[heatherMC]

Hi Everyone,

I am not new to this forum but first time posting a topic.

I have been suffered from depression and anxiety for six months, I have seen my therapist regularly and try my best to keep a normal and intact life.

I have been in CPA industry for 4 – 5 years now, I haven’t been able to pass any exams, I studied and passed two sections, but Depression & Anxiety eat out all my energy so my scores expired. For some time, I am a walking dead.

I work for a rather small firm about an year right now, around 10-15 people, colleagues are friendly but due to privacy, I do not disclose my illness to anyone at work, except the partner, because I need time-off to receive treatments, she has been very understanding (at least not complaining about my hours).

However, I am at an edge of breaking apart. My therapist and family members advised me to leave job and take breaks to focus on my treatment… it is tax season now, and work hours are crazy, last tax season I worked 65-75 hours a week. I feel my body tells me to stop and quit, but my brain says you can still hold on, especially if I leave right now, I am so guilty to let my colleagues hold the bags, and I am afraid that I cant have my current employer to sign on my CPA hours (if I can pass). Also, I heard it is really bad on resumes to have a career gap and the month – Feb. I have battling against the thought of quitting every day since Jan. Finally, I am at a point to make a decision.

Please pardon my English as it is not my first language, but please provide some valuable insights.

[mvhoover]

HeatherMC, maybe you should condsider taking FMLA leave. My son was born at 29 weeks and had major health issues that almost caused me to have to use this back in February of 2018. I studied up on it and was prepared to use it, but the partners at my firm agreed to give me 40 hours a week max and let me keep my job at the time.

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fmla

Don't overdue it my friend, this career isn't worth ruining your life. Take the 12 weeks, ask your family or friends or a local church to help you out with your finances during this hard time and just figure life out. Continue seeing your therapist. There is a light at the end of the tunnel my friend. We Ninjas love and support you. Thanks for reaching out, I hope this helps.

[Recked]

Not sure how much money you are making, but whatever it is, it's probably not worth the 65-75 hours for your boss to take a majority of the money.
I'd try to cut back your hours on your own. Does your boss expect you to work these hours? or are you imposing this on yourself?
Try and work 45-50 hours a week, and take at least one day off a week.
If your boss is not happy about it they can fire you, then problem solved.
–
As far as the mental struggles. Lots of us go through that, some people struggle with it their wholes lives.
You need to find what works for your depression. For some people it's medication, for other they can find other outlets or areas to focus on.
I'd suggest you get a personal trainer a couple mornings a week, to increase your activity levels.
_
I dealt with similar issues from my late teens all the way to my early 30's.
I thought my job was my life and I'd be here from 9-9 most days, and was working 7 days a week, at least 4 hours on Sundays because I thought that was what it took to get ahead.
Now that I'm older I focus more on how much I can bill out, vs how much time I spend in the chair. I've cut back my work hours, go to the gym a couple days a week, try and do at least one healthy activity for myself everyday before work. We are not meant to sit in a chair staring at a screen for 60+ hours a week. It's not healthy and it'll put you in an early grave.
Maybe Public isn't for you. You might want to look into a government or industry job that will have more reasonable hours.
–
Take my advice, cut back the hours. lets say no more than 50 a week. If they fire you, so be it.
Do something active and healthy for yourself every morning.
Discuss some medications with your therapist if you need something for the short term.
Keep on keeping on. No point to living life if you hate everyday, and nothing changes unless you change it.

[heatherMC]

Hi

It is a small firm and everyone works crazy here… but other than worrying about income and health insurance, I also need to concern, if I quit now, how can I get my current office to sign on my CPA hours… although I did not even have one score yet…

[mvhoover]

Just ask for a print out of the hours you work and say ” I want to submit this to the AICPA so that once I pass I can get licensed as soon as possible.” If you worked the time, they should give you that with no problem.

[Biff Tannen]

I would just lie and say you passed, request the work experience sign off, then bail. Do what’s best for yourself

[Author]

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