Would this be career suicide? Quit to SAH

[noodleoo]

Yes, I'll also second setting a deadline to stick it out before you quit. I've done this twice. With one job, my H and I agreed that I'd reevaluate in 2 months and if i was still miserable, I'd quit. When the deadline came around, things had gotten better and I ended up staying there another year before I found a new job. With the job I ended up quitting, I wanted to quit pretty much from day 1. I had multiple times when I said I wanted to quit, but gave it another month and stuck it out. By the time I got to 6 months, I was so unhappy my H was the one who actually told me I should quit. "sticking it out" was killing me, but since I had really tried, I was able to quit without feeling bad or like I hadn't given it the best possible chance.

Maybe give yourself until after the holidays and then reevaluate?

[sillygoosegirl]

Check with HR about the vesting; in my experience, for vesting, 1 year is defined as any calendar year in which you worked more than 1000 hours (about 6 months if you are full time). You might already be vested and not know it yet. Or you might be further away than you think if you didn't get credit for your first calendar year on the job.

I'd also suggest pushing for permission to take your PTO. You've earned it and if you make a stink instead of acting like you are lucky to work there and need to make them happy, you might get permission after all.

Taking some time off between jobs isn't career suicide in most fields, particularly if you have good references from before this job (professors and summer job managers in your case probably). Though certainly it's better to avoid letting the gap get too big. Your mental health is worth a lot.

[lys]

Some things are worth more than money. I would quit to prepare for your CPA exam -your peace of mind will help with the exam as well as your health in general.
This job is not a good fit and you want to do well on the exam -

[steph96]

Oct 28, 2014 13:12:53 GMT -5 tine said:

I would stay or get a different job. I know studying for the CPA exam is hard! I gave up a year of my social life to do it. What is your ideal career path once you get your CPA? Have you passed any sections yet? Honestly I am a CPA and know other a lot of other CPAs and none quit their jobs to study.

I honestly don't know what my career plan is. I work in a fairly small industry and I'm not sure if I want to or can stay in it. I could expand to a similar industry, but idk what I want to do in the long term.

I have passed one section. I find out my results for my 2nd section in 2 weeks. I take my 3rd section in a month.

The part about not knowing anyone that has quit to study is why I'm nervous to do it. I don't want people to think that I can't manage big tasks and stress.

[mrsfarmer]

Oct 28, 2014 12:25:06 GMT -5 steph96 said:

Oct 28, 2014 12:16:42 GMT -5 @ameliapond said:

I don't know a ton about the CPA exam, but is it fairly common for people to stop working in order to study for and pass the exam?

I have a friend who is working on her exams to become a licensed therapist and she said it's not unheard of for people to do exactly this once all they need to do is take the tests. Then they usually open a private practice though, so they don't need to worry about the resume gap.

Some people do, but I would say the majority keep working. I just worry about quitting to study--will that negatively impact my change of getting a new job? Will they think I can't handle big projects or stress?

Plus this is my one professional job and I know my manager won't give me a positive review no matter what. Her star employee who could do no wrong quit 2 years ago. She still bad mouths her. People call for a job reference and my manager doesn't say anything bad, but she makes it clear that she has negative thoughts about the employee's performance. It's like a switch flipped from her being great to being the worst. Nothing bad was discovered or anything.

Check your state's licensing guidelines for the CPA exam.  I needed one year of continuous work-related experience when I applied in MN.

[cjeanette]

Can you talk about your issues with your boss with her or with her boss?

[tacosforlife]

Oct 28, 2014 13:17:54 GMT -5 mbcdefg said:

Oct 28, 2014 13:13:20 GMT -5 tacosforlife said:

What makes you say this? Do you have any authority to support it?

There is SO much misinformation about employment law out there. If you can't at least cite to a statute or a landmark case, please PLEASE do not go around handing out quasi-legal advice based on something you think. 

Well, that's why I said "I thought."

Ok, but that's not really helpful to anyone unless you can also refer someone to SOME sort of authority so she can check it out to see if it's applicable in her state. 

What you think is kind of irrelevant if your thoughts are completely wrong and misleading. 

[mbcdefg]

Oct 28, 2014 13:55:28 GMT -5 tacosforlife said:

Oct 28, 2014 13:17:54 GMT -5 mbcdefg said:

Well, that's why I said "I thought."

Ok, but that's not really helpful to anyone unless you can also refer someone to SOME sort of authority so she can check it out to see if it's applicable in her state. 

What you think is kind of irrelevant if your thoughts are completely wrong and misleading. 

OK.

[Susie]

I would stick it out until 3 years.  Only 6 more months.  I'd start applying for new jobs as soon as would be reasonable to ask for a start date that's after your 3 year anniversary.  Then I'd GTFO as soon after your 3 year anniversary as possible.

How the department would keep up after you leave is not your problem!

[tine]

Oct 28, 2014 13:49:27 GMT -5 steph96 said:

Oct 28, 2014 13:12:53 GMT -5 tine said:

I would stay or get a different job. I know studying for the CPA exam is hard! I gave up a year of my social life to do it. What is your ideal career path once you get your CPA? Have you passed any sections yet? Honestly I am a CPA and know other a lot of other CPAs and none quit their jobs to study.

I honestly don't know what my career plan is. I work in a fairly small industry and I'm not sure if I want to or can stay in it. I could expand to a similar industry, but idk what I want to do in the long term.

I have passed one section. I find out my results for my 2nd section in 2 weeks. I take my 3rd section in a month.

The part about not knowing anyone that has quit to study is why I'm nervous to do it. I don't want people to think that I can't manage big tasks and stress.

The reason I was asking about career path is to think about if you really need the license for what you want to do. Since you're over halfway through that's probably not a very relevant question.

[v]

One other (possible) reason to stick around -- I don't know where you work but do you know what kind of experience credit you'll get with the CPA licensing gods for your current job? While you'll be more marketable after you pass the CPA exam, if you aren't able to get your license because you haven't met the experience requirements, you won't be as marketable as you could be if you had a CPA license.

Obviously it varies by state and such, but my husband needed 2 years of public accounting experience to get his license. He was working at a small company (not an accounting firm) at the time and he only got 1 year of credit for his 4 years at the company (because what he was doing there for the most part wasn't "public accounting"-related).

[steph96]

Oct 28, 2014 13:52:33 GMT -5 cjeanette said:

Can you talk about your issues with your boss with her or with her boss?

I haven't been happy at this job for quite some time, but it wasn't until recently that things were this bad. It is all due to a disagreement that my manager and I had over a job candidate. My manager and I had a meeting with my manager's boss last week to discuss our disagreement. It made everything worse. Things went from uncomfortable to unbearable. At this point I think talking to anyone (boss's boss or HR) will just make things even worse. My manager does not handle criticism at all.

[fbf2006]

I won't quit to study for the CPA. I'm a CPA and don't know anyone that did. A small group completed the exams before they started working, but no one I know quit. I think you should start looking for a new job.

[Deleted]

Oct 28, 2014 11:51:12 GMT -5 steph96 said:

My job is causing me sooo much stress. My manager has been terrible and I really don't know how much longer I can deal with it. Yesterday when we were interviewing someone, she made it fairly clear that she doesn't like me on a personal level. When I first started here, I used to go home and cry daily because of how mean she was to me. It is back to being that way. My husband is begging me to just quit and stay home to focus on passing the CPA exam. He said that he is tired of having to see me being upset and depressed 24/7.

This is my first job out of college (been here 2.5 years). My department is currently really struggling to keep up. We have been a person short (different positions for different periods of time) since February. If I were to leave I'm honestly not sure how they would manage to keep up. I took on a new huge task in April. The person who had it before me made a big mistake and it will take about two weeks of dedicated work for me to hopefully find it. Since we have been so short handed, I haven't been allowed to even try to find it. I probably won't be able to look into it until someone has been hired and has worked here for about 2 months.

From a financial standpoint, I think we could afford to have me not work. It wouldn't be ideal budget wise, but we could do it. We would definitely have to cut out our massages and housekeeper. We would have to keep an eye on our spending. We would save nothing during this period, but I don't think we would have to dip into savings. My employer's contribution toward my retirement does not vest until I have been here for 3 years. I would lose $10k in retirement because of that. Since I haven't been able to use my PTO recently, I am over our reimbursement limit and would lose out on $1,500 of my payout. There is no way that my manager will approve me using all of my overage anytime soon.

So what should I do? I really want to quit, but I feel like it is such a stupid financial move to quit before my 3 years here. I have looked into internal transfers, but there is nothing open that matches what I do. I don't know if I can last 6 more months.

What I bolded is NOT YOUR problem - that's the first thing that I want to say, and I want you to understand it. It's not your issue. It's your manager's problem to solve. 

I would advise that you attempt to find a job, but know that you have the "I quit" card. And try to get through it - take breaks at lunch, try to hold your head high and do your work. If it gets too ridiculous, just quit. Sometimes, just deciding what path you're going to take will bring you some relief and sanity. 

Sometimes, $10k just isn't worth it. 10k over 6 months is about $1600/mo - right? Do you think that you'd get that sort of salary bump with a CPA certification? What kind of bump would you get? Averaging that out might help put things into perspective. You also might be able to negotiate some sort of signing bonus.

PS - your manager sucks and is wildly inmature if she is behaving outwardly like she doesn't like you. WTF? I think that I remember some backstory with hiring and you were the person that thought that someone was unprofessional as the candidate was TMI during the interview? Correct? 

[steph96]

Oct 28, 2014 18:18:45 GMT -5 smileyface said:

Oct 28, 2014 11:51:12 GMT -5 steph96 said:

My job is causing me sooo much stress. My manager has been terrible and I really don't know how much longer I can deal with it. Yesterday when we were interviewing someone, she made it fairly clear that she doesn't like me on a personal level. When I first started here, I used to go home and cry daily because of how mean she was to me. It is back to being that way. My husband is begging me to just quit and stay home to focus on passing the CPA exam. He said that he is tired of having to see me being upset and depressed 24/7.

This is my first job out of college (been here 2.5 years). My department is currently really struggling to keep up. We have been a person short (different positions for different periods of time) since February. If I were to leave I'm honestly not sure how they would manage to keep up. I took on a new huge task in April. The person who had it before me made a big mistake and it will take about two weeks of dedicated work for me to hopefully find it. Since we have been so short handed, I haven't been allowed to even try to find it. I probably won't be able to look into it until someone has been hired and has worked here for about 2 months.

From a financial standpoint, I think we could afford to have me not work. It wouldn't be ideal budget wise, but we could do it. We would definitely have to cut out our massages and housekeeper. We would have to keep an eye on our spending. We would save nothing during this period, but I don't think we would have to dip into savings. My employer's contribution toward my retirement does not vest until I have been here for 3 years. I would lose $10k in retirement because of that. Since I haven't been able to use my PTO recently, I am over our reimbursement limit and would lose out on $1,500 of my payout. There is no way that my manager will approve me using all of my overage anytime soon.

So what should I do? I really want to quit, but I feel like it is such a stupid financial move to quit before my 3 years here. I have looked into internal transfers, but there is nothing open that matches what I do. I don't know if I can last 6 more months.

What I bolded is NOT YOUR problem - that's the first thing that I want to say, and I want you to understand it. It's not your issue. It's your manager's problem to solve. 

I would advise that you attempt to find a job, but know that you have the "I quit" card. And try to get through it - take breaks at lunch, try to hold your head high and do your work. If it gets too ridiculous, just quit. Sometimes, just deciding what path you're going to take will bring you some relief and sanity. 

Sometimes, $10k just isn't worth it. 10k over 6 months is about $1600/mo - right? Do you think that you'd get that sort of salary bump with a CPA certification? What kind of bump would you get? Averaging that out might help put things into perspective. You also might be able to negotiate some sort of signing bonus.

PS - your manager sucks and is wildly inmature if she is behaving outwardly like she doesn't like you. WTF? I think that I remember some backstory with hiring and you were the person that thought that someone was unprofessional as the candidate was TMI during the interview? Correct? 

You are correct! That was me!

I am really struggling with the fact that if I do quit, I will be leaving my biggest project with a complex issue. I think it could be made out to be a big enough issue that if any potential employers found out, it could be a big strike against me.

[spindle92]

My situation is a bit different but I still wanted to share.

I am an accountant with 20 yrs experience but no degree. Two yrs ago my employer of 13 years sold the company to a buyer down south. I was offered a nice position with the new owners but decided now was the time to get my degree. I have not worked in two years and I just started putting feelers out there last month that I am ready to go back to work and I have had lots of doors already open.

Accounting is a weird field. Some companies place much more emphasis on experience (which I have) while others place much more on education (which you have).

So to answer you question, I do not think you are committing career suicide by quitting a job you hate to get your license.

[Deleted]

Oct 28, 2014 18:28:07 GMT -5 steph96 said:

Oct 28, 2014 18:18:45 GMT -5 smileyface said:

What I bolded is NOT YOUR problem - that's the first thing that I want to say, and I want you to understand it. It's not your issue. It's your manager's problem to solve. 

I would advise that you attempt to find a job, but know that you have the "I quit" card. And try to get through it - take breaks at lunch, try to hold your head high and do your work. If it gets too ridiculous, just quit. Sometimes, just deciding what path you're going to take will bring you some relief and sanity. 

Sometimes, $10k just isn't worth it. 10k over 6 months is about $1600/mo - right? Do you think that you'd get that sort of salary bump with a CPA certification? What kind of bump would you get? Averaging that out might help put things into perspective. You also might be able to negotiate some sort of signing bonus.

PS - your manager sucks and is wildly inmature if she is behaving outwardly like she doesn't like you. WTF? I think that I remember some backstory with hiring and you were the person that thought that someone was unprofessional as the candidate was TMI during the interview? Correct? 

You are correct! That was me!

I am really struggling with the fact that if I do quit, I will be leaving my biggest project with a complex issue. I think it could be made out to be a big enough issue that if any potential employers found out, it could be a big strike against me.

I think you're totally over thinking it but I understand how important reputatuin is. Think about it like this:

How does that explanation go? Steph96 didn't solve a problem, that was left by a former colleague, that we de-prioritized because we were understaffed and now she must be an indentured servant forever until she solves it? No......(and hello run on sentence).

You can explain leaving in a variety of ways to both new and old employers - new opportunity that you couldn't pass up, wanted to study for CPA, you had some family matters that you needed to attend to that are now resolved (even if it's that you wanted to take care of your goldfish). I've left several jobs and I focus on where I'm going next and why - not why I left the last place. No bridge burning that way.

Trust me - you should be in this for your own interests. Not.your.problem.

[shopgirl07]

OK, listen. Don't quit. Stick it out until you're vested, or let them fire you so you can at least collect unemployment.

It's time to start being a professional and advocating for yourself. Your boss sounds really unprofessional. Request a meeting with her and lay it all out there. If that doesn't work, go to HR. Document everything. If they fire you, they fire you. Take the attitude that you're going to work hard and do your very best but you won't be treated poorly. Since you don't NEED this job, adjust your attitude. Don't let her get to you, let the small and petty comments roll off your back. Because she is a miserable person and really doesn't matter.

Remember, the WORST that can happen is that you're fired. And then you'll collect unemployment, which is more than you'd get if you quit.

[bostonmichelle]

Hugs steph96. I have my CPA license and sadly a similar job story. I took 3 exams before I started my first real job and took the 4th shortly after. My first real job was an awful awful fit for me and it sounds similar to your situation. I basically cried every morning getting ready, cried every night, started having physical issues due to the stress/job. I had issues with management and some co-workers, hopefully its not an industry thing but they were just bullies when it came right down to it. I didn't bother with HR as it was a medium sized firm and the first time I went there she was super unprofessional and made the situation worse. I felt so stuck and was interviewing for an entire summer, I finally put a date of Oct. 15th as my last day that I would work for the firm and then would quit without a new job. My DH (fiance at the time) and I made a plan to move towards his job, found an apartment that we could afford, etc. My plan was work until Oct. 15th, put my 2 weeks in and move end of October, find a seasonal job and continue interviewing. I'm in tax so I figured I would find something by Jan. 1st. Just setting that goal date made me feel so much better. I lucked out and ended up calling an old boss that was a lawyer/CPA with a legal question and actually got a per diem job that is now my full-time job.

I would stick it out with a deadline of 6 months to a) pass exams, b) find a new job, c) set yourself up to quit and focus on finding a new job. It sucks but that's similar to what I did except I stuck it out to see out a tax cycle. Use your vacation time to take half days on Fridays/Mondays so you can use that time to interview and study. It really sucks having to study for the exams while working, you are doing a lot and recognize that. Send me a PM if you want to talk more or bounce ideas off of me.

[Deleted]

You said your competitors are hiring in another post. Have you applied there yet?

You'd lose less money switching jobs than quitting work entirely.

[steph96]

Oct 29, 2014 13:20:28 GMT -5 @kcpokergal said:

You said your competitors are hiring in another post. Have you applied there yet?

You'd lose less money switching jobs than quitting work entirely.

The companies are actually in a completely different industry than I am. We are trying to fill an entry level position, so all of our applicants are unsure of what industry they want to work in. They see the name of the other company and the higher salary and they rather work there than here. I don't think I would be comfortable switching to the oil and gas industry. First off, it is less stable, and second, my husband works in that industry and I don't want all my eggs in one basket.

[steph96]

Oct 29, 2014 11:36:05 GMT -5 @meepmeep said:

Can you take some PTO in the immediate future until your tests (to burn down your PTO reserve) and focus on studying for your tests? You'll increase your chances of passing and get some distance from work, and then you could go back an try to stick out the last 4-5 months to vesting without the website hanging over your head.

I might see of I can do that. Maybe a few hours here and there will be more likely to be allowed by my manager.

[tacosforlife]

Oct 29, 2014 14:54:32 GMT -5 steph96 said:

Oct 29, 2014 13:20:28 GMT -5 @kcpokergal said:

You said your competitors are hiring in another post. Have you applied there yet?

You'd lose less money switching jobs than quitting work entirely.

The companies are actually in a completely different industry than I am. We are trying to fill an entry level position, so all of our applicants are unsure of what industry they want to work in. They see the name of the other company and the higher salary and they rather work there than here. I don't think I would be comfortable switching to the oil and gas industry. First off, it is less stable, and second, my husband works in that industry and I don't want all my eggs in one basket.

Ok, but if you're so miserable that you're considering quitting, why not apply anyway? Having all your eggs in one basket is certainly better than having no eggs in any basket. If you got an offer, you could keep looking. Any new job you get doesn't have to be THE job you keep forever.

I get it. I moved halfway across the country because my job made me so miserable. But it took me 17 months of looking WHILE EMPLOYED to find a job. I think you'd be a fool to quit if you have less than 3 years' experience. You'll be in for a real shock when you finally do start looking.

[Deleted]

I don't think it would be career suicide to quit BUT I would try to stick it out for the money. That's a lot to lose. I'd spend the time you aren't studying assessing how you want your career to go. Are there other people in your company you could look to for mentorship/advice? Or in the industry? Starting out in a career after college is hard. When I made my job transition a year ago I contacted my Alumni office and they put me in touch with a few people who gave me insight and pointers. Good luck and I hope things get better for you soon.

[sicilygirl]

I know you've been having a really rough time with the CPA exam, and I'm sorry to hear that work is making it so much worse. Have you and your husband worked things out? I worry that not having a good environment at home to study is making it that much harder for you to be successful at both work and the exam. If your home stuff can get taken care of, it might make it a lot easier to stick it out at your current job for another 6ish months...

Anyway, I've mentioned this before, but I'm a CPA and my H is currently studying for the exam. The majority of my friends from college are CPAs as well, and I don't know anyone who has quit working to study for it. I really worry about you doing that. I wouldn't recommend it. I know how much it sucks to hate going to work every day. Unfortunately, I've been there myself. If your mental health is on the line, then I say quit your job.

BUT, if there's any way for you to stick it out for 6 more months, you'll be vested in your 401(k) and (ideally) have passed the exam. The best case scenario would be for you to get a new job at that point. You'll be able to command a higher salary and better title at that point.

I don't think it hurts to start looking for a new job now, but you'll get much better offers once you're a CPA than you will now.

Do you already have the experience you need to get your license? For me, it was one year under a licensed CPA (I'm in Texas). I ask because if you do, the time between passing your last exam and getting licensed will be pretty short (which means you could potentially actually be licensed in 6 months or so).

[steph96]

Oct 29, 2014 16:21:32 GMT -5 sicilygirl said:

I know you've been having a really rough time with the CPA exam, and I'm sorry to hear that work is making it so much worse. Have you and your husband worked things out? I worry that not having a good environment at home to study is making it that much harder for you to be successful at both work and the exam. If your home stuff can get taken care of, it might make it a lot easier to stick it out at your current job for another 6ish months...

Anyway, I've mentioned this before, but I'm a CPA and my H is currently studying for the exam. The majority of my friends from college are CPAs as well, and I don't know anyone who has quit working to study for it. I really worry about you doing that. I wouldn't recommend it. I know how much it sucks to hate going to work every day. Unfortunately, I've been there myself. If your mental health is on the line, then I say quit your job.

BUT, if there's any way for you to stick it out for 6 more months, you'll be vested in your 401(k) and (ideally) have passed the exam. The best case scenario would be for you to get a new job at that point. You'll be able to command a higher salary and better title at that point.

I don't think it hurts to start looking for a new job now, but you'll get much better offers once you're a CPA than you will now.

Do you already have the experience you need to get your license? For me, it was one year under a licensed CPA (I'm in Texas). I ask because if you do, the time between passing your last exam and getting licensed will be pretty short (which means you could potentially actually be licensed in 6 months or so).

I really appreciate your input more than you know. It is nice to have advice from someone who has gone through what I am.

Things are a lot better at home. I think we really just needed to have a talk and get on the same page. We have made it a priority to spend at least 30minutes to 1 hour together daily and it really has helped.

My state also only requires one year of experience, so I have that taken care of. I do think that waiting until I am vested in my current company and I have my CPA license would be ideal, but this is just such a toxic environment and I don't know how much longer I can deal wth it. Like other posters said, maybe having a defined end date in mind will help me. Maybe this will be a great motivator for me to study hard and pass.

[sicilygirl]

steph96

Good luck with whatever you decide! I know it'll work out, one way or another.

[spunkarella]

Ugh, I keep typing responses and they keep getting eaten.

I know this process will also vary by state, but when I applied, my supervisor had to sign off on the application stating I met the experience requirement by working for her. Is awful boss the person who would be signing off? Do you think she would refuse if you are no longer working there when you are ready to apply?

I'm sorry you are in such a crappy situation. I would really try to hold out because aside from the immediate financial reasons, I think you will have an easier time of finding a good job after you are licensed.

That said, I think quitting is completely understandable. It may be a setback career-wise, but I don't think it is career suicide. I have also been in a job that was an awful fit, and I remember how physically and mentally draining it was. Thankfully, I was able to find another job while still employed. I can't imagine studying for the CPA exam on top of that.

Hugs, whatever you decide.

[ellipses84]

Having a light at the end of the tunnel can make things a lot more bearable. I would set a goal of 6 months and look for a new job in the meantime. If you find a great job, leave, if not, you know when you are quitting. Try to stop internalizing all the work drama by reminding yourself this is not your problem and you will not have to deal with it soon. Use your vacation days as much as you can, even if it is just one at a time so you can study more. If you're having a bad day where you feel sick of work, take a sick day. I've been there without the option of losing my income. Create a one income budget, and save your income (except for the time saving things like the house cleaner).