CPA - advice , or other options

Hmm_Messiah

Hi

I've been working in "accounts for maybe the last ten yrs - Debtors/Creditors/Payroll for a reasonably sized logistics company and its subsidiary

I've had no qualifications in same, my course in college was entirely unrelated, and anyways i'd to finish that early.

I eventually completed the IATI this year (i.e. the timing of courses were unworkable for me up to two yrs back. Now a colleague who did it with me wants me to continue with her and do the CPA . with exemptions would be 2 subjects this yr then 4 for each of the following two .

The questions I have _ is the CPA a reasonable qualification? i don't want to work in practice, I like solving difficulties here etc but the basic accounting activity wrecks my head, but its what I've been doing and considering other obligations a totally fresh start is unlikely to be a real option.

What I was thinking is completing the CPA and using it as a " qualification "
to compensate for not having a degree .
I do have different courses /certs etc, I teach FETAC courses parttime but I know that no qualification is limiting despite my abilities.

The other main concern is I would have to continue working (for the moment at least) and I am mostly restricted to part time courses in the South East area .

Maybe this is best suited for another forum but I think readers here would have the most useful knowledge of CPA - cheers

smcgiff

Howdy,

Having only 6 CPA exams to do is a significant bonus. You'd have a good 10 or more ACCA exams to do if you went that route.

Arguably the CPA qualification is not as well thought of as others, but for teaching purposes this may be less so.

Most accountancy students study part time, so you're unlikely to be disadvantaged by having to work and study part time. Not sure if you can even do full time CPA courses.

One caveat I'll throw in is that the final 4 CPA exams must be passed within four sittings, and if not you'd have to retake the exams passed. This, to my mind, is an archaic rule and should be changed. Other than that go for it!

Hmm_Messiah

can any one tell me then is how the CPA is seen any significance in real world - as in getting a job / good salary etc etc

also what area is it more suited to , I have asked a few people but they seem biased towards it so not sure how real the opportunities they suggest are .

oh -smcgiff _ I wasnt very clear, it would be two exams (F2) then 4 yr 2 (P1) and 4 yr 3 (P2) so much as ACCA but I'd be hoping easier

Newaglish

Most jobs advertised look for ACA / ACCA / CIMA and don't specify CPA.

I have done past exam questions from CPA and they seem fairly hard, in no way easier than any of the others. I would recommend ACA if you don't mind being locked into a training contract, ACCA if you don't want the commitment and don't have the ACA exemptions and CIMA if you want to be a management accountant. CPA seems from my experience to give less rewards for a similar level of effort put in.

Overall, judging from your scenario, i'd recommend ACCA.

But that's just my 2c!

smcgiff

Hmm_Messiah wrote:

oh -smcgiff _ I wasnt very clear, it would be two exams (F2) then 4 yr 2 (P1) and 4 yr 3 (P2) so much as ACCA but I'd be hoping easier

My bad - I read it too quick.

Rightly or wrongly others may have the same opinion as you - that the exams are easier. Easier means not as good - And perhaps this is why they don't get as much recognition. Be careful you're not doing the same amount of work for less reward. Also, don't forget the having to pass the last four exams within two years of starting finals.

Jakey

I was in the same situation as the OP and I've currently 6 Exams to complete with CPA, They've recently changed the sylabus so there's now options for the final 8 exams so you can specialise in either Industry or Practice.

I belive once qualified you can switch to another accountancy body if your worried about CPA's reputation. Personally i've never had a problem with employers.

smcgiff

Jakey wrote:

I belive once qualified you can switch to another accountancy body if your worried about CPA's reputation.

You could do this with ACCA up to a couple of years ago, but not now without taking the final four exams. Think it's the same with CIMA & ICAI.

Baby4

This post has been deleted.

Bren1609

I'm qulaified CPA and it's never been an issue for me either. Most employers will have come across bad accountants from all institutes. Also, You'll find that the CPA's reputation has greatly improved in recent years .

Did you ever consider doing tax exams? Excellent pay and takes the same amount of time as accountancy exams.

Hmm_Messiah

my evil brother did the tax exams (well the evil bit is another story)

the thing is I don't like accountancy to any great extent, solving problems yes, finding why it doesnt balance etc yes, but the repetition. and also i am terrible at studying, truly terrible.

I liked the idea of cpa, as it was doable close by, I'd have company, and it would be a "qualification".


I'd like eventually maybe to work for some NGO, or maybe being more involved in my partners business.

my boss is a ACCA and his work would wreck my head.

at same time I need to decide on something to do. the other option is to get more into the literacy tution, but the extra training modules equate to a number of days i just can take from the present day job.

I like that I'd only have two subjects in CPA this yr, but think two yrs of 4 subjects would wreck me

would they be considerably easier if I was working more at relevant work. At the moment I do payroll/debtors/creditors and more, but its almost automated at this stage, analysis is all software generated.

the is a guidance officer with the VEC I work for maybe she'd have an option

I don't suppose there is a test to determine if you have a real aptitude for accountancy _ I do like much of it (especially law etc )

THe plus side is I think my boss would pay for the cpa stuff, he paid for all the IATI (which I have to say seemed only oriented towards generating funds for them-you felt like u had to quote your visa number to even as them a question)