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You should explain that you took a year off working to focus 100% on passing the CPA exam which you now have successfully done.
I think taking the time to get your licensing out of the way so you can focus on your next position is a valid explanation for the gap in itself.
Just tell them the truth
I would talk about spending time on a personal cause (charity-ish, not something personal and vague) AND studying for the exam. Going to catch some hate here, but if it takes a full year of unbridled focus to pass 4 tests on a topic you’ve spent the last 4-5 years learning, I wouldn’t be all that interested in hiring you.
So, good for you, but explain how you can contribute, not pass a “table stakes” exam.
"I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggone it, people like me."
Just say what you've told us. But feel free to embellish it a bit, mention that you're goal oriented and when you want to accomplish something you let nothing get in your way. If you sacrificed a year of income to pass the CPA exam, that speaks to dedication. Be forthright about that, if you don't tell your own story and promote yourself no one else will.
I would also flavor it up a little. Not a great look to take a full year to pass the exam that others are able to execute while working full time. Now I feel like I’m hiring a middle performer that has guaranteed manager and above expectations.
That’s what I was trying to say above, but was trying to be nice!
Honesty is the best policy. Why not just say the truth?
Congratulations on passing the exams! My recommendation is to be honest. At the end of the day, you’ll scare away toxic jobs and managers who don’t understand the sacrifices you’ve made.
Right on!
I generally agree that the truth is the best path forward. But be aware that you may be talking to people that did not need to take a year off to pass the exam. So they may have a negative reaction that you had to OR that maybe you are not being honest on why you took time off.
Start your own firm, the earlier the better
Agreed!!
I would just be honest about it. I had a gap like that on my resume and I was able to easily explain it. Every employer was really understanding about it.
I’m confused. It’s not like you took time off for a negative reason. This is literally for something which benefits you, your career, and your prospective employer. Just tell the truth?
The only real explanation is the actual one.
However, as others have said, most people pass the exam without taking a whole year off work. So you'll need to be prepared to explain your reasoning of why you needed that much uninterrupted time to be prepared.