acording to most ACCA tuition providers , an ACCA qualification is equavilent to a Master's degree. How true is this in market value. For sure the standard the latter is very tough but is it worth it when the nkt value is similar to a degree. I mean isnt it better to persue a degree that is easier ?
Chung Cher Shen
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ACCA compare with a Master/Bachelor Degree
If you are looking for accounting job in UK it is no doubt that ACCA qualification is better since most of the employers don't need a degree holder to perform the role but all require some accounting qualifications such as part-qualified CCAB or AAT/CAT. But if you are working in USA than a degree is mandatory whether seeking accounting job or register with AICPA for uniform CPA examinations. It is mandatory to have a four years (150 credits) Bachelor Degree in order to qualify for registration as student with AICPA. I guess the Oxford Brook degree don't qualify for studentship in US since it is obtained by doing a project work only.
ACCA certificate stage
Does anyone know what is the equivalent standard of the old syllabus of the ACCA Certificate stage. No doubt, the current ACCA Level 2 is equivalent to a degree, then what about the old Certificate stage? The difference between the old and current Certificate stage is effectively one 'Financial Reporting' paper. Would that make alot of difference between the old and new Certificate stage?
Ms Booth
Are you asserting the superiority of that institution, or correcting my spelling?
Asylum, taken over, etc?
Pointless
At the risk of incurring the wrath of some of the contributors, this is another one of those pointless debates about the relative merits of qualifications.
I believed that the original question was a genuine enquiry about an accountancy student considering the competing options of a masters or the ACCA qualification.
The thread has turned into a replica of other exchanges where the debate seems to be more about ego and defending one's own qualification. What is the point? Does the world turn on the relative merits of a masters in Reflexology from Rekjavik University or associate membership of the council of bean counters of Easter Island?
Millenium Hand and Shrimp.
Practical experience
Note also that to qualify with ACCA you need three years of practical, on-the-job experience. A degree does not normally require this.
In cooperation with Oxford Brookes University, studying for ACCA can also lead to a bachelor degree. One must complete the first nine of the 14 exams and a research project to obtain the degree. This would suggest that the remaining five ACCA exams are at above bachelor standard.
ACCA is the best in this world
ACCa qualification is the best in this world. You can't live without one!. Ask Professor Prem Sikka of Essex University! He seems to like them a lot.
Anon
It depends
My comments are based on my personal experience in the UK in practice, industry and local governement.
In terms of academic achievement they probably are about equivalent, but in terms of market value, it depends which market, and indeed which part of the market you are considering.
If you want to work as an accountant in public practice you will find that any kind of degree is less useful than the ACCA. In most parts of commerce or industry the same is true in a pure accountancy role. Where the role is not pure accountancy, then a degree may be considered as equally appropriate. If the role is not accounting, then you could find that the ACCA is a disadvantage compared to a degree.
Some employers, especially large structured organisations, will expect both a first degree and a professional qualification for many roles. Increasingly, an MBA is seen as a valuable addition to any accounting qualification, regardless of the holding of a first degree.
I have not seen much practical evidence that a masters, other than an MBA, is seen as being much more valuable than a first degree.