BootsnAll Travel Community

I quit my job to go travelling several months ago immediately after finishing the last subject to complete my professional qualifications (Chartered Accountant), confident that I would breeze through with flying colours. Now I just got the results and I've failed, with no freakin explanation why.

Problem is I'm not planning on returning home until at least Christmas. Does anybody have any suggestions on how to explain to future potential employers that I've taken a 6 month career break without completing my professional qualifications. I'm really paranoid right now about getting a job when I return home!

Thanks for any suggestions

Troy

Hi,

I am doing CIMA. (or CMA as known in the US)..

I have failed the same exam twice! so i am a year behind in qualifying.

I cant envisage another RTW until a few years down the road. By then i will have been fully qualified.

You will be fine Troy. You are nearly fully qualified anyhow. Moreover. employers will be looking at your travelling as a good thing.

Dont worry. Everyone faces ups and downs..

I left to go travelling int he middle of my qualification...

Hi Crazy Nomad,

Being a chartered accountant, I can relate to what you are saying. Don't worry, your employers will understand the unforseen situation.

These days, travel abroad is considered to be an experience, use it to say it helped develop your soft skills such as tolerance.

In Australia when will the next exams be? We have it every six months in India.

Take care and stop worry.

The brilliant folks I know who've taken that exam, have all failed a few times, even those who spent hours in classes for it.

Your future employers, all desk people,right, they will love to hear of your travels, and the confidence you have to step away from the work a day world.

Plus, the CFA business is part of the global environment, you'll use your road skills in a way your competition cant.

Yeah, you're going to be fine. Most people don't pass their first exam. It's pretty standard, so you're likely to get a lot of sympathetic nods when you tell folks. I work for a large accounting firm in the US, and I'd guess that probably half our audit and tax staff has yet to pass their exam ( especially the junior / entry-level staff ), but they all still have jobs. They study on their off time and take the exam whenever it's offered. Some pass, some don't. Some people never pass, but that just means they won't get promoted to management (which could be a good thing!). It doesn't mean they can't get work.

Good luck on your next try!

Hey crazynomad... I'm working on my CA in Canada right now.

We have people who just failed huge tests - doing the same thing you did. They're set back. They pick up, move on. Plus, based on what we're hearing up here (I work for an international firm), they're crying for accountants in Australia. I bet your future boss will be far more understanding than you have anticipated.

Hey thanks everyone for the words of encouragement. I was in a bit of a sour mood after getting the bad news, but now that has passed and thinking logically about the situation I doubt I'll have any problems getting a position back in oz when I return. I certainly hope I can spin my time here on the afghan frontier into a great story to tell future potential employers when I return.

Cheers and thanks again!!