01-16-2009, 06:14 AM
My Dear Khalid, as always, you are turning on personal and I am sorry to see you have a very closed mind, (some thing you accuse Pakistani ACAs of)not a very positive thing.
Now, just to straighten out the facts here (and this might offend you, as you get offended so often). I was an ICAP registered trainee and went through the whole process of passing all Foundation exams,(after my B.com, simply coz the BAC/PFC scheme sort of straddled during my B.com) went in for articles and finding myself with some time on hand managed to pass 14 ACCA papers by which time I could also sit for my ICAP Final papers. So buddy this is what it is. Having said that even if I had started over with ACCA and given got the opportunity would have gone for ICAP, I don't see that as 'a faiures' route because my plan was to work overseas, so ACCA would have been useful. Kamran has his opinions and I respect him for that,as I would respect you. Your pin point on this was though in bad taste.
I came around to go for ACCA only after they had re vamped and believe me ACCA Pulled off after that by going International, investing in R&D and attracting the right people both at home and abroad. The first time I heard about ACCA was in the early 90s, just having done my high school but did not consider it. Despite the fact that I had the option of starting with a Big4 in Dubai (this is where I was based then). Reason, because ACCA at that point in time was considered a 'part qualified accountant'. ACCA reputation and standing changed after a major restructure in the late 90s.
Khalid, perhaps you are talking about things you don't know about. Although ICAP students enter at Inter level these days, most people also sit for their B.com exams end of their two years, infact most of the RAETs (I am sure what these are) have programmes where they facilitate you to sit for B.com exams, moreover (if my information is not stale) AIOU used to give a BBA if ICAP foundation passed students pass their Islamic studies and Pakistan studies papers. (I am not sure if this is now revoked or still in place).Read my post again, I said ACCAs in the UK usually come after A levels.
My support for ICAP is not just because I am a member but because it deserves the place it has, it is an A class institute in Pakistan of world standards. I personally went the ICAP way and did not pursue a LUMS MBA, simply because I believed that ICAP would provide me better prospects as a finance professional.Being Pakistani, makes me proud of ICAP or the more. There is no comparison between ICAP and ICAI (India),never was never will be. The reason for them getting a better deal is not because of ICAI but because of India, simply because India is the favourite with the West these days, nothing more to it.
The 13 CAs you keep on harbouring about in practice outside of Pakistan are Pakistani CAs (who are partners)who practice in the Gulf as ICAP firms (training ICAP students and abiding by all bye-laws), please note that accountancy firms in the Gulf do not need to be associated with an Institute and only are to be registered with the relevant Ministry. So apart from this other members who are working in practice (say Big4s etc. do not fall in that category). Kamran, please correct me if I am wrong. Apart from this all other CAs working in accountancy firms are not classified as 'members in practice'. This your reality buddy.
Now, just to straighten out the facts here (and this might offend you, as you get offended so often). I was an ICAP registered trainee and went through the whole process of passing all Foundation exams,(after my B.com, simply coz the BAC/PFC scheme sort of straddled during my B.com) went in for articles and finding myself with some time on hand managed to pass 14 ACCA papers by which time I could also sit for my ICAP Final papers. So buddy this is what it is. Having said that even if I had started over with ACCA and given got the opportunity would have gone for ICAP, I don't see that as 'a faiures' route because my plan was to work overseas, so ACCA would have been useful. Kamran has his opinions and I respect him for that,as I would respect you. Your pin point on this was though in bad taste.
I came around to go for ACCA only after they had re vamped and believe me ACCA Pulled off after that by going International, investing in R&D and attracting the right people both at home and abroad. The first time I heard about ACCA was in the early 90s, just having done my high school but did not consider it. Despite the fact that I had the option of starting with a Big4 in Dubai (this is where I was based then). Reason, because ACCA at that point in time was considered a 'part qualified accountant'. ACCA reputation and standing changed after a major restructure in the late 90s.
Khalid, perhaps you are talking about things you don't know about. Although ICAP students enter at Inter level these days, most people also sit for their B.com exams end of their two years, infact most of the RAETs (I am sure what these are) have programmes where they facilitate you to sit for B.com exams, moreover (if my information is not stale) AIOU used to give a BBA if ICAP foundation passed students pass their Islamic studies and Pakistan studies papers. (I am not sure if this is now revoked or still in place).Read my post again, I said ACCAs in the UK usually come after A levels.
My support for ICAP is not just because I am a member but because it deserves the place it has, it is an A class institute in Pakistan of world standards. I personally went the ICAP way and did not pursue a LUMS MBA, simply because I believed that ICAP would provide me better prospects as a finance professional.Being Pakistani, makes me proud of ICAP or the more. There is no comparison between ICAP and ICAI (India),never was never will be. The reason for them getting a better deal is not because of ICAI but because of India, simply because India is the favourite with the West these days, nothing more to it.
The 13 CAs you keep on harbouring about in practice outside of Pakistan are Pakistani CAs (who are partners)who practice in the Gulf as ICAP firms (training ICAP students and abiding by all bye-laws), please note that accountancy firms in the Gulf do not need to be associated with an Institute and only are to be registered with the relevant Ministry. So apart from this other members who are working in practice (say Big4s etc. do not fall in that category). Kamran, please correct me if I am wrong. Apart from this all other CAs working in accountancy firms are not classified as 'members in practice'. This your reality buddy.