| You want to be an accountant. You love | | | | chances of passing the examinations. Definitely, it |
| numbers, maths and money. So, how do you get | | | | is highly recommended to enlist the aid of a |
| started? Where do you go to get certified so | | | | mentor who can show you the ropes. |
| that your services will be in demand? If you do | | | | After qualifying as a Chartered Certified |
| not have any recognised qualifications, your clients | | | | Accountant by passing the examinations, to obtain |
| will not be able to know if your standards meet | | | | the practising certificate you must have had |
| their requirements. People hire Chartered Certified | | | | sufficient experience in a practising |
| Accountants with a full practising certificate | | | | accountant’s office. On top of all that, you |
| because they know that they can trust in their | | | | must continue to keep yourself updated by |
| expertise. | | | | attending courses on a regular basis. The ACCA is |
| Any old accountancy certification will not do. You | | | | the only accountancy body that provides a |
| need an internationally recognised global | | | | disciplinary system which offers remedy if any |
| qualification to compete in today’s industry, | | | | ACCA member breaches its high standards. |
| and the ACCA qualification fits this demand | | | | Once you obtain the ACCA certification, your |
| perfectly. The Association of Chartered Certified | | | | clients know with certainty that they can depend |
| Accountants (ACCA) is the world’s largest | | | | on: |
| international accountancy body, with over 300,000 | | | | - Your integrity |
| members and students in more than 160 | | | | - Your absolute respect for the confidentiality of |
| countries. Founded in 1904, ACCA has over 100 | | | | your client’s affairs |
| years of history as a leader in the development | | | | - Your knowledge and expertise |
| of the global accountancy profession. The United | | | | - The fact that there is a regulatory body who |
| Nations has chosen the ACCA syllabus as the | | | | will ensure that standards are maintained |
| basis of its global accountancy curriculum and the | | | | - The fact that you must operate within a strict |
| ACCA qualification is well recognised in an | | | | framework of rules and ethics |
| ever-growing list of countries including the USA, | | | | The entry requirements of the ACCA qualification |
| Canada, the United Kingdom, the European Union, | | | | are 2 A-Level passes or a bachelor's degree from |
| Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, China, | | | | a recognised university. If you do not meet this |
| Singapore, Malaysia and Pakistan. Many ACCA | | | | requirement, you may opt to go for the |
| graduates work in premier companies such as | | | | open-entry route by taking the Certified |
| British Airways and Price Waterhouse Coopers. | | | | Accounting Technician (CAT) qualification first. |
| The syllabus spans 16 topics each with its own | | | | Upon completion of the CAT course, you may |
| examination to test your competency in that | | | | progress to take the ACCA qualification. |
| subject. It usually takes 2 years for a student to | | | | As an ACCA graduate, you can look forward to |
| obtain the ACCA qualification. This is broken up | | | | rewarding accounting career in a variety of fields |
| into the "Fundamentals" stage that consists of 9 | | | | such as accountancy, auditing, financial |
| papers and the "Professional" stage that consists | | | | management, taxation, business development and |
| of 3 papers and a choice of 4 options. With so | | | | management. Numerous opportunities will be |
| many examinations to pass, self-study can be | | | | available to you, whether you choose to work in |
| difficult. The good news is that there are many | | | | a small practice, run your own company or lead a |
| professional accounting and finance schools such | | | | large multinational organisation. Indeed, ACCA |
| as FTMS Global that offer ACCA courses. The | | | | graduates are in high demand worldwide. |
| better ones have a cast of highly qualified and | | | | So, if you are looking to start a career in |
| experienced lecturers who are ACCA-certified. | | | | accounting, you might as well do it right. Be |
| These teachers know what the ACCA syllabus | | | | internationally recognised and sought after, and |
| requires and can dramatically increase your | | | | you will do well wherever you may be. |