Two jobs, one big mistake…
Can you really hold down two full-time jobs at the same time? For most of us, it sounds impossible — but one accountant recently gave it a try. Spoiler alert: it didn’t end well.
ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) recently held a disciplinary hearing for one of its members, Priyank Patel, from Crawley in the UK. Patel thought he could juggle two full-time roles at once — one with his long-term employer and another shiny new job he picked up in September 2022. But instead of boosting his career or income, the decision left him severely reprimanded, publicly named, and £13,500 out of pocket.
So, what exactly happened?
What Patel Did Wrong
Job #1: Patel had been working at Firm A since 2015. Like most employment contracts, his role came with conditions — he was expected to devote his full working time and effort to the company.
Job #2: In September 2022, Patel landed a new full-time job at Firm B. The catch? He didn’t tell Firm A.
The Cover Story: To convince Firm B to hire him, Patel told them he’d left Firm A. He even said he’d only be doing the odd 10 hours of ad hoc work there in his spare time. Later, when asked again, he confirmed (falsely) that his old job was over.
The Reality: In truth, he was secretly working for both companies full-time — and unsurprisingly, the truth came out just three months later.
At the disciplinary hearing in June this year, Patel admitted that his actions were dishonest and amounted to misconduct. The punishment? A severe reprimand from ACCA and a bill for £13,500 in costs.
Why This Matters to You as a Business Student
This case is about much more than one man’s career misstep. It shines a spotlight on some key lessons that apply to anyone starting out in their career.
Integrity isn’t optional
If your employer (or client) can’t trust you, nothing else matters. Patel didn’t lose his job because he wasn’t technically good at accounting — he lost it because he wasn’t honest. Integrity is the foundation of any professional reputation.
Contracts are there for a reason
Many employment contracts specifically state that you can’t take on other full-time roles, and sometimes even limit part-time side gigs. Patel ignored this, and it cost him dearly. Always check what you’ve signed up for.
Short-term gain, long-term pain
Maybe Patel thought he could double his salary or hedge his bets between two employers. But juggling two full-time jobs isn’t sustainable. In the end, he lost credibility, got a public reprimand, and had to fork out thousands.
Professional bodies mean business
ACCA didn’t sweep this under the rug. They investigated, held a hearing, and published the findings for the world to see. That’s because bodies like ACCA need to protect the reputation of their profession.
What Could He Have Done Differently?
This isn’t about never looking for new opportunities. Moving from one company to another is normal — it’s how careers progress. The problem was how Patel handled it. A few simple (but tougher) choices would have changed everything:
He could have been upfront with Firm A about wanting to leave.
He could have waited until his contract was properly ended before starting with Firm B.
He could have declined ad hoc work at Firm A if it risked clashing with his new contract.
Instead, he tried to keep everyone happy and ended up with the worst of both worlds.
Why Employers Care So Much
Some people may argue that this wasn’t a major problem but for employers it’s serious. As well as the obvious issue of paying for someone to work for you full time whilst they are only working part of the time, other issues include:
Divided loyalty: Two bosses = no full focus.
Risk of mistakes: Overwork and secrecy lead to errors.
Trust issues: If someone hides big things like a second job, what else might they hide?
That’s why ACCA treated it as misconduct. It wasn’t just a case of moonlighting — it was about dishonesty and broken trust.
Remember: your technical skills and knowledge will get your foot in the door, but your integrity is what keeps it open. Employers want people they can rely on, not just smart CVs.
Patel’s case is a cautionary tale. What seemed like a clever way to have it all turned into a costly and very public mistake. As an accountant, manager, or business leader, you’ll face your own ethical crossroads. The safest route is usually the simplest one: be honest, be transparent, and don’t try to outsmart your contract.
Because in the end, £13,500 is a hefty price to pay — but your reputation is worth even more.
