Career Prospects for ACCA - Salary.sg Forums
Salary.sg Forums  

Go Back   Salary.sg Forums > The Salary.sg Discussion Forums: > Income and Jobs

Income and Jobs Discuss jobs, career options and of course salaries




Career Prospects for ACCA

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1 (permalink)  
Old 23-05-2010, 03:51 PM
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 4
Gunner Boy is on a distinguished road
Default Career Prospects for ACCA

Hi all,

I have an Engineering Degree in local uni and have 5 years experience in Engineering sector. I'm thinking of a mid-career switch to accountancy and taking an acc degree / ACCA.

What are my career prospects if I do so?? Should ACCA be the choice for me?

Reply With Quote
  #2 (permalink)  
Old 24-05-2010, 04:52 PM
Unregistered
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gunner Boy View Post
Hi all,

I have an Engineering Degree in local uni and have 5 years experience in Engineering sector. I'm thinking of a mid-career switch to accountancy and taking an acc degree / ACCA.

What are my career prospects if I do so?? Should ACCA be the choice for me?
I have not taken ACCA so am not sure about the syllabus. But I am sure it will take up at least a good 2-3 years in acheiving it.

A fresh graduate in a big four accountancy firm is only drawing 2+k but the yearly increment can be substantial like 400-800 per year. I am not sure if Big 4 will take you in, or offer you at what kind of level. A lot of hard work and I will only advise if it is your passion.

I think you should assess what skills you are good at - are you good with numbers, a detailed person, able to handle tight deadlines, work long hours? These are essential for accountancy.

As this is your mid-career switch, better make it right, there might not be many chances to switch careers. Talk to more people, network a bit, and dare to reach out (dont be Paiseh or shy to speak to friends' friend or even distant relatives)

Also, keep an open mind as well. There could be some lateral moves that you can even consider - like teaching, consulting, working in public sectors. Of course, careers switches to Banking & Finance can be lucrative but poses its challenges to get your foot in. Keep us updated and good luck!



Primary School English Grammar and Vocabulary Drills
Primary School English Grammar and Vocabulary Drills


SG Bus Timing App
SG Bus Timing App - the best bus app - available on iOS and Android


Bursa Stocks Android App - check share prices
Bursa Stocks [Android] App - check latest share prices on the go


SGX Stocks Android App - check share prices
SGX Stocks [Android] App - check latest share prices on the go


SGX Stocks for iPad - check latest Singapore share prices
SGX Stocks [iPad] app
| SGX Stocks [iPhone] app
Reply With Quote
  #3 (permalink)  
Old 25-05-2010, 11:18 PM
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 4
Gunner Boy is on a distinguished road
Default

Thanks for replying!

I am interested in finance and am willing to take a pay cut (initially). My concern is the slow increment in my Engineering side and the fact that there are getting lesser Engineering jobs.

With the increment (presently) per year in Big 4 I should be able to catch up with my Engineering pay I believe. Any one has any opinion on this? Or have made the jump from Engineering to Audit?

Reply With Quote
  #4 (permalink)  
Old 26-05-2010, 11:25 PM
Unregistered
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

What is your expected salary after few years in accounting field? The salary increment in KPMG and Deloitte is not as high as what previous poster said.

If you are still earning below 3k as an engineer, you should try changing company or moving to different industry (marine / oil & gas). With 5 years+ of experience under your belt, you should be earning >3.5k. With overtime or overseas project, you can easily earn 5k per month.
Reply With Quote
  #5 (permalink)  
Old 30-05-2010, 12:15 AM
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 4
Gunner Boy is on a distinguished road
Default

Assuming I get into big 4 I would be looking at at least 3k after 3 years (conservative). But with the experience there I should be able to move on to other jobs.

Correct me if I'm wrong?
Reply With Quote
  #6 (permalink)  
Old 15-06-2010, 08:34 AM
Unregistered
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

i think i might be qualified to answer this question. I graduated with an electrical engineering degree from NUS. Completed my acca this year and a paper prize in one of my last sem papers.

big 4 is a possibility, but u will have to take a pay cut. for me the cut is way too painful. you will need to figure out the hiring practices of the big 4 if you want to get it or must have done very well for them to take notice of your resume.

after graduating this year acca organized a kpmg-acca recruitment fair recently but there is only limited to the top 50 or so students.

beside audit u could consider other job functions in the big four to leverage your engineering experience, though i am not sure where your transferable skillsets are. big 4 have advisory services and this is where the margins for the firm are the best. audit and it audit are lower in margins for them. you should explore this area too if you want to do your acca.

there are three products on the market now. cpa aust, acca and aca. acca offers and most flexibility and cheapest. It cost me abt 10k+ to get the qualification.

One other option is the mpa from SMU. I dont have details of this but it will be wise to pick a program where the big 4 are holding regular recruitment fairs.
Reply With Quote

  #7 (permalink)  
Old 15-06-2010, 08:37 AM
Unregistered
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default madame year

Sorry some spelling errors. had to rush this when the boss came in. :P

Quote:
Originally Posted by Unregistered View Post
i think i might be qualified to answer this question. I graduated with an electrical engineering degree from NUS. Completed my acca this year and a paper prize in one of my last sem papers.

big 4 is a possibility, but u will have to take a pay cut. for me the cut is way too painful. you will need to figure out the hiring practices of the big 4 if you want to get it or must have done very well for them to take notice of your resume.

after graduating this year acca organized a kpmg-acca recruitment fair recently but there is only limited to the top 50 or so students.

beside audit u could consider other job functions in the big four to leverage your engineering experience, though i am not sure where your transferable skillsets are. big 4 have advisory services and this is where the margins for the firms are the best. audits and IT audits are lower in margins for them. you should explore this area too if you want to do your acca.

there are three products on the market now. cpa aust, acca and aca. acca offers and most flexibility and cheapest. It cost me abt 10k+ to get the qualification.

One other option is the mpa from SMU. I dont have details of this but it will be wise to pick a program where the big 4 are holding regular recruitment fairs.


Primary School English Grammar and Vocabulary Drills
Primary School English Grammar and Vocabulary Drills


SG Bus Timing App
SG Bus Timing App - the best bus app - available on iOS and Android


Bursa Stocks Android App - check share prices
Bursa Stocks [Android] App - check latest share prices on the go


SGX Stocks Android App - check share prices
SGX Stocks [Android] App - check latest share prices on the go


SGX Stocks for iPad - check latest Singapore share prices
SGX Stocks [iPad] app
| SGX Stocks [iPhone] app
Reply With Quote
  #8 (permalink)  
Old 15-06-2010, 09:04 PM
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 4
Gunner Boy is on a distinguished road
Default

Hi,

Thanks for your reply. Can I ask you what age are you? I'll be 32-33 by the time I complete acca. 50 students is a really low number, it seems that Big 4 don't take in too many acca students

Other than big 4, what other career options would I have should I complete my course???

Quote:
Originally Posted by Unregistered View Post
i think i might be qualified to answer this question. I graduated with an electrical engineering degree from NUS. Completed my acca this year and a paper prize in one of my last sem papers.

big 4 is a possibility, but u will have to take a pay cut. for me the cut is way too painful. you will need to figure out the hiring practices of the big 4 if you want to get it or must have done very well for them to take notice of your resume.

after graduating this year acca organized a kpmg-acca recruitment fair recently but there is only limited to the top 50 or so students.

beside audit u could consider other job functions in the big four to leverage your engineering experience, though i am not sure where your transferable skillsets are. big 4 have advisory services and this is where the margins for the firm are the best. audit and it audit are lower in margins for them. you should explore this area too if you want to do your acca.

there are three products on the market now. cpa aust, acca and aca. acca offers and most flexibility and cheapest. It cost me abt 10k+ to get the qualification.

One other option is the mpa from SMU. I dont have details of this but it will be wise to pick a program where the big 4 are holding regular recruitment fairs.
Reply With Quote
  #9 (permalink)  
Old 29-06-2010, 05:13 PM
DudeWheresMyCar
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

I completed my ACCA 2 years back. And I wrote in numerous times to the Big 4 after qualifying, and even with accounting experience, I got no response to whatever department I have written in to. Sad to say, the Big 4 firms prefer graduates from local uni instead. This is confirmed by some of my managers and even my cousin, who is a partner in one of the Big 4s.

Even if you do get in eventually, the level of learning and exposure varies. I have friends in the Big 4 who says those with ACCA qualifications do not have a chance to audit listed companies, financial institutions, etc. They only get to do SMEs. Priority is still given to those NTU/SMU/NUS grads.

I suggest you think really carefully over this mid-career switch as I really regret studying accountancy sometimes. It is un-interesting and desk bound most of the time.
Reply With Quote
  #10 (permalink)  
Old 15-08-2010, 12:02 PM
Unregistered-9090
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default hi

any one had successful midyear career switch that do not receive a pay cut with the acca qualification ?

I had bachelor of arts (social sciences) . i am in my 30s already.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »
Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are Off


» 30 Recent Threads
ITE Polytechnic Scheme ( 1 2 3... Last Page)
309 Replies, 368,658 Views
Q: Big4 - Yearly salary increment ( 1 2 3... Last Page)
15,303 Replies, 4,981,701 Views
UOB Management Associate Program ( 1 2 3... Last Page)
1,454 Replies, 784,010 Views
MINDEF DXO (All FAQ on it) ( 1 2 3... Last Page)
5,827 Replies, 4,655,839 Views
Civil Service Performance Bonus ( 1 2 3... Last Page)
5,338 Replies, 4,767,789 Views
Career as Teacher ( 1 2 3... Last Page)
10,818 Replies, 6,661,626 Views
Compare civil service salary ( 1 2 3... Last Page)
16,342 Replies, 12,452,433 Views
Civil Service Current Estimated... ( 1 2 3... Last Page)
169 Replies, 308,767 Views
LTA (Land Transport Authority) ( 1 2 3... Last Page)
678 Replies, 387,934 Views
Constituency Manager (People... ( 1 2 3... Last Page)
989 Replies, 813,734 Views
SIM-UOL fresh grad starting pay ( 1 2 3... Last Page)
6,920 Replies, 2,902,177 Views
Julius Baer Graduate Program 2023 ( 1 2 3)
21 Replies, 14,731 Views
Roles in accenture singapore ( 1 2 3... Last Page)
7,385 Replies, 2,323,235 Views
Lawyer Salary ( 1 2 3... Last Page)
21,013 Replies, 10,327,708 Views
GovTech ( 1 2 3... Last Page)
5,159 Replies, 2,162,298 Views
HTX (Home Team Science and... ( 1 2 3... Last Page)
752 Replies, 357,945 Views
Shopee fresh grad pay ( 1 2 3... Last Page)
1,049 Replies, 440,371 Views
DSTA (under Mindef) ( 1 2 3... Last Page)
1,464 Replies, 1,374,811 Views
ST Electronics ( 1 2 3... Last Page)
3,767 Replies, 1,544,035 Views
MAS for Mid Career Professionals ( 1 2 3... Last Page)
1,794 Replies, 1,043,000 Views
IMDA (under MCI) ( 1 2 3... Last Page)
1,260 Replies, 613,304 Views
Civil Svc/ Statboard - Typical... ( 1 2 3... Last Page)
6,123 Replies, 3,738,102 Views
MX12 reappointed at MX11
8 Replies, 762 Views
Hospital (Private or Public)... ( 1 2 3... Last Page)
749 Replies, 405,200 Views
NCS (SingTel subsidiary) ( 1 2 3... Last Page)
1,329 Replies, 1,141,691 Views
MFA- Foreign Service... ( 1 2 3... Last Page)
54 Replies, 84,908 Views
Cybersecurity/Info security career ( 1 2 3... Last Page)
511 Replies, 268,360 Views
Visa Graduate Development Program ( 1 2 3... Last Page)
206 Replies, 134,435 Views
Singapore Airlines ( 1 2 3)
22 Replies, 11,251 Views
NUS (National University of... ( 1 2 3... Last Page)
318 Replies, 318,777 Views
Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.2



All times are GMT +8. The time now is 08:41 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.5
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.3.2