Quote: (07-13-2014 10:59 AM)numanist Wrote:
Yes, I've applied to several. Unfortunately though, I think a lot of employers discard my resume when they learn that I don't live in the area.
I read your other post too. I think you're being too hard on yourself and maybe not taking enough RISK. If you graduated from a good university, work your connections. Get on Linkedin; check my article on ROK for some basic Linkedin tips. Do you want to have a STRONG career or do you want to have a COMFORTABLE career? If the former, you should move to the city. If the latter work for a hospital.
And, no I have never "discarded" a resume for someone being out of town. Your cover letter can say you want to move. I hired a girl (fucking gorgeous but besides the point) that moved from the next state.
And, have you been talking to recruiters? In our profession, they can be just as much a help as a hinderance.
Quote: (07-13-2014 11:19 AM)Richiavelli Wrote:
It's time for the tax add-on data sheet!
....
So how'd I do? Not sure if I should post this in a new thread or not...
Money! Thanks +1. I may have some questions later for you.
Quote: (07-13-2014 12:12 PM)2014 Wrote:
I'm from the UK and it seems that the CPA is US orientated?
It also seems that ACA is more UK orientated.
I'd be interested in either CIMA or ACCA as they seem to be valued all around the world and seem to me to be more general. Ideally, I'd take the ACCA or CIMA exams and get qualified then look for jobs abroad in Singapore or Australia, would this be a viable option, or do I absolutely MUST do a BA and MA in finance first?
My experience is ALL USA even though I have worked with numerous folks from the Big 4 offices of overseas markets. So yes, CPA is the United States' "Chartered Accountant" designation.
I'll answer the question broadly first ensuring that the "International" regulatory atmosphere is addressed. Then I can get a bit more specific about the USA equivalent of those designations which you asked about. And then I will make an assessment on the designations you mentioned from within the shoes of maybe a Singaporean hiring manager.
The regulatory atmosphere especially in Accounting is converging and within a few more years, there will NOT be a whole bunch of accounting standards. People will be accounting for ALL, including complex transactions, USING ONE STANDARD. I believe that all of the countries' "Chartered Accountant" training (including the US CPA) reflects the updated International standards in its exams currently or will shortly. These designations are prestigious because they require a lot of training and prerequisites.
So about designations other than a CPA or "Chartered Accountant" on the other hand? To me, they are useless. They individually do not require you to bust your ass as much (education, studying, hours of testing) as a Chartered Accountancy / CPA. To a smart hiring manager at a large company, it means someone can take a test. That's it.
So in substance, doing a UK Chartered Accountancy (I believe prestigious in its own right) will not necessarily hurt you compared to some International designation since you are covering International Standards anyway. I also checked the websites for the designations you mentioned. They basically are trying to substitute the practical knowledge that you get from real life work experience (or even an MBA) into a shorter set of modules. YES, you gain additional knowledge on top of a Chartered Accountancy, BUT is it really so prestigious and gives you knowledge ABOVE AND BEYOND an MBA or Finance program at a prestigious university? I would say HELL NO. I say this because I know that the CMA (The USA equivalent of a CIMA) doesn't really provide a groundbreaking case to hire someone like for example a USA CFA (Certified Financial Analyst) designation does (which is hard as fuck by the way).
So what's a Singaporean hiring manager to do. If I were him, I would basically see that you have a solid UK Chartered Accountancy designation and a solid MBA and just hire you above the guy that has those other designations but doesn't have the experience to back them up, I would say he's probably a better fit for a smaller organization.
I've seen guys walk in with a US CIA and CISA and maybe a few other designations too BUT NO CPA. Their work history reflected their lack of motivation as well. So I tossed the resumes in the trash.
Disclaimer being: I don't know the International market; I'm just noting what I would do.