[Master the CPA exam]

Hello,

So I recently accepted a job offer in NYC, which I am very thankful for. However I don’t start until the end of the month. I have just received an interview from a top 15 accounting firm. I am not sure what to do, if I should just pass on it or go to the interview. I just signed my offer letter yesterday for the firm in NYC (its funny how everyone wants you when you already accepted another job lol) Any suggestions will be appreciated.

FAR - May 2015 - 69
BEC - TBD
REG - TBD
AUD - TBD

Wiley CPA Excel, Wiley Test Bank, & Ninja Audio Notes

"Fight through the pain, so you can live like a CHAMPION"

[ymmit]

I was casually speaking to the director of my department (large public firm) and they said it is more common than you think for someone to sign the offer letter and then back out days or even hours before their first day. So it has been done numerous times before if that means anything.

Licensed CPA!

[fuzyfro89]

Do you prefer the other company? Go ahead and interview, no harm in that (most likely).

If they give you a better offer, or you like them better, then you can decide how to proceed.

If nothing else, you can expand your professional network for the future in case you want to leave the current firm in the future.

[hasy]

To chime in on this, I've been in a similar situation. I interviewed for a firm and got the offer pretty early into the game but I had a one month of nothing to do. Since I applied to a bunch, I had several interview offers. I chose the ones that I felt gave me good experience and chucked the rest. Ended up getting another offer but I declined since the location was far away (even though both firms were of the same caliber ish). However, the partner who interviewed me personally emailed me after saying that he wished I would have chosen his firm and asked me to keep in touch.

So in the future, if I wanted to reach out my prospects in LA (where he was), I can. Networking is such an art, I don't know even half of it, but always keep in touch, you never know what may happen.

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved - Helen Keller

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BEC 80 (10/23/15)
FAR 72 (4/2/15); 83 (7/11/16)
REG 52 (4/28/15)
AUD (9/9/16)

Roger + NINJA MCQ + WTB

[hasy]

To chime in on this, I've been in a similar situation. I interviewed for a firm and got the offer pretty early into the game but I had a one month of nothing to do. Since I applied to a bunch, I had several interview offers. I chose the ones that I felt gave me good experience and chucked the rest. Ended up getting another offer but I declined since the location was far away (even though both firms were of the same caliber ish). However, the partner who interviewed me personally emailed me after saying that he wished I would have chosen his firm and asked me to keep in touch.

So in the future, if I wanted to reach out my prospects in LA (where he was), I can. Networking is such an art, I don't know even half of it, but always keep in touch, you never know what may happen.

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved - Helen Keller

-

BEC 80 (10/23/15)
FAR 72 (4/2/15); 83 (7/11/16)
REG 52 (4/28/15)
AUD (9/9/16)

Roger + NINJA MCQ + WTB

[Anonymous]

It's not uncommon, but I still think it's an ethically gray area, especially if you rescind nearly a month after you accepted the offer. That firm has effectively ended their search for a candidate, and when a month has passed, they may have lost the chance to offer the job to their other top candidates, who may have accepted other offers by now. It's easy to say “well, that's their problem,” but understand that you've contributed to the situation and that the world is not as large as it seems.

[Master the CPA exam]

does it look bad that I already signed the offer letter.

FAR - May 2015 - 69
BEC - TBD
REG - TBD
AUD - TBD

Wiley CPA Excel, Wiley Test Bank, & Ninja Audio Notes

"Fight through the pain, so you can live like a CHAMPION"

[Missy]

It only looks bad to the company that extended the offer so you wouldn't be able to apply there again for a good number of years. It happens and, often. All the signed offer letter means is that you're clear, on the position and compensation being offered. It's not a contract.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[TNCPA16]

We had someone do this to us last year. Offered him the job, he accepted, but then his current company decided to pay him more so he stayed. On the employer side, we all understand that these things happen…but, that said, we would never offer this guy another job in the future. It was an inconvenience for us, since we had to start the process all over again, but it's not the end of the world. We eventually found someone else (actually, someone we all liked better), so it worked out fine in the end.

I was in a similar situation my first job out of school. I received and accepted a job offer a few hours before I was scheduled to go on another interview. I was really excited to get the offer – it was the company and job that I wanted – so I just cancelled the other interview. I didn't want to waste their time interviewing knowing that there was a .0001% chance that I was going to change my mind.

If you are excited about the offer you have and think you will be happy there, I wouldn't bother interviewing anymore. If you think you would be happier at this other place, I see no harm in interviewing. If they decide to make you an offer, then you will need to really think about what you want. Of course the place you accepted will not be thrilled if you change your mind, but like I said, it's not the end of the world.

[Author]

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