[Anonymous]

Hi can anyone kindly share your opinion on which jobs should I take?
Offer 1 :I got an offer as a Financial Analyst from a government contractor that can sponsor my security clearance. Closer to home.
Offer 2: An accountant position for a federal government agency This agency will not sponsor my security clearance but can pay me $17k higher than offer 1. At least an hour commute each way.

Many thanks!

[cafeteria_food]

What's your time worth? $17,000 / (260 workdays * 2 hour commute) = $32.69/hour. Assuming 120 minutes * 55mph your job could be as far away as 110 miles. 110 miles / 20mpg = 5.5 gallons * $2.50 PPG = $13.75 in gas per day. Not counting the maintenance on your car, is two hours worth $50 a day? Maybe, maybe not.

Would it be an easy drive? Lots of traffic? Do you enjoy time in the car (or maybe you would use public transit?) Do you have a family to get home to? What I'm getting at is this is a decision only you can make. Personally, having done both, I will never go back to commuting 30+ minutes for a job.

[Go.For.Broke]

@cpalongboarder I think it will really come down to two main things:

1. Your stage in life: If you're single or married with no children and want to build a career specifically in accounting – plus make some extra money, take offer #2. The commute time will interrupt time at home, but if you don't have kids or any major obligations outside of work, you can always stack up some audiobooks for your long rides. If you have kids and other obligations, that extra time you could have at home by taking offer #1 is close to priceless.

2. Your career path/goals. Do you want to be an analyst or an accountant – or both? Think about your short term and long term career goals, and evaluate which of the positions would best help set you on the right course for those goals.

In the end, of course it's up to you – but I hope this helps you with what questions to ask yourself as you decide.

[Reverie]

#2. You're on a CPA website. Why the fuk u wana be an analyst for? Get the #s crunching like good cafateria food above. $ over errthing. Thats what we're here for aren't we?

[Tim]

I personally loathe commutes over 45 minutes each way. I've had them most of my life (I'm 37) until the last 2 years and I don't think I will ever take a job like that again, or if I do I'll be moving my residence.

[Anonymous]

Thanks all for your responses! I am not married and have no kids. Yes will be lots of traffic but fed gov't will pay for either parking or public transit. I am still thinking about which one to pick….

[Author]

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