Please help, concerned I will jeopardise my job offer?

[KateWinsletsHair]

Starting new job in a few weeks.

On my CV I wrote that I was "exam / time qualified" for a prof qualification that I am doing (factually correct) and have referred to myself as "[name of qual] qualified" in a summary.

However whilst I have the exams, employer sign-offs and have fulfilled all training contract requirements (signed off by current employers) & documentary evidence exists of this, I will likely not have actual full membership of said professional body until a few weeks time. This is because it takes several weeks to process forms (which I am sending imminently) and get the documentation. I could have applied earlier so obviously kicking myself there.

What is the best course of action? I was planning to let them know nearer to the time should questions arise and say that I'd provide the certificate as soon as it arrives (and obviously can show documentary evidence in the meantime), but now concerned that background checks may show that I am not yet a fully paid-up member of prof body yet and that this will look bad.

Obviously the rest of my qualifications, education and employment history completely stacks up. I do think this is a biggie though and I feel sick as completely my fault and obviously non-malicious but so concerned it will look bad and is not a good basis to start on.

Please help

Don’t panic m
If you need to show your membership before it arrives give them the qualifications and proof of your application and when you made it. It shouldn’t change things hopefully though it would have been easier to mention at interview!

@RJnomore1 thanks, appreciate the advice; do you think I should drop them a quick note explaining the situation?

I have written a summary of myself for use in client reports suggesting I have full prof membership (assuming that this would be received before I start) which has obviously not gone live yet.

I am wondering if I should state that I whilst I am exam / time qualified, and have obtained employer sign-off for the training & submitted this to said prof body, I am awaiting confirmation of membership from them - and that whilst I am hoping this will be obtained before I officially join, and will ofc provide, I wanted to flag in the meantime?

I can’t imagine it will be an issue, provided you can show them the evidence you have mentioned. A lot of things are taking longer because of covid, so employers will take this into consideration provided it’s expected you’ll receive the qualification - I’m assuming it’s a straight forward case I.e. big 4 experience and Aca exams passed, rather than a remote possibility that you’ll receive the qualification.

You could drop an email if you want, but I think it’s not an issue, and if you do mention it, do it casually rather than panicked

@lurker101 haha correct, yes. Big 4 experience with all exams passed and CV says "Time and Exam qualified" (which I am, and was when I wrote the CV/applied for the job).

However wrote in a summary for new employers that I am "ACA qual" in good faith, expecting this to be the case when I joined. Given some issues with training file submission and additional documents, it will likely take a few weeks to (i) get invited for membership and (ii) get certificate, so really panicking.

They are a very small outfit (new place) and obviously keen to make a good impression, so concerned about this being seen negatively.

We are a small outfit - we do a screening check - if this came back to me that you were not qualified/ registered as a member of a qualified body, I would ask you about it and give you the opportunity to explain yourself.
Recruiting the right person is expensive and time consuming, especially for a small firm - it's ludicrous to think this organisation would not pursue an explanation.
several weeks to process forms (which I am sending imminently) Prioritise these forms - today! Don't be in a situation that they have to ask about your membership and you still a haven't sent off the forms - that will not reflect well - I'd be concerned about your organisational and time skills rather than your lying.

I think different people would react differently to this. I would be unimpressed to find out somebody did not have the qualification they said they had. In your case, I would have expected you to have put “passed Finalist” or similar not ACA qualified. I would probably not retract the offer given the full circumstances, but I would be wary about it.

@JustWatchMe @Aprilx the forms are being sent today, I wont go into the nitty gritty but had some delays as some have to be signed manually. They are all ready to go and I am obtaining signatures today, to send tomorrow.

Once that is done I will email the new place explaining that all is in process but for XYZ reason, the process has been slightly delayed - I will let them know asap when membership is obtained though.

Does this sound ok? I would rather explain than have them wonder.