EASYUNI Ultimate University Guide 2013 2014: Issue 2 | Page 19

CO U R S E S & C A REERS ACCOUNTANCY A professional accounting qualification or a degree in accountancy? Mention accounting courses and acronyms such as ACCA, CIMA, CFA and LCCI would come to mind. If you are keen on a career in accounting, which course should you do? By the end of this article, you would know the differences between these courses and, perhaps, which route to pursue. Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) This is one of the oldest accountancy bodies, having been established in 1904. Headquartered in London, ACCA is the global body for professional accountants that offers a Chartered Certified Accountant qualification of the same name. Acquiring an ACCA qualification would make you one of the 154,000 members (and growing) of one of the largest and fastest-growing global accountancy bodies. Syllabus: There are two levels of examinations: Fundamentals and Professional. The Fundamentals are divided into two modules, Knowledge and Skills, and consist of nine papers altogether. The Professional level consists of five papers where students must take three Essential papers and choose two optional papers of a given list of four. Career Options: Includes chartered accountant, auditor, business analyst, financial analyst and financial consultant. Duration: Three to four years, if you pursue your ACCA qualification on a part-time basis while you work, like most ACCA aspirants do. The ACCA is flexible; you can choose your method of study and even when you would sit for exams. While part-time studies remain the most popular route, many institutions offer ACCA as a full-time certification course besides offering other options to complete the course via distance learning, through weekend or evening courses and through revision courses. As such, the length taken to study for the qualification differs based on your chosen method of studies. Entry Requirements: You will need two A-Levels and three GCSEs (or their equivalents) in five different subjects, two of which must be Maths and English. If you don’t meet the entry requirements, you can undertake the Foundations in Accountancy. When you have completed the Diploma in Accounting and Business at the Foundation level, you can then transfer over to the ACCA qualification with an exemption for three papers. 16 easyuni Guide 2014 Issue 2