troubled! - to be Accountant but not via local uni

[tankee]

I know an accountant who had become one via the ACCA path.


It is very good of you to be concerned of your future and making plans.

Good Luck !

[verykiasu2010]

there are actually quite a number of ACCA MBA out there, also CIMA MBA


personally know of a few ACCA who becomes CEO of large listed companies

[CookiesMonster]

crazymee184, MMM, verykiasu2010 & tankee are wonderful sources of information & forthcoming with their advice. i also benefited from this topic

[crazymee184]

Thanks to all for your advices! I have certainly gained a lot from it and has now strengthened my interest in accountancy and more aware of the choices available to achieve it. but will be missing out entirely in college life.

MMM:

verykiasu2010:

thisis not to boast nor to flame : ACCA and CIMA is any time more recognised internationally than B.Acc from NTU or NUS.

If you hold the ACCA, you are exempted from certain modules (at least 2) in any of the UK MBA courses, be it 12-month or 18-month MBA

I think I've to agree to this in the sense that ACCA and CIMA market their qualification globally, unlike NTU or NUS which stayed locally.

Was having a conversation with dh ytd as he is from NTU and I asked for for his opinion on the difference between NTU vs ACCA/CIMA. He was like they usually prefer to recruit NTU grad but he said it's rare in market as the supply got swamped up by the big 4. When he advertise for a role, it's usually australia uni, ACCA, CIMA, etc... he seldom see a NTU grad. But we both agree that over time and with experience, they are all on a fair playing ground.

i guess many fresh accountants have the primary desire and intention to be working in the big 4s(me including) after graduation, thinking about the career prospects and the salary jump each year(on performance and luck). but i guess after while, experience and attitude will become more important!

:thankyou:

[verykiasu2010]

Big 4 has no preference between ACCA or B Acc either way


many of the Big 4 partners are also ACCA or ICAEW members

ICAEW is the so called "Chartered Accountant" from Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales…the most premere chartered accountant institute…in the early days, it is VERY prestigious to be articled under a Chartered accouting firm as it must be done under in England or Wales. The Scottish and Irish chartered accountant are just as good. ACCA got its Royal Charter many decades ago liao…but they are the most global, more than 100,000 students taking exams any time…now even China has many people taking ACCA …

[sleepy]

crazymee184:

Thanks to all for your advices! I have certainly gained a lot from it and has now strengthened my interest in accountancy and more aware of the choices available to achieve it. but will be missing out entirely in college life.

I cleared my ACCA more than a decade ago so my experience isn't the the most updated. Generally, I feel that employers prefer NTU grads over ACCA grads if both are without considerable working experience. The common perception is ACCA can be obtained on part time basis whilst NTU degree is full time. Hence most employers attach higher value to a full time degree.

After an ACCA grad acquired years of track record, the distinction became lesser as working experience would take precedent over origin of certificate, assuming both are CPAs with similar years of relevant working experience.

For campus experience, you can always pursue your postgrad overseas. ACCA is not recognised if you're thinking of pursuing Masters in either NTU or NUS. Or at least I've not heard of anyone who is successful in application among my ACCA peers. However, ACCA is highly recognised overseas. I've no problem being offered places in top Universities overseas using ACCA cert.

[verykiasu2010]

sleepy:

For campus experience, you can always pursue your postgrad overseas. ACCA is not recognised if you're thinking of pursuing Masters in either NTU or NUS. Or at least I've not heard of anyone who is successful in application among my ACCA peers. However, ACCA is highly recognised overseas. I've no problem being offered places in top Universities overseas using ACCA cert.

that is called 'face' issue rather than anything else

actually some of the lecturers obtained first qualification in ACCA then get MSc or MBA plus PhD to come back and teach. i know because some are my friends. some do not even have a second qualification but extremely experienced in the industries but still teach in NTU

[meinteel]

IPCAS & ACCA both give credits to SIM GE & SIM Accounts students, up to 9 papers. The last 5 papers are professional level papers (considered as masters level).


Taking a degree from SIM GE is a safer bet because you have more guidance towards the degree and failure rate is smaller as compared to ACCA & IPCAS. SIM GE has UOL (LSE) Accounts & Finance or RMIT Accounts. RMIT Accounts degree qualifies you to get membership with CPA Aust.

UOL (LSE) Accounts & Finance degree is more dynamic, prepares you for both accounting roles and finance roles. Students who achieved 1st Class honours have also been able to make it to LSE/Oxford for their masters. One warning though, it is very difficult to obtain 1st class honours - less than 4% each year. Most grad with 2nd lower or even 3rd class.

ACCA is great too, and its much cheaper! However, I heard that the failure rate is very very high and so most people give up half-way. To me, if you can’t finish all 15 papers with ACCA or IPCAS then you are back to square 1.

Therefore, I believe that one should get a degree first - before attempting the final 5 papers @ ACCA or IPCAS. That is what I’m doing right now.

[JosephMartin]

As per Cookies Monster answer you should visit that site i hope you can get solution for your question from that site.

[Imami]

verykiasu2010:

Big 4 has no preference between ACCA or B Acc either way


many of the Big 4 partners are also ACCA or ICAEW members

ICAEW is the so called \"Chartered Accountant\" from Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales.....the most premere chartered accountant institute.....in the early days, it is VERY prestigious to be articled under a Chartered accouting firm as it must be done under in England or Wales. The Scottish and Irish chartered accountant are just as good. ACCA got its Royal Charter many decades ago liao.....but they are the most global, more than 100,000 students taking exams any time.....now even China has many people taking ACCA ....

Indeed so but it also depends on where you are. When I was in the private sector, I earned \"wah...\" when I dished out my name cards. Now in public sector, I am just another one. Being a fcca or even icaew membership did not earn me any more recognition than a local grad, who is not even a CPA.