Comments on: So, which Accounting Certification is for you?

By: Commie B

Commie B — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 22:16:58 +0000

I don’t know Huzayf, to be honest. CPA is an American thing, and the Middle East’s love for America in some fields is unquestionable. You’re probably best of with CA or ACA as opposed ACCA or CPA out there I would think.

By: Huzayf

Huzayf — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 19:16:05 +0000

IMA - US

By: Huzayf

Huzayf — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 19:15:38 +0000

I have completed CMA from IMS-US… I am confused on way forward for ACCA or CPA… I plan in a long run to be in Middle East, what is better between ACCA and CPA considering middle east market… I believe all CFO’s and equivalent level is dominated by CPA’s in middle east… Correct me if I am wrong… Thanks, Huzayf

By: ahmad

ahmad — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:37:42 +0000

o God…am really shouting..what the hell i should do…recently i’ve done A-LEVELS {business studies/accounting}frm pakistan..in ur general views… would u pls clearify that should i go for ACCA or CIMA…i want to have job in UK or in MIDDLE EAST…pls pls reply me on mursalen@swissmail.org…

By: Commie B

Commie B — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 22:07:12 +0000

Lee,

CIA is for Internal Auditors. If that’s what you want to become, CIA is the way to go. If you want to become a public accountant / external auditor, CPA would be preferred amongst the 2.

What you ultimately want to pursue for that part of the world for becoming an auditor is the Chartered Accountant Certification, the equivalent of an ACA issued by the ICAEW here in the UK. Each country usually has its own institute of chartered accountants (not sure if the UAE does yet). But, for instance, India and Pakistan have their own, and both are equivalent to the one issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

CPA is the American version of this CA/ACA.

By: Lee

Lee — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 12:42:20 +0000

Hi,

This is not relevant with the question people raised here, but I like to take this opportunity to ask the following:

1) What masteral program/course fits for an Auditor (who holds CPA/CIA) that is available here in Dubai?
2) What other certification I can pursue aside from CIA?

I want to study further and comfused what to do next.

By: Dawood

Dawood — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 18:13:19 +0000

Thank you very much!! I’d also recommend the following article for those who are interested in becoming a qualified accountant:

http://www.myhowtoos.com/en/at-work-howtoos/66-how-to-become-a-qualified-professional-in-accounting

By: Alyan Shail

Alyan Shail — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 18:05:26 +0000

hi,
i have recently completed my A-levels with Accounting and Business studies from Pakistan and now i am planning to start CMA(US). the reason of choosing CMA is this that it will take about one year and it will gave me exemption in first 9 papers of ACCA. but some of my friends say that in this way i cant get strong base.plzz guide me that which is better for me now CMA(US) or ACCA. plz reply me on my this I.D:”alyanbahrian001@yahoo.com”
thanks
waiting 4 ur reply..

By: Irene Wairimu

Irene Wairimu — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 21:06:53 +0000

Commie,
Thanks for the feedback and this is very true CPA just follow rules and guidelines and barely go beyond confirming somebody else’s data. Try dealing with Auditors and throw in a question that requires critical thinking. I know that CMA is relevant and very useful for someone who need strategic thinkers and those who can rescue the ship/corporation or steward it to safety and the time has never been more appropriate i.e economic downturn times..

By: Commie B

Commie B — Sun, 31 May 2009 07:22:39 +0000

Hi Irene,

All over the world public accountants try to convince their industry counterparts that their certifications are superior than theirs. Why, then, audit partners suck up to CFOs and director level Controllers to get the audit engagement signed remains a mystery to me.

In essence, CPAs in the US or CAs in Europe and Asia are simply reading the law and regulation and following it. Any daft can do that. It doesn’t require thinking and it is brain-dead work.

In industry, you’re actually required to apply your brain to come up with solutions and solve business problems.

You decide who is useless: the one swelled up by bureaucracy or the one who discusses how to run business.

By: Irene Wairimu

Irene Wairimu — Sat, 30 May 2009 13:22:55 +0000

Very interesting discussion,. I’m doing a CMA passed two parts, working on the next two. Good to see folks who are discussing real issue with those certification. Glad to see CMA is relevant despite my CPA friends telling me it is irrelevant.

By: Commie B

Commie B — Wed, 27 May 2009 11:57:58 +0000

Hey Tony. What I can tell you is that if you pursue accounting and make it to a Controller or CFO level, you’ll make more money than the portfolio managers do, unless of course you’re working for Warren Buffet.

If you don’t want to do it because it’s boring, then that’s a different story. That’s the only reason I’d suggest leaving the accounting profession. In terms of job safety and long term career prospects, if you are good, there is certainly money to be made in accounting.