[Anonymous]

I quit my job (non-accounting related) in July 2014 because they could no longer accommodate my school schedule and I wanted to start studying for the CPA exam. I started studying for the CPA exam and finishing up my classes and in the fall attended recruiting season. My goal was to get a full-time position and start in January 2015. I ended up getting a job offer from a mid-size public accounting firm. However, it’s for a September 2015 start. I accepted the offer.

Currently, I have 3 sections passed and I’m working on my last. I attended a career fair at my school in Feb. and a few companies told me that they didn’t have anyone in their office to sign off on my experience once I passed (didn’t state I had a job offer). Then, I told a few places that I’m looking for something temporary/internship related and I have a job offer already on the table and that deterred them away (which I completely understand).

I feel like I’m stuck in a rut!!! I don’t want to apply to another public accounting firm then quit in September and burn bridges. I’m looking at non-accounting related jobs and they wonder why I’m applying. Financially I can make it until September. But I don’t want to NOT WORK until then plus I haven’t worked since July. I feel companies will look at my resume and think I’m lazy.

What should I do now?

[mw798]

Can you intern at the firm you got the Sept start date offer from Never hurts to ask.

[Anonymous]

Good question! I do remember the recruiter telling me their start dates are only in January and Sept. I'm not sure if the same applies for interns.

[Anonymous]

Bump

[Lari Sa]

Not exactly the same, but the summer between graduation and my public accounting start date, i worked at a clothing store and used the employee discount to re-vamp my work wardrobe. Met some cool people, was able to have a few beach days, and got some work clothes at a discount…i'd say it was a success, but when you've got more than 3 months time to kill it might be different.

AUD 85 (11.10 - expired), 0 (2.13), 82* (5.13)
BEC 49 (5.09), 38 (5.11), 75* (10.11)
REG 65 (2.11), 74 (11.11), 0 (2.12), 81* (4.12)
FAR 67 (5.12), 73 (12.12), 78* (2.13)

[Michael]

While this might not be the best way to do things. I learned very quickly that coporate america doesnt give two shits about you. So I was in the same position in college I wasn't getting many job offers so I finally recieved one at a very small firm that would start in June. After I accpeted that position I received an offer from a better firm but the start date wasn't until September and I didnt want to go the whole summer with no job. So i accepted both with the intenetion of quitting the first one in september to go work for firm #2.

It was a dick move on my part but sometimes you have to do what you got to do. It was awkward because they were a really small firm so it was werid starting in june and knowing what day I was going to quit. I still gave my two weeks notice and kept things professional. i just said i had a better oppturinty more inlined with my future goals and they were pissed but understood.

My thought is a company wouldnt bat an eye if they were planning on letting you go so you dont owe anyone anything. I would still give the obligotory two weeks though.

REG - 63,74,70,81!!!
FAR - 44,73, 81!!!!
AUD - 51,81!
BEC - 73,77!!

3 years later and I'm officially done. Never give up no matter what!

[Anonymous]

So you think I should continue to look for a job in the meantime WITHOUT mentioning the fact that I have accepted an offer already? I agree that's messed up but what am I suppose to do! lol

[Pork Flavored Bacon]

Do not mention the fact that you already have an offer in September. As you have already experienced, most people will just cut you loose from their applicant pool. By telling them the truth, you're just screwing yourself.

I'm in agreement with Michael: just keep things professional.

FAR - 75 | REG - 87 | AUD - 82 | LAW - 81

[shankysays]

This is pretty common in public – I remember my offer was like a year out from when it was given to me and I got laid off from my part-time job about halfway through that, so I had a lot of free time. I used it to travel *shrug*

Yes, more accounting experience is best, but you already have the job offer. A lot of people work at Starbucks or as a server over the summer just to make some cash.

The gap won't look odd – you're in school right now, right? If anyone asks why you didn't work for a year, you could just respond that you were focusing on your final year at school and that you were studying and taking the CPA exam (and you'll have results to back it up) so that you can focus on full-time employment when the job started.

BEC - 72, 82! ✓
FAR - 80! ✓
AUD - 70, 92! ✓
REG - 74, 78! ✓

Licensed CPA 5/2015

[Anonymous]

I finished the 150 in December. And financially I can make it until September I just don't want it to look bad. But using the summer to travel and enjoy the hot weather isn't such a bad idea. Lol 🙂

[Anonymous]

The summer before I started my “real” job, I worked as a lifeguard. It was the best job I've ever had. I pretty much got paid to get a tan. On the side, I gave kids swim lessons. Parent's would pay $30 per half hour lesson. It was a great gig.

Another option could be to contact your recruiter and let them know you are available to start earlier. Our firm will sometimes let people start early on a case by case basis.

[thelawnwranglers]

If you are a full time student and you already have your after you finish school job – who are you worried about looking lazy to?

after school the experience you generally talk about at your next interview is work only.

[Anonymous]

I've been done with school since December.

[thelawnwranglers]

just explain it like you explained it to us- but again who are you worried about explaining it to

lets assume you are looking for your job in 2 years. You will talk about the 2 years of work you have done. If you look for a job sooner you are going to be explaining why you are a job hopper and not a little gap between school and start of work.

If it comes up you got your dream offer and had trouble getting someone to commit to you knowing you were gone in September.

I am either not getting your situation or you are over thinking it.

in my opinion.

[thelawnwranglers]

Also if you bang out that CPA that is a pretty good little story to tell as well. I had trouble getting someone to commit knowing I was going to a CPA firm in September so I took that time to focus and pass CPA

[Pork Flavored Bacon]

Since you're going to be okay financially, you had a pretty good idea of doing some travelling and enjoying the summer. That's not bad. Definitely a great idea if you have the means.

At one point, I was unemployed for about seven months and had a firm extend an offer where they would bring me onboard at the end of September. From April through September, I got a full-time job working at a hobby shop which catered to board gamers and card gamers like Magic: The Gathering etc. It was one hell of a fun summer. Get paid to play games with people and sell fun things.

Part of me wishes I can quit my profession and just do that for the rest of my life. Lord knows I wanna but I also want to see where this CPA stuff takes me. One day… maybe when I win the lotto and I need something to do to occupy my time. : )

FAR - 75 | REG - 87 | AUD - 82 | LAW - 81

[Author]

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