The globally recognised ACCA qualification is a badge of quality and professionalism – it provides knowledge and skills at the highest professional standard. It is a broad-based qualification, focusing on the essential skills of accounting, business, finance and management - ACCA incorporates subjects, in fact, areas of accountancy, management, audit, tax, corporate law, finance and other related functions of business and organisation.

I am interested to pursue the qualification because it provides applied knowledge and skills practically required in the workplace of business and finance. In addition to the elite professional qualification, the qualification successfully combines practical experience and professional exams- the papers are based on international accounting and auditing standards. Through the study, I will have the opportunity not only to gain specialist knowledge in finance and accounting, but also acquire valuable skills in organisational management and strategy. In fact, the syllabus of ACCA papers and the exams ensure that students possess the skills and knowledge which are in high demand in industry, banking, auditing, consulting and other professions such as taxation and law.

While studying the programme, I will gain theoretical and practical knowledge in 14 domains of different ACCA papers; and on completion of the programme, I will have developed the professional skills and competency to be able to prepare financial statements for external purposes; interpret financial transactions and financial statements; prepare financial information for management; contribute to budget planning and production; monitor and control budgets; evaluate potential business/investment opportunities and the required finance options; manage cash using active cash management and treasury systems; prepare for and collect evidence for audit; evaluate and report on audit; evaluate and compute taxes payable; assist with tax planning demonstrate the application of professional ethics, values and judgement; contribute to the effective governance of an organisation; raise awareness of non-financial risk; manage self; communicate effectively; use information and communications technology; manage on-going activities in my area of responsibility; improve departmental performance; manage assignments.

While I have chosen to study this premier professional qualification, I have found very close relationships between ACCA papers and my previous studies even dating back to my earlier student life at high school.

I have studied mathematics and higher mathematics in both my SSC and HSC level and accounting has close relationship with mathematics. The dual aspect concept, which is the basic concept of accounting, is expressed as a mathematical equation, known as accounting equation. Accounting computations such as computation of depreciation, determination of loan instalment, ascertaining of cash price in case of hire purchase and instalment systems requires use of mathematical techniques. Accountants now use statistical models, computers and operation research techniques. All these require knowledge of mathematics. Therefore, I will be able to transfer the knowledge to the relevant section of ACCA papers (F2, F5, F9, P4, and P5) and hence complement the learning to the extent applicable.

Again BSc (Hons) in Computer Science and Engineering following my HSC qualification has inseparable and time-bound relationship with the ACCA qualification and its ultimate goals of producing all-round skilled and competent professionals capable of managing modern global business and organisations in every aspect. In this context, IT and business hence accounting go hand in hand and complement each other to support business and organisations in unison.

The rapid developments in information technology have revolutionized the business methods and

publishing the financial information. These advancements are continually changing the nature of accounting and the role of accountants in a way that since these data are up-to-date and they are published in time, they may have special importance. Thus, the data suppliers, especially accountants should try to supply qualitative and desirable data to be welcomed by the data users.

In fact, information technology has revolutionized the method of activities implementation and has changed them into an electronic format. Rapid changes in information technology, overall development of multi-user systems and the tendency of the organizations to supply and administer new systems and software have changed computers to be simpler than the past and accounting tasks are being carried out more rapidly and precisely, compared with the past. Accounting, as the business language and information system, should adjust itself with new technologies to be presented to the financial users.

New technologies nowadays support management accounting together with financial accounting. It is prerequisite for accounting systems to have complete management accounting module incorporated, which include budgeting system, investment-planning system, standard costing system and stock control system packaged in one. The budgeting, planning and so on is created by the system itself and the depth of information provided depending on the capability of the technology adapted.

Considering the above, I believe I will make a very special accountant with expert professional skills and competency and become more successful than average traditional accountants. My modules in the e-commerce part of the Advanced Diploma will complement most of the syllabus of ACCA papers P3 – Business Analysis while contributing in important sections of other 13 papers.

In my recent study of IAM Level 5 Diploma in Business and Administrative Management, I have studied Business Ethics, The Context of Corporate Governance, Leadership, Motivation and Group Dynamics, Operations Management, Information for Strategic Decision Making, Advanced Finance for Business Managers, Organisational Facilities Management, Strategic Administration of Human Resources, Knowledge and Change papers. From the ACCA papers syllabus, I can see these have similarities with the learning objectives of few key papers; and hence I will be able to complement the study of ACCA and develop advanced knowledge and skills.

While the qualification would earn me advanced academic level of achievements, it would also enhance my reputation, strengthen my position in the marketplace, and deliver added value for my career progressions.

BPP is one of the first institutions that took first step in teaching this programme and earned sky-kissing success in delivering tuitions in this programme – BPP & ACCA are almost synonymous to students worldwide. Its performance and pass rates consistently exceed ACCA’s Global pass rates. BPP is the only provider with ACCA Platinum approval for both student tuition and study materials – in fact, BPP Learning Media is the only ACCA Platinum Approved provider for content. In addition to excellent classroom tuitions by experts from industry, it has online learning resources and support via virtual learning resources. It would be highly rewarding experience to study at BPP University for this programme since I expect to pass the ACCA papers at first attempts and with good pass marks.