14
learning centre
affiliate profile
madeeha usman, pakistan
choosing accountancy was the easy part for
madeeha usman from lahore. from struggling with
exams to success, she now looks to the future
Why did you want to become an accountant?
I wanted to choose a profession which gave me an opportunity to
excel and make myself recognised in my discipline. I was brought
up by people who were employed by the same profession; my
grandfather, father and my sister.
After high school, I looked into many professions but
accountancy suited me best for its excessive demand and wider
acceptability in today’s market. My choice for accountancy was also
driven by the constructive guidance from my family.
Why did you choose to study for the ACCA Qualification?
Initially I was confused as to which accountancy qualification to
study. I consulted my uncle, Mian Ahmad Farhan, who counseled
me by introducing ACCA as the quickest means to becoming a
professional accountant.
He acquainted me with the syllabus coverage and subject
areas which embodied everything that a professional
accountant needs, either to run his own business or join any
other organisations.
ACCA also provides me with opportunities for several
postgraduate qualifications and exemptions from various other
accountancy bodies.
What challenges have you faced on your study journey?
Initially, I struggled with the right exam technique that is essential
to pass ACCA exams. Soon after, I discovered that the examiners
are not looking for answers in which knowledge from the book has
been regurgitated.
ACCA aims to enable accountants to be ethically correct, have
the necessary knowledge of accountancy and finance and can
easily assist in business analysis.
> READ MORE
What has been the most enjoyable aspect of your
ACCA studies?
I have always loved playing with figures and numbers. Throughout
the qualification, financial accounting and reporting has brought
out the best in me. The happiest moment for me was the day I got
100% marks in my first ever accounting exam – CAT Paper 1. This
motivated me to continue working hard for the highest scores.
How did you choose your tuition provider?
My sister was already studying in the Professionals’ Academy of
Commerce before I joined. She described the quality of education,
lively environment, distinguished faculty and unique methods of
teaching being adopted there.
Hence I decided to go to PAC which is the oldest accountancy
institution in Pakistan. I am also a part of the PAC faculty at
present and plan to excel my career both in education as well the
accountancy industry.
Over the years I have seen PAC expanding. Recently, PAC has
gone international by opening a branch in Dubai. My mentor
and my teacher, who encouraged me to join ACCA, Mian Ahmad
Farhan, is the Principal of the institute and I am positive that in the
coming years, PAC will continue to provide quality education to
accountancy students across the globe.
How do you think you can make the most of your tutor and
develop a good tutor/student relationship?
The choice of a good tuition provider is integral to a student’s
academic success. Fortunately, I made the right choice. The
foremost thing in this respect is that you have confidence in your
teacher. I always stuck with the idea that I was accountable to
both my teachers and family regarding my studies. This helped
me develop a habit of studying on a regular basis. I used to do
all tests and completed all my assignments. Consequently, my
teachers expected more and more from me. Hence, by the time
the exams came near, I knew that I myself was solely responsible
for gaining a pass mark in the exam and I couldn’t possibly let my
teachers down.
How are you progressing with your practical experience
requirement for ACCA membership?
I have recently joined Pricewaterhouse Coopers (AF Ferguson) in
Lahore as a trainee.
What advice do you have for other ACCA students?
From my experience I have learnt that an ACCA student can never
> READ MORE
> BACK TO MAIN ARTICLE
fail an exam if s/he acknowledges the responsibility
s/he has to himself and the profession for performing well from the
foundation. This way s/he can steer away complacency and achieve
his professional goals with ease.
What are your hopes for your future career?
In future, I aspire to perform as a key player in well motivating
dynamic and highly professional organisations, where my
capabilities and skill in the field of management, finance and
accounting, enable me to become an asset in achieving the
organisational goals and work for the betterment of the profession.
I also intend to make a difference by employing and constantly
improving my professional skills by obtaining more qualifications.
Madeeha is also a member of the current Student Accountant
editorial board. Look out for the further information in
October 2010 about joining the new editorial board, and
help shape Student Accountant for the future. If you want to
register your interest in joining the editorial board, email your
details to studentaccountant@accaglobal.com
> BACK TO MAIN ARTICLE
student accountant issue 19/2010
Find out more about Student Engage
www.accaglobal.com/studentengage
15
student engage
Ask the examiner special
listen to your fellow students’ questions
to two acca examiners in the forthcoming
student engage event
For the first time ever, ACCA
examiners are answering students’
questions in the next Student
Engage event.
In two one-hour Student Engage
specials, to be broadcast on Tuesday
28 September from 10am (UK
time) watch Steve Skidmore and Ann
Irons – ACCA examiners – give advice
on tackling exam questions to achieve
the best marks and answer questions
from ACCA students.
Steve
Skidmore
Steve has been an ACCA
examiner since 1996. He is currently
the examiner for Professional level
Paper P3, Business Analysis. He also
taught at ACCA Study Schools from
1979 to 1995.
Steve previously worked in the
National Health Service (NHS) and
was a principal lecturer at Leicester
Polytechnic (now de Montfort
University) in the UK. He is currently
a director of Assist Knowledge
Development, a leading provider
of business analysis training and
consultancy, where he specialises in
e-learning and e-assessment.
Ann Irons
Ann studied law both at degree
level and professional level before
going on to train as a chartered
accountant with the then Coopers &
Lybrand in Newcastle in 1995 (now
PricewaterhouseCoopers,
PwC).
After completing her
accounting qualification,
she went on to teach
a variety of subjects as
a full‑time employee at a
leading tuition provider. Her
subjects included mainly
auditing, financial accounting,
management accounting, tax
and law. She then spent a short
period back in practice, working for
KPMG, and gaining invaluable further
practical experience before returning
to teaching.
She became an examiner
for ACCA in 2003, for
CAT Paper 1, Financial
Accounting and CAT
Paper 10, Managing
Finances. After a couple of
years, as her teaching was beginning
to focus mainly management subjects,
she relinquished her role as CAT
Paper 1 examiner to focus purely on
the CAT Paper 10 examiner role. In
June 2009, she accepted the role as
the Paper F5, Performance Management
examiner and set her first exam for the
December 2010 session.
Visit www.accaglobal.com/
studentengage to find out more details
about Student Engage
16
learning centre
country profile
mauritius
Capital city Port Louis
Languages spoken
English, French, Creole, Hindi,
Bhojpuri, Mandarin
Population Around 1.3 million
ACCA in mauritius
ACCA has been represented in
Mauritius since 1980 through a
branch, at which one administrator
provided support to members and
students through a small library/
office facility. A full-time office
opened in December 2000, with
three members of staff. Today,
the office counts five
full-time employees and
is presently located on
Edith Cavell Street,
Port Louis.
‘Portability’ of the ACCA Qualification is a
major factor why students in Mauritius are
registering with ACCA. It is also more
affordable than other competing
qualifications, and has greater accessibility.
types of activities organised by
the ACCA Mauritius office
The ACCA Mauritius office organises
CPD events/workshops, social activities
(blood donation, visits to hospital, food
for the needy, walk for health), sports
activities for approved employers,
graduation and prize-giving ceremonies,
and new members celebration.
Why local students are
registering with ACCA
‘Portability’ of the ACCA
Qualification is a major factor
why students in Mauritius are
registering with ACCA. It
is also more affordable
than other competing
qualifications, and has
greater accessibility.
The Big Five
firms are present
in Mauritius
and some key
employers have
ACCA Approved
Employer schemes
in place, which
encourages students
to undertake ACCA
studies. ACCA Mauritius
also assists new employers
with implementing the scheme.
There are also a number
of prospects in the financial
services and business process
outsourcing (BPO) sectors at
present and in future years.
How tuition is provided
The London College of Accountancy is
the only Gold ACCA Approved Learning
Partner in Mauritius. Some 25% of
ACCA students are enrolled with LCA
for ACCA courses. There are four other
registered tuition providers. Around
50% of students take private tuition.
Issues facing students
Quality of tuition – given that only one
Gold ALP currently operates in Mauritius.
There are also high fees associated
with quality tuition. Accessibility to the
internet for payment of exams and
subscription fees can also be an issue for
some students.
Issues facing ACCA
Some employers complain that the new
generation of ACCA accountants lack
practical knowledge. This is particularly
true following an increase in the number
of students who embark on ACCA straight
from secondary studies and become
qualified at a very young age and look for
senior posts, without any prior practical
experience.The ACCA Mauritius office
encourages ACCA trainees to focus on
the practical experience element of the
ACCA Qualification, and not just on the
exams via workshops and employer visits.
Future prospects for ACCA and
ACCA members
There are a number of opportunities for
members in senior positions in the BPO
and financial services sectors.
student accountant issue 19/2010
17
talking finance
inga svirkste, australia
Inga Svirkste began her finance career in her home country of Latvia – now,
with ACCA and ICFE qualifications on her CV, she’s working for KPMG Australia.
We find out about the Role her qualifications have played in her career
What is your current role, and what are
your responsibilities?
‘I am currently on a two and a half year
secondment with KPMG Australia based
in their Brisbane office, as an assistant
manager in the Audit Department.
My responsibilities include project
managing leading several audits by
managing the KPMG team working at
the client’s premises as well as some
managerial tasks. At KPMG Baltics, in
Latvia, my role had a larger focus on
managing client relationships, problem
solving complicated issues, ensuring the
right people with the necessary skills are
in the team, and budgeting and other
administration issues.’
Why did you decide to take the
Cambridge ICFE Qualification?
In order to go to Australia with KPMG on
an international assignment, I needed
to pass an English test with strict
requirements for English native-speaking
countries. To meet this requirement,
a recognised English qualification was
necessary to satisfy Australia’s strict
entry requirements. Cambridge ICFE
appealed to me because it is specified
as an approved qualification for those
working in finance, and is also designed
for people who can already speak
English, and so it met my needs exactly.
How did you find out about Cambridge
ICFE, and how did you study?
‘As I was a former ACCA student, I
received information about Cambridge
ICFE from ACCA. I registered for the
course with SIA John Moffat, a tuition
provider in Riga; the teacher was very
responsive and tailored his approach
to students’ individual needs, paying
attention to our specific weaknesses.
This was possible because the class size
was small, enabling the teacher to work
closely with students. As a result, the
course taught me new skills, while also
refreshing my memory of the grammar I
had learnt at school.’
What aspects of the course were
most enjoyable and what was
most challenging?
‘We all enjoyed classroom discussions,
reading materials and exam practice
as these all dealt with issues closely
related to our daily working lives. It
was also good to meet other students
from the finance industry. As for all
students who also work in demanding
jobs, however, the biggest challenge
was finding the time to study while still
meeting other responsibilities.’
What are your plans for the future?
‘While on secondment, during my free
time, I plan to travel while I’m in this
part of the world – around Australia,
then to New Zealand, Indonesia and
on to Asia. I’ll then return to Latvia to
continue my career with KPMG, and to
share the experience and knowledge I
have gained while living in Australia.’
‘the Cambridge ICFE qualification appealed to me because
it is specified as an approved qualification for those working in finance.’
18
learning centre
top tips
effective study
study can drop down the list of priorities without
an exam looming, so self-discipline is an essential tool
to make the most of exam preparation
Without the imminent threat of an
exam, study can sometimes drop
down the list of priorities. If you’re
learning with a tuition provider, then
study will be a regular activity, but
self-discipline is still essential if you
are to make the most of the early exam
preparation phase.
Start by getting the essentials right.
You need regular access to a good
place to study – quiet, well lit and
with space to spread out your papers
or access your computer. Tell family
and friends not to disturb you when
you’re alone with your books – if it’s
easier, timetable regular study sessions
so that everyone knows when you’re
unavailable, and this can also keep your
momentum going.
Learn with exams in mind. Actively
make notes ready for future revision,
noting those difficult areas which
need extra practice. And now is the
time to read around your study topics,
while also keeping an eye on related
current events – these add depth to
your understanding.
There’s no right or wrong way to
study, as long as you pass your exams.
Identify what works best for you, but
to banish boredom also consider
new methods – ask fellow students,
colleagues
or superiors about
their study habits, as this can stimulate
new ways of thinking, invaluable as
exams draw near.
2010 world cup
competition winners
In July we gave you the opportunity to predict the winners of the 2010 World Cup. We had loads of entries, so we
decided the best way to feature the winners was to pick those who selected Spain as the number one team. In the next
few months we’ll feature the winners and their stories.
moiz
ali khan,
pakistan
‘I am Moiz Ali Khan from Karachi, Pakistan. I am studying for the Professional level papers at Tabani’s School of
Accountancy, Karachi. I began my ACCA journey when I started the CAT qualification in July 2008 and started the
ACCA Qualification on February 2009. I have good memories of my CAT studies, and I also made lot of friends
who are studying for the ACCA Qualification too.
‘During my ACCA studies, I started to understand more about the corporate and business world and I was able to
assess, evaluate and comment on business performance because it was regular part of my studies. Being an ACCA
student provides me with a better opportunity to observe business and I have become able to provide more conclusive
statements on business structure, governance style, reporting styles and different financial ratios. As an ACCA student
I have started to feel more professional as the syllabus guides you to think professionally and ethically and with
social responsibility. I believe that the ACCA Qualification provides you with better opportunities in the global
community of accountants and I am able to communicate with other accountants more effectively and efficiently.’
The Class of the Future now
Empower your distance learning experience with our new Online Classroom.
4 Interact with your named tutor online
4 Unique classroom course notes - 1/3 size of regular textbooks
4 Online lectures - review, relearn & retest
4 Access forums and talk to your online classmates - your cohort
Joining the class of the future is easy!
Knowledge module papers for CBE courses start every 4 weeks
Skills & Essentials modules - intensive course booking window 11-25 Sept 2010
www.classofthefuture.co.uk
customerservices@bpp.com
0845 075 1100
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