[Wolfchicken]

I just got an offer for a position in the town I live in. I need to give them an answer in one week. I have an interview next week on Wednesday, that is flying me out of state. I probably won’t find out if I get that job until later next week or beginning of November. How do I know what to do? I don’t want to cancel the interview for next week since they already bought my plane ticket and made travel arrangements for me, and I really want to see if I like the city I would potentially be living in and if it would be a firm I would enjoy working at. At the same time, I don’t want to just decline the place that just offered me the position because what if I don’t get an offer at the second place? Have any of you ever had this same problem??? I don’t know what to do.

BEC - PASS
FAR - PASS
Audit - PASS
REG - PASS

[W_HAMILTON]

See if the firm that made an offer to you will extend their deadline.

Contrary to what others have said, I would NOT be “honest” and expect the first firm to understand. They will read between the lines and see that they are basically just a potential backup option for you. I was in a similar situation to you and went the “honest” route and ended up missing out on both opportunities: I wasn't offered a position at the job I was hoping for and my backup option ended up essentially rescinding their offer.

So, I would suggest asking the firm to extend their deadline, without being honest and giving them a reason why. Just tell them that it is a major decision and you would like more time to decide. If they say no, when it doubt, err on the side of pissing off the people that HAVEN'T offered you a job position. If you end up having to cancel the potential interview and forfeit the airplane tickets and such, so be it.

REG - 93 (7/30/13)
BEC - 90 (8/19/13)
AUD - 98 (8/31/13)
FAR - 84 (10/19/13)

[Anonymous]

san nailed it.

[Anonymous]

san nailed it.

[UCFCPA]

A guy I knew in the masters program accepted a small firm's offer while waiting for a large national firm to give him an offer. He got the large national firm offer a couple of weeks later and told the small firm he would no longer be coming on there. The small firm understood. Both firms were in the same city. It didn't have any effect on how other firms viewed him (in fact, he had two Big 4 offers and another small firm offer as well). I can imagine it would be even less trouble down the road for you because it's in an entirely different city. I think you should just accept the first firms offer then see how this next interview with firm 2 turns out. You've got to look out for you. It's your life. Good luck!

REG (8/7/12) 77
FAR (10/4/12) 70 Retake 5/25/13 84!!!!!!!!!
AUD (11/2/12) 78
BEC (11/30/12) 82

[UCFCPA]

A guy I knew in the masters program accepted a small firm's offer while waiting for a large national firm to give him an offer. He got the large national firm offer a couple of weeks later and told the small firm he would no longer be coming on there. The small firm understood. Both firms were in the same city. It didn't have any effect on how other firms viewed him (in fact, he had two Big 4 offers and another small firm offer as well). I can imagine it would be even less trouble down the road for you because it's in an entirely different city. I think you should just accept the first firms offer then see how this next interview with firm 2 turns out. You've got to look out for you. It's your life. Good luck!

REG (8/7/12) 77
FAR (10/4/12) 70 Retake 5/25/13 84!!!!!!!!!
AUD (11/2/12) 78
BEC (11/30/12) 82

[Anonymous]

I am in the same situation as you, kinda. I just received an offer for a local firm this past Friday, but I also have a couple second round interviews coming up. One of those firms I REALLYY REALYY want, but I don't think the recruiting process will be over before I am supposed to let the first firm know if I want to accept the offer or not. Best of luck to you.

[Anonymous]

I am in the same situation as you, kinda. I just received an offer for a local firm this past Friday, but I also have a couple second round interviews coming up. One of those firms I REALLYY REALYY want, but I don't think the recruiting process will be over before I am supposed to let the first firm know if I want to accept the offer or not. Best of luck to you.

[Wolfchicken]

Thanks for the input. For reasons that I will not go into detail about, the firm cannot extend the deadline for my answer as to whether I accept the position or not. I think I am going to accept it though. I will let you all know the outcome in a couple of weeks in case anyone runs into a similar situation.

BEC - PASS
FAR - PASS
Audit - PASS
REG - PASS

[Wolfchicken]

Thanks for the input. For reasons that I will not go into detail about, the firm cannot extend the deadline for my answer as to whether I accept the position or not. I think I am going to accept it though. I will let you all know the outcome in a couple of weeks in case anyone runs into a similar situation.

BEC - PASS
FAR - PASS
Audit - PASS
REG - PASS

[Author]

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