Out of curiosity. How would a company view a potential candidate who has a period of unemployment to study for the CPA. I am considering to start studying for the exam but I know I would need to leave my employer in order to give 110%. I am contemplating the idea of at least passing one part while employed. Then leaving my employer to study FAR. I am considering to leave my current employer anyways, so it’s more of how my future employer would view that lapse.

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Just ask your current employer for a sabbatical to study. Then when you pass, quit. Then there’s no lapse in employment even if the sabbatical is unpaid.

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Gaps of up to a year aren’t really questioned anymore. People travel, take care of a loved one, focus on mental health, etc.

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You can take a relaxing job in industry and study while working like I did so you dont have any gap.

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If you passed - then seen very well.

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My .02, it is doable without leaving your current job. The key is setting a study schedule for yourself before or after work for a few hours a day and setting those boundaries with your team. Pick one weekend day to dedicate a morning to study

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I had a year off to study cpa and as long as you pass then no one really looks deep into it

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Does it matter? If they had a problem with it would you even want to work for someone who looks down on that?

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Honestly? I would question your ability to manage multiple commitments/projects at once. As a staff, passing the CPA exam and working full time in Big 4 is completely feasible. I know because I did it and I know a lot of other people that have as well. I don’t see the necessity of taking extra time before you start unless the firm asks you to delay your start date. So in short, don’t do it. Learn to manage your time better.

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IMO, more CPA candidates = increased value to the license because the I think that the decrease in candidates overall increases the value of the total candidate pool due to what feels like predetermined (40% +/- 5%ish) pass rates

Bump

I wouldn't hold it against you as long as it does not exceed several months / maybe a year.

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