Madison85

I'm a CPA in public accounting and the new kids start at various times throughout the year. While I haven't read all of the posts in this thread thoroughly, I think it is okay to ask if you can start in January instead of in August/September. With a Big 4 likely having centralized training, there are probably new-hire (tax or audit) in house training sessions taking place more than once during the year (summer and winter).

Don't wait until a month before you are supposed to start and tell them you are delaying it. Sooner is better.

Most kids study for the CPA exam while working full time. Multi-tasking -- . It's not like the old days where you had to take all 4 parts over 3 days; you can spread it out.

thecheesecake

I don't know if you have any interest in this, but I know several interns who decide to spend a year in grad school (for accounting or tax). In that scenario, the firms are usually willing to delay their full time offer for a year.

CStogo

But that doesn't solve his problem as he'd be in school when he wants to be adventuring.

It's a tough decision. I'm in a slightly similar position right now and I can't decide about going straight into work. My gut is that you do everything save for the CPA exam. It may be intense, but you'll want that good job later on when you can't seem to get the same opportunities. Traveling and your brother leaving, you can't do these any other time, but you could spread out your studying for the exam over a much longer period to decrease the burden. It's not ideal, but there are definitely worse situations you could be in.

veryspoiledgirl

Better take that offer now...ALL the Big 4 firms are laying off. Who knows what will happen in a year?

coffeeee

My only concern is that you made the decision when you accepted this offer. Now you want to go back on what you told the company for another year of school?

My career office tells a story about a girl who accepted an offer from company X, then got a better offer from company Y and then cancelled the offer she had accepted from X to take Ys. Somehow company Y found out and rescinded her offer, leaving her with neither. Anyway it's just a (TRUE) story told to us to make sure we don't accept offers lightly- its a commitment.

I agree work doesn't have to be you only goal or concern.. but you did choose this commitment when you accepted the offer.