your CPA… you are behind. There was a lot of pressure to get it done as a first year staff.

I would suggest sucking it up and getting it done during season if you can't knock it out beforehand.

[mla1169]

Are the dates in your signature the dates you passed the three exams you've got credit for? Because if you passed exams in 11/13, 1/14 and 5/14, which is when you're the busiest, but haven't knocked out FAR between 5/14 and 11/14, I'm not sure it's busy season at work that would hold you back.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Author]

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