YES!! FINALLY I MANAGED TO ACHIEVE MY AMBITION
Hi
Just want to share my journey to achieve my ambition i.e. to become an Accountant in Malaysia. It is not so easy for me but with determination I managed to achieve it.
I have this ambition to become an accountant since primary school. After secondary school back in 1996, my parents wanted me to enrol in Form 6 and sit for the STPM examinations. Even my cousin also encouraged me to enrol in Form 6 but I did not want to do so. I understand that my parents wanted me to obtain a university degree as they themselves did not have the opportunity to do so in their student’s life. I could still remember clearly how I argued and insisted that I did not want to go to university. To me a degree to survive is not needed. It was quite a heated argument until I cried in front of my parents. I put my final stand, i.e. “I don’t want to enrol in Form 6, and I don’t need a university degree. To me a degree is useless!!” I am going to become an accountant one day without a university education. I could understand my parents concern on the route of professional accountancy qualification. They were under the impression that if I could not complete the professional accountancy qualification (i.e. drop out halfway), I have nothing in hand as compared to completing an accounting degree. My cousin even advised me the same but I chose not to listen to their advice. I believe in myself. In life nothing is impossible.
There are a few reasons I decided not to enrol in Form 6 to enter the university:
1. I dislike Malay language. Although it is our national language, I was not so comfortable in using it as a medium of instruction for further studies even though I was educated in Malay language from primary school until secondary school.
2. I dislike doing coursework or assignment. I developed this kind of dislike when I was in secondary school. I prefer the education system for my further studies totally based on examinations (i.e. 100% exam-based) and no assignments.
3. I wanted an international accountancy qualification as compared to a local accounting degree, which is useless to me.
4. I wanted to study CIMA as I noticed my cousin also passed his CIMA final exams.
I asked my parents to support me to study for the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Diploma in Accounting in Eu Institute (located in Paramount Garden), which is within 3 minutes walking distance from my house. They agreed to support me financially. I started to study full time for my diploma in March 1998. At the same time most of my schoolmates enrolled in either Form 6 or college as an entry route to a degree. I look a bit weird and odd to my schoolmates as I chose not to go to university. I completed my LCCI Diploma in Accounting in May 1998. After completing my diploma, I registered myself with The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, UK (CIMA) as a Registered Student.
Why I chose CIMA and not other professional accountancy qualification ? I was attracted to the flexible credit accumulation system offered by CIMA from stage 1 to stage 3 and also the final stage. (Will describe about it in the next posting)
From July 1998 to November 1998, I studied full time for CIMA stage 1 (4 papers) in Systematic Business Training Centre in Kuala Lumpur (now known as SEGi college). I attempted the stage 1 examination in November 1998 and I passed all the 4 papers in the first attempt.
From January 1999 to May 1999, I studied full time for CIMA stage 2 in Systematic Business Training Centre in Kuala Lumpur. I only studied 3 papers leaving the Business and Company Law to the next sitting in November 1999. When the results were released, I passed all the 3 papers in stage 2 in the first attempt.
From July 1999 to November 1999, I studied full time for CIMA stage 3 (this time taking 2 papers) and Business and Company Law of stage 2 in Systematic Business Training Centre in Kuala Lumpur. I attempted 3 papers in November 1999. When the results were released, I passed the 2 papers and failed 1 paper i.e. Organisational Management and Development with 33 marks. It was very painful and heartbreaking to me when I failed this paper. I had wasted my parent’s money, as the exam fees were quite costly in £. I had to resit this paper again in May 2000.
I told myself that if I could not pass the rest of the papers in Stage 3, I would rather work full time and study part time to support myself rather than wasting my parent’s money. I studied full time for the remaining 2 papers in Systematic Business Training Centre in Kuala Lumpur and Systematic College in Petaling Jaya (i.e. 1 paper each in KL and 1 paper in PJ) and self studied for the Organisational Management and Development paper. In May 2000, I attempted the 3 remaining papers of stage 3. The results of the examination were not so encouraging. I passed the Financial Reporting paper in the first attempt but failed the other two papers. It was disappointed and heartbreaking to me, as my marks achieved for the 2 papers were 47 each, i.e. short of 3 marks to enable me to pass the exams.
From June 2000, I decided to work full time and study part time. I attended one of the papers of final level in the night class. For the remaining paper in intermediate level (i.e. stage 3), I studied myself. For the November 2000 sitting, I knew that this was the final sitting under the old syllabus and I had no choice but to pass the remaining 2 papers. Otherwise, I had to attend class again under the new syllabus. When my results were released in February, I was disappointed again. This time I passed 1 paper and failed 1 paper. What a painful moment as I wasted my hard earned money on the exams. I failed my Management Accounting Application paper for the second time and I scored the same marks of 47, i.e. short of 3 marks to pass the paper.
From February 2001 to April 2001, I attended the Management Accounting – Decision Making paper in FTMS Business School at Kuala Lumpur during the night class. In May 2001, I attempted this paper i.e. the only paper left in intermediate level. When the results were released, I felt quite relieved and happy as I finally passed this miserable paper with 51 marks. Thanks god. I could have failed this paper if there was no mistake made by the examiner in setting one of the multiple choice question. As a result, all the candidates who attempted that paper were awarded 2 bonus marks for the blunder made by the examiner.
I attended class for two final level papers i.e. 1 paper in Systematic College, PJ and the other paper in Systematic Business Training Centre in KL during the nights from July 2001 to October 2001. At the same time, I also self-studied one of the final level paper as I had attended the lectures earlier from July 2000 to November 2000. In November 2001, I attempted the final level papers (3 papers) for the first time. The results were disappointing when it was released late January 2002. I passed 1 paper but failed 2 papers. Those 2 papers I failed, I obtained marks of 44 and 45 respectively.
I asked myself how long more do I have to take the torture of working full time and studying part time. I could not afford to burden my parents anymore, as they are no longer working. They still need to support my younger brother and sister who were still studying. I could not quit my job, as I need money to pay for my subscription as a Registered Student and examination fees in £. I had no choice but to continue with this kind of stressful life i.e. no enjoyment or socialisation with friends. My study regime was quite strict, i.e. daily from Monday to Friday from 8.30 p.m. or 9 p.m. until 2.00 a.m. the next day. During the weekend, I would study the whole day to replace any loss time during the day due to working late. Sometimes, in order to release the tension, I would go for a quick jog around 30 minutes in the park on Sunday.
From January 2002 to April 2002, I attended the Management Accounting - Case Study paper in FTMS Business School in Kuala Lumpur during the nights. For the remaining 2 papers, I self-studied as I had attended the lectures earlier on. In May 2002, I attempted the final level for the second time. This time I attempted the remaining 3 papers. When the results were released, it was disappointing. I passed 1 paper but failed 2 papers. I failed the Management Accounting - Financial Strategy paper and the Management Accounting – Case Study paper scoring 47 and 46 marks respectively. This was the second time I failed my Financial Strategy.
I felt quite relief as I did not have to study more papers for the coming sitting as I had 2 outstanding papers left. For the 2 outstanding papers, I self-studied and attended the revision course. I attempted the remaining papers of the Final Level in November 2002. This was my third attempt for the final level. When the results were released in February 2003, I passed the remaining 2 Final Level papers. I was quite happy and satisfied as my miserable life as a part time student had ended. From then onwards, I was a Passed Finalist of CIMA.
I was considered lucky to have passed the exams as a part time student. One of the factors was an understanding employer. My employer was very understanding and allowed me time-off to attend classes even though it was a peak period. I was also given generous study leave of 1 week before the exams. Another factor was the distance of the office and my house was only 3 minutes walking distance. I did not need to waste my time travelling on the road. If coming home late at around 8 p.m. or 9 p.m., I could still spend a few hours studying since I did not have to waste time travelling on the road. One moment I could not forget in the examination hall was that I attempted my papers in November 2002 for the first time without wearing glasses i.e. with perfect vision as I went for the LASIK surgery in August and September 2002 to correct my shortsighted eyes.
After passing my exams, I continued working in the audit firm as audit senior for another 2 years until December 2004. From December 2005 until now I have been working in the corporate finance division of an investment bank in Kuala Lumpur. Actually, I have been neglecting my CIMA membership application for the past 5 years since I passed my final level exams.
Out of a sudden, in March 2007, I received a warning letter from CIMA requesting me to apply for CIMA membership by 30 September 2007 or risk myself being removed from the register of CIMA. I was quite busy with my works from March 2007 onwards. I could still manage to squeeze in some time in July to write my detailed practical experience for membership application. I started writing my practical experience on 7 July 2007 (07/07/07, a unique day). I managed to get it ready before 21 July 2007 to be reviewed by my consultant. I attended a feedback session organised by CIMA Malaysia Division whereby the honorary consultants would provide some feedback on the presentation of the detailed practical experience. I actually targeted to submit my application by 31 July 2007. At that time, CIMA was encouraging online submission which ended on 31 July 2007 by giving a huge discount of £53 on the membership application fee. By doing so, I could save £53 when submitting online (need to pay £60 as compared to post of £113).
My membership application has been reviewed by my proposers and seconders. Finally on 31 July 2007, I submitted the application online to CIMA. It took for more than one month for my proposers and seconders to vet through my detailed practical experience, as they were quite busy. Finally, on 15 October 2007, I was admitted as an Associate member of CIMA in which I only knew it a day after when I logged into CIMA website. I would like to dedicate this success to my parents, lecturers and especially my cousin who is also a CIMA Associate member and a role model to me.
On 5 November 2007, I submitted my application to the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA), the sole regulatory body for Accountants in Malaysia by virtue of having CIMA qualification.
It has been 2 months since I got my CIMA membership. It’s time for me to move on with my career and my qualification. Although I was quite stubborn when I was a teenager, I never regret my decision to pursue CIMA qualification. I will treasure this hard-earned qualification for the rest of my life.
Recently, on 17 December 2007, I just got to know that I was admitted as a Chartered Accountant of the MIA. At last I managed to achieve my ambition. My future CV is now complete. Time flies. It’s now the time for me to move on to new career.
My advice to those who are still studying professional accountancy qualification, do not ever give up easily. Believe in yourself. In life, nothing is impossible. It is never easy to pass a professional examination but it is not impossible to pass. When I was a Registered Student, I had heard people saying that there was a quota system for Malaysians in professional examination in Accountancy. Actually, I did not believe this. Whenever you failed an examination, there is always a reason behind it. I knew it because I experienced failing the professional exams before. There is no shortcut to success. It is all the hardwork that will get you through. Stayed focused on your studies and managed your time wisely. One day you will be able to achieve what you want if you put in your effort to pursue your ambition and goal.
There are a few reasons I decided not to enrol in Form 6 to enter the university:
1. I dislike Malay language. Although it is our national language, I was not so comfortable in using it as a medium of instruction for further studies even though I was educated in Malay language from primary school until secondary school.
2. I dislike doing coursework or assignment. I developed this kind of dislike when I was in secondary school. I prefer the education system for my further studies totally based on examinations (i.e. 100% exam-based) and no assignments.
3. I wanted an international accountancy qualification as compared to a local accounting degree, which is useless to me.
4. I wanted to study CIMA as I noticed my cousin also passed his CIMA final exams.
I asked my parents to support me to study for the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Diploma in Accounting in Eu Institute (located in Paramount Garden), which is within 3 minutes walking distance from my house. They agreed to support me financially. I started to study full time for my diploma in March 1998. At the same time most of my schoolmates enrolled in either Form 6 or college as an entry route to a degree. I look a bit weird and odd to my schoolmates as I chose not to go to university. I completed my LCCI Diploma in Accounting in May 1998. After completing my diploma, I registered myself with The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, UK (CIMA) as a Registered Student.
Why I chose CIMA and not other professional accountancy qualification ? I was attracted to the flexible credit accumulation system offered by CIMA from stage 1 to stage 3 and also the final stage. (Will describe about it in the next posting)
From July 1998 to November 1998, I studied full time for CIMA stage 1 (4 papers) in Systematic Business Training Centre in Kuala Lumpur (now known as SEGi college). I attempted the stage 1 examination in November 1998 and I passed all the 4 papers in the first attempt.
From January 1999 to May 1999, I studied full time for CIMA stage 2 in Systematic Business Training Centre in Kuala Lumpur. I only studied 3 papers leaving the Business and Company Law to the next sitting in November 1999. When the results were released, I passed all the 3 papers in stage 2 in the first attempt.
From July 1999 to November 1999, I studied full time for CIMA stage 3 (this time taking 2 papers) and Business and Company Law of stage 2 in Systematic Business Training Centre in Kuala Lumpur. I attempted 3 papers in November 1999. When the results were released, I passed the 2 papers and failed 1 paper i.e. Organisational Management and Development with 33 marks. It was very painful and heartbreaking to me when I failed this paper. I had wasted my parent’s money, as the exam fees were quite costly in £. I had to resit this paper again in May 2000.
I told myself that if I could not pass the rest of the papers in Stage 3, I would rather work full time and study part time to support myself rather than wasting my parent’s money. I studied full time for the remaining 2 papers in Systematic Business Training Centre in Kuala Lumpur and Systematic College in Petaling Jaya (i.e. 1 paper each in KL and 1 paper in PJ) and self studied for the Organisational Management and Development paper. In May 2000, I attempted the 3 remaining papers of stage 3. The results of the examination were not so encouraging. I passed the Financial Reporting paper in the first attempt but failed the other two papers. It was disappointed and heartbreaking to me, as my marks achieved for the 2 papers were 47 each, i.e. short of 3 marks to enable me to pass the exams.
From June 2000, I decided to work full time and study part time. I attended one of the papers of final level in the night class. For the remaining paper in intermediate level (i.e. stage 3), I studied myself. For the November 2000 sitting, I knew that this was the final sitting under the old syllabus and I had no choice but to pass the remaining 2 papers. Otherwise, I had to attend class again under the new syllabus. When my results were released in February, I was disappointed again. This time I passed 1 paper and failed 1 paper. What a painful moment as I wasted my hard earned money on the exams. I failed my Management Accounting Application paper for the second time and I scored the same marks of 47, i.e. short of 3 marks to pass the paper.
From February 2001 to April 2001, I attended the Management Accounting – Decision Making paper in FTMS Business School at Kuala Lumpur during the night class. In May 2001, I attempted this paper i.e. the only paper left in intermediate level. When the results were released, I felt quite relieved and happy as I finally passed this miserable paper with 51 marks. Thanks god. I could have failed this paper if there was no mistake made by the examiner in setting one of the multiple choice question. As a result, all the candidates who attempted that paper were awarded 2 bonus marks for the blunder made by the examiner.
I attended class for two final level papers i.e. 1 paper in Systematic College, PJ and the other paper in Systematic Business Training Centre in KL during the nights from July 2001 to October 2001. At the same time, I also self-studied one of the final level paper as I had attended the lectures earlier from July 2000 to November 2000. In November 2001, I attempted the final level papers (3 papers) for the first time. The results were disappointing when it was released late January 2002. I passed 1 paper but failed 2 papers. Those 2 papers I failed, I obtained marks of 44 and 45 respectively.
I asked myself how long more do I have to take the torture of working full time and studying part time. I could not afford to burden my parents anymore, as they are no longer working. They still need to support my younger brother and sister who were still studying. I could not quit my job, as I need money to pay for my subscription as a Registered Student and examination fees in £. I had no choice but to continue with this kind of stressful life i.e. no enjoyment or socialisation with friends. My study regime was quite strict, i.e. daily from Monday to Friday from 8.30 p.m. or 9 p.m. until 2.00 a.m. the next day. During the weekend, I would study the whole day to replace any loss time during the day due to working late. Sometimes, in order to release the tension, I would go for a quick jog around 30 minutes in the park on Sunday.
From January 2002 to April 2002, I attended the Management Accounting - Case Study paper in FTMS Business School in Kuala Lumpur during the nights. For the remaining 2 papers, I self-studied as I had attended the lectures earlier on. In May 2002, I attempted the final level for the second time. This time I attempted the remaining 3 papers. When the results were released, it was disappointing. I passed 1 paper but failed 2 papers. I failed the Management Accounting - Financial Strategy paper and the Management Accounting – Case Study paper scoring 47 and 46 marks respectively. This was the second time I failed my Financial Strategy.
I felt quite relief as I did not have to study more papers for the coming sitting as I had 2 outstanding papers left. For the 2 outstanding papers, I self-studied and attended the revision course. I attempted the remaining papers of the Final Level in November 2002. This was my third attempt for the final level. When the results were released in February 2003, I passed the remaining 2 Final Level papers. I was quite happy and satisfied as my miserable life as a part time student had ended. From then onwards, I was a Passed Finalist of CIMA.
I was considered lucky to have passed the exams as a part time student. One of the factors was an understanding employer. My employer was very understanding and allowed me time-off to attend classes even though it was a peak period. I was also given generous study leave of 1 week before the exams. Another factor was the distance of the office and my house was only 3 minutes walking distance. I did not need to waste my time travelling on the road. If coming home late at around 8 p.m. or 9 p.m., I could still spend a few hours studying since I did not have to waste time travelling on the road. One moment I could not forget in the examination hall was that I attempted my papers in November 2002 for the first time without wearing glasses i.e. with perfect vision as I went for the LASIK surgery in August and September 2002 to correct my shortsighted eyes.
After passing my exams, I continued working in the audit firm as audit senior for another 2 years until December 2004. From December 2005 until now I have been working in the corporate finance division of an investment bank in Kuala Lumpur. Actually, I have been neglecting my CIMA membership application for the past 5 years since I passed my final level exams.
Out of a sudden, in March 2007, I received a warning letter from CIMA requesting me to apply for CIMA membership by 30 September 2007 or risk myself being removed from the register of CIMA. I was quite busy with my works from March 2007 onwards. I could still manage to squeeze in some time in July to write my detailed practical experience for membership application. I started writing my practical experience on 7 July 2007 (07/07/07, a unique day). I managed to get it ready before 21 July 2007 to be reviewed by my consultant. I attended a feedback session organised by CIMA Malaysia Division whereby the honorary consultants would provide some feedback on the presentation of the detailed practical experience. I actually targeted to submit my application by 31 July 2007. At that time, CIMA was encouraging online submission which ended on 31 July 2007 by giving a huge discount of £53 on the membership application fee. By doing so, I could save £53 when submitting online (need to pay £60 as compared to post of £113).
My membership application has been reviewed by my proposers and seconders. Finally on 31 July 2007, I submitted the application online to CIMA. It took for more than one month for my proposers and seconders to vet through my detailed practical experience, as they were quite busy. Finally, on 15 October 2007, I was admitted as an Associate member of CIMA in which I only knew it a day after when I logged into CIMA website. I would like to dedicate this success to my parents, lecturers and especially my cousin who is also a CIMA Associate member and a role model to me.
On 5 November 2007, I submitted my application to the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA), the sole regulatory body for Accountants in Malaysia by virtue of having CIMA qualification.
It has been 2 months since I got my CIMA membership. It’s time for me to move on with my career and my qualification. Although I was quite stubborn when I was a teenager, I never regret my decision to pursue CIMA qualification. I will treasure this hard-earned qualification for the rest of my life.
Recently, on 17 December 2007, I just got to know that I was admitted as a Chartered Accountant of the MIA. At last I managed to achieve my ambition. My future CV is now complete. Time flies. It’s now the time for me to move on to new career.
My advice to those who are still studying professional accountancy qualification, do not ever give up easily. Believe in yourself. In life, nothing is impossible. It is never easy to pass a professional examination but it is not impossible to pass. When I was a Registered Student, I had heard people saying that there was a quota system for Malaysians in professional examination in Accountancy. Actually, I did not believe this. Whenever you failed an examination, there is always a reason behind it. I knew it because I experienced failing the professional exams before. There is no shortcut to success. It is all the hardwork that will get you through. Stayed focused on your studies and managed your time wisely. One day you will be able to achieve what you want if you put in your effort to pursue your ambition and goal.
posted by fhlim at 2:50 am
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