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best time to leave before busy season

I'm curious, what is your take on cutoff date for leaving your firm? With busy season coming up, I'm sure this is a hot topic. 

 Good question. It's obviously subjective. Feel like everyone will have a different answer for you. My personal view on it is that if you are a key resource on an engagement, you have to let them know a couple months before busy season so they can find an alternative resource. If you are not a key resource, end of November would seem to be appropriate.
There are always some individuals who leave in December too, but it's not the best time. Always look at who you'll be burning bridges with, and whether it's worth it. If you're looking to switch careers, then leave anytime prior to busy season if the opportunity is good, since leaving this job won't come back to haunt you. If you intend to stay in accounting, then think about it a little more, since you may need those contacts down the road. Curious as to what people think - let us know via the comments section.

Comments

Anonymous said…
What's the disparity of someone who is 2-rated versus someone that is 3-rated at a manager level (5-6 years in) at a Big 4? I understand that it'll probably be different across regions, across firms, and across markets, but typically, is there a huge gap in salary between someone who is average and someone who is performing at a rating 1 level above?
December 17, 2013 at 9:41 PM
Anonymous said…
I agree with you. It sounds like a good idea to get rid of busy season, but you have to get the offer when it comes up. Anyway, letting you employers wide in advance is a god idea in this complicated years...never burn bridges, you never know
December 21, 2013 at 9:53 AM
Expatriate Tax Services said…
^ Indeed. Just be open to your employers about your schedules/holiday plans.
December 24, 2013 at 9:41 AM
Unknown said…
Berkmans is an esteemed firm of expert chartered accountants. We provide accounting and financial auditing services in central Coast. We also provide risk planning, wealth management, Tax planning, financial analysis, Business establishment and much more
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December 26, 2013 at 10:35 PM
Anonymous said…
I usually leave after busy season
January 21, 2014 at 11:28 AM
Anonymous said…
Cheer up man!! End of busy season is getting closer...Hope we can read your posts again soon...
Regards from Portugal, saturday night and still working on an engagement's workpapers....it is not an easy lifestyle but........
February 1, 2014 at 2:52 PM
Anonymous said…
Two of my colleagues left in late Nov , and the other in Dec.
The senior managers were extremely pissed off, particularly, to the point where they were rude to the colleagues who were leaving.
Some people really take offence as to when you leave, some people will just be happy that you leave.

To be safe and not burn any bridges, I agree to leave couple months prior to all the planning is done etc.

To Op - How do you find motivation to continue to work in auditing after all these years? The fire inside of me is gone, and I simply can't find a way to push myself to work long hours anymore.
February 5, 2014 at 12:46 AM
Anonymous said…
I have just found your blog and love it.
Keep up the good work!! It´s nice to know about an auditor´s life, I am actually thinking on applying to a Big4 next year, I think I can learn a lot from your experience.
Thanks for your effort on keeping this blog, it is great!! :-)
February 13, 2014 at 11:40 PM
Security Recruiter said…
I would like to say many thanks to you for the useful information that you provided here. Inside the post, you really depicted very well how to truly handle this concern with all ease
March 2, 2014 at 5:18 AM
Anonymous said…
End of Busy Season is getting closer, so I guess new posts will come soon.... Look forward to reading you again.
Good Luck, I wish you the best.
April 3, 2014 at 6:25 AM
iesqo said…
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April 27, 2014 at 11:49 PM
Anonymous said…
Hope to read you again buddy, my long working days are not the same without your funny but helpful posts.I usually take a break and read one or two of your posts and have a smile and the energy to keep on auditing...that fantastic job
;-)
April 28, 2014 at 8:11 PM
Unknown said…
Wow! A couple of minutes back I was surfing for some relevant information on Accounting and then this page flashed in front of me. Am glad that I came across this blog specially and Anthony Ashcroft’s page. It was a big helping hand in taking credible references for my Research work based on Accounting and Taxation

June 16, 2014 at 4:25 AM
Anonymous said…
Hi buddy!! How are you doing?
Hope you are doing great and hope to read you soon. I miss your posts,
June 18, 2014 at 1:53 AM
Anonymous said…
Where are you?
June 21, 2014 at 7:59 PM
William Stinner said…
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August 10, 2015 at 11:40 PM
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