Is it feasible to do ACCA & then CA ?

[AvgJoe]

Hi,

I have heard that if you do ACCA, you can get exemption from ICAP from Module (A-D). Thus, you only have to do Module (E & F) and at the end you are both CA & ACCA. Is this route of doing CA possible & preferbable to the normal one ?

Are there any advantages/disadvantages of doing ACCA instead of Module (A-D) ? And is ACCA more difficult then Module (A-D) of ICAP ?

I'll be anxiously waiting for some words of wisdom !

Thanks,
AvgJoe

Edited by - avgjoe on Oct 27 2004 083012 AM

[Ice_Blue]

Dear AvgJoe,

I am a studentof module-A(having my exams in March 2005). A few months back i was pondering over the same point as you are now.

Once you start ACCA u'll have to complete it in order to claim exemption from ICAP for Modules A to D. In case of a part qualified ACCA exemption for Module A to D is not granted. Your three year articleship will start when u register will an audit firm after getting exemption for Mod A to D. Any time spent with an audit firm before getting exemption from ICAP will not be counted in the articleship by ICAP.

However, a CA(intermediate) can get exemption from ACCA upto paper 2.6 . He will have to take paper 2.6 and continue onwards.

Apparently CA student has an advantage in pakistani environment but ACCA has the plus point that it is a globally recognized degree.

I am only a new student, but i have heard from many ppl that CA is tough and ACCA is easy. I dont have any first-hand knowledge of this so i reserve my comments on this matter.

Beware, most of the HSSC students who opt for CAT ( in order to do ACCA) are non-serious. Class culture may be a problem for u if u are a serious-minded student. In CA there is also a very small probability that the section u get is full of non-serious ppl. so be sure where u step. Dont worry, just believe in yourself.

on the whole the choice is urz. i am not making any recommendations. i have a very talented friend of mine who is doing CAT in the hope that this degree will take him abroad. I have more intelligent friends of mine doing CA.

I am not even recommending u this Accountancy field. I have given my comments in good faith without any liability.

May God bless us all


Ice Blue

[AvgJoe]

Dear Iceblue,

Thanks for ur reply. I was thinking abt doing ACCA instead of Module (A-D). My primary target is becoming a CA. But a good one & in the shortest possible time. Thus, I was wondering whether "ACCA + CA" is any better then just "CA" in the Pakistani Job market.

How much easier or difficult is ACCA from 'just' Modules (A-D)? Obviously, ACCA is much easier than entire CA (module A-F)..but is it easier than just module (A-D) ?

Thanks
AvgJoe

[FAK]

AOA Friends,
Well i guess there is no need for you to pound over this topic the primary thing is that you want to become a Chartered Accountant and ACCA is the sold certificate to be one.
Please remember one thing there is no such thing as a short cut when it comes to acquire a professional qualification, every course need time and concentration.

In my point of View, if we talk about ACCA.

1)Its a Globally recognize certification.
2)You will get BSC in Applied Accounting (HONS) DEGREE.
3)You will get 11 papers Exemption in CIMA (IF you are full ACCA qualified)

What more you want getting so many things in one shot.So my advice to you is go for ACCA fist and then the world is open you can further advance you studies by doing CIMA,CIA,CFSA & MBA(exemptions are available in all of them in some manner) there is no need to get the double CA certification.
But then again the final decision is yours.

Regards








Fahad A Khan

"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it"

"Nothing is impossible b`coz impossible says itself I M POSSIBLE"

[AvgJoe]

Dear Fahad,

Thanks a lot for the advice. I appreciate it a lot. The thing is, if its possible to do ACCA & CA...both in the same duration...with somewhat similar effort...why not go for it ? You'll have the advantages of being a CA, and the international recognition of being ACCA.

I wanna know Is it more difficult to do ACCA then Module (A-D) ? Does it adversely affect u in any way ? Or does it increase ur job prospects ?

Has anyone done this !!! Plz be kind enough to offer ur words of wisdom. I'll try not to show up..where u r applying for a job <img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle> in case u r thinking tht advising me might adversely affect ur chances....By the way, I'll be only starting CA after 1 yr.

Take Care,
AvgJoe

[Pracs]

Joe

If you r aiming for ACCA after A level,do ensure that you have accountnacy and math as two of you subjects, since that is the requisite to start ACCA (or you will have to go for CAT or B.comm before u step into ACCA)

Shortest route for CA. ?

ACCA and CA seem to be good options 3 years for ACCA and another 3 years for CA and the articles.. (for if you are not an ACCA grad at the time of getting an articles contract)

If you go for CA direct,.. that will mean 2 years CA foundation plus 4 years articles and CA professional. plus any time that you may require to pass ACCA final stage after that.

So a lot depends on how you see yourself in each of the above roles/

Bear in mind that to have an A class career in Pakistan CA is a must (so far) or until you ACCA get the right to practice on their own. A majority of CAs in Pakistan do have an additional degree in the form of ACCA/CIMA etc. So if you are aiming at competing with the brightest another degree is a must. It does not matter if you do ACCA or CA first.

ACCA does have better pass percentages.. since they do follow a marks system which is not true for CA.. BECAUSE the pass candidates number seem to change with every attempt and perhaps the need for CAs in the economy.

"Allah does not change the state of people unless they change what is within themselves" Quran 1311

[AvgJoe]

So I guess there are atleast two ways of becoming a CA

A-Levels --> ACCA --> 3 yrs Articles + Module (E & F) --> CA

A-Levels --> Module(A-D) exams--> 4 yr articles + Module(E&F) --> CA

Now, the question arises Is the first route (ACCA one) more difficult than the second one ? Why is it that the first route is shorter ?

[farazthegreat]

Are you sure that doing ACCA reduces one year of CA Articles? Because that's not what I heard. Make sure to double check.

-------------------------
Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.




Edited by - farazthegreat on Nov 01 2004 085012 AM

[Pracs]

That was the case, when I last checked,.. all ACCA, CIMA and CPA graduates have one year less the 4 years articles. It is however, the perogative of ICAP and the same may be changed. So its a good idea to always check before you make a decision.

I think option one is easier, since the pass percentages in ACCA are better than ICAP

"Allah does not change the state of people unless they change what is within themselves" Quran 1311

[shahzeb]

I want to point out one thing
The mininmum period for completing ACCA is 2 years and not 3. You are a good student Joe and I am sure you will be able to complete it in 2 years if you are determined and hard working. I see you in a very similar position as I was last year. I had the same O level grades as you, was even in the same school and was exploring similar choices. Today I am doing ACCA from CAMS, have cleared 8 papers in the first attempt and am looking forward to my third attempt.
My advice
If you want to do CA definitely go through the ACCA route.

Somebody stop me!

[AvgJoe]

Hi all,
Thanks a lot for all ur responses.So I guess doing ACCA first would be best. Is CAMS the best insitute in Karachi for CA ? What abt others ?

And Shahzeb, Can I ask you why you choose "CA" as a career? Is it because you genuinely wanted to be a CA right from the start or that you couldnt get admission into ur fav uni & so decided to do CA ?

Cheers,
AvgJoe

[shahzeb]

You cannot say that CAMS is the best but it has a good record. Actually in ACCA there is no need to stick to 1 institute, you can study for each paper from any teacher just like private tuitions. But that makes life difficult.
As for your other question I would not like to respond on this forum. Perhaps if you email me or give your email then I may be able to reply.


Somebody stop me!

[Pracs]

oh my .. is it that secret Shazeb ? I think I ought to start a new thread on this.. why did you choose to be a CA/ACCA ?

"Allah does not change the state of people unless they change what is within themselves" Quran 1311

[AvgJoe]

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