Computer Sci degree(ntu) with acca

[aceminer]

Hi all,

was juz wondering... if i had a computer sci degree coupled with an acca, would it make a difference when i look for a job and is there any significant pay difference if i have ACCA compared to not having it. I currently am certified in MCSE 2003 and currently on my way to doing MCSD(almost completing) for the .NET framework 3.5(VB). so juz wondering if u ppl could give my any advice on should i take up ACCA as i feel the IT field is juz too competitive with the FT being so much better and willing to work for much less.

well some great feedback would be kindly appreciated

P.S. juz being curious and asking for i would like to study abt accounting.

Originally Posted by aceminer

Hi all,

was juz wondering... if i had a computer sci degree coupled with an acca, would it make a difference when i look for a job and is there any significant pay difference if i have ACCA compared to not having it. I currently am certified in MCSE 2003 and currently on my way to doing MCSD(almost completing) for the .NET framework 3.5(VB). so juz wondering if u ppl could give my any advice on should i take up ACCA as i feel the IT field is juz too competitive with the FT being so much better and willing to work for much less.

well some great feedback would be kindly appreciated

P.S. juz being curious and asking for i would like to study abt accounting.

I think you already know the answer in your heart just that you need some confirmation

I think its better you be very clear on what you want. Accounting and IT is two seperate world altogether. You have to look at the job you are applying if you are an IT engineer, no use studying ACCA coz yr future boss will ask you how relevant is that? and if you came in expecting a large increment becoz of the ACCA cert while applying for an IT engineer job, forget it.

Assuming you are interested in accounting and u managed to get an ACCA cert (not easy I promise you), then whats the point of your computer sci degree?? Again, you will face the situation like i mentioned earlier. Dont expect any large increment coz ur computer sci degree dont make a difference in an accounting job (in fact I think you may even get something lower coz the job doesnt tie in to ur education)

So my BEST advise is, stick with your computer sci degree. Look for an IT role in a bank (assuming you want to be a Investment Bankie someday, which I am sorry to say fat hope) OR work for those IT consultant firms like Accenture etc where the pay can easily be 100k per project basis.

If you are capable, everywhere u go is the same, ppl will appreciate and groom you. If you are lousy, no matter how much paper you have, you will just be another average joe. So dont think the more paper you have, the better you are coz HR dont c that and most likely they think you are fickle minded not sure of what you want.

Cheers

[aceminer]

Hi,

Thx for the information. will take note. thanks

I think ACCA and a com science degree is a really strong combination. You can work in the IT audit department of the big 4. Try to join the big 4 and learn acca part time. There's very strong demand for accountants with an IT background. I've heard of people becoming partners in their 30s doing IT audit.

[aceminer]

Hi,

well my mentor for my MCSE used to propose to me the possibility of doing IT auditing. however, according to acca requirements u would have to be in a relevant field for 3 yrs before u could fully hold ACCA on top of passing all the exams? and i heard IT auditing is super stressful? not trying to be whiny here or wad... but juz being curious...

Working in the big 4 as an IT auditor is relevant working experience required for membership to ACCA, you will gain the experience while you study part time concurrently, working in the Big 4 is always stressful, haha. Expect to work lots of OT.

[aceminer]

how abt the pay??

Hmmmm..... From what i know, Big 4 is paying around 2700 for fresh grads now. Expect renummeration of at least $500k if you make it to partner.

[aceminer]

wow... 2.7k??? OT pay excluded... haha but i more towards IT than towards accounting... but do like accounting too

Originally Posted by aceminer

wow... 2.7k??? OT pay excluded... haha but i more towards IT than towards accounting... but do like accounting too

Haha. The pay of accountants always start really low relative to other professions but the salary progression is better, and there's usually a $500 raise after your first year. You got to keep in mind the big 4 don't usually give OT pay, OT just goes into your performance review at year end. I know it will feel like working a lot for so little but opportunities are in the big 4, you get to audit mncs and large listed companies, and some auditors do end up quitting the big 4 and joining their clients. Your value will increase over time in the big 4, if you are patient enough, your mid to late career renummeration will be much better than most other jobs.