Demanding but highly rewarding
THINKING about a career in accounting? Are you cut out for this demanding but highly rewarding job? If you are thinking about becoming an accountant, one of the first traits to have is a flair for numbers.
Although advances in technology have reduced the number crunching part of the job, the modern day chartered accountant may still be involved in reviewing financial information for clients for auditing or taxpaying purposes.
The financial controller or accountant may also be required by their company to review financial strategies with management.
It is also common for some to become selfemployed and provide consulting services for companies and individuals on a wide variety of areas from expansion, liquidation of business to financial planning.
Most employees today look for good communication skills in accountants as an accountant may be required to work in a group or be a problem-solver. They often need to represent the company when communicating with clients.
The accounting career is often dubbed as recession-proof. Why? Whether in good or bad times, companies and businesses, small or large, need to keep track of their finances. Thus, the need for accountants is always there.
Another noteworthy factor is that although employability as a whole may be affected due to fluctuations in the economy, accounting careers offer one of the most stable careers.
Accounting careers have other benefits too. As an accountant, there are opportunities to gain deep insights on the business world. When working as an accountant, one is expected to experience first-hand how business is conducted. On-site experience lets you witness the differences and similarities of how business is done in a variety of industries.
Accounting careers also provide you with a broad range of areas in which to work. The career pathway may differ if you start out at one of the larger Big 5 accounting firms. These firms are likely to send you out in teams to their clients who may be in a variety of industries.
Alternatively, you may work as an in-house accountant in companies dealing in a particular industry. The exposure here tends to be more focused.
Many graduates prefer the option of working for a large accounting firm as they work with different clients.
With so many options and potential career paths, the study of accountancy can form a solid foundation for your career. Most big accounting firms expect their accountants to be professionally certified.
The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) is among the most popular professional accounting pathway.
The ACCA offers flexible entry points for student with different qualifications. School leavers after sitting for their SPM can do the Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) by completing nine subjects and then proceed to do the 14 papers in the ACCA with the first three papers exempted (F1, F2 and F3).
This is an accelerated pathway because CAT could be completed in just a year. It is then possible for students to complete the papers at ACCA level in two years. Students who have done diploma or degree programmes can get some exemptions depending on which course and university they attend. UCSI University accounting graduates get maximum exemptions of nine papers at the ACCA level. Exemptions are solely within ACCA’S discretion.
At UCSI University, The Professional Studies Institute (PSI) offers the ACCA programme where soft skills learning is blended with the professional course.
PSI does this by hiring lecturers who have considerable corporate experience and then share their real-world knowledge and skills in tutorials.
Students are also expected to attend outside class training programmes that provide current information. At PSI, an industrial board oversees the suitability of the training programmes it designs for its students.
Recently, on Feb 16, PSI collaborated with UCSI University and the Malaysian Financial Planning to organise a tea talk on “Estate Planning via Will.”
Such seminars presented by field practitioners offer its students real-world insights into what is important and not just solely book knowledge.
PSI incorporates a “pass assurance” incentive into the course. It is a commitment to see that students pass the ACCA examinations. The incentive allows students who fail the external paper to attend the focused revision class for free for the next intake.
These revision classes provide the best guidance for passing exams.
PSI is an Acca-approved learning partner with ACCA Gold Status. The Professional Studies Institute at UCSI University is also an ACCA licensed CBE (Computer Based Exam) centre. Students doing their CAT/FIA and ACCA (F1-F3) can take their CBE exams there.
For further enquiries, contact 03 -9101 8880 or e-mail infops@ucsipa.com. The next intake for ACCA is March.