[karatechop]

I need help in understanding more about the travel requirements. Currently the job requires almost 80% of travel, which is fine. I am in the process of getting through interviews with one of the Big 4 for IT Risk and security position. I just wanted to know a few things. In your past experience as a consultant, or if you know of a consultant:

1) How much daily travel is involved?

2) Do you mostly travel out of state?

3) Do you get to fly back every weekend?

4) And let’s say you’re a resident of california, and you are assigned a project in arizona for the week, do you get to fly back anywhere on your way back for the weekend? or only to california?

Thank you everyone. I just need help with determining all this.

[Last Chance CPA]

@karatechop – I am confused. Is your home-base (your local office) 18 hours driving distance from your wife? If you are a travelling consultant, your base location can be anywhere within 50 miles of an airport, at least that's what I have been told. I live in San Diego with my wife but travel where needed M-TH – e.g., San Fran, Dallas, etc. I am trying to understand your situation, because travel jobs aren't so bad. I have a 10 month old, imagine having to travel with a baby girl at home. I fly out Monday mornings at 6:30AM and fly back Thursday and home before she even comes back from day care. So I essentially get 1/2 week away, 1/2 week home.

You gotta do what you gotta do in this life….Big 4 does carry its name. I say make the sacrifice IF you have a strong marriage man. Military guys spend months away from home…

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[karatechop]

@Last Chance CPA: Yes, my home office will be several states away from my wifes new job. I don't know much about how consulting works, but there is a major airport right by her new place of residence. The only concern is that sometime clients don't necessarily expect you to meet them in their state, which will mean that I will have to be at the home office.

So Last Chance CPA, you think it is okay then? I don't mind the mon-thurs away, but other than that, you think the firm will be okay with this situation as I will be away from the home office? Even as a new incomer?

[fsugirl2005]

“Military guys spend months away from home…”

This is very true but the transition is horrible when they get back home. My brother and his wife had a pretty good marriage with a daughter but once he was back living with them, they went through a horrible rough patch. Even the daughter had to get adjusted because she didn't think she needed to obey her father.

Karatechop just needs to make sure the communication never stops and he visits his wife every weekend faithfully. None of that “I'm too tired to travel this weekend honey.” Thanks to webcams they can still see each away from home. Their marriage seems fairly new so I think they maybe okay for a little while.

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[Last Chance CPA]

@KarateChop – I recently received an offer from one of the Big 4s to do healthcare consulting in So Cal. I live in San Diego, and the home office is in Costa Mesa, which is still about 2+ north with traffic. They were finally ok with me travelling out of San Diego, but expected me at the home office in Costa Mesa on Fridays (for networking). I said yes to that, but I can tell you, they would never see me at the home office! I have a 10 month old, and networking at the home office takes a back seat. I would have probably fallen into a schedule where I would be on the road so much that I would even have time to be in Costa Mesa on Fridays.

But I am not in accounting yet so I don't know if you have any flexibility? I would have a serious conversation with the managers. Try to avoid the recruiters because they will give you a cookie-cutter response. You have clarified your situation and now I am not entirely certain I would do it. BTW, I said no to the Big 4 offer. Ask them what your options are, and if they are willing to work with you, then do it.

FAR - 76
AUD - 75
BEC - 75
REG - 76

Now I need some experience!!! And some networking...

[Author]

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