[naildown]

I just start to work in a company as a tax preparer for couple of months. I need to go to a family member ‘ s wedding in Japan. It’s a long distance flight. How bad if I took one week off during tax season?

[Jdn9201]

One week off from work or one week off from studying? Sorry..you haven't given us much information. If off from working – that depends. I'd ask as soon as possible but be prepared for it to be denied, especially if you did not tell them about this before you started. One week off from studying – depends on a variety of factors, including what exam you are taking, how long you have to study before exam day, and how much you've studied so far. In general, I don't think one week off is bad in itself. The problem is, it's very easy for 1 week off to turn into 2, which turns into someone posting in a panic because their exam is tomorrow and they aren't prepared. If you plan for it and you are either on track or ahead of your study plan already, then I think taking 1 week off isn't a big deal.

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

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't do it. Factor in how far behind you'll be when you get back and any difficulties with jetlag, you'll be screwed. I've never seen it happen in my firm. For my own wedding, I had to schedule it after 10/15.

[Biff-1955-Tannen]

lol I think they mean take off from work, not studying…

AUD 93 Jan 16
BEC 83 Feb 16
FAR 83 Apr 16
REG 84 May 16

99% Ninja MCQ only

[Biff-1955-Tannen]

lol I think they mean take off from work, not studying…

AUD 93 Jan 16
BEC 83 Feb 16
FAR 83 Apr 16
REG 84 May 16

99% Ninja MCQ only

[the LAST Coffee]

All you can do is ask but even asking would probably look bad. If somehow you get accepted for time off, show appreciation and bring back Japanese chocolate or something and work 80 hours to catch up.

FAR 84 (AUG '15)
BEC 83 (AUG '15)
AUD 79 (OCT '15)
REG 71, 78! (NOV '15, FEB '16)

[Anonymous]

I would think that when during tax season would make a difference. First week of April is a lot different from first week of February. However, having that discussion sooner rather than later is definitely good…and like LAST Coffee suggested, if you do go, bringing back some little gifts to show your appreciation would probably be very appreciated.

Also consider making it a shorter trip. I know when you're traveling that long you want to make the trip long enough to actually be worth going, but you might be able to get approval to be off something like Thurs – Mon (assuming a Sat or Sun wedding) easier than a full week. The trouble with someone else's wedding, instead of your own, is that you can't just schedule it outside of tax season. 😐 My family lives at a distance (though still on the same continent!), so I know it can be hard to juggle work obligations with family obligations sometimes. Things like a siblings' wedding are important, but sometimes all the manager knows is that you just started 2 months ago and want a week off at the worst time. Explaining to either the manager why you have to be off, or the sibling why you can only fly in and out again, is difficult.

[Son]

naildown, there are many reasons why you shouldn't do it; and it obviously depends on a number of factors you haven't discussed (is it a close relative? is your whole family going? when exactly are you supposed to leave and did you mention this to your boss at all? would it be your first time visiting Japan?). But having said that, it's a wedding in Japan! I would not miss on an opportunity like that, unless you grew up there and are sick of the country:)

Ask your boss if you can take your laptop with you and work remotely on at least some of the days; or, if you can work a weekend shift or two to make up for the time. If they say no don't make a big deal out of it, but you might very well find a way to make it work for everyone.

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

[Missy]

Its not bad to take a week off during tax season, it is however frowned upon to wait so long to ask. Usually you know you're invited several months- a year before a wedding that you're going to want to attend. The time to inform an employer is at the time of the offer (by the way,I am part of a wedding out of the country next March, will that be possible?) or as far in advance as possible. I wouldn't ever consider asking end of January/beginning of February for a week off in the next 6-10 weeks personally.unfortunately in my opinion you've passed the window to even make the request.

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

[Hammer]

Life is wayyy too short. Just ask. The work you do for your firm is far more valuable than the amount of money they pay you.

FAR - 70, 81
AUD - 83
BEC - 77
REG - 70, 78

Licensed in Ohio.

Now what the hell do I do?

[Author]

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