I didn't really care when I first got into my current job more than a year ago when I was asked which professional qualifications, CPA or CA, do I prefer? CPA was the answer because I'd to give an answer and the reason I gave was that I was more exposed to the CPA program through the many promotions on TV and mini roadshows.
I thought who cares whether one is a CA or CPA, they are all the same. Don't tell me that they each have a better way of doing debits and credits.
More than a year later I'd already completed two CPA subjects but I am not continuing the program next year as I've decided and enrolled into the CA program. It took about two months to formalise this decision after realising that by taking this path, albeith more expensive and apparently harder, would likely to bear me some positive fruits in the future.
During the two months, the intensity of realisation of the standing of CPA and CA in the employment market was pretty overwhelming, especially in the public practice field where CA is usually the first preferred choice. Although I know that some public firms do take in CPAs but they do it discretely. Almost all of the reputable firms call themselves chartered firms and always emphasis the support they provide for CA program and their preference for CAs.
I was pretty shocked when I found out that 100% of the listed companies are audited by chartered firms only.
I wouldn't really care if want to be in the commercial field which is dominated by CPAs but I guess I've found my passion in public practice, building my own fees and the different variety of jobs available, and that's how I formulated the decision to take the CA program mainly to capitalise on the Institute's reputation in the country and overseas.
Another attractive benefit I was drawn into is the mutual recognition of the CA program by the top accounting bodies in the world without having to do a conversion course if I want to practice overseas.
In other words I took this path solely to benefit myself as much as possible. I certainly do not want to be overlooked if I wanted to be headhunted just because I am 'perceived' to be a second tier quality accountant.
I've a huge respect for CPAs and my previous manager and supervisor are both CPAs and I had a great time working with them. All my floor staff colleagues are CPAs or doing the CPA program. I kept quiet about my switching except for the management and my former manager as I do not want my colleagues to feel that I am becoming a snob for abandoning the CPA program halfway.
But I understand that I will have to tell them all eventually, when I find the right time but this plan was shelved today when a partner, a CA, asked about my switching infront of my colleagues quite loudly. He asked why did I switch? I was pretty dumbfounded as I didn't want to offend my CPA colleagues and so I gave vague answers. My colleagues kept quiet and pretended nothing happened.
No matter what, I've made the decision and will not turn back. It will be a rough and tough journey ahead but I am determined to pull it through and sacrifice if I've to because I see this as a worthwhile quality investment.
I thought who cares whether one is a CA or CPA, they are all the same. Don't tell me that they each have a better way of doing debits and credits.
More than a year later I'd already completed two CPA subjects but I am not continuing the program next year as I've decided and enrolled into the CA program. It took about two months to formalise this decision after realising that by taking this path, albeith more expensive and apparently harder, would likely to bear me some positive fruits in the future.
During the two months, the intensity of realisation of the standing of CPA and CA in the employment market was pretty overwhelming, especially in the public practice field where CA is usually the first preferred choice. Although I know that some public firms do take in CPAs but they do it discretely. Almost all of the reputable firms call themselves chartered firms and always emphasis the support they provide for CA program and their preference for CAs.
I was pretty shocked when I found out that 100% of the listed companies are audited by chartered firms only.
I wouldn't really care if want to be in the commercial field which is dominated by CPAs but I guess I've found my passion in public practice, building my own fees and the different variety of jobs available, and that's how I formulated the decision to take the CA program mainly to capitalise on the Institute's reputation in the country and overseas.
Another attractive benefit I was drawn into is the mutual recognition of the CA program by the top accounting bodies in the world without having to do a conversion course if I want to practice overseas.
In other words I took this path solely to benefit myself as much as possible. I certainly do not want to be overlooked if I wanted to be headhunted just because I am 'perceived' to be a second tier quality accountant.
I've a huge respect for CPAs and my previous manager and supervisor are both CPAs and I had a great time working with them. All my floor staff colleagues are CPAs or doing the CPA program. I kept quiet about my switching except for the management and my former manager as I do not want my colleagues to feel that I am becoming a snob for abandoning the CPA program halfway.
But I understand that I will have to tell them all eventually, when I find the right time but this plan was shelved today when a partner, a CA, asked about my switching infront of my colleagues quite loudly. He asked why did I switch? I was pretty dumbfounded as I didn't want to offend my CPA colleagues and so I gave vague answers. My colleagues kept quiet and pretended nothing happened.
No matter what, I've made the decision and will not turn back. It will be a rough and tough journey ahead but I am determined to pull it through and sacrifice if I've to because I see this as a worthwhile quality investment.
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