[Anonymous]

Has anyone ever quit their job to study? how well did that fare? Do you think quitting my full time w/ benefits job to study and getting a part time temp job to study is a good idea? Wish i could work and study at the same time but my hours vary with my current job. I’m always having to stay late after hours and when i get home im dead tired. ive been trying to make this working and studying thing work but, i think i need a little less work and more studying.

[Missy]

It's easier to find a new job when you're already working full time. When you finish the exams can you afford to continue to be unemployed for a month up to a year? I wouldn't consider quitting a job to study especially halfway through but that's my opinion.

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

[Shovel]

I quit work because I got mad. With the exam hanging over my head and since I was pissed about a bunch of things anyway, I figured might as well leave and study full time.

I plan to take REG this month, hopefully next week. If I don't find another job after I take REG, then I'll go right into FAR.

If you like your job, I probably wouldn't leave because it's hard to find a good place. Maybe you can arrange to take a sabbatical during the summer in order to study full-time. Or if you hate the place, you could tell them to shove it, like I did, and just study.

AUD 11/15 91
BEC 1/16 83
REG 2/16 79
FAR 7/16

[EuroAddict]

I don't think it would look good. To me it looks as if you can't manage your time and have a hard time prioritizing.

-----------------------------
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.

[Son]

IMHO, the only reason why NASBA gives you 18 months to pass the exams is to give people in your situation a chance to study while working full-time. Otherwise it would be 3 months to pass them all.

Make it a priority; I know people (including myself) who would feel uncertain about your ability to prioritize and handle increased workload if you were to explain your gap in employment with inability to handle work and study. I think the fact that you've already passed two parts clearly shows you can do it. As an option, arrange to take a week of paid or unpaid leave before each exam to study, but otherwise stick to your current job.

AUD - passed
REG - passed
BEC - passed
FAR - passed

[Jdn9201]

Bad idea – you are already halfway done. Does your boss know you are trying to study and take the exams? Maybe you could talk to him/her and ask for your workload to be lightened some? I know it's hard trying to balance everything, but if you focus for 4-6 months, you could be completely done. Also, just because you'd have more time does not necessarily mean it will be easier. I've actually performed better in school or testing while working, because I don't have as much of an opportunity to blow something off. That's also why I never give myself longer than 6-8 weeks to study for a part. It's easier for me because I don't have a family yet, but I know if I have time to put something off I will.

BEC - 88 8/29/15
REG - 82 11/14/15
AUD - 83 1/8/16
FAR - 80 2/29/16

[Anonymous]

Ahh i should update my signature. My far credit already expired and my bec credit will expire in august. I pretty much hate my job. what about getting a part time temp accounting job to fill in the gap? Good idea/bad idea?

[Missy]

I think its a bad idea, but do what works for you. From what I've seen of this exam when people are struggling with passing it, time or lack of isn't the biggest issue. However if you want to use the exam as an excuse to quit a job you're unhappy with so be it. Just be prepared, as I mentioned when you are ready to go back to full time it can take a while to find something. Don't think for a second that having the exams passed guarantees a quick offer.

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

[Anonymous]

I currently work full time, sometimes even on the weekends. I had to delay REG for a few months because one of our key members quit. I have been studying for 5 months and have only 2 weeks (and one weekend) left. I thought of quitting my job several times but kept feeling like passing it would be nothing if its not challenging and considerably difficult.

I wouldn't suggest quitting because it holds more value if you pass it while working full time plus having other responsibilities. Its very difficult to keep yourself motivated and study especially at night/after work but once you get it done you can show off like a boss!

[Author]

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