When is it acceptable to quit public accounting?

  • Creator
    Topic
  • #181009
    throwawaycpa
    Member

    When’s an acceptable time of year to quit public accounting? It’s obviously frowned upon closer towards busy season. So what’s the latest you can quit without it being considered a dick move?

    FAR 71, (waiting on score from 10/3)
    BEC 84
    AUD 77
    REG 80

Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 16 total)
  • Author
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  • #458298
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Right around now. Firms are hiring now to staff for busy season which means they can fill another spot too. But at the end of the day who gives a damn. Do what is best for you don't worry about a firm big or small, they'll figure it out.

    #458437
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Right around now. Firms are hiring now to staff for busy season which means they can fill another spot too. But at the end of the day who gives a damn. Do what is best for you don't worry about a firm big or small, they'll figure it out.

    #458300
    Study Monk
    Member

    I wouldn't worry about it being a dick move to the company. If you quit right before busy season I am sure they will hire someone. So yoiu will create a job for a person now. If you quit after busy season then they probably wont hire a person for six months or so. So you stimulate the economy by quitting before busy season. How does this month sound?

    I would think that quitting right before busy is better than during busy season.

    I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

    "Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

    #458439
    Study Monk
    Member

    I wouldn't worry about it being a dick move to the company. If you quit right before busy season I am sure they will hire someone. So yoiu will create a job for a person now. If you quit after busy season then they probably wont hire a person for six months or so. So you stimulate the economy by quitting before busy season. How does this month sound?

    I would think that quitting right before busy is better than during busy season.

    I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

    "Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

    #458302
    tough_kitty
    Member

    Wow. Interesting replies. I'd suggest giving it at least a year – it would look (more or less) good on your resume.

    I guess to me it sounded like you just started and didn't like it but if you have over a year of experience, then quit as soon as you find another job!

    FAR: 81 (May 2013)
    BEC: 81 (July 2013)
    REG: 83 (August 2013)
    AUD: 82 (November 2013)
    California CPA since 1/30/14

    #458441
    tough_kitty
    Member

    Wow. Interesting replies. I'd suggest giving it at least a year – it would look (more or less) good on your resume.

    I guess to me it sounded like you just started and didn't like it but if you have over a year of experience, then quit as soon as you find another job!

    FAR: 81 (May 2013)
    BEC: 81 (July 2013)
    REG: 83 (August 2013)
    AUD: 82 (November 2013)
    California CPA since 1/30/14

    #458304
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    do what is best for you, not the company. remember you work to live, not live to work

    #458443
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    do what is best for you, not the company. remember you work to live, not live to work

    #458306
    Amay
    Member

    Whenever you want as long as you don't burn any bridges (i.e. leave on good terms and don't leave any work hanging).

    BEC: 73, 81
    AUD: 85
    FAR: 71, 77
    REG: 74, 75...finally DONE! 😀

    *This is my 2nd attempt at the CPA exam. For all of you who have failed this exam many times, given up on it, or taken a break like me, remember that it is still possible to finish what you started...failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently 🙂

    #458445
    Amay
    Member

    Whenever you want as long as you don't burn any bridges (i.e. leave on good terms and don't leave any work hanging).

    BEC: 73, 81
    AUD: 85
    FAR: 71, 77
    REG: 74, 75...finally DONE! 😀

    *This is my 2nd attempt at the CPA exam. For all of you who have failed this exam many times, given up on it, or taken a break like me, remember that it is still possible to finish what you started...failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently 🙂

    #458308
    mena je twa
    Member

    You can leave whenever, over here people leave in the midst of busy season , they cant take it any more, they are sick and call it quits in Feb or March.

    The firm has plenty of reserves, we are all replaceable at any time.

    Remember, corporations and firms are in the business of improving their bottom line, they pay us and we provide service. They can let us go any time and vice – versa.

    Licensed CPA, Texas - 2012

    #458447
    mena je twa
    Member

    You can leave whenever, over here people leave in the midst of busy season , they cant take it any more, they are sick and call it quits in Feb or March.

    The firm has plenty of reserves, we are all replaceable at any time.

    Remember, corporations and firms are in the business of improving their bottom line, they pay us and we provide service. They can let us go any time and vice – versa.

    Licensed CPA, Texas - 2012

    #458310
    acamp
    Participant

    I had a senior leave who basically lined up a job for after busy season, he let everyone know before year end and left after the audit was done–so about the cleanest way you can leave, and he has a wide open door should he need/want to come back.

    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

    #458449
    acamp
    Participant

    I had a senior leave who basically lined up a job for after busy season, he let everyone know before year end and left after the audit was done–so about the cleanest way you can leave, and he has a wide open door should he need/want to come back.

    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

    #458312
    fuzyfro89
    Participant

    When you leave really has a few basic points to consider. Depending on your managers, they may not be happy no matter how peacefully you leave (i.e. how convenient it is for your engagements). Just do your best and give 2 weeks notice, and let your key managers/seniors know (those who will be impacted over the next month or so) and let the ones you are closer to know as well. ONLY tell people after you have been fully accepted at your new job (background check has gone through, you have a start date, signed offer, etc).

    Beyond that, the “ideal” time is any time except busy season. You don't want to leave work hanging in the balance.

    Everything I said so far is obvious, but nothing is ever perfect. Leaving during busy season is “frowned upon”, but again another time of the year may be as well depending on how vindictive your teams are.

    To answer your question directly: any time before or after busy season is reasonable.

Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 16 total)
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