[JohnWayneIsGod]

I need some advice / honest input. Some background about me first:

After one year of being out of work to focus solely on the CPA, I’m back in the job market. Here is the thing: I don’t want a job that takes too much away from my studies and I could move in the next 12 months, so any job could end up being short-term. However, I don’t want to just take anything.

My qualifications are a Master’s Degree with a 3.5+ GPA, passed FAR, and spent half a year working with a publicly traded Fortune 500 company with billions in revenues. My time with this company included going through the year-end close that included a two-month audit from Deloitte. The other day AccountTemps called me, but then told me I was overqualified for the job opening that they had in mind. Another problem I have is that I changed my career to an accountant and am now in my late 30s.

1. How much does my age, one-year lapse, and less than one year with my previous employer hurt me?

1a. How would you address objections/questions to this?

1b. If I were to move in less than a year after starting a new job due to my wife looking for a job out of state, would this further hurt me?

2. Would it be good or bad to entertain the idea of applying for municipal government jobs or non-profits? I’ve avoided these so far

3. Any other thoughts?

FAR - 80

Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.

-John Wayne

[ruggercpa2b]

1. How much does my age, one-year lapse, and less than one year with my previous employer hurt me? – I do not think age really matters. I am in my mid 30s and just started at a public accounting firm. So, do not let that deter you from going after jobs you want. Only thing you have to be prepared is being bossed around by people younger than you.

1a. How would you address objections/questions to this? – I do not put the years I graduated from college on my resume. Granted I have had recruiters ask me when I graduated from college after they call me for phone interviews. I have never had any issues with leaving out the dates. Because I feel like those are a dead giveaway that I am little older.

1b. If I were to move in less than a year after starting a new job due to my wife looking for a job out of state, would this further hurt me? – I do not think it would hurt you. You can be upfront and say your wife got a job in a different state so you had to move.

2. Would it be good or bad to entertain the idea of applying for municipal government jobs or non-profits? I’ve avoided these so far- if you are not going to be in those jobs long term then I do not think it matters. Do you want to work for the government or non profit? If this is something you want to do then go for it. Also, remember that government jobs application process always seems to take some time. Will that work with your potential move?

3. Any other thoughts? – I feel like you will need to explain the time that you took off. You mentioned that you took a year off to focus on the exams, however, I see in your signature that you are still studying for the exams. You may have to come up with another valid reason as to why you took a year off. I would be questioning someone taking a year off to study full time and yet have not much to show. But we also know this exam is a beast and it doesnt always turn out how we think its going to be. It would be something to think about.

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.

[JohnWayneIsGod]

Thanks, Rugger. The passing one exam in one year alarms me as well. I failed it the first time around, and we also bought a house for the potential move which was such a complex sale that it became like holding another job. But you are right–that will take some good explaining.

FAR - 80

Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.

-John Wayne

[EuroAddict]

“3. Any other thoughts? – I feel like you will need to explain the time that you took off. You mentioned that you took a year off to focus on the exams, however, I see in your signature that you are still studying for the exams. You may have to come up with another valid reason as to why you took a year off. I would be questioning someone taking a year off to study full time and yet have not much to show. “

BINGO

-----------------------------
BEC - 77, 03/2015 (first try)
FAR - 79, 05/2015 (second try)
REG - 83, 12/2015 (first try)
AUD - 84, 03/2015 (first try)

I got 99 problems but the CPA ain't one.

[Author]

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