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 Accountancy & Tax Business Law StuAccEssentials-Jack 224x192 SQ.indd 1 Business & Management Finance Human Resources Marketing 26/8/10 12:22:11