Another qualification after ACCA...?

Naoise1

So… my situation is that I’m due to complete my ACCA qualification early in my training contract. I should be done by Dec 2018, by which point I’ll be just over 2 years into a 3.5 year training contract in internal audit.

Currently pondering on what I could be doing over the remaining 1.5 years, from an education perspective, to add value to my CV.

So far, I was thinking maybe...

* ACA (I’d be CAP1 and CAP2 exempt, and just would have to do FAE)

* CIMA (I’d be able go straight in at professional gateway level – 2 case studies and 3 multiple choice exams could probably be done in a year..?)

* ACCA’s long distance MSc in Professional Accountancy through the University of London

* Prince2 (expensive, but short project management qualification that doesn’t require an experience component).

* Something in the area of C++ or other programming languages.

* Not particularly keen on doing the CIA internal auditor exams, as I don’t think internal audit is my long-term career path, but it’s not out of the question…

For context, I mainly work in the areas of audit and consulting. I haven’t made up my my mind yet as to whether I’ll be staying in public accounting long-term or movinig into industry…

Does anyone have any opinions on what value any of the above qualifications would add on top of ACCA? (or does anyone have any other suggestions for my list?)

Many thanks!

Naoise

BGozIE

Naoise1 wrote: »

So… my situation is that I’m due to complete my ACCA qualification early in my training contract. I should be done by Dec 2018, by which point I’ll be just over 2 years into a 3.5 year training contract in internal audit.

Currently pondering on what I could be doing over the remaining 1.5 years, from an education perspective, to add value to my CV.

So far, I was thinking maybe...

* ACA (I’d be CAP1 and CAP2 exempt, and just would have to do FAE)

* CIMA (I’d be able go straight in at professional gateway level – 2 case studies and 3 multiple choice exams could probably be done in a year..?)

* ACCA’s long distance MSc in Professional Accountancy through the University of London

* Prince2 (expensive, but short project management qualification that doesn’t require an experience component).

* Something in the area of C++ or other programming languages.

* Not particularly keen on doing the CIA internal auditor exams, as I don’t think internal audit is my long-term career path, but it’s not out of the question…

For context, I mainly work in the areas of audit and consulting. I haven’t made up my my mind yet as to whether I’ll be staying in public accounting long-term or movinig into industry…

Does anyone have any opinions on what value any of the above qualifications would add on top of ACCA? (or does anyone have any other suggestions for my list?)

Many thanks!

Naoise

Sorry - don't want to comment out of place as I don't have any experience of ACCA/audit etc, but I work in software development and I wouldn't see what value going down the road of C++ or other programming languages would do for you? Its a fairly broad, specialist area and to use professionally would most likely require a big time/resource commitment and take you out of what appears to be your central focus of finance/audit.

It may interest your personally and very well could look good on your CV, not sure how much the two worlds would cross over for you professionally however.

Naoise1

BGozIE wrote: »

Sorry - don't want to comment out of place as I don't have any experience of ACCA/audit etc, but I work in software development and I wouldn't see what value going down the road of C++ or other programming languages would do for you? Its a fairly broad, specialist area and to use professionally would most likely require a big time/resource commitment and take you out of what appears to be your central focus of finance/audit.

It may interest your personally and very well could look good on your CV, not sure how much the two worlds would cross over for you professionally however.

Thanks BGozIE, not out place at all!

I’ve done some secondments in the area of financial services consulting, and ended up working with a lot of systems development guys.

Translation: A lot of meetings with terms and assumptions being thrown around where I didn’t have a clue what was being said, because I didn’t have a background in computer programming (and so didn’t understand C++, SQL or any other programming language for that matter...)

That was where I was coming from on the whole C++ angle

ACADasltiv

I don't see the point in doing the exams for another professional body such as ACA unless you were looking to switch your membership to them. It would make the most sense for someone in your position to do the tax exams or a diploma in something. I know the Chartered Tax Consultant course is run January - December so would allow you to qualify in a year.

Maybe have a look at some of the diplomas offered by Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Naoise1

ACADasltiv wrote: »

I don't see the point in doing the exams for another professional body such as ACA unless you were looking to switch your membership to them. It would make the most sense for someone in your position to do the tax exams or a diploma in something. I know the Chartered Tax Consultant course is run January - December so would allow you to qualify in a year.

Maybe have a look at some of the diplomas offered by {link removed}


Hi ACADasItiv

Tbh the thinking behind having ACA as a possible option was
1) the favorable exemptions (I’d only have to do the final FAE stage)
2) The perception I’ve gotten from various accounting forums that some recruiters will still screen for ACA members, or that it’s seen in some circles as a slightly higher caliber of qualification

The thinking behind CIMA as an option, was that it might open some doors in the future in the areas of financial and management consulting, if I decided to go down that road...

Totally take your point regarding the diplomas and tax exams; I was put off the chartered tax institute somewhat cos of the poor exemptions (I’d only get to skip Part 1, And would still have to do Part 2 And Part 3) but it’s definitely an option.

Cheers!

jus_tin4

Naoise1 wrote: »

ACADasltiv wrote: »

I don't see the point in doing the exams for another professional body such as ACA unless you were looking to switch your membership to them. It would make the most sense for someone in your position to do the tax exams or a diploma in something. I know the Chartered Tax Consultant course is run January - December so would allow you to qualify in a year.

Maybe have a look at some of the diplomas offered by {link removed}


Hi ACADasItiv

Tbh the thinking behind having ACA as a possible option was
1) the favorable exemptions (I’d only have to do the final FAE stage)
2) The perception I’ve gotten from various accounting forums that some recruiters will still screen for ACA members, or that it’s seen in some circles as a slightly higher caliber of qualification

The thinking behind CIMA as an option, was that it might open some doors in the future in the areas of financial and management consulting, if I decided to go down that road...

Totally take your point regarding the diplomas and tax exams; I was put off the chartered tax institute somewhat cos of the poor exemptions (I’d only get to skip Part 1, And would still have to do Part 2 And Part 3) but it’s definitely an option.

Cheers!

you would only be allowed to use 18 of you previous experience, so i don't really think it would be the best option for you.

if your qualified it shouldn't matter from what body so personally i wouldn't recommend changing body from acca to aca or cima.

Tax qualification would be more beneficial

Jim2007

Learn a language to at least A2 level, not just school boy stuff. Ireland is highly dependent on exporting, so being able to speak a Europe language is always useful. Back in the days when I worked at a big 4, we landed several clients simply because my partner and I could speak to them in their own language.

thomlin

If you're determined to pursue another qualification then do Tax as it is a natural progression in accounting.

However you could be smart about this and gien you have 1.5 years left in your training contract step up and ask for more work within the practice you currently work for.

Am I mad you might say definitely not if you are serious about having a career in accounting and want the best possible chance when you finish your contract use this time to build your credibility do the work your colleagues can't because they are too busy studying.

You will get a tonne more expereince than them and when your contract is up you will be in a better position to get offered a job in the practice and if you want out you have a better chance of getting an industry job with hopefully some good experience of those industries which your auditing colleagues haven't catch my drift.

Best of luck

Tom