TLDR: What would make the most sense for someone breaking into accounting. 1.) Take a federal accounting role if offered. 2.) Take a part time bookkeeper or AP AR role to get experience while studying for the CPA. 3.) Stay unemployed living off of savings, study for the CPA, chalk unemployment up to raising kids and studying.
Howdy everyone, I could really use some advice. Some context - I am 31 years old, finished my accounting degree 5 years ago. My first job after college wasn’t accounting related, it was in HR. Specifically HR for the Feds. It was super niche and not transferrable at all to civilian HR jobs. That job ended and instead of trying to break into HR - I’m looking to pivot back into accounting, but I have no accounting experience. I’ve been studying for the CPA and like the material. For more context, my wife and I just had our second kid in February and I’m dedicated to being a present dad. I also am in the Air Force Reserves which is not a selling point to a lot of employers (no one wants their accountants to leave randomly).
This leads me to my actual questions.
1.) I’m in the interview process for a federal accountant role with the VA. The role is 1 hour away from my house which is not ideal. I’m considering taking this job (if offered) to get some accounting experience both for myself and on my resume. I would like to use it as a stepping stone, and maybe work there for 3-4 years. Using that time to complete the CPA. However, I’m concerned if taking this job will put me in a niche again and hurt my future employment chances more than it would help. Especially with the current perception of federal employees or jobs. I don’t need to take this job, I’ve got about 3 years worth of expenses saved. BUT I also know the job market is bad so passing on an offer seems semi crazy.
2.) If I weren’t to take the federal job, I was thinking of maybe getting a part-time bookkeeper or AP - AR role while I study for the CPA. Again under the same premise of getting some experience to hopefully be more employable later down the road. But again I’ve heard that sometimes taking a bookkeeping or AP - AR role can make it harder to get into a Staff Accountant role.
3.) Stay unemployed until I can get a local Staff Accountant role? As stated before I have about 3 years of expenses saved. I’m considering just staying unemployed longer - doing the CPA exams, raising my kids. I’ve already really enjoyed the time with my family so far. This is the option I’d want to pursue the most. However, I’m concerned that maybe a long employment gap will hurt more than it helps.