ACCA, the letters speak for themselves. These golden letters are a sign of the excellence achieved in the accountancy profession. Being the largest and the fastest-growing global professional accountancy body, ACCA, gives certain inherent advantages to its members and students for being associated with it.
The existence of numerous accountancy bodies worldwide puts accountancy students in a dilemma of which qualification to go for. This dilemma is exacerbated by the probable lack of knowledge among such students and disables them to discern the right choice for them. In my opinion, ACCA is a complete package of qualifications and the most flexible of the lot. It gives a chance to students, to learn at their own pace and also to its members, to exploit appropriate opportunities. Supporting students with exam paper resources and Student Accountant Magazine articles is its positive feature, which is appreciative. Moreover, it supports international mobility, which means that you will always be in demand in every corner of the world, once you qualify. This is further sustained by the various MoUs signed by ACCA with other professional bodies such as the Chartered Insurance Institute and CGA Canada. Being associated with ACCA gives a chance of exploring one’s professional self and developing his/her potential, by which one can transcend to far-reaching heights.
Due to its high reputation and status across the globe, ACCA conducts rigorous testing procedures to test individuals based on their acquired knowledge, skill and experience. I think the ACCA exams along with the practical experience requirement and the newly established online Professional Ethics module, serve the task sufficiently and appropriately. Also that the new qualification structure, which focuses on ethics and social responsibility, addresses issues of concern which includes the environment and the interests of other stakeholders of an organization. This move to create awareness of such responsibilities among ACCA students and members is commendable.
I, being a full-time student, have not experienced the work life as yet but I am due to step into that arena later this year, in order to attain supervised, relevant work experience which is a requirement to become an ACCA member. Currently, I am focusing on passing all the exams first, which seems an appropriate strategy for my study style. The key to succeed is to adopt that approach which suits you best. Passing exams in first attempt boosted up my confidence to a sky-rocketing high, strengthening the faith I have in myself that I can accomplish this feat of becoming a successful professional. My belief in my abilities further elated when I got the High Achievers Prize for Paper 1.3 which took me to the skies. I have high hopes that I can continue to do better in future.
Owing to the dynamism in this field and the rewarding opportunities it has to offer, it requires a combination of determination, diligence and the drive, to succeed, with a crunchy topping of professionalism making you a perfect professional. To conquer the riches of this profession, the energy and the hard work needed is extensive; however, the rewards are tremendous. Being an ACCA professional and calling myself as a Chartered Certified Accountant will not only make me feel special or proud of my competences but I will clearly be able to see my aspirations coming to life. And gradually, those vague visions will transform into reality.
Hi Sheraz
I am actually a citizen of mauritius but I just got married and came in Zanzibar with my husband,who is on a contract to work here.I came here to work too and i want to continue my ACCA here but I dnt know if it posible.
Can u please help?
thanks in advance
Reynita
Posted by: reynita Narryanen | 06 October 2009 at 17:59
Hello Bashaar,
Thank you for your recent comment to Sheraz's blog. May I interlude on your questionm and point out that an ACCA Professional Qualification means you are qualified for life under the technical rigour, and global Accounting standards and regulations set by the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC). You will have had relevant practical experience worth 3 years and sat professional exams which competently reflect the duties and work-related activties you will carry out in the workplace. In terms of recognition within the Corporate Sector and Public Practice, ACCA is the GLOBAL qualification that meets such credentials of Financial Reporting, Auditing, Business Recovery, Forensic Accounting, etc, etc in over 170 countries. Pakistan being one of them! In many ways this does mean that an ACCA Qualification is greater than a degree, MA and MBA. Once you are professionally qualified the only further credentials you would require would be the ongoing Continuous Professional Development. If you are not being advised, particularly by a work place mentor, or employer to do another qualification like an MBA it would be simply a waste of time and money!
However, You can see what types of degrees are relevant to ACCA by accessing our global exemptions database (please see the links in previous comments to this blog), but generally an Accounting or Finance related degree will most likely give you exemptions from some of the exams on the ACCA syllabus.
I hope this provides some help and you're finding Sheraz's blogs useful.
Best wishes,
James Johnston
Business Relationship Manager
ACCA - UK
Posted by: James Johnston | 21 July 2009 at 11:43
Hi Sheraz,
I want to ask that in Pakistan ACCA is equal to which degree? Can I do MBA after ACCA ? please help on this.
Regards
Posted by: Bashaar Ali Khan | 03 July 2009 at 20:14
Hello Hilmi Mohamed Hilal! It is nice to know that you wish to pursue the ACCA qualification. As far as any exemptions you may be able to claim is concerned, I cannot mention that precisely, but as guidance, it would be better if you visit the exemptions database page on the ACCA website. Visit this link: http://www.accaglobal.com/join/exemptions/
For exemptions enquiry try this link: https://portal.accaglobal.com/accrweb/faces/page/public/accreditations/enquiry/main/EnqInstitutionsTable.jspx
I guess from the qualification you mentioned, you may be able to claim exemptions for upto the first four papers of ACCA, that is F1 to F4. But I cannot say that exactly and it all depends on the assessment made by ACCA regarding the degree you currently hold.
I hope that responds fairly to your query and do not hesitate to post some more queries you may have.
Thanks!
Posted by: Sheraz | 02 July 2009 at 16:46
Hi Gomo! As far as the Skill level papers are concerned, if I am not wrong, you have attempted upto papers F9. If all of your skill level papers are passed, you may well move on to the Professional Level, Essentials stage (P1, P2 and P3). However, as you may be aware that you are eligible to attempt a maximum of 4 papers per sitting. This means that you can attempt papers in a row, so far until the 4 papers limit is not exceeded. For instance, if you have attempted F6 - F9 this session, even if you are unsuccessful in any 3 of the papers, you can still go for 1 professional level paper along with the 3 fundamental ones you were unsuccessful in in the next exam sitting.
I hope I am not sounding too confusing. For a better understanding, I would advise you to view your exam options in your MyACCA account.
Hopefully, you will pass the papers you did this time. Best of luck for that. Cheers.
Posted by: Sheraz | 22 June 2009 at 18:50
Hello Abdullah! It is nice to respond to your query. As far as A-levels and CAT is concerned, doing A-levels gives you an option to go for another qualifications apart from ACCA, depending on the subjects you take in A-levels, but the CAT qualification will enable you to build your base for an accountancy career if you want to carry on with ACCA. However, you can still do ACCA after completing your A-levels, in which case you would not need to do CAT then on.
The choice is yours, both ways can prove beneficial. If you have made your mind to go for ACCA, it is better if you do CAT, but if you want to do A-levels instead of CAT, my advice would be to select accountancy related subjects, which would help you further in ACCA.
I hope I responded well, and supported you in making the right choice.
Do not hesitate to post more queries if you so desire and I will be obliged to help.
Posted by: Sheraz | 22 June 2009 at 18:40
Hello,
I would like to join the ACCA exams but first I need to know how many exams will I be exempeted. I hold a degree in Business administration major in Accounting and Finance with a GPA of 3.85 from ZANZIBAR UNIVERSITY.
Regards,
HILMI MOHAMED HILAL.
Posted by: HILMI MOHAMED HILAL | 11 June 2009 at 12:59
Hi,
I have recently done skill level papers exam but I do not know whether I will pass or not. If I do not pass all of them can I still do professional level(P1,p2,p3).
Could you please advice me as soon as possible
Posted by: Gomo | 03 June 2009 at 23:46
This june I will be finished with my O-Levels inshallah. I am badly confused to what side to choose whether CAT, or do my A levels. All my friends say A-Levels are better, can you please guide me out and advise me on my future if I am on target of becoming an ACCA!
Posted by: abdullah | 28 May 2009 at 15:35
Hello Asad,
Thanks for your comment and interest in ACCA. Having completed an MBA you will now be exempt from the first 4 papers of the Fundamentals stage, papers F1 to F4.
I hope this helps.
Best wishes,
James Johnston
Business Relationship Manager
ACCA - UK
Posted by: James Johnston | 14 April 2009 at 22:20
Hi sir my name is Asad. I have completed my MBA. Now I want to do an ACCA. So Sir please tell me how many papers I will be exempt from.
Posted by: asad | 11 April 2009 at 09:59
Dear Amber! Thanks for your query.
It is good to know that you are considering to go for the ACCA qualification. Your BBA finance degree may help you in claiming some exemptions from some of the papers.
But to be precise, I don't know how many you can claim. I recommend however that you check out the database of ACCA accredited qualifications eligible for exemptions, by visiting this link:
http://www.accaglobal.com/join/acca/exemptions
I hope that you may find this useful.
Thanks once again for seeking advice and I wish you good luck for your further endeavours.
Posted by: Sheraz | 14 March 2009 at 09:08
Sir, I am currently a student of BBA FOURTH SEMESTER In Pakistan. In the future I wish to go for BBA finance and accounting but I really know that ACCA have an upper hand over us when it comes to professional life so I'm thinking to go for ACCA as well. Just tell me that will I get exemption from some papers if I am a BBA finance. If yes then how many papers?
Posted by: amber | 24 February 2009 at 13:04
Dear Mark,
Thanks for your comments and queries. It is really good to know that, apart from accountancy students, experienced accountants like you, take their precious time out to read my blogs and I thank you for your appreciation.
As far as your query is concerned, I am sorry that unfortunately, I am not aware of any salary surveys relating to accountants in Pakistan to support you with. But I assure you that setting up a business in Pakistan is sure to yield surplus returns. Though the effects of the credit crunch and the recessionary world economy are dominant here in Pakistan currently, but where it isn't?!
The pay scale for an average accountant working in Pakistan, depends on factors like the type and size of organisation, the individual skills and whether he/she is working in industry or public practice. But for an estimate, the average accountant earns approx. PKR 50,000 to 150,000 per month.
I can't say about other countries, but in Pakistan, ACCA is in competition with the local accountancy body, THE INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS OF PAKISTAN (ICAP), and is still new. In organisations here, the top posts are often held by the ICAP members but ACCA members have also started to get into such top spots. Therefore, the market for ACCA members is growing in Pakistan and as far as you setting up your business here in Pakistan is concerned, Pakistan surely offers a good market.
I hope I tried to resolve your query to some extent, as much as I can as an ACCA student.
Lastly, I thank you for your appreciation and please don't hesitate to post your further queries if you so desire and I would try my best to help you out.
Thanks!
Best Regards,
Sheraz.
Posted by: Sheraz | 03 February 2009 at 19:25
I'm an FCCA (so giving my age away a little there!) and I am looking to set up an office in Pakistan (or India, China or Singapore) but primarily working on New Zealand accounts as I have my own firm there. Staff are difficult to find in our small country.
For those students (and possibly full members) in Pakistan (or the other countries i mentioned), do you welcome "foreigners" setting up business (either accounting firms or non accounting businesses) in your country? I'd appreciate your views.
Does anyone know where I could obtain a salary/pay scale survey for Pakistan (or the other countries that I mentioned)and/or would anyone be willing to advise me what salaries a part and/or full time ACCA would attract in Pakistan.
Many thanks and if you're a student, keep up the good work, as it WILL pay off in the end.
Regards, Mark
Posted by: Mark Gwilliam | 22 January 2009 at 18:34
Dear Mr Asadtsa
I will kindly be of help to you in this matter as I can assure you that in doing an ACCA Professional Qualification, completing all the exams of both parts, the professional ethics module and gaining the 3 years Practical Experience, this will give you global recognition higher than any other Professional Body in the World! Not to mention the creditibility your skills will have towards the work of Management Accounting & Financial Accounting, but you should appreciate such skill sets to articulate within Corporate Sector, Public Practice and Public Sector work.
Being a full ACCA member you will then be able top up your competencies and skills in your profession with taking advantage of our on-going Professional Development. There is no need, unless you actually want to do so-to undertake further financial qualifications after your ACCA. You will have mastered all the most important areas of Finance and Accounting, and the technical rigour that comes under this. What's important is how YOU market yourself to employers who seek the dynamic and articulate type of modern Accountant.
I hope this helps.
Best wishes,
James Johnston
Business Relationship Manager
ACCA UK
Posted by: James Johnston | 15 January 2009 at 16:04
Kindly someone tell me that is there any other qualification which I can continue with ACCA as I'mm doing ACCA part 2 and want to do more certifications in finance plzz guide me about it.
Thanking you.
Posted by: asadtsa | 09 January 2009 at 04:59
Dear Shan Evron,
Apologies for the delay replying to your recent comment. As your query refers to exemptions could I ask that you firstly look at our global exemptions database. Please go to www.accaglobal.com/graduates and click on the link for 'claiming exemptions'. From here you will be brought to a new window of which you will find a link taking you straight to the database. Once you get the database simply type in your previous institution and country, and it will then bring up a list of degree programmes with the corresponding number of exemptions on offer.
I hope this helps, if you have any further queries please contact our connect team on 0141 582 2000.
Best wishes,
James Johnston
Business Relationship Manager
ACCA – UK
Posted by: James Johnston | 08 January 2009 at 11:01
Hi Karrar,
Thank you for putting forward your query. The ACCA qualification is very flexible. It allows students to either get their work experience for the Practical Experience Requirement, before, during or after the papers. However, it is encouraged that you get your work experience at the same time while taking your papers, so that you could apply the knowledge you gain to practice.
Whoever told you that having prior work experience would reduce the difficulty of the Professional Level papers maybe right to some extent, but it is not necessary. It quite depends on your capability, how you handle Professional Stage papers. Though having some work experience before definitely helps in attempting these papers, but if you reckon that you can do them directly, then go for it.
However, I recommend that if you can, try to get work experience before, because it do helps a lot in attempting Professional Stage papers.
Hope I resolved your query. Do not hesitate to post some more of your queries or comments if you so desire and I would be happy to help out.
Cheers!
Posted by: Sheraz | 08 January 2009 at 11:01
Dear Shan,
Thanks for seeking advice. I would like to inform you that variant papers are meant to be for those subject areas which incorporate local knowledge regarding the country you are in.
For instance, I would recommend that if you are in UK, it is better if you go for UK or International variant papers. Likewise, if you intend to come to Pakistan and practice here, it is better if you do PKN variant papers.
It doesn't matter on the qualification itself, which variants you go for.
As far as the exemptions are concerned, I don't think you would be able to claim any on the basis of your B.Com. degree from Pakistan. But it could be your entry point for the ACCA qualification.
I do hope your queries are answered by my response.
Looking forward to help you out if you have any further queries.
Kind Regards!
Posted by: Sheraz | 08 January 2009 at 11:01
Hi,
My name is Karrar and I have just completed my ACCA Knowledge Module. I'm thinking of getting Practical Experience after completing ALL the fourteen papers; however, someone told me that for Professional stage papers, it would be very difficult unless the candidate has had some practical experience. How do you reflect to this statement?
Posted by: Karrar | 07 January 2009 at 13:26
Dear Ammar,
I hope that you visit my blogs again and read my response to your queries. Well, the requirements for entering the ACCA qualification is that if, for instance in your case, if you are coming after doing intermediate, then you will have to go for the CAT qualification before being eligible for the ACCA qualification. It is a basic qualification that will enable you to be prepared for the ACCA qualification. However, you can also transfer to the ACCA qualification after completing some papers of the CAT qualification. It would be an added advantage if you do CAT and then ACCA as then you will be getting two qualifications, and you might also be able to claim some exemptions from some papers of the ACCA. I hope you do get my point.
I suggest that your elders have recommended a good option to you that will reward you abundantly once you qualify.
I wish you the best of success and luck!
For more information, visit this webpage : http://www.accaglobal.com/join/acca/entry
Don't hesitate to post any of your further queries as you desire and I will try my best to help.
Cheers!!
Posted by: Sheraz | 07 January 2009 at 13:26
Dear Sadiq,
First of all, thanks for appreciating my work. I would feel proud if my effort proves helpful to anyone.
Secondly, in response to your query, I would like to inform you that I achieved 98% marks in Paper 1.3 and at that time the paper was not MCQs (CBEs) but was a manual paper. So you may call it my hard work or my sheer luck that I got a distinction in that paper.
I pray that InshaAllah you too achieve this kind of success in whatever you do.
Feel free to post your comments and continue reading and benefiting from my blogs. I also invite your ideas and suggestions for improvements.
Thanks!!
Posted by: Sheraz | 07 January 2009 at 13:26
Hi Sahrish! Thanks for commenting on my blogs. I think you are right but I would like to inform you that there are already certain employers in Pakistan who are ACCA accredited, and train ACCA students towards the qualification. It is up to the student that when does he/she prefer to start his/her work experience. ACCA does not restrict work experience to be gained after passing all the exams. Work experience can be achieved before or during the papers as well.
I hope you understand what I am trying to explain.
However, feel free to comment on my blogs what you think and feel and I would welcome them!
Posted by: Sheraz | 07 January 2009 at 13:26
Hi there!
I am living and studying in UK. Previously I have done B.Com from Pakistan.
Will I be able to claim exemption for F2 Management Accounting, F4 Corporate and Business Law (PAKISTAN VARIANT), F6 Taxation (PAKISTAN VARIANT), F8 Audit & Assurance(PAKISTAN VARIANT).
I am confused whether it is necessary for students studying ACCA in UK to adopt English and International Variants. If not, can i get exemption for the above papers ? Thanks in advance.
Posted by: Shan Evron | 07 January 2009 at 13:26