How many years are appropriate to commit to a company when they are funding your CPA studies?
Hi everyone! I’m about to start my CPA journey in Canada with a company that has never had a CPA candidate before. They’re looking to establish a policy requiring me to stay for a certain number of years in exchange for covering all my program fees. They haven’t specified the duration yet, but it’s negotiable. I’m curious about what you consider to be a reasonable or standard commitment period. I left my previous public Accounting firm because they asked for a 10-year commitment after I obtained my CPA, which I felt was too long for my career goals in industry. I’d appreciate hearing your experiences in both public Accounting and industry. Thank you for your insights!
One response
It’s great that you’re starting your CPA journey! When it comes to commitments, the length can vary significantly depending on the company and the individual circumstances. Generally, a commitment of 2 to 4 years is considered reasonable and standard in the industry for sponsorship in professional development programs like the CPA.
Some firms may ask for a longer commitment, especially if they’re making a significant investment in your education, but a 10-year commitment, like you experienced previously, is quite excessive and could deter potential candidates from accepting such a position.
Since your current company has never sponsored a CPA candidate before, you might want to suggest a 3-year commitment, which balances their investment with your freedom to explore other opportunities after gaining your designation. It’s important to convey your desire to build your skills and grow within the company during that time, which can benefit both you and the employer.
Ultimately, it would be ideal to discuss openly with your employer about mutual expectations and commitments. Good luck with your CPA journey!