Look for a new job while studying for exams? Anyone succesfully do both?

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    Topic
  • #855972
    JCVFUTURECPA
    Participant

    I graduated five years ago and currently work for local city government as an Accountant I. I’m finally ready to pass these exams with Audit scheduled for November 11 in San Francisco.

    I really want to get out of this city job its not for me. My soul is dying everyday. I’m ready to join a company again. I worked for an accounting firm in the San Francisco Bay Area for two years after college. I don’t think I want to go that direction again.

    Am I crazy for not wanting to pass the exams first then to leave this dead end job for local government?

    Thanks

Viewing 6 replies - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)
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  • #855979
    hasy
    Participant

    I mean, if they let you study during work, and also, they're WILLING to reimburse you for some of it. I'd stay until all that is worked out. I would still passively look but unless someplace pops up where they encourage you to take the CPA exam.

    I'm curious, if you don't want to work for the city job nor public accounting, where would you want to go to get your hours signed off? You can go private but you just have to make sure that who you're working under is a CPA. Though, sometimes I hear that's pretty rare.

    Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved - Helen Keller

    -

    BEC 80 (10/23/15)
    FAR 72 (4/2/15); 83 (7/11/16)
    REG 52 (4/28/15)
    AUD (9/9/16)

    Roger + NINJA MCQ + WTB

    #1117449
    JCVFUTURECPA
    Participant

    Hasy, I worked at a CPA firm for two years after I graduated college. They signed off on my experience hours and submitted it to the State of California. My current job with the City pays for no CPA fees.

    #1205052
    hasy
    Participant

    I'm in CA too!!

    I think if you looked for a position that says CPA candidate preferred, then most likely, they'll offer some CPA reimbursement. I know some recruiters have contacted me where they listed details of CPA reimbursement. I don't think it's crazy to leave a job that you hate. Just make sure you have something else lined up first. Good luck!

    What career path are you interested in since you've gone through public and government already? What about your government job that makes it soul-sucking? As I see it, a CPA is merely a marketing tool. What kind of skills and experience would you want to gain in a different position that requires a CPA? It seems like the obvious answer is industry, given that you don't want to return to public or go into another government position.

    Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved - Helen Keller

    -

    BEC 80 (10/23/15)
    FAR 72 (4/2/15); 83 (7/11/16)
    REG 52 (4/28/15)
    AUD (9/9/16)

    Roger + NINJA MCQ + WTB

    #1253148
    muhfreedoms
    Participant

    “Am I crazy for not wanting to pass the exams first then to leave this dead end job for local government?”
    No. No you are not.

    “My soul is dying everyday.”
    A feeling that many of us are all too familiar with.

    Get licensed first and then consider moving on. You don't have to go back to public accounting as there are plenty of jobs in the bay area. Just make sure that you don't have a horrible commute. Also, I audited local gov. in the bay area – we very likely crossed paths. Good luck on your search

    #1253152
    ultrarunner
    Participant

    jcviray, I am in the Bay Area too. I was looking for a job while I was studying for the CPA exams. My last company didn't have any CPAs, so I moved to a new company (which is small but a public company). I saw many job openings in the Bay Area from senior accountants to accounting managers in industry. I don't think that you have any problem getting a job. I got many interviews due to that fact that I was a CPA candidate. But when I got a new job, I had to stay late for training etc. I got so tired for the first few months. Other than that, it was worth it. Yes. You could do both. Good luck.

    FAR 72,67,79 (Roger+Wiley test bank)11/15
    AUD 80 (Roger)10/15
    BEC 80 (Roger)4/16
    REG 63,78 (Roger+Ninja MCQs)5/16

    #1262496
    JCVFUTURECPA
    Participant

    Ultrarunner, yes I would like to work in industry. I'm ready to get back out there and work hard. Government Local City finance would be ideal if I was close to retiring, but not for a person that graduated in 2011 such as me. I'm on my way to a CPA. Thanks for the responses. I love this forum.

    I'm set on resigning soon. I just need to find a new position. Be right back got to update the resume.

Viewing 6 replies - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)
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