[Heather]

Let me just throw out some FYI and TMI, and maybe someone will have some advice.

I have two bachelors degrees (Poli. Sci. and Actg) and working on my masters.

Currently, studying/taking portions of the CPA (hope to be completed within 2015).

Job in State Audit

27 years old and married…

Situation: I after some medical issues, my doctor has informed me that if I want to have children, my husband and I will need to start in the very near future.

I dream of BIG 4… A partner at one of the firms has really taken an interest in hiring me, but wants me to pass a few portions of the CPA exam first (so I look like an EXTRA strong candidate).

So, my question is- should my husband and I try to have a baby within the next year? I will interview with said BIG 4 in August 2015 (college recruiting time) and start August 2016. OR hold off on the pregnancy, start with the firm in Dec 2015/Jan 2016 and wait a year or two?

My major concern is that waiting a year or two and being pregnant while still so new at the firm will put my career on the “slow track”.

Any advice, questions, or comments??

AUD 1/30/15 - 79
FAR 5/29/15 - 83
BEC 10/2015 - 82
REG 11/2015 - 75 and DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[fuzyfro89]

Hsells:

Some people may dislike that, but the fact is that taking time off from work in today's environment is a challenge. You just have to deal with whatever comes your way.

It does not “look bad”, as in people will think you are not hard working or something else. Some people don't like women in the workplace, but does that mean you shouldn't be there? Of course not!

*Ideally*, you would become a partner and then have kids, but that's not the way the world works, right?

[Allergic2CPA]

@OP

You ultimately have to decide what you want the most. While I don't have children nor aspire to have them, it is my understanding that if you're limited as to when you can have them, then sooner is better.

Its my understanding that if you desire to work in Big4 while studying for CPA exams, then there won't be much time for anything else. Accordingly, something to ask your spouse is “are you willing to be a single parent for the first X number of years of our new child's life?”

No employer nor their perceptions is worth not having children. You may be wondering how I know that since I'm childless. Well I've heard that losing a child is the worse loss any human can suffer. This by implication must indicate that having a child is one of the greatest love one can experience. Now ask yourself…can any employer and their favorable perceptions be a sufficient substitute should having your child not come to fruition due to waiting too long?

FAR 46*, 77
AUD 70, 79
BEC 67, 82
REG 75

Texas License July 2013

Used Yaeger lectures based on Wiley textbooks

*Studied less than two weeks, forgot I had purchased NTS.

[chgarcia24]

It's good to hear you are passionate about working at the BIG4 but I would say have a family if that is what you really want and worry about the BIG4 later. I'm in my early 30's and I would love to work at the BIG4 but I wouldn't prioritize them over my newborn which I love.

I'm a former Lehman Brother's employee so I know how hard it can be to work at big companies when it's family planning time. Hopefully it's not the money that drives you to work there because that is a big mistake. Don't believe me, ask my wife, she is a Harvard Grad and Stanford Law (I'm proud to say it), she will tell you it is very difficult to work for companies with billable hours and start a family. They will eat you alive if you don't produce.

As people stated, the industry standard is to pay your full salary for 3-6 months but come annual review, your billable better be on par with everyone else or you will be fired.

So choose wisely and don't be driven by BIG4 blah blah blah status because you will be miserable. I can tell you of at least 2 BIG4 employees who hated it and 3 Big Law attorney's that gave up $220k salaries because they were driven by status and money at first.

[ijustwant76]

I think it depends on where your “life” goals are at. For a lot of folks (my wife included), they would love to have a state job (benefits, work/life balance, etc.) to have the time to focus on their baby.

[Author]

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