[soccer_legs]

Hey there,

I received a DUI four and a half years ago in the state of New Jersey. In New Jersey, a DUI goes on your driving record rather than your criminal record. I have received an offer from a Big 4 firm but worried about losing it on the basis of the DUI. If they don’t check driving records, there would be no reason to disclose it. Thanks in advance.

[MeaDebitum]

Probably smarter to disclose it. The reason being is if they find out without you, it will probably go much worse then just letting them know up front.

[sputina]

They run a background check, this includes checking your driving record. When you sign the background information papers, you will have to disclose your DL #. I would tell them now.

When I did my Big 4 application for an interview, the application actually asked if there were any previous criminal or driving violations, so it would have been addressed then. Don't know if yours was different.

REG - 5/18/12 75
BEC - 7/15/12 83
FAR - 8/24/12 88
AUD - 10/13/12 90

[soccer_legs]

There wasn't anywhere on the website application to disclose any such information. Will I have the opportunity to when the background check begins?

[Red315]

Disclose it. When they perform the background check they will have you fill out paper work. Don't assume they won't check because that will come back and bite you in the ass. It should not hurt you though.

Jeanne Aparicio

B - 75 (11/2011, First Attempt)
A - 88 (2/2012, First Attempt)
R - 89 (5/2012, First Attempt)
F - 79 (8/31/2012 First Attempt)

I AM DONE!!!!!! BECKER IS AWESOME!!!!

Licensed Florida CPA 09/2012

[soccer_legs]

Thanks.

[soccer_legs]

I received an application for the spring internship I am accepting that explains the background check process, but does not have anywhere to disclose the DUI. Should I mention the DUI to the HR lady when I return the application to her via e-mail?

[Anonymous]

I've personally seen background checks, and most of them do not include your driving record. Keep in mind that this is in Cali, so I'm not sure if it pertains to you. What is normally included are: 7-year felonies, valid Social Security, and Credit Checks. Your driving record is only needed for jobs where, you guessed it, driving is part of the job description.

If you read the job applications carefully, they ask for “CRIMINAL offenses”. Criminal offenses are obviously misdemeanors and felonies. From my understanding, you have none. Why are people telling you to disclose non-criminal offenses? Should I disclose speeding tickets and other moving violations to firms? Yes, it's the same thing as a DUI (in your case). If, by rare chance, they do see your DUI and confront you about it, you can say that it was not a criminal offense; therefore, you correclty did not disclose it as one.

[soccer_legs]

Well the job would be in audit, which requires driving sort of. Also, on the application for the internship, it explicitly states the driving record will be checked and asks for DL number.

[Anonymous]

I think you are probably smart enought to figure this out by yourself….just use some logic.

If you lied on an application, you know you did something wrong. If you filled it out truthfully, then there's nothing to worry about. I would hope you know if u lied or told the truth.

[soccer_legs]

Again, there was no where on the application to disclose the DUI…

[Chantel]

Charlie… a DUI is a criminal offense and considered a misdemeanor and is not the same as a speeding ticket. It's sad to think you compare a DUI to a moving violation.

@soccer_legs, if the application didn't ask for it, then there is no reason to disclose it to them. If they do do a background check it is likely they will find it. It may not have any affect on your job though, you'd be surprised how many accountants in all size firms have DWIs/DUIs in their background. There's no reason to be like “Oh yea I have a DWI” if there's no question about it.

I have a DWI. My firm is a middle size firm and did not care, but when you go to apply for the CPA test (if you haven't already) you will have to take extra procedures before you will be approved to take the test, such as talking to someone from their ACAN group and attending a group session with them.

That being said… don't worry about it. If you do get turned down from a job for it, it's just part of life and the punishment we get for getting a DUI/DWI when we were young and dumb.

F - F ('12), 90 (Dec '15)
A - F ('12), 73 (Feb '16), ? (July '16)
R - 87 (May '16)
B -

[Author]

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