<![CDATA[troubled! - to be Accountant but not via local uni]]>hi i am new here and i would like to get some advice.


i would like to ask if one wants to become accountant, but cant get into local uni cos of bad results, is it advisable for him to go for ACCA, UNISIM or just SIM- GE after ORD?

if working part time while studying for ACCA after army, will it be tough to find accounting/auditing jobs since without prior knowledge or experience.

how much does it cost to complete the 14 papers for ACCA? provided only going for lessons in SAA for some papers only and self studying the other papers.

is it a viable option to study acca while in army with almost a year and a half left?

thanks for the advises and opinions! 😄

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/25563/troubled-to-be-accountant-but-not-via-local-uniRSS for NodeFri, 24 Apr 2026 06:48:14 GMTMon, 05 Sep 2011 05:38:16 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to troubled! - to be Accountant but not via local uni on Thu, 31 May 2012 14:44:19 GMT]]>

Edureach:
Imami:

[quote=\"Edureach\"] One thing that i know, it makes no sense for grads to undertake the ACCA.


It make sense, especially if one does not have an accountancy degree. I had a junior who graduated from ntu with a deg in commerce/business/banking (sorry, I can't remember the name mod the course but it's definitely from ntu and not acc). She went on to do acca on a part time basis as she wanted to be an accountant.

Imami
You have misunderstood my posting. The above refers clearly to grads from local accounting unis namely NUS NTU and SMU.[/quote]It is not as clear to me, since you just stated \"... For grads...\" instead of \"for accounting grad\". One can't expect to be perfectly understood if the intended is not described fully.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/772662https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/772662Thu, 31 May 2012 14:44:19 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to troubled! - to be Accountant but not via local uni on Thu, 31 May 2012 11:27:41 GMT]]>Can somebody tell me what’s the selling point of this qp from icpas and how does this displaced current CPA non-practicing members?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/772573https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/772573Thu, 31 May 2012 11:27:41 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to troubled! - to be Accountant but not via local uni on Thu, 31 May 2012 06:44:39 GMT]]>In any case, the current trend is quite simplistic.


NUS/NTU/SMU Accountancy Graduates will become ICPAS Associates. With 3 years of relevant work experience, 5 day pre-admission course & proven proficiency in local laws, they will be granted CPA Singapore.

Overseas accounting degree holders like SIM-UOL or SIM-RMIT would have to take 5 professional papers from ICPAS to qualify for ICPAS Associates.

As for the Singapore Qualification program,

As a student or graduate with a non-accountancy degree, will I be able eligible to enrol on the SQP?
\"Gateway Programmes are being developed to allow graduates from any discipline to satisfy the requirements of the Academic Base. More information on the Academic Base can be obtained from Section 4 of the Discussion Paper.\"

If I have completed a Bachelor of Accounting degree from NTU, NUS or SMU, am I eligible for exemptions from any of the technical modules?
\"there are no exemptions planned for students that have graduated with relevant degrees. The SQP has been designed to build on the Academic Base through the Professional Programme and Practical Experience. More information on the SQP Framework can be obtained from Section 3 of the Discussion Paper.\"

http://www.singaporeqp.com/index.php/faqs/

SQP is expected to launch in June 2013 & first examinations in Dec 2013. Furthermore, SQP is meant to develop using the \"expertise of a breadth of stakeholders to ensure the Asian market value factor is embedded in them.\" rather than having a global outlook.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/772397https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/772397Thu, 31 May 2012 06:44:39 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to troubled! - to be Accountant but not via local uni on Thu, 31 May 2012 03:53:13 GMT]]>

Edureach:
[Details regarding the qualifying programme for registration as CPA will only be released later next year. One thing that i know, it makes no sense for grads to undertake the ACCA.

The govt want the accountancy sector to grow and contribute more to its GDP numbers and therefore they have come up with this QP programme. I understand that the programme is also meant for non-accountancy trained professional to take up this course to enlarge the pool of qualified accountants which is in short supply at the moment.

However, it will take a couple of years before we see the first batch of graduates and I wonder if the QP is more Asean focus as compared to ACCA which has a more global reach.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/772305https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/772305Thu, 31 May 2012 03:53:13 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to troubled! - to be Accountant but not via local uni on Thu, 31 May 2012 03:28:32 GMT]]>

Edureach:
sweetmommy123:

ACCA is worldwide recognised! Even those graduate from NUS, NTU accountancy are only exempted a few paper. They still need to sit for some papers if they wanna become CPA (Certified Public Accountant). If not, graduating from NUS acc or NTU acc or SMU acc just means \"bachelor of acc\" and not CPA. You understand that the salary range will be different. and ACCA isn't easy to take. It requires much discipline as you gotta self-study a lot more. I have friends who take ACCA in the army. I also have friend who take ACCA after completing their degree at local Uni. So dun worry about your grades that you cant enter local Uni for accountancy. In the end, CPA is what you need to achieve!



Next time get your facts right before you shoot!

Details regarding the qualifying programme for registration as CPA will only be released later next year. One thing that i know, it makes no sense for grads to undertake the ACCA.

Well they don't need to take every single paper for ACCA...but they are exempted most of the \"F\" papers. And they only need to take some of the \"P\" papers + a few years of working exp= CPA

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/772281https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/772281Thu, 31 May 2012 03:28:32 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to troubled! - to be Accountant but not via local uni on Thu, 31 May 2012 03:23:00 GMT]]>

Imami:
Edureach:

One thing that i know, it makes no sense for grads to undertake the ACCA.


It make sense, especially if one does not have an accountancy degree. I had a junior who graduated from ntu with a deg in commerce/business/banking (sorry, I can't remember the name mod the course but it's definitely from ntu and not acc). She went on to do acca on a part time basis as she wanted to be an accountant.


Imami

You have misunderstood my posting. The above refers clearly to grads from local accounting unis namely NUS NTU and SMU. I have been maintaining consistency that local accountancy grads need not take the ACCA because totally no value added. All local accounting unis are recognised by ICPAS. My posting was in response to the statement made by sweetmommy.

I also accept the fact that non accounting grads do pursue ACCA if they wish to be a qualified accountant nowithstanding the fact that local accounting grads hve a wider variety of choice careers in view of wider acceptance in particular the public sector and more opportunities in banking and finance.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/772275https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/772275Thu, 31 May 2012 03:23:00 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to troubled! - to be Accountant but not via local uni on Wed, 30 May 2012 13:25:39 GMT]]>

Edureach:
One thing that i know, it makes no sense for grads to undertake the ACCA.

It make sense, especially if one does not have an accountancy degree. I had a junior who graduated from ntu with a deg in commerce/business/banking (sorry, I can't remember the name mod the course but it's definitely from ntu and not acc). She went on to do acca on a part time basis as she wanted to be an accountant.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/772051https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/772051Wed, 30 May 2012 13:25:39 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to troubled! - to be Accountant but not via local uni on Wed, 30 May 2012 12:25:02 GMT]]>

magiccastle:
Edureach ,

I thought u agreed with my previous posting too. :idea:
Sure i agreed with both your statements. Mistaken identity on my part.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/772026https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/772026Wed, 30 May 2012 12:25:02 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to troubled! - to be Accountant but not via local uni on Wed, 30 May 2012 12:13:17 GMT]]>Edureach ,

I thought u agreed with my previous posting too. :idea:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/772024https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/772024Wed, 30 May 2012 12:13:17 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to troubled! - to be Accountant but not via local uni on Wed, 30 May 2012 12:07:46 GMT]]>

magiccastle:
For grad that are not from accountancy eg from Arts , Science or even law n engineering, they will take either to boast their career advancement or to change to accounting line. I have a friend who is a Cambridge scholar ( engineering) did take up ACCA when he left SAF. I have a few colleagues have both double degrees in Law n Acc. Some of my friends couldn't get in to sch of Acc went to Arts / science/ business faculty n later took up ACCA as they wanted to become an accountant.

Ok, this is a sensible statement, very different from your previous one. 😂

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/772022https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/772022Wed, 30 May 2012 12:07:46 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to troubled! - to be Accountant but not via local uni on Wed, 30 May 2012 12:01:11 GMT]]>For grad that are not from accountancy eg from Arts , Science or even law n engineering, they will take either to boast their career advancement or to change to accounting line. I have a friend who is a Cambridge scholar ( engineering) did take up ACCA when he left SAF. I have a few colleagues have both double degrees in Law n Acc. Some of my friends couldn’t get in to sch of Acc went to Arts / science/ business faculty n later took up ACCA as they wanted to become an accountant.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/772020https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/772020Wed, 30 May 2012 12:01:11 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to troubled! - to be Accountant but not via local uni on Wed, 30 May 2012 11:45:03 GMT]]>

magiccastle:
Don't think need to sit for some papers to become a CPA if u graduated from sch of acc of NTU/SMU. Just need to attend pre-entry course n take a simple test.Of course, need a few years of experience to become full CPA. Fresh grad will join in ICPAS as provisional member.

Compared to other distant business degrees or SIM courses, ACCA is much more valued.

Agreed with you!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/772015https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/772015Wed, 30 May 2012 11:45:03 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to troubled! - to be Accountant but not via local uni on Wed, 30 May 2012 11:39:08 GMT]]>Don’t think need to sit for some papers to become a CPA if u graduated from sch of acc of NTU/SMU. Just need to attend pre-entry course n take a simple test.Of course, need a few years of experience to become full CPA. Fresh grad will join in ICPAS as provisional member.

Compared to other distant business degrees or SIM courses, ACCA is much more valued.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/772014https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/772014Wed, 30 May 2012 11:39:08 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to troubled! - to be Accountant but not via local uni on Wed, 30 May 2012 11:27:03 GMT]]>

sweetmommy123:
ACCA is worldwide recognised! Even those graduate from NUS, NTU accountancy are only exempted a few paper. They still need to sit for some papers if they wanna become CPA (Certified Public Accountant). If not, graduating from NUS acc or NTU acc or SMU acc just means \"bachelor of acc\" and not CPA. You understand that the salary range will be different. and ACCA isn't easy to take. It requires much discipline as you gotta self-study a lot more. I have friends who take ACCA in the army. I also have friend who take ACCA after completing their degree at local Uni. So dun worry about your grades that you cant enter local Uni for accountancy. In the end, CPA is what you need to achieve!


Next time get your facts right before you shoot!

Details regarding the qualifying programme for registration as CPA will only be released later next year. One thing that i know, it makes no sense for grads to undertake the ACCA.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/772011https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/772011Wed, 30 May 2012 11:27:03 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to troubled! - to be Accountant but not via local uni on Wed, 30 May 2012 05:18:52 GMT]]>ACCA is worldwide recognised! Even those graduate from NUS, NTU accountancy are only exempted a few paper. They still need to sit for some papers if they wanna become CPA (Certified Public Accountant). If not, graduating from NUS acc or NTU acc or SMU acc just means "bachelor of acc" and not CPA. You understand that the salary range will be different. and ACCA isn’t easy to take. It requires much discipline as you gotta self-study a lot more. I have friends who take ACCA in the army. I also have friend who take ACCA after completing their degree at local Uni. So dun worry about your grades that you cant enter local Uni for accountancy. In the end, CPA is what you need to achieve!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/771873https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/771873Wed, 30 May 2012 05:18:52 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to troubled! - to be Accountant but not via local uni on Fri, 25 May 2012 17:08:31 GMT]]>

Imp75:
You dont need a CFO to tell you how to cut costs, anyone can suggest how to cut costs to boost the bottom line. The way to grow the company really is to increase the top line and bring in superior returns and what project/initiatives are to be undertaken to achieve that investment returns, how many CFOs are doing that now

Everyone can suggest ways to cut costs but people usually cannot agree. Therefore you need someone to force the decision down in the best interest of the company and not for yourself or for someone whom you support.

Besides that finance isn't just about cutting costs. It is about making the best use of every dollar and labour you have on hand. If projects, investments or business partners are mutually exclusive, which would you choose? If the company is not making profit, which part of the company isn't do well? Production? Sales? Marketing? If your cash flow is tight, is it because the company doesnt have enough capital, paying creditors too frequently or just giving debtors too long a credit period?

Increasing top line to bring in superior returns usually require huge spendings on marketing and brand building. However, there are no guaranteed returns. When you cut costs, effects are immediate and obvious.

Every department is beneficial to the company, that is why they are adopted and exist in the company and/or major corporations.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/769804https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/769804Fri, 25 May 2012 17:08:31 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to troubled! - to be Accountant but not via local uni on Fri, 25 May 2012 05:59:24 GMT]]>If one is talking about taxation, auditing, compliance, ACCA holders are no difference from degree holders. But in areas like coporate planning, M &A activities, risk management and quantitative knowhow, clearly degree holders hve an advantage.


Better for a recognised degree holder to take MBA financials, economics public policy etc than undertake an ACCA programme despite having many exemptions.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/769393https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/769393Fri, 25 May 2012 05:59:24 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to troubled! - to be Accountant but not via local uni on Fri, 25 May 2012 05:50:32 GMT]]>

Edureach:
CPA Singapore will be internationally recognised once the qualifying programme kicks off beginning next year. That means a holder can practised in many principal financial cities by just clearing their local tax modules. Wow! internationally mobile.


Of course to be able to sit for the local exam, must hve a recognised degree level qualification.

Nowadays apart from traditional role, think a CFO is fully involved in top coporate function ie M & A activities.
the ACCA holders have been able to do that for a long time - just need to take local tax and law modules

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/769386https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/769386Fri, 25 May 2012 05:50:32 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to troubled! - to be Accountant but not via local uni on Fri, 25 May 2012 05:31:54 GMT]]>CPA Singapore will be internationally recognised once the qualifying programme kicks off beginning next year. That means a holder can practise in many principal financial cities by just clearing their local tax modules. Wow! internationally mobile.


Of course to be able to sit for the local exam, must hve a recognised degree level qualification.

Nowadays apart from traditional role, think a CFO is fully involved in top coporate function ie M & A activities.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/769367https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/769367Fri, 25 May 2012 05:31:54 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to troubled! - to be Accountant but not via local uni on Fri, 25 May 2012 03:10:41 GMT]]>You dont need a CFO to tell you how to cut costs, anyone can suggest how to cut costs to boost the bottom line. The way to grow the company really is to increase the top line and bring in superior returns and what project/initiatives are to be undertaken to achieve that investment returns, how many CFOs are doing that now

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/769269https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/769269Fri, 25 May 2012 03:10:41 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to troubled! - to be Accountant but not via local uni on Fri, 25 May 2012 02:44:51 GMT]]>Actually, it's a misconception that finance people only know how to cut costs. The new age accountants are not bean counters. We are business partners. It's just that we are more number conscious. We guide the non-finance people using our finance skills to tide through difficult times (eg. budget cuts), we advise business partners on the type of products they should sell more and vice versa. Or what people to focus on to bring in the results... At the end of the day, we need to make the shareholders happy. So depends on the area that you have chosen... Finance need not be a boring job.


In my co., the finance guy rose up to be the head of the group. This is not unheard of. If you have the finance training + strategic thinking + business oriented, you will make a good CEO.

With finance... ok... maybe cannot earn enough to buy a sentosa cove bungalow but by Singapore standard, I think can earn a decent living and lifestyle.

I agree wholeheartedly on the observations made for work life balance.... I think I fall into that right now. Mid mgt level, happy contented and family has priority. No desire to become the CFO just want to be happy doing what I am doing so that I can keep an eye on the kids too. It's actually not easy to be in such a situation... as you will see peers moving on but you are still here. Well.... it's all about making personal choices. :roll:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/769242https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/769242Fri, 25 May 2012 02:44:51 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to troubled! - to be Accountant but not via local uni on Fri, 25 May 2012 02:28:26 GMT]]>

Imp75:
hahaha I like the connotation of Finance dept to \"cost centre\" How true in this part of the world!

How many CFOs are really adding value to the business from the CEO's perspective? CFOs are only known to cut costs! Is that value adding haha!
cut cost = value add, wat. a dollar saved is a dollar profit earned, easiest to earn some more compared with sales revenue

but enlightened management would treat the finance / CFO function as business partner with synergy

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/769235https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/769235Fri, 25 May 2012 02:28:26 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to troubled! - to be Accountant but not via local uni on Fri, 25 May 2012 02:25:20 GMT]]>hahaha I like the connotation of Finance dept to "cost centre" How true in this part of the world!

How many CFOs are really adding value to the business from the CEO’s perspective? CFOs are only known to cut costs! Is that value adding haha!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/769232https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/769232Fri, 25 May 2012 02:25:20 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to troubled! - to be Accountant but not via local uni on Fri, 25 May 2012 02:18:16 GMT]]>Most of female peers that survived in big 4…did well in their career… High flyer types… But all of them are singles… They really sell their youth to big4…

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/769226https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/769226Fri, 25 May 2012 02:18:16 GMT