ACCA self study

[xLioNx]

"if you can self study and get a pass in all the exams withour prior accounting knowledge, then you are damn smart"

that statement says it all.

 

[nwstbz23]

"if you can self study and get a pass in all the exams withour prior accounting knowledge, then you are damn smart"

that statement says it all.

Well-said!Self-studying for ACCA is possible if you have super strong foundation in accounting or relevant work experience.It is pure suicide taking too many units to clear at one attempt!

Like what biogenetic mentioned,F7 (financial reporting) & F8 (audit & assurance) are killer papers.The answering techniques to these questions have to be developed and you won't be able to acquire just by reading only.

Of course,P series papers are the toughest,especially P5-P7.

Some links that can help you to tackle ACCA:

http://www.opentuition.com/acca/index.php

http://www.accaglobal.com/students/student_accountant/ (read up on technical articles with the drop down list,examiners' tips to clear certain papers)

 

[capcigbir]

That's a very interesting topic. But this field is still new to me. It will be grateful if you give me some

more information about it. Thanks in advance.
__________________
Plan de financement immobilier conseil credit travaux | Calcul taux pret immobilier courtier | Simulation financement immo

 

[sunny1717]

i like kaplan textbooks and exam kit so far (cant say anything much about other institutes' as I never have one)..i find it expensive but it sets the content straight and in line with the syllabus. I'm not good with English as it is not my first language but the text books explain clearly that I understand them enough to pass the exam. But I have to admit that I work in auditing field thouhg, that helps me a lot.

I am now in level 3, having 2 to go, and have been doing self study since Dec 2006, I took 2 papers at a time combining between a paper that needs calculation skill and another involving talk cock skill. I failed only once with P1, it's a shame. I think the key in self study is time planing. My everyday work is so busy and long hours, so time is precious and hardly to find enough...If i could find a month for studying that 2 papers it is regarded as rewarding already for me. I cant attend any class since there is no center here and i personally need flexi time so selfstudy may be the only choice i have...if ppl can reccomend any good center i think you might go for it as it should be more fun not studying alone and dont have to waste your time with the areas that are not oftenly in the test (I found that a lot of topics are in the syllabus but the popular ares selected to test are few) ...so it's all up to your circumstance i guess. Hope this helps.

 

[sunny1717]

sorry, must have alzheimer...I started ACCA Dec 2007 not Dec 2006.

 

[Konnichiwa]

I think if you self study for ACCA exam, you are quite good.

But if you took lesson for the subject already and failed the first time. And for the second attempt, you did not attend lesson and you do "self study". I don't think it is really call self study.

 

[perosoka]

hmm.. hi.. i self studied myself for the previous level 2 and some lvl 3 papers, now just finished my last 2 papers p2 and 3, not self study for this though. basically, some papers can and are highly recommended for self studying if you are, like me have some financial problems.
So which papers to selfstudy?
Here are the paper i did self study myself, however, note, i have to attempt twice for some of these papers before i passed although its still cheaper than going for lessons.
former 2.1 > now no more 2attempts
2.2 > corporate law, this can be self studied, i got the notes from friends but actually i did not read the notes at all, i just went through all the past year papers and found out that section A, all the questions have been recycled before. 2 attempts
2.3 > ptax , this one quite easy to self study, just memorize all the tax statement and formulaes, there aren't much, so easily can be self studied. 1 attempt
2.4 > HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO GO FOR CLASS, i registered for class but work commitment forced me to go for only 50% of the classes. 52%..Zzzz..lucky pass 1 attempt
2.5 > don't need to go for regular class, if u can go for revision class, they can teach u in 4dayz what u need to learn in 20lessons =] 1 attempt
2.6 > go for class, 2nd highest failure rate other than 2.4 3 attempts!!!
3.1 > highest failure rate in level 3! i took 2 attempts , self studied for 1st time.failed. << 2 attempts
3.3 > self studyable, but not recommended, i went into exam hall without any idea what is balance scorecard, and it came out.25marks, though i passed, but more of luck matter, think they moderated the marks =\ <<1 attempt
P1 Professional Accountant, > don't waste money, self study. this one is basically theory and talk cock skillz

gd advice tks

 

[memoriess]

hi, does employer acknowledge you as an accountants when you are studying for ACCA?

 

[wait_ii]

Hi all,

I just completed my UOL Accounting and Finance degree and would like to apply for June exam. Does anyone know what kind of exemption that i would be entitled? I would also like to self study for the remaining modules after exemption. What are the modules (probably in level 3) that are advised to self-study? Reason been i wanted to clear these modules on my own first as my working time unable me to attend lesson.

Thanks in advance

 

[dark_aLLeY]

hi, does employer acknowledge you as an accountants when you are studying for ACCA?

As long as we didn't get the full cert, we're always treated as account assistant... unless you're the only sole account related person in the coy, then can appoint u as accountant, and answerable to auditor.


my 2 cents worth. Need more seniors to verify for this.

 

[Biogentic]

As long as we didn't get the full cert, we're always treated as account assistant... unless you're the only sole account related person in the coy, then can appoint u as accountant, and answerable to auditor.


my 2 cents worth. Need more seniors to verify for this.

no fresh graduate can be an accountant be it u are from local uni or acca graduate. let not talk about family business or very small sme, where u are the only one running the whole show... u can call whatever you like...

a fresh graduate will most likely joined as an accounts executive handling full set of accounts however it is quite rare also as company often employed experienced candidate for the position unless u are willing to start off as an accounts assistant where diploma holder already fit the requirement.
imo, it is still the best to go through audit route and then jump in to become an accountant, rather than going through from accounts executive ---> accountant. it is going to take a very long time with no guarantee.
u would also lack the exposure if u take on the role of handling full set of accounts as the company is very likely to be very small.

 

[friendlyguy]

no fresh graduate can be an accountant be it u are from local uni or acca graduate. let not talk about family business or very small sme, where u are the only one running the whole show... u can call whatever you like...

a fresh graduate will most likely joined as an accounts executive handling full set of accounts however it is quite rare also as company often employed experienced candidate for the position unless u are willing to start off as an accounts assistant where diploma holder already fit the requirement.
imo, it is still the best to go through audit route and then jump in to become an accountant, rather than going through from accounts executive ---> accountant. it is going to take a very long time with no guarantee.
u would also lack the exposure if u take on the role of handling full set of accounts as the company is very likely to be very small.

1 year experience as auditor enough to become an accountant?
Btw, as an auditor, I also haven't handled full set of accounts. audit assistant mostly check receivable,payable and cash. So what is your tips to be good in handle full set of accounts?
And I somemore think what I have studied in university is different with working life. It is only theory, I got distinction, it doesn't mean I can do better in the work.

 

[Neurotoxin]

1 year experience as auditor enough to become an accountant?
Btw, as an auditor, I also haven't handled full set of accounts. audit assistant mostly check receivable,payable and cash. So what is your tips to be good in handle full set of accounts?
And I somemore think what I have studied in university is different with working life. It is only theory, I got distinction, it doesn't mean I can do better in the work.

Depends on the company, what's the requirement. Sometimes its 2-3 years of audit experience and above. Best is to check out those job sites to see the market. Doing full sets of accounts require experience and some companies may prefer those with relevant experience.

However there are companies who don't mind auditors joining their companies without the experience in handling full sets of accounts. Most of the time with audit experience you will do more on financial reporting, statutory reporting, management reporting etc type of role rather than handling full sets doing the data entry. Your role will be more senior as to check the accounts done by the account assistants.

Accountant will be valuable when you have some years of audit experience + commerical experience thats where you can earn your high pay. If you know group consolidation its even more better. Group accountant earn quite a high pay. Suggest you learn that in audit first before leaving. Some companies prefer audit experience from big 4, so if you are from big 4 you will have some advantage.

Don't be surprise that a lot auditors come out didn't become accoutants, they work in other roles such as compliance, fund accounting, financal analyst, internal auditor, finance or investment related etc in financial institutions, MNC or some other professional firms.

 

[friendlyguy]

Depends on the company, what's the requirement. Sometimes its 2-3 years of audit experience and above. Best is to check out those job sites to see the market. Doing full sets of accounts require experience and some companies may prefer those with relevant experience.

However there are companies who don't mind auditors joining their companies without the experience in handling full sets of accounts. Most of the time with audit experience you will do more on financial reporting, statutory reporting, management reporting etc type of role rather than handling full sets doing the data entry. Your role will be more senior as to check the accounts done by the account assistants.

Accountant will be valuable when you have some years of audit experience + commerical experience thats where you can earn your high pay. If you know group consolidation its even more better. Group accountant earn quite a high pay. Suggest you learn that in audit first before leaving. Some companies prefer audit experience from big 4, so if you are from big 4 you will have some advantage.

Don't be surprise that a lot auditors come out didn't become accoutants, they work in other roles such as compliance, fund accounting, financal analyst, internal auditor, finance or investment related etc in financial institutions, MNC or some other professional firms.

Actually, I want to be financial analyst but there are too much competitions. And the work is likely more management accounting side.
I am interested to become group accountant but as an auditor from small audit firm, I haven't handled the group companies' audit. And for big 4 I thought they will handle group accounts when they reach senior.
But, I saw in jobsdb , there was an opening as account assistant(group accounts), is it better than audit path? I don't think I will continue my role in audit since I think I will not suit the auditing environment.I am a back office guy.

Thank you.

 

[Neurotoxin]

There are different job scope for financial analyst, depending which industy you are in. Depends what audit you got in big 4, not everyone got the chance to do group consolidation, depend on your luck.

You have to consider what's the career path you want to take, accountant or financial analyst or something else? Having some audit experience let you have better advancement as an accountant. If you see those job sites, some companies require accountant to have some audit experience.

Sometimes company may train you to become a group accountant when you first join but quite rare or you can join the company from the bottom and work your way up. Ultimately you have to decide yourself, where you want to go. Weigh your options for your career advancement.

 

[amerell]

Actually, I want to be financial analyst but there are too much competitions. And the work is likely more management accounting side.
I am interested to become group accountant but as an auditor from small audit firm, I haven't handled the group companies' audit. And for big 4 I thought they will handle group accounts when they reach senior.
But, I saw in jobsdb , there was an opening as account assistant(group accounts), is it better than audit path? I don't think I will continue my role in audit since I think I will not suit the auditing environment.I am a back office guy.

Thank you.

Then banking ops will suit you.

 

[friendlyguy]

There are different job scope for financial analyst, depending which industy you are in. Depends what audit you got in big 4, not everyone got the chance to do group consolidation, depend on your luck.

You have to consider what's the career path you want to take, accountant or financial analyst or something else? Having some audit experience let you have better advancement as an accountant. If you see those job sites, some companies require accountant to have some audit experience.

Sometimes company may train you to become a group accountant when you first join but quite rare or you can join the company from the bottom and work your way up. Ultimately you have to decide yourself, where you want to go. Weigh your options for your career advancement.

Thanks for your explanation bro, it seems group accountant is not a good career for me. Now, I am just hoping I can quit the job as an auditor as soon as possible and think what jobs I should apply next.

Heck man, I have a lot of enemies as Auditors, my clients are also my enemies.
Wanna photocopy documents was also interrogated and must ask for permission.
Being audit assistant is sucks. The job is more admin job, feel I am not giving any value.

Then banking ops will suit you.

But I don't like boring job bro.
Bank ops, not giving any value lei.
I like the analysis job which requires analytical thinking, working independently, and don't meet people too often.

 

[Neurotoxin]

Thanks for your explanation bro, it seems group accountant is not a good career for me. Now, I am just hoping I can quit the job as an auditor as soon as possible and think what jobs I should apply next.

Heck man, I have a lot of enemies as Auditors, my clients are also my enemies.
Wanna photocopy documents was also interrogated and must ask for permission.
Being audit assistant is sucks. The job is more admin job, feel I am not giving any value.

This is sometimes the case. People just don't like auditors. A lot of time they are very hostile against auditors. No one likes to be check on their work. Nasty clients are common for auditors, just need to know how to handle them.

When you have more experience in the future you won't be doing photocopying work. One thing good about small firm is that you able to do everything from the start to the end, con is that you won't get much exposure as most of your clients are SMEs, with only a few big portfolios.

Bigger clients are also not easy to audit, you will be surprised that some of the bigger companies' accounts are even more messy than SMEs.

 

[friendlyguy]

This is sometimes the case. People just don't like auditors. A lot of time they are very hostile against auditors. No one likes to be check on their work. Nasty clients are common for auditors, just need to know how to handle them.

When you have more experience in the future you won't be doing photocopying work. One thing good about small firm is that you able to do everything from the start to the end, con is that you won't get much exposure as most of your clients are SMEs, with only a few big portfolios.

Bigger clients are also not easy to audit, you will be surprised that some of the bigger companies' accounts are even more messy than SMEs.

Thanks for your info bro
so which one is good for accountant bro? have exposure in small audit firm or big 4? I don't think Im giving any value now since my job is just to check only, if wanna prepare FS also maybe I don't remember what I have learned in university.

I am not patient to get the steep learning curve, when will I get it?

 

[Neurotoxin]

Thanks for your info bro
so which one is good for accountant bro? have exposure in small audit firm or big 4? I don't think Im giving any value now since my job is just to check only, if wanna prepare FS also maybe I don't remember what I have learned in university.

I am not patient to get the steep learning curve, when will I get it?

You will get a chance to prepare FS in audit, no worries. What you learn in uni can throw away. Every year standards keep changing, what you remember may have already change since you graduated.

Again it depends on employers. You see their requirements. Some just mention they want someone with number of X years of audit experience, some will mention they would prefer someone from big 4.

Of course big 4 experience sure can help some cause they are branded. But if you are not into audit maybe you can consider not going to big 4.