[snel0075]

Hey all,

I now have about one year of experience in a Big 4 accounting firm (tax), have completed the CPA exam and the associated experience requirement, and I am now reassessing what I want to do from here. I knew coming into my current position that it would be a means to an end rather than a long and prosperous career. I do not enjoy the work and I despise the focus on chargeable hours and putting work before life.

Currently, I have a couple job possibilities out there: one in tax compliance for a bank (this would be more of what I do now without the focus on hours) and the other is to be a business systems analyst. This could be more interesting because I am a technology hobbyist, but who knows for sure.

If I were to pass up on these opportunities and cease working for my current firm to go work abroad and travel for some time (probably about six months), how might that affect my job search upon returning home? I guess what it comes down to is how would an employment gap in my resume of six months to a year affect my ability to find a new job in the future?

There is nothing that I want to do more than go on a long-term international trip. I have the means and the motivation, but I’m justifiably hesitant because of the required risk. Does anyone have any similar experience or words of wisdom?

B - 86
A - 87
R - 81
F - 81

DONE.

[Anonymous]

I am in / was in the exact position as you, and now I'm on a path to find out the answer to your question. You can hold off for a year and ask me if I have any insight of what happens :). I think (and hope) the answer is: any amazing life changing experience that culminates in a new career.

[Anonymous]

I know several of the Big 4 have a sabbatical program, a few of the associates I work with took 3 – 4 month vacations last summer after their first busy season to travel around Europe. Not sure if 6 months would be too long of a break for your firm to allow, but maybe you could try something like that and continue to work at your Big 4 when you return while searching for a different job? Idk…..the thought of leaving a job right now without another job lined up would absolutely terrify me haha.

[Anonymous]

I know several of the Big 4 have a sabbatical program, a few of the associates I work with took 3 – 4 month vacations last summer after their first busy season to travel around Europe. Not sure if 6 months would be too long of a break for your firm to allow, but maybe you could try something like that and continue to work at your Big 4 when you return while searching for a different job? Idk…..the thought of leaving a job right now without another job lined up would absolutely terrify me haha.

[kahtwoloo]

I had a ten month gap from when I graduated to when I started looking for jobs and I got calls back. I had maybe eight or so interviews until I landed a temp job for two months. I got laid of about one and half months ago from that and have had six interviews since. As long as you don't suck at interviews like me, I'd say you're good. And it probably helps that you have experience, which I don't.

BEC-51,71,70,77
AUD-50,62,68 (retake july)
REG-55
FAR-15(didnt study)

[kahtwoloo]

I had a ten month gap from when I graduated to when I started looking for jobs and I got calls back. I had maybe eight or so interviews until I landed a temp job for two months. I got laid of about one and half months ago from that and have had six interviews since. As long as you don't suck at interviews like me, I'd say you're good. And it probably helps that you have experience, which I don't.

BEC-51,71,70,77
AUD-50,62,68 (retake july)
REG-55
FAR-15(didnt study)

[Gatorbates]

I've had plenty of gaps in my career. Due to unemployment … time off due to a family death, etc. As long as you can explain why there was a gap, you'll be fine.

Licensed Florida CPA:
B: 71, 73, 79
A: 83
R: 78 (expired), 77
F: 74, 74, 80

It's finally freaking over.

[Gatorbates]

I've had plenty of gaps in my career. Due to unemployment … time off due to a family death, etc. As long as you can explain why there was a gap, you'll be fine.

Licensed Florida CPA:
B: 71, 73, 79
A: 83
R: 78 (expired), 77
F: 74, 74, 80

It's finally freaking over.

[Study Monk]

I would leave with two years of experience at Big 4. That way you never have to go back and its considered a solid block of time. Some potential employers might feel that you couldn't handle the stress if you leave after one year whether or not it is true or not. I love to travel myself and definitely think you should do it. Another good thing about staying another year is the Big 4 might give you a market adjustment type raise for passing the CPA. Leave with a higher salary and enter the workforce with a higher salary. My resume is unstable and I would of done things differently if I could.

I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

"Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

[Study Monk]

I would leave with two years of experience at Big 4. That way you never have to go back and its considered a solid block of time. Some potential employers might feel that you couldn't handle the stress if you leave after one year whether or not it is true or not. I love to travel myself and definitely think you should do it. Another good thing about staying another year is the Big 4 might give you a market adjustment type raise for passing the CPA. Leave with a higher salary and enter the workforce with a higher salary. My resume is unstable and I would of done things differently if I could.

I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

"Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

[KiwiCPA]

@ snel0075

With a screen name as CPAkiwi… I came here from New Zealand. I have also travelled to Australia for 4 months and the UK for nearly a year.

The experience is worth it, so I do agree with other posts.

However, I would look other threads to see when most firms hire – I believe that September through November is appropriate. So if you were to take 6 months to travel, I would save like crazy and quit in March. If you plan to travel in the northern hemisphere you have the summer, if you go south it will be winter…..

Another possbility is that you end up with a job in another country – live and work in a big city and travel in the weekends.

Reg 82; FAR 75; AUD 91; BEC 11/9/13; result due - 11/22/13

[KiwiCPA]

@ snel0075

With a screen name as CPAkiwi… I came here from New Zealand. I have also travelled to Australia for 4 months and the UK for nearly a year.

The experience is worth it, so I do agree with other posts.

However, I would look other threads to see when most firms hire – I believe that September through November is appropriate. So if you were to take 6 months to travel, I would save like crazy and quit in March. If you plan to travel in the northern hemisphere you have the summer, if you go south it will be winter…..

Another possbility is that you end up with a job in another country – live and work in a big city and travel in the weekends.

Reg 82; FAR 75; AUD 91; BEC 11/9/13; result due - 11/22/13

[snel0075]

Thank you all for your great input! I have been thinking about this very seriously for the past few months and your opinions have helped reaffirm my own. I plan on making a job change in the next couple months regardless, so as long as I have the time, money, and motivation to travel, I think this will be the time to do it. I will probably need to leave my company a bit earlier than I would like since I don't want to quit right in the middle of busy season, but I will be able to make it work. I'm trying to figure out whether leaving in January would be too late and would burn some bridges or if I should just finish out excise season and leave come the holidays…

@kiwicpa

I am actually planning to go to Australia for some time on a work and holiday visa and then visit New Zealand from there.

Thank you all again for your input. If this comes to fruition and if I start up a blog, I'll be sure to drop a link here!

B - 86
A - 87
R - 81
F - 81

DONE.

[snel0075]

Thank you all for your great input! I have been thinking about this very seriously for the past few months and your opinions have helped reaffirm my own. I plan on making a job change in the next couple months regardless, so as long as I have the time, money, and motivation to travel, I think this will be the time to do it. I will probably need to leave my company a bit earlier than I would like since I don't want to quit right in the middle of busy season, but I will be able to make it work. I'm trying to figure out whether leaving in January would be too late and would burn some bridges or if I should just finish out excise season and leave come the holidays…

@kiwicpa

I am actually planning to go to Australia for some time on a work and holiday visa and then visit New Zealand from there.

Thank you all again for your input. If this comes to fruition and if I start up a blog, I'll be sure to drop a link here!

B - 86
A - 87
R - 81
F - 81

DONE.

[Gerg, CPA]

come to think of it, my wife's friend from college did something like this.

he worked abroad for his firm (a big 4) for a while …. in sweden i think? and then he took a sabbatical for a year or more to travel all over. when he finally came back, he went back to his same position

FAR - 1/26/2012 - PASSED (78, but Lost credit), re-do 11/27/2013 - PASSED (87)!
AUD - EPIC FAIL, 71, 69; 68; 5/25/2013 - PASSED (85)!
REG - 10/1/2012 - 72; 7/1/2013 - 73 UGH, 10/1/2013 - PASSED (85)!
BEC - 2/28/2013 - PASSED (82)!
Licensed CPA!

Used Becker self-study materials (just this for FAR original & REG #1), WileyTestBank, NINJA notes/audio, and Roger cram course for AUD #5, REG #3 & FAR reboot. CPA!

[Gerg, CPA]

come to think of it, my wife's friend from college did something like this.

he worked abroad for his firm (a big 4) for a while …. in sweden i think? and then he took a sabbatical for a year or more to travel all over. when he finally came back, he went back to his same position

FAR - 1/26/2012 - PASSED (78, but Lost credit), re-do 11/27/2013 - PASSED (87)!
AUD - EPIC FAIL, 71, 69; 68; 5/25/2013 - PASSED (85)!
REG - 10/1/2012 - 72; 7/1/2013 - 73 UGH, 10/1/2013 - PASSED (85)!
BEC - 2/28/2013 - PASSED (82)!
Licensed CPA!

Used Becker self-study materials (just this for FAR original & REG #1), WileyTestBank, NINJA notes/audio, and Roger cram course for AUD #5, REG #3 & FAR reboot. CPA!

[Author]

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