[GuitarSalad]

Here’s my situation. I didn’t find a job in public accounting through my MAcc program that I finished this past April. Working in public was my goal throughout the process. This was my goal not because I think I want to do it long term, but because I want to get the best experience possible. I’m a little older than a lot of the people that were in my program (30), and I don’t like the idea of gaining experience more slowly in an industry job as much as I do killing myself in public for at least a few years. I wound up taking a full-time job with the company I had an internship with. I really love my coworkers, manager and company (and I know how important that is after having a few jobs prior that were not nearly as good). The benefits here are fantastic. It’s an airline, so I can fly all around the country/world at no/little cost. However, my company is going through a merger (if you read the now you’ll know which one it is), and my job may be moving to a city that I’m not willing to live in.

Here’s my dilemma. Do I go back through the recruiting process this fall or do I ride the wave out at my current position? Each has its benefits. If I stay at my company and my job goes away I will receive a significant severance that includes being able to fly for free and enough money to have time off to do it. If it stays, I don’t get a severance check, but I’m still employed! If I can find a job working in public accounting, I’ll get the experience I want and maybe a slightly better paycheck. The best of both worlds would be to have a job in public and get the severance, but I feel it’s much more likely that if I take a job in public the move at my current company would be later and I would miss out on the severance package (and that would hurt more than anything). Since I graduated this year, I don’t think I’d be able to go back through recruiting season next year and be considered a recent graduate and might have to go through the experienced hire route after this year. That might be a lot harder to do.

More background: I had a ton of interviews last year (10 or so) with firms of varying sizes, from Big 4 all the way down to local firms. I came up bone dry. I’m really rough in interviews, and as much as I’ve done to improve my interview skills I think I’m going to always need to have a little luck on my side. I’m really reserved, and I seem to need a really outgoing energetic interviewer to break the ice and have a really good interview. I have a good resume, so I know I’ll be able to get some more. I’ve improved my position since last year as well by passing two sections of the CPA, volunteering for VITA, activity with BAP and keeping a 4.0+ GPA through the MAcc program. I should also be a fully licensed CPA by the time start dates roll around for public firms next fall.

What would all of you do in my situation? Has anyone had similar experiences?

BEC 7/12/13 - 84
AUD 8/31/13 - 86
REG 4/11/14 - 84
FAR 5/30/14 - 88

Licensed AZ CPA - 10/2014

[oilgaslb]

I worked at a company that was in the same situation. What 99% of people chose to do, was to wait it out, get the severance package, and use that to live on while you look into positions at public companies. Some employees had HUGE severances, so they traveled for a month or two, then started looking for a job while living on the remaining of the severance. You sound happy at the company, as long as you don't have to move…so I wouldn't jeopardize that until you're sure what is going to happen.

[oilgaslb]

I worked at a company that was in the same situation. What 99% of people chose to do, was to wait it out, get the severance package, and use that to live on while you look into positions at public companies. Some employees had HUGE severances, so they traveled for a month or two, then started looking for a job while living on the remaining of the severance. You sound happy at the company, as long as you don't have to move…so I wouldn't jeopardize that until you're sure what is going to happen.

[tough_kitty]

Sounds like you have an amazing job and either way you will be fine! I say – stay! Better one bird in hand then 2 in the bush…or however that saying goes! 😉

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[tough_kitty]

Sounds like you have an amazing job and either way you will be fine! I say – stay! Better one bird in hand then 2 in the bush…or however that saying goes! 😉

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[san4596]

kitty – “A bird in hand is worth 2 in the bush.”

I too believe you should stay until you receive a severance package. You should find out when your last day is well in advance to be able to prepare for a job hunt. Until then, you need to prepare for the job hunt. Update and fine tune your resume.Then, start submitting your resume for every public accounting job listed, and even those that are not listed. I actually went by offices with my resume and a business card to drop off at each location. I received many calls, and ultimately received a job.

One thing that impressed my interviewer, I attempted to keep up to date with changes in the tax world. I would research deductions, credits, and many other topics on the IRS website. Research is a big part of the job in public from my experience. Also, I would do family returns by hand, and one was even a Corporate 1120S, which is a small rental real estate company.

I hope this helps you. If you need a topic to start researching, a good topic right now is the Health Care Law. You can find a good amount of information at Healthcare.gov.

CPA EXAM: DONE!!!!
Ethics Course: Passed
Application Mailed: 3/16/15
Professional Conduct Exam: 97
Certification Date: 4/2/15!!!

[san4596]

kitty – “A bird in hand is worth 2 in the bush.”

I too believe you should stay until you receive a severance package. You should find out when your last day is well in advance to be able to prepare for a job hunt. Until then, you need to prepare for the job hunt. Update and fine tune your resume.Then, start submitting your resume for every public accounting job listed, and even those that are not listed. I actually went by offices with my resume and a business card to drop off at each location. I received many calls, and ultimately received a job.

One thing that impressed my interviewer, I attempted to keep up to date with changes in the tax world. I would research deductions, credits, and many other topics on the IRS website. Research is a big part of the job in public from my experience. Also, I would do family returns by hand, and one was even a Corporate 1120S, which is a small rental real estate company.

I hope this helps you. If you need a topic to start researching, a good topic right now is the Health Care Law. You can find a good amount of information at Healthcare.gov.

CPA EXAM: DONE!!!!
Ethics Course: Passed
Application Mailed: 3/16/15
Professional Conduct Exam: 97
Certification Date: 4/2/15!!!

[Anonymous]

I tend to disagree with everyone. I would not wait for a severance package that may never come and if it does you do not know how much it will be. You really can't base your situation off of what has happened to others. If public is where you want to be then I would make the move ASAP and go through the fall receruitment. Keep in mind your start date will most likely be a year out if you are offered a position, so you will be able to stay at your current job a little longer and you may end up getting the severance package you are considering holding out for.

[Anonymous]

I tend to disagree with everyone. I would not wait for a severance package that may never come and if it does you do not know how much it will be. You really can't base your situation off of what has happened to others. If public is where you want to be then I would make the move ASAP and go through the fall receruitment. Keep in mind your start date will most likely be a year out if you are offered a position, so you will be able to stay at your current job a little longer and you may end up getting the severance package you are considering holding out for.

[tough_kitty]

@san – Thank you! 🙂 I was typing my previous post a few minutes before the staff meeting, so I didn't have enough time to google the right idiom.

@guitarsalad: You said it right there – “I really love my coworkers, manager and company (and I know how important that is after having a few jobs prior that were not nearly as good).” – and that is the key!!!! You have NO idea what the new environment is going to be like. Chances are it will not be as great as the one you have right now, and you'll end up being stuck there for at least few years, because changing jobs too often is not recommended… and I was like you – concentrated on public accounting field because that's what everyone seems to emphasize on campus but the reality is – it's not always as great as you'd imagine in your head….You can always keep applying and if you get an offer – it was meant to be that way…but if not, there is obviously a better future for you where you are right now!

In any case, good luck! Having to choose between 2 options is very hard – I know from experience, but I trust you'll come to a right decision. And if you decide to leave your current position, let me know – I'll take it! 😉

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[tough_kitty]

@san – Thank you! 🙂 I was typing my previous post a few minutes before the staff meeting, so I didn't have enough time to google the right idiom.

@guitarsalad: You said it right there – “I really love my coworkers, manager and company (and I know how important that is after having a few jobs prior that were not nearly as good).” – and that is the key!!!! You have NO idea what the new environment is going to be like. Chances are it will not be as great as the one you have right now, and you'll end up being stuck there for at least few years, because changing jobs too often is not recommended… and I was like you – concentrated on public accounting field because that's what everyone seems to emphasize on campus but the reality is – it's not always as great as you'd imagine in your head….You can always keep applying and if you get an offer – it was meant to be that way…but if not, there is obviously a better future for you where you are right now!

In any case, good luck! Having to choose between 2 options is very hard – I know from experience, but I trust you'll come to a right decision. And if you decide to leave your current position, let me know – I'll take it! 😉

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[Author]

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