01-13-2009, 05:08 PM
Dear All!
First of all, my sincerest of apologies to Kamran Bhai for discussing him personally. Kamran Bhaiâs personality was discussed in the thread earlier ( I donât know him personally at all, but I have followed some of his posts) so I thought there was something good to share about him from my side also!
My statements might have seemed contradicting, so here I am to clear the misunderstandings.
Yes, I still feel that in spite of being an ACCA Professional Level student, I am not competent and professional enough to advise someone or to contribute much regarding scope of different qualifications in different markets. I understand that a Professional Level student is expected to have some knowledge, but I have had a very short term approach of going paper to paper (which I know is not the right thing). That is the reason I called myself a layman because I donât think a person who has just passed the exams is professional enough to contribute and mislead others!
Khalid Bhai, please correct me but I donât think I advised anyone to do anything.
Whatever I posted was very general. Let me summarize here what I said. I think there is a general consensus amongst all of us that ICAP is more rewarding than ACCA in âPakistanâ Khalid Bhai I said this more than once that I am not comparing the two qualifications. And I am not saying either that ACCA is better or ICAP is better.
What I am saying is that since ICAPs are demanded more by the Pakistani market, then why should someone choose ACCA as his/her career qualification, if he/she intends to live in Pakistan! Shouldnât we go for something which is demanded more by the country where we plan to live?
As far as patriotism is concerned, Khalid Bhai if there are more chances that by doing ACCA one would have to move away from Pakistan only because of a more rewarding package for ACCAâs. Then why should we go for a qualification which would force us out of our country? Let me add here that there are plenty of reasons for moving abroad which can all be valid. But, what I am saying is that, if ACCA is the only factor which would force one to go abroad, then I think it doesnât make sense.
Now lets come back to my statements which you found contradicting.
Yes Khalid Bhai, I have chosen myself to go for ACCA! Let me make it very clear that by going for ACCA, it never meant that I was against ICAP. Similarly my first post in favor of ICAP, doesnât mean that I am not happy with ACCA. See Khalid Bhai I request you to kindly focus on the context in which I am talking about. ACCA is a very good qualification, but since Pakistani market doesnât have âa lotâ of scope for ACCA members then its benefits are less for a person living in Pakistan! However we all know it is a regarded international qualification, so it is good for those who live or intent to live abroad.
I personally chose ACCA as an entry route to ICAP CA (since I plan to live in Pakistan) However now we have ICAEW available as an option as well. And I very much think that ICAEW is also regarded highly in the the Pakistani market. So after doing my ACCA, ill see how things move.
In fact Khalid Bhai, if you can spare sometime, can you please guide me what exemptions are available to ACCA students in ICAEW? Plus does the choice of subjects in optional papers matter in exemptions available? Like I heard from someone that if we take Advanced Taxation in optional papers, weâll be exempt from Taxation exam in ICAEW. And if we donât then we will have to take an extra tax exam.
I once again repeat that all qualifications have their own pros and cons. So lets take them normal, and not make an issue out of them. I have highest respect for ACCA, ICAP, and ICAEW!
As for Rabia, I didnât want to be personal. Though I personally think that there can be better motives to go for a qualification than the ones you mentioned. You made it public yourselfâ¦so it was open to criticism. But anyway, I take my words back! As for your question regarding what is so surprising of me being an ACCA Professional Stage Student. You see in my post, I spoke in favor of ICAP. keeping in mind the pattern of this particular thread; as an ACCA student I was expected to write against ICAP. Since I didnât write anything against ICAP, I thought it would surprise the readers that I have respect for ICAP even though I am an ACCA student. I stand by each and every word I said.
Rabia can you please elaborate the following comment you made
<b>âits demoralising for acca students to hear such rubbish about ACCA like ACCA students idolising and looking up to ICAP members... maybe some students might do such thing but not all ok ...â</b>
I think youâve given me a perfect example of the point I raised in my first post. That is a perfect example of âHATREDâ Now did you understand what I meant when I said that âif I have chosen a qualification, it doesnât mean it is rightâ Few members just to prove their qualification right are spreading hatred for other qualification! These are just accountancy qualifications, how can we be hostile against the other one? We are all normal human beings and its just funny to see somebody finding it demoralizing if an ACCA student idolizes or looks up to ICAP members.
Khalid Bhai you also raised a point <b>âFirst you say its not worth to go for qualification which forces one to live abroad, then you say you are doing ACCA and working outside Pakistan. You are just giving that advise to other on which you cannot act. Its called hypocrisyâ</b>
I donât think this is hypocrisy by any means. Firstly you donât have to prove your patriotism by living in Pakistan. I live in Australia and I have my own reasons to come here, financial factors forced us to take a break and move from Pakistan. So an accountancy qualification was not the reason for me to move abroad. Obviously I cannot discuss my private life in a public forum so unfortunately I cannot go in much detail. I will be back in Pakistan InshAllah and thatâs why I plan for ICAP or ICAEW after ACCA. Since I donât think ACCA makes me a complete requirement for Pakistani market. Everyone has his/her own circumstances. I will say here again that its not worth to go for a qualification which forces you to live away from your country (if there is no other reason to move abroad).
Another point I wanted to make here. And again this is in context of our Pakistani culture. I would like all of you to think just as Pakistanis that doesnât it make you happy that Pakistani market is demanding a "Pakistani" qualification. Otherwise in most fields, FSC/ A level students have to go abroad and get a qualification which would earn them a living in Pakistan. But here is something which is purely a Pakistani qualification, being examined in Pakistan, being trained and controlled by Pakistanis!!!
Please think about the common man in Pakistan. We are a third world country and everyone cannot afford to send his children abroad for studies. We canât imagine how much talent we loose when many intelligent students cannot pursue their studies due to financial problems. Though I am an ACCA student and my personal interest suggests me to hope that ACCA takes over ICAP in Pakistan. But lets think a little broader. Donât you think its difficult for a common man in Pakistan to pay British Pounds. I am sure ICAP exam entry fee, subscription fee, and tuition fee is not easily affordable as well. But atleast its comparatively affordable than ACCA. So doesn't it please you if ICAP keeps going well, and keep the hopes of the poor alive? Now I know there is a list of professional qualifications which require more funds but have greater outcomes. But I stress again, I am comparing ACCA and ICAP in context of Pakistani market. And I believe this is an added feature of ICAP.
Thatâs why I say why shouldnât I be proud of ICAP? I may not be a member or student of ICAP, but im a citizen of the country which ICAP represents.
Regards!
First of all, my sincerest of apologies to Kamran Bhai for discussing him personally. Kamran Bhaiâs personality was discussed in the thread earlier ( I donât know him personally at all, but I have followed some of his posts) so I thought there was something good to share about him from my side also!
My statements might have seemed contradicting, so here I am to clear the misunderstandings.
Yes, I still feel that in spite of being an ACCA Professional Level student, I am not competent and professional enough to advise someone or to contribute much regarding scope of different qualifications in different markets. I understand that a Professional Level student is expected to have some knowledge, but I have had a very short term approach of going paper to paper (which I know is not the right thing). That is the reason I called myself a layman because I donât think a person who has just passed the exams is professional enough to contribute and mislead others!
Khalid Bhai, please correct me but I donât think I advised anyone to do anything.
Whatever I posted was very general. Let me summarize here what I said. I think there is a general consensus amongst all of us that ICAP is more rewarding than ACCA in âPakistanâ Khalid Bhai I said this more than once that I am not comparing the two qualifications. And I am not saying either that ACCA is better or ICAP is better.
What I am saying is that since ICAPs are demanded more by the Pakistani market, then why should someone choose ACCA as his/her career qualification, if he/she intends to live in Pakistan! Shouldnât we go for something which is demanded more by the country where we plan to live?
As far as patriotism is concerned, Khalid Bhai if there are more chances that by doing ACCA one would have to move away from Pakistan only because of a more rewarding package for ACCAâs. Then why should we go for a qualification which would force us out of our country? Let me add here that there are plenty of reasons for moving abroad which can all be valid. But, what I am saying is that, if ACCA is the only factor which would force one to go abroad, then I think it doesnât make sense.
Now lets come back to my statements which you found contradicting.
Yes Khalid Bhai, I have chosen myself to go for ACCA! Let me make it very clear that by going for ACCA, it never meant that I was against ICAP. Similarly my first post in favor of ICAP, doesnât mean that I am not happy with ACCA. See Khalid Bhai I request you to kindly focus on the context in which I am talking about. ACCA is a very good qualification, but since Pakistani market doesnât have âa lotâ of scope for ACCA members then its benefits are less for a person living in Pakistan! However we all know it is a regarded international qualification, so it is good for those who live or intent to live abroad.
I personally chose ACCA as an entry route to ICAP CA (since I plan to live in Pakistan) However now we have ICAEW available as an option as well. And I very much think that ICAEW is also regarded highly in the the Pakistani market. So after doing my ACCA, ill see how things move.
In fact Khalid Bhai, if you can spare sometime, can you please guide me what exemptions are available to ACCA students in ICAEW? Plus does the choice of subjects in optional papers matter in exemptions available? Like I heard from someone that if we take Advanced Taxation in optional papers, weâll be exempt from Taxation exam in ICAEW. And if we donât then we will have to take an extra tax exam.
I once again repeat that all qualifications have their own pros and cons. So lets take them normal, and not make an issue out of them. I have highest respect for ACCA, ICAP, and ICAEW!
As for Rabia, I didnât want to be personal. Though I personally think that there can be better motives to go for a qualification than the ones you mentioned. You made it public yourselfâ¦so it was open to criticism. But anyway, I take my words back! As for your question regarding what is so surprising of me being an ACCA Professional Stage Student. You see in my post, I spoke in favor of ICAP. keeping in mind the pattern of this particular thread; as an ACCA student I was expected to write against ICAP. Since I didnât write anything against ICAP, I thought it would surprise the readers that I have respect for ICAP even though I am an ACCA student. I stand by each and every word I said.
Rabia can you please elaborate the following comment you made
<b>âits demoralising for acca students to hear such rubbish about ACCA like ACCA students idolising and looking up to ICAP members... maybe some students might do such thing but not all ok ...â</b>
I think youâve given me a perfect example of the point I raised in my first post. That is a perfect example of âHATREDâ Now did you understand what I meant when I said that âif I have chosen a qualification, it doesnât mean it is rightâ Few members just to prove their qualification right are spreading hatred for other qualification! These are just accountancy qualifications, how can we be hostile against the other one? We are all normal human beings and its just funny to see somebody finding it demoralizing if an ACCA student idolizes or looks up to ICAP members.
Khalid Bhai you also raised a point <b>âFirst you say its not worth to go for qualification which forces one to live abroad, then you say you are doing ACCA and working outside Pakistan. You are just giving that advise to other on which you cannot act. Its called hypocrisyâ</b>
I donât think this is hypocrisy by any means. Firstly you donât have to prove your patriotism by living in Pakistan. I live in Australia and I have my own reasons to come here, financial factors forced us to take a break and move from Pakistan. So an accountancy qualification was not the reason for me to move abroad. Obviously I cannot discuss my private life in a public forum so unfortunately I cannot go in much detail. I will be back in Pakistan InshAllah and thatâs why I plan for ICAP or ICAEW after ACCA. Since I donât think ACCA makes me a complete requirement for Pakistani market. Everyone has his/her own circumstances. I will say here again that its not worth to go for a qualification which forces you to live away from your country (if there is no other reason to move abroad).
Another point I wanted to make here. And again this is in context of our Pakistani culture. I would like all of you to think just as Pakistanis that doesnât it make you happy that Pakistani market is demanding a "Pakistani" qualification. Otherwise in most fields, FSC/ A level students have to go abroad and get a qualification which would earn them a living in Pakistan. But here is something which is purely a Pakistani qualification, being examined in Pakistan, being trained and controlled by Pakistanis!!!
Please think about the common man in Pakistan. We are a third world country and everyone cannot afford to send his children abroad for studies. We canât imagine how much talent we loose when many intelligent students cannot pursue their studies due to financial problems. Though I am an ACCA student and my personal interest suggests me to hope that ACCA takes over ICAP in Pakistan. But lets think a little broader. Donât you think its difficult for a common man in Pakistan to pay British Pounds. I am sure ICAP exam entry fee, subscription fee, and tuition fee is not easily affordable as well. But atleast its comparatively affordable than ACCA. So doesn't it please you if ICAP keeps going well, and keep the hopes of the poor alive? Now I know there is a list of professional qualifications which require more funds but have greater outcomes. But I stress again, I am comparing ACCA and ICAP in context of Pakistani market. And I believe this is an added feature of ICAP.
Thatâs why I say why shouldnât I be proud of ICAP? I may not be a member or student of ICAP, but im a citizen of the country which ICAP represents.
Regards!