Career Prospects for ACCA

[lazyplane]

I think one needs to re-evaluate if you are joining Big 4 for the $$$.cos if $$$ is draw, then Big 4 is really not the place to be in. Go and talk to your friends in the audit and ask them about the peak period. Also be specific as to what exactly their day is like and you get a better picture of how poorly paid they can be. The only +ve point is that you are working with young-simliar age colleagues. But if you are changing jobs (or switching degree) then you might find yourself to be a bit out of the group already.

My take is to join a entry level bank or finance or even insurance sector if $$$ is the draw. They are also more open to ACCA , and other degrees because they want you get a broad base understanding of how to market to these sectors.

For eg, a bank started hiring doctors ( and other medical professionals) just to increase its corporate/investment banking evaluation for the health industry.

I know what it is to feel like being stuck in a job with seemingly no future. But i can say that having a multiple job hopping on your cv with each job at 1-3 years each is really not something hiring managers are keen to see especially when the job market is still so intense. And who knows the future ? I recalled 8 years back, law industry was said to be oversupplied and every fresh uni applicant avoid the law course. And see what happened now ? The supply is so low that even basic law grads are earning really high salaries now.

The idea of multi-skilled set is good but in a hard job market like now, employers will usually only take in those direct -entry one.My guess is only 2 in ten cases that they will employ out of direct relevant skilled employees.

thanks for the above, i am at a fix whether to stay put in my current industry or to switch to a completely different industry after my acca. your reply give me some light at the end of the tunnel. the horrendous hours of audit seems to be a night mare for me for the post of audit associate/assistant. don't think i have the energy to go through that type of cycle.

[lazyplane]

IMHO, your best bet is to do an internal transfer to a finance/accounting position in your company. or to find an open minded boss willing to appreciate both your acca and engineering. It will be tough to find as there is no lack of good fit candidates these days.

I wish you well. Remember that a job is only this small part of a life journery.

Originally Posted by Unregistered-9090

thanks for the above, i am at a fix whether to stay put in my current industry or to switch to a completely different industry after my acca. your reply give me some light at the end of the tunnel. the horrendous hours of audit seems to be a night mare for me for the post of audit associate/assistant. don't think i have the energy to go through that type of cycle.

[zara90210]

Originally Posted by lazyplane

IMHO, your best bet is to do an internal transfer to a finance/accounting position in your company. or to find an open minded boss willing to appreciate both your acca and engineering. It will be tough to find as there is no lack of good fit candidates these days.

I wish you well. Remember that a job is only this small part of a life journery.

Yup, with soooooo many people studying ACCA these days 'cos Engineering is for losers, by the time you graduate you will have serious competition.

[Samsara]

hi peeps. i graduated with business degree fm ntu (hon) and I am getting my oxford brookes degree (converted from ACCA level2) soon. dont intend to go into accounting and hv no more drive to finish level 3, but is there any other value in an accounting degree or other opportunities without going into accounting/finance? would going to acctg result in a pay cut(!)

i speak fluent jap n mandarin

Originally Posted by Samsara

hi peeps. i graduated with business degree fm ntu (hon) and I am getting my oxford brookes degree (converted from ACCA level2) soon. dont intend to go into accounting and hv no more drive to finish level 3, but is there any other value in an accounting degree or other opportunities without going into accounting/finance? would going to acctg result in a pay cut(!)

i speak fluent jap n mandarin

Japanese firms are stingy - how did I know? Coz I suffered in there.. so glad I am out of it now.. phew

So if you are thinking of working in Japanese firms, pls think hard and see what is on the table.

[Samsara]

haiz give them a break la. 2 decades of decline means they dont have any more $ to pay out wall street bonuses. got japanese related accounting jobs in US /European companies onot?

Originally Posted by Samsara

haiz give them a break la. 2 decades of decline means they dont have any more $ to pay out wall street bonuses. got japanese related accounting jobs in US /European companies onot?

Samsara, if you do join a Japanese company, you'll fully understand what I'll be talking about. Then you can decide if you want to give them a break!

Originally Posted by Samsara

hi peeps. i graduated with business degree fm ntu (hon) and I am getting my oxford brookes degree (converted from ACCA level2) soon. dont intend to go into accounting and hv no more drive to finish level 3, but is there any other value in an accounting degree or other opportunities without going into accounting/finance? would going to acctg result in a pay cut(!)

i speak fluent jap n mandarin

Hi,
You are from which batch/year of BBus? I am also NTU Business Grad and todate has more than 10 years accounting/finance experience. Don't know how I managed to enter the accounting profession even though I am not BAcc grad, but it just happened. I also hold ACCA level II qualification, the old syllabus, pre-year 2001 which I passed in 1999. Since then I have been focusing on my career/work and stopped studying. My current pay is now is close to $4,700/month.
Yes, I definitely would continue with my ACCA now as I love accounting. Its time to get qualified.

Hi, i am a NTU BAcc grad, have 8 yrs MNC working experience in finance, non-banking. My current pay is $6800 (not mgr). Anyone who knows whether this is at market or under market? I am also considering career switch due to boredom with the area, any advice? Tks!