[Anonymous]

I was a professional poker player for about 2 years from 2010-2012. I got very serious with online poker in my senior year of college and did not put in much effort into my accounting courses at this time. I ended up dropping many of these classes and ended with a 2.6 gpa when I finally graduated after 6 years of undergrad. I really wanted to pursue poker as a profession and began taking it very seriously. I played in the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas in the summer of 2011 and 2012 and had a fair amount of success in both online poker and live poker (poker in the casinos). However, I came to the realization in the fall of 2012 that this is not something I want to do for the rest of my life and decided to chase a CPA designation to make use of my accounting degree.

I enrolled in my local community college full-time in the 2013 spring semester and took many non-accounting general education intro courses to fulfill my 150 credit education requirement. (I was fortunate to apply for my license in a state that allowed me to do this since the business school I graduated from fulfilled all of the accounting and business requirements.) After getting a 4.0 in these classes, I purchased the Becker self-study program in May and proceeded to take all 4 parts of the exam. Thanks to Becker and Another71, I can proudly say that I have passed 3 of the parts and will be sitting for FAR in February to hopefully complete the exam.

I recently reached out to a friend who is currently a CPA working at a Big 4 firm. He has asked me to send him a resume so that he can pass it on to HR and at a minimum have my name in their system. My current struggle is whether or not to mention poker on my resume and if so, what aspects I should discuss. I am a firm believer that many of the skills I learned as a poker player can be translated into becoming a successful accountant including analytical thinking and endurance for long hours during busy season. However, I understand that this may be a poor decision and an interviewer may dismiss me immediately as a degenerate gambler. I felt that it was important for me to do my best to complete the CPA exam before the job search to compensate for my poor gpa, lack of work experience in accounting, and my resume gap from playing poker.

I realize that this is a very long entry but any comments or suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks everyone for your time!

[pscweb34]

I like the idea of having poker mentioned on your resume. The skills you mentioned above of analytical thinking, endurance, also adapting to different situations are great talking points in an interview. I may not list professional poker player under employment history, however, I would definitely have this under interests or skills sections of your resume. In my Big 4 interviews, the interviewers loved to talk about items listed in this section, as most of the interviews were mainly trying to get a grasp of your personality and conversational skills. When they do bring these up, hit all of the points that demonstrate how your poker skills can translate into the position you are applying for.

AUD (JAN 13) - 82
FAR (MAY 13) - 79
BEC (AUG 13) - 81
REG (NOV 13) - 83

Used Becker Self Study

[pscweb34]

I like the idea of having poker mentioned on your resume. The skills you mentioned above of analytical thinking, endurance, also adapting to different situations are great talking points in an interview. I may not list professional poker player under employment history, however, I would definitely have this under interests or skills sections of your resume. In my Big 4 interviews, the interviewers loved to talk about items listed in this section, as most of the interviews were mainly trying to get a grasp of your personality and conversational skills. When they do bring these up, hit all of the points that demonstrate how your poker skills can translate into the position you are applying for.

AUD (JAN 13) - 82
FAR (MAY 13) - 79
BEC (AUG 13) - 81
REG (NOV 13) - 83

Used Becker Self Study

[jeff]

At least you have a “reason” for the employment gap…build it up as an asset.

I would even put “World Series of Poker” on there for both years … you had an opportunity…it paid well…you went for it…you have some good stories I'm sure…should make your interview memorable.

AUD - 79
BEC - 80
FAR - 76
REG - 92

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS)
NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE | Another71

[jeff]

At least you have a “reason” for the employment gap…build it up as an asset.

I would even put “World Series of Poker” on there for both years … you had an opportunity…it paid well…you went for it…you have some good stories I'm sure…should make your interview memorable.

AUD - 79
BEC - 80
FAR - 76
REG - 92

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS)
NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE | Another71

[acamp]

Wow I think its great you were at a point in life to be able to give it a shot.

I think the distinction you need to make sure comes across is that you were a Professional Poker player, not a gambler. Not all people understand the difference. If nothing else, its a GREAT talking piece. You might include a couple of notable events, and how you did. I would shy aware from saying your grades suffered due to online playing 😉

Self proclaimed: Highest ratio of Replies to Others v. Posts Created on A71

California CPA - Big4 Aud Manager Alum - Private Accounting at Startups

FAR, REG and BEC with Ninja Notes + WTB Only

Ninja + Wiley Test Bank: [FAR - 81] [REG - 76] [BEC - 88] [AUD - 73](doh!)

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[acamp]

Wow I think its great you were at a point in life to be able to give it a shot.

I think the distinction you need to make sure comes across is that you were a Professional Poker player, not a gambler. Not all people understand the difference. If nothing else, its a GREAT talking piece. You might include a couple of notable events, and how you did. I would shy aware from saying your grades suffered due to online playing 😉

Self proclaimed: Highest ratio of Replies to Others v. Posts Created on A71

California CPA - Big4 Aud Manager Alum - Private Accounting at Startups

FAR, REG and BEC with Ninja Notes + WTB Only

Ninja + Wiley Test Bank: [FAR - 81] [REG - 76] [BEC - 88] [AUD - 73](doh!)

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[Texas CPA]

You could always put down self employed statistical analyst.

Reg - Passed 82 Nov 2012 - Becker
Aud - Passed 86 May 2013 - Becker
BEC - Passed 88 Aug 2013 - Becker
FAR - Passed 88 Nov 2013 - Becker

https://www.becker.com/cpa-review

Texas CPA

[Texas CPA]

You could always put down self employed statistical analyst.

Reg - Passed 82 Nov 2012 - Becker
Aud - Passed 86 May 2013 - Becker
BEC - Passed 88 Aug 2013 - Becker
FAR - Passed 88 Nov 2013 - Becker

https://www.becker.com/cpa-review

Texas CPA

[jlough]

I agree with the poster who mentioned putting it in the “Skills and Interest” section.

I read this post to my husband (his cousin took a shot at moving to Vegas to become a pro poker player a while back) and he asked if you were Chris Moneymaker:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Moneymaker

F- 7/13- 84
R- 10/13- 79
A- 11/13- 99
B- 1/14- 86

Licensed in PA- 3/20/2014

This exam ALMOST defeated me back in 2006-2008, but I came back and WON!

[jlough]

I agree with the poster who mentioned putting it in the “Skills and Interest” section.

I read this post to my husband (his cousin took a shot at moving to Vegas to become a pro poker player a while back) and he asked if you were Chris Moneymaker:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Moneymaker

F- 7/13- 84
R- 10/13- 79
A- 11/13- 99
B- 1/14- 86

Licensed in PA- 3/20/2014

This exam ALMOST defeated me back in 2006-2008, but I came back and WON!

[mla1169]

While I think theres a huge difference between being a professional poker player and a “degenerate gambler” (as you said) I'd still wonder if there would be a perception of you as more of a risk taker and the elements of the fraud triangle.

But seriously if I was any good at poker I'd choose that over public accounting any day 😉

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mla1169]

While I think theres a huge difference between being a professional poker player and a “degenerate gambler” (as you said) I'd still wonder if there would be a perception of you as more of a risk taker and the elements of the fraud triangle.

But seriously if I was any good at poker I'd choose that over public accounting any day 😉

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

For the resume itself, I'd probably try to avoid things that are going to set off a red flag to whoever's screening you. You don't want to come off as a gambler because hiring such an individual could increase a firm's risk. If it were me, I'd consider just ignoring the 2-year gap in the education/jobs on the resume. I'd add something along the lines of “statistical analysis” under hobbies and interests or professional skills.

Then, when you go in for the interview you can elaborate more on your experience as a professional card player and your successes and skills derived from your time. It will be much easier to validate that part of your life if you can talk face-to-face. You're not some deadbeat gambler applying for a job. You're a seemingly well-together individual who used his uncanny ability to read cards (and people) to some success for a couple years. Make sure you role-play for that inevitable conversation, though. Even if they don't ask about the gap on your resume, you're going to want to use those experiences to sell yourself as an individual with a desirable skill set.

[Anonymous]

For the resume itself, I'd probably try to avoid things that are going to set off a red flag to whoever's screening you. You don't want to come off as a gambler because hiring such an individual could increase a firm's risk. If it were me, I'd consider just ignoring the 2-year gap in the education/jobs on the resume. I'd add something along the lines of “statistical analysis” under hobbies and interests or professional skills.

Then, when you go in for the interview you can elaborate more on your experience as a professional card player and your successes and skills derived from your time. It will be much easier to validate that part of your life if you can talk face-to-face. You're not some deadbeat gambler applying for a job. You're a seemingly well-together individual who used his uncanny ability to read cards (and people) to some success for a couple years. Make sure you role-play for that inevitable conversation, though. Even if they don't ask about the gap on your resume, you're going to want to use those experiences to sell yourself as an individual with a desirable skill set.

[san4596]

I think you should include it. There are a couple of flags that indicate a gambling degenerate. You should be perfectly fine as long as you do NOT have 1) Bad Credit and/or 2) Arrest Record.

I personally had a difficult time getting a day job in business period. I worked most of my college career as a bartender at local night clubs. Going from a bartender to a business man proved very difficult in my area, even though I was an assistant manager for a period of time. I ended up finally getting a job working at a Credit Union with the help of a classmate and some family ties. Worked for 3 1/2 years in the accounting department while getting my MBA, and moved to an accounting firm after that. My resume now only includes the past 8 years of my life.

CPA EXAM: DONE!!!!
Ethics Course: Passed
Application Mailed: 3/16/15
Professional Conduct Exam: 97
Certification Date: 4/2/15!!!

[Author]

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