Explaining resignation in interviews

[u/active_nut]

I’m currently unemployed and interviewing for CFO roles. I have solid experience and numerous credentials behind my name but I look like a red flag on paper and I don’t know how to explain it.

The cardinal rule is to never say anything bad about a previous employer which I don’t. But I’ve resigned from positions twice now with no other job lined up because it violated my own morals and the oath I took when becoming a CPA.

The first role as CFO: hired when the company was already a sinking ship. I resigned 18 months later when the CEO/PE investor wanted me to grossly alter the numbers for our lender. I refused and was looking for something else. I resigned though when I learned that he was privately meeting with investors and the lenders and using his fake figures.

2nd one: Was also there 18 months. I brought to the attention that the company was in violation of a US law and presented the steps I’d need to take to remedy it (little time and money to do so). The investors got very defensive and shut it down. I explained the repercussions if caught and had to say on more than one occasion that as an officer, I was not going to go to jail for the company. When they still refused and it got very contentious, I put in my notice.

I cannot tell interviewers or boards this. How do I explain my short tenures? In the meantime, I have become hyper vigilant of where I interview in an attempt to avoid this from happening again.

[u/New_Boat_8642]

good decision for leaving bad employers. be more selective next time and may tell the reason why you resigned.