ACCA/CPA

[CMYRS]

Originally posted by misterbean@Jun 4 2005, 10:32 PM

So hectic ... audit?

No mate, worst, shipping firm!

Business is good for the industry since operationg revenue is 100% tax free.

 

[Zandon]

Originally posted by misterbean@Jun 4 2005, 10:43 PM

Not to worry, there will be notes given by the lecturers later ... much better than text books as these will be more focused on the ACCA exams ... and then there is also the student newsletter that publishes technical articles

 

Personally, I found the revision kit more useful than textbooks ... as ACCA exams are very much focused on applying theoretical concepts to practical problems, the revision kit will give you the chance to do practice, practice and more practice

 

I have no accounting background when I started my ACCA too (I was doing Science and Maths all along). I just put in additional effort to get the basics right (eg accounting double entries) and I got through. It can be done

ic

coz i'll be missing some lessons in july due to ns commitment, my unit doing ndp this yr, weekends burnt until jia lat.

 

so i was hoping to get some form of text book or some guides to read to catch up mah

heh

 

they will give the notes as lessons goes ah?

aiyo si liao:giddy:

[william_liu]

Thanks to contrarian, CMYRS and misterbean once again for the further clarification.

 

I've more or less made up my mind.... waiting for the institute to get back to me now!

[misterbean]

Originally posted by Zandon@Jun 5 2005, 11:50 PM

they will give the notes as lessons goes ah?

aiyo si liao:giddy:

Depends on the lecturer, some give the complete set on Day 1, others give progressively. Try not to miss the lessons if possible or get the notes for those you missed, otherwise you wouldn't know which are the important bits ... textbooks tends to be lenghtly and good only for background reading, not so focus on exams ...

 

What is the subject of the papers you taking this semester? If related to principles of accounting, you can try to prepare yourself first on the basics, so its easier to absorb during lessons

 

[Zandon]

Originally posted by misterbean@Jun 6 2005, 01:17 PM

Depends on the lecturer, some give the complete set on Day 1, others give progressively. Try not to miss the lessons if possible or get the notes for those you missed, otherwise you wouldn't know which are the important bits ... textbooks tends to be lenghtly and good only for background reading, not so focus on exams ...

 

What is the subject of the papers you taking this semester? If related to principles of accounting, you can try to prepare yourself first on the basics, so its easier to absorb during lessons

 

1.1 preparing financial statements

1.2 financial information for management

 

think i will miss class in july...haha

 

i'll try talk to the lecturer to get the notes from him to study on my own first.

sigh, ndp...

[misterbean]

Originally posted by Zandon@Jun 6 2005, 04:50 PM

1.1 preparing financial statements

This could be the one dealing with trial balance, profit & loss account and balance sheet ... so maybe some preparation work in accounting entries (that is, debit and credit entries) will be good to have ... if you have zero background, just get an elementary text book with worked examples and study questions and start from there ... even if its meant for LCCI or secondary or A level accounts it will still get you started on a good foundation

[misterbean]

Originally posted by william_liu@Jun 6 2005, 01:13 PM

Thanks to contrarian, CMYRS and misterbean once again for the further clarification.

 

I've more or less made up my mind.... waiting for the institute to get back to me now!

No problem

[william_liu]

Originally posted by Zandon@Jun 4 2005, 10:02 PM

err...got something to asked

 

i registered for the course

all i'm given was their revision kit, which is kinda like "assessment book"

they dun give things like text books or notes to read up?

if not i think i will die, i'm got zero knowledge in accounting

May wanna try "Account for Dummies" or "Idiot's Guide to Accounting"... think most major libraries should have basic accounting books as well.

[cougar]

i also an ACCA student, but u all really put your essay writing skill here, kinda long winded to read on the pc leh.

[yctradingsg]

wat abt CAT huh?? wat's the difference with ACCA?

[misterbean]

Originally posted by Aldebaran@Jun 14 2005, 10:20 PM

wat abt CAT huh?? wat's the difference with ACCA?

CAT refers to the "Certified Accounting Technician Scheme" administered by the ACCA. It is more of an introductory course to Accounting and upon completion of this course, one can generally expect to find support level jobs in the accounting line.

 

Whereas the ACCA qualification mentioned in all the above postings refer to the professional scheme administered by the ACCA. Its degree-equivalent but of course, within the field of Accountancy/Finance only

[Zandon]

nowadays i flip though the classified or the recruits, there are so many ads looking for accountants/accounts assistants.

 

are accountants in such high demand or are they being sack easily?

 

someone enlighten me plz

 

btw what does LCCI stands for?

[contrarian]

Originally posted by Zandon@Jul 13 2005, 12:31 AM

nowadays i flip though the classified or the recruits, there are so many ads looking for accountants/accounts assistants.

 

are accountants in such high demand or are they being sack easily?

 

someone enlighten me plz

 

btw what does LCCI stands for?

there'll always have demand for accountants because every company of at least medium size needs one to do the mundane work.

 

the job is not for everyone though. you need to be willing and able to continually perform mechanistic tasks, which bores too many people.

[W3iLong]

Hi,

 

What do u all say about SIM's Bsc in Accounting and Finance offered by University of London as compare to RMIT Accounting Degree also in SIM ?

 

 

I am a engineering student and hav zero accounting background, which degree is more advisable? and is it advisable to take the degree and take modules of ACCA/CPA concurrently?

 

 

 

:giddy:

[lady_rider]

Originally posted by W3iLong@Feb 13 2006, 03:10 PM

Hi,

 

What do u all say about SIM's Bsc in Accounting and Finance offered by University of London as compare to RMIT Accounting Degree also in SIM ?

 

 

I am a engineering student and hav zero accounting background, which degree is more advisable? and is it advisable to take the degree and take modules of ACCA/CPA concurrently?

 

 

 

:giddy:

RMIT is recongized and of course better,this is what i heard from lecturer..i taking CPA and ACCA..either one..anyone gng to enroll pls pm me..finding kakis to go

[lady_rider]

LCCI is book keeping.got level 1 and 2..but is cheap for the course

[misterbean]

Originally posted by W3iLong@Feb 13 2006, 03:10 PM

I am a engineering student and hav zero accounting background, which degree is more advisable? and is it advisable to take the degree and take modules of ACCA/CPA concurrently?

 

 

I was from NUS Engineering before deciding to move into Accountancy instead ... with zero accounting experience like yourself ... took all the 14 ACCA papers (at that time) ... start and learn everything from scratch ... you can still pick up a good foundation in the fundamentals (eg double entry) along the way if you work hard, dun worry

 

But dun see the point of doing 2 accountancy courses concurrently ... just focus on one that can qualify you for the "CPA Singapore" status and apply for membership after obtaining the paper qualifications and working experience

[W3iLong]

I was from NUS Engineering before deciding to move into Accountancy instead ... with zero accounting experience like yourself ... took all the 14 ACCA papers (at that time) ... start and learn everything from scratch ... you can still pick up a good foundation in the fundamentals (eg double entry) along the way if you work hard, dun worry 

 

But dun see the point of doing 2 accountancy courses concurrently ... just focus on one that can qualify you for the "CPA Singapore" status and apply for membership after obtaining the paper qualifications and working experience 

 

Hi,

thanks for ur reply

 

Curently im still in the goverment sector,Bonded by contract till the age of 29.im 23 this yr.

 

In a dilemma to take up ACCA or UOL accounting and Finance..RMIT BSc accountancy is out cos unable to make it for its full time 1st yr classes

 

after all the acca papers, we still need 3 yrs working experience to obtAin and sit for CPA..Am i right?

 

will any accounting firm employ u even u have ACCA qualification(without CPA and zero experience)?or they prefer a degree?

 

personally i feel tat ACCA is more specialised compare to Acctt & finance UOL.

im puzzzled whether they received the same reconigiton in the industry.

 

Those jobs looking for Degree in acountancy or its equivalent/ACCA

 

Does it mean ACCA(not yet obtain CPA but clear all papers of ACCA) or they will specify they would want a CPA?

 

[misterbean]

Originally posted by W3iLong@Mar 12 2006, 02:22 PM

Hi,

thanks for ur reply

 

Curently im still in the goverment sector,Bonded by contract till the age of 29.im 23 this yr.

 

In a dilemma to take up ACCA or UOL accounting and Finance..RMIT BSc accountancy is out cos unable to make it for its full time 1st yr classes

 

after all the acca papers, we still need 3 yrs working experience to obtAin and sit for CPA..Am i right?

 

will any accounting firm employ u even u have ACCA qualification(without CPA and zero experience)?or they prefer a degree?

 

personally i feel tat ACCA is more specialised compare to Acctt & finance UOL.

im puzzzled whether they received the same reconigiton in the industry.

 

Those jobs looking for Degree in acountancy or its equivalent/ACCA

 

Does it mean ACCA(not yet obtain CPA but clear all papers of ACCA) or they will specify they would want a CPA?

 

I presume you have an interest in switching your career to Accountancy. If you do intend to work as an Accountant in Singapore, you should work towards the CPA membership status offered by ICPAS.

 

Based on the ACCA route, you are correct in saying that after passing the ACCA exams, you will need to accumulate 3 years of relevant experience before sitting for the CPA exams (1 week course conducted by ICPAS).

 

Check out Contrarian's posting on Page 2 ... it list down the qualifications recognised by ICPAS for membership purposes (in addition to working experience). Notice that UOL degree is not listed as one of them. If you are really going to take up the UOL degree, I would suggest you check with ICPAS on the route to CPA membership, before you sign up for the degree program.

 

Accounting firms, including the Big 4 international firms, do recognise ACCA as an entry qualifications. After obtaining my ACCA and with zero experience in the industry, I obtained a job offer with PricewaterhouseCoopers. Over the years, I have also worked with Deloitte & Touche as well as KPMG. In all 3 firms, ACCA graduates are commonly found. Some are even Partners in the respective firms. There is no doubt about its recognition.

 

For jobs that advertised Bachelor and/or ACCA, these should be referring to ACCA exam graduates. More senior positions will specificially mention "CPA" or "membership of ICPAS or other professional body".

 

Currently, there is a high demand for accounting professionals, partly due to the emergence of China as an economic power. 6 years later, it will be difficult to say.

 

On a final note, before you embark on this career switch, I would advise you to consider your options carefully. As you are bonded to your current employer for another 6 years, the cost to you will be quite high should you decide to switch to Accountancy later. Your 6 years of working experience (I presume its related to Engineering) will probably be disregarded by the potential employer (eg accounting firm). Thus even if you are earning $3k 6 years later, you will only be offered around $2k as an entry level audit assistant. Also, your age may work against you in the recruitment process (esp for Big 4 firms).

 

However, if you really don't mind the short term pains associated with a career switch, or if you just want to enrich your academic knowledge, by all means give it a try!

[W3iLong]

Thanks for your Advice,

 

Actually plan to have a more choices of careers by studying another field.

 

I understand the pay cut i will face, hopefully can substain thru by then.

 

[xb84]

just registered today for july 2006 intake..

 

initially only wanted to start with just 1.1

 

but since got 15% off and $100 voucher..

 

signed up for 1.2 and 1.2

 

total $654.50

 

 

 

 

 

 

saw many foreign students there..

 

are there going to be many foreign students at evening lessons..

[bigman_185]

Originally posted by onefour02@May 31 2006, 01:35 AM

just registered today for july 2006 intake..

 

initially only wanted to start with just 1.1

 

but since got 15% off and $100 voucher..

 

signed up for 1.2 and 1.2

 

total $654.50

 

 

 

 

 

 

saw many foreign students there..

 

are there going to be many foreign students at evening lessons..

You taking at SAA or FTC?

[Zandon]

misterbean: what u mean by age factor when comes to big4? they only wan young(how young?)? can explain further?

 

onefour02 & bigman_185: any of u guys @ SAA? i'm studying there

 

ACCA exams coming, good luck everyone!

[misterbean]

Originally posted by onefour02@May 31 2006, 01:35 AM

saw many foreign students there..

 

are there going to be many foreign students at evening lessons..

From what I understand, you will probably see quite a number of foreign students esp from Malaysia and China.

 

Not a bad thing actually, to interact with them ... As an accounting professional, there is a high chance that you will travel in your work, so it is good to start early and mix with people who may have different perspectives

[misterbean]

Originally posted by Zandon@May 31 2006, 09:15 PM

misterbean: what u mean by age factor when comes to big4? they only wan young(how young?)? can explain further?

 

Generally, the bulk of their intake is from NTU. Girls will be around 22 years old and guys will be around 24-25 years old. So likely they are looking at this age group when they recruit. Cos if you are in your early thirties, they may worry that you will report to someone much more junior (in age) than you.

 

Of course, nothing is cast in stone. You may have fantastic results, or you may have friends in the right places, or your family owns a bank in Singapore etc etc. As I understand, the rapid growth in China resulted in an outflow of accounting professionals to that market, so there is a shortage right now and chances of getting a job there will be naturally higher as a result. Pray that this strong demand for accountants stay till you graduate!