[Anonymous]

Today when I asked my team lead in the IRS for recommendation. She reminded me that I am still employed by the IRS. The IRS has a conflict of interest with public accounting firm tax sides. So I guess I definitely must resign if I want an offer. Does resigning the previous job matter?

[ruggercpa2b]

I work at a Big 4 and am waiting on an offer for another public accounting firm which they consider to be a conflict of interest. Once I put in my 2 weeks notice they will have to make sure that they pay me everything that I am owed before I start at the new firm. Some places once you put in your 2 weeks notice they ask you to just go ahead and leave and not even bother working.

I would suggest that you tell the firm that you don't want them to check your current job references till you actually have an offer. You should always be careful because you don't want your current employer to let you go and then the offer falls through. Make sure you have an offer and an actual start date. I would also look to see what the riules are at your current job. You might be in the same position that I will be where they just have to make sure everything is processed and you no longer have any ties to the IRS prior to you starting your new job.

AUD - 73, 72 retake 7/2/2016
BEC - 8/20/2016
REG - TBD
FAR - TBD

I am so ready for this nightmare to be over. Been at this way too long.

[RachelP]

I would not resign until your job offer is a real-deal!

"Don't worry, beeeeee happy!"

Unhappy with job, long distance boyfriend, not much studying:
FAR- 66 [08/28/12] AUD- 61 [10/04/12] REG- 59 [11/28/12] BEC- 63 [01/11/13]
Year off (from exams): Got new job, got married, moved, etc
✓ AUD- 79!!! 01/10/14 FIRST PASS!! WOOOO!!!
✓ REG- 73 02/27/14, 81 10/27/14
✓ FAR- 83 5/16/14
✓ BEC- 80 7/24/14
✓ Education ✓ Experience
Ethics Exam

[Anonymous]

Conflicts aren't something you should be worried about at the pay grade your looking at.

By that, I mean that the work you are doing isn't important enough to sway any opinions on anything.

[Herbieherb]

Makes no sense to quit a job just to get a recommendation. Both the offer and recommendation are uncertain. Get an offer first

NEW YORK- DONE

[mla1169]

To answer your specific question, yes having resigned from a previous job can affect a job search in some cases.

To give you some guidance that you did not ask for-be sure you didn't sign anything at work restricting you from taking a job in public accounting for a specified period of time after leaving the IRS. You probably did not, and non compete agreements are rarely enforced but can cause you some heartache.

I would recommend never resigning a position until you have a firm offer elsewhere. You don't know if the public accounting firms will see it as a conflict of interest which could potentially cost you a job offer, then you'd have no job and no income.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[jm962011]

Do not quit your job to get an offer. I looked into it… analyzed my spending, my savings, the pay out I would get from vacation… Talked to mentor who suggested I go to Robert Half and get a temp job so I could get off of my previous company's payroll so then I could go to big 4. Very scary.

[Author]

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