Amy Lam
 |
Amy Lam |
Amy Lam became ACCA's 100,000th member in April 2004 after making a successful membership application at the affiliate consultation event that took place in London at the end of March.
Finding out that she had passed her final ACCA exams in February this year was a big relief for Amy Lam. "I am still at that stage where I can't believe I've passed. It's not been easy - in fact it was quite a trek. But in a way that makes it even more of an achievement," she says. 'I am so proud that I am now part of ACCA."
Amy wanted to be an accountant since the age of 13, although she's not sure exactly why! "It might have been family influence - but the idea stuck in my head so I studied accountancy at A-level and then a degree in accounting and finance at university."
Following her degree, Amy started temporary work as an accounts assistant which gave her a really good insight into how accountants worked. She then moved to Seagram Distillery where several people were studying ACCA. "I reviewed the various professional bodies and discussed the benefits of each with my boss," explains Amy. "I chose ACCA as the syllabus seemed much broader dealing with both the financial and management side of accounting. At that point I wasn't quite sure which side of accountancy I wanted to get into and ACCA let me keep my options open".
ACCA's global reach was another key factor influencing Amy's choice of qualification "ACCA is globally recognised which lets me keep my options open if ever I want to work abroad" says Amy.
Now working at ABN AMRO Bank as a financial and management accountant, Amy regularly speaks to new graduate recruits about the benefits of studying for ACCA. "As ABN AMRO hold ACCA gold approved employer accreditation, we have an ACCA Training Consultant who comes and talks to the graduates about joining ACCA, but new recruits also ask me about my experiences. It will feel good to know that I have gained membership when I next speak to them" says Amy.
Now she is a member, Amy doesn't expect her role at ABN AMRO to change too much at first. "My Student Training Record (STR) was audited by ACCA two years ago and I had to make sure all my training was documented and signed off by my supervisor. Because of this my employers recognised my experience and gave me jobs that qualified accountants do, although I sometimes required a little more help," explains Amy.
In the future, Amy would like to move into more of a managerial role within the bank. "I have already had some exposure to people management, but I would like to become involved in reviewing, appraising and recruiting. This, combined with the knowledge I have learned by studying for ACCA, should enable me to become comfortable being an all-round manager".
As an accountant, Amy feels that she is much more than just a number cruncher. "We are more analysts than accountants," she says. "We give the business managers useful information so that they can plan where the business is going and how it is all working. It means that I can get involved with the business on a daily basis. I deal 'face to face' with managers who are close to the business and right there in the firing line. I am there to support them, and for me it's really interesting to know how products are performing, and advise them on areas that they might need to improve on."