Deciding on what direction you want your life to take is hard. Working out how you are going to get there can be even harder.
So wouldn't it be great if there was a career choice that gave you lots of opportunities; the chance of career development and personal growth; variety in terms of the types and sizes of organisations you could work with; and a career which could provide you with responsibility and prestige because it is vital to every business?
Then consider a career in Accountancy.
All organisations need professionals who understand finance, talented people who can help make the business a success. And professional accountants play a vital role in wider society too. They provide real value by giving businesses and individuals the confidence to invest, and that in turn, allows countries, organisations and, most importantly, people, the opportunity to realise their potential.
Accountancy is a prestigious profession which commands respect and authority.
Pursuing accountancy as your chosen profession can boost your economic earning potential and improve your chances of career success in business and finance.
A career in finance can also help women progress to executive board positions. Recent research conducted by ACCA¹ highlights women appear more successful in attaining executive roles where they have a financial background: 45% of female executive directors are financially qualified and 65% in total have a financial background, while 26% of their male colleagues are financially qualified and 44% have a financial background.
Women in finance: a springboard to corporate board positions. December 2012.
The ACCA Qualification is the only international professional accounting qualification which is recognised by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) in Pakistan, which means it is recognised as equivalent to a Masters degree programme.
You will be joining a growing network of students and members. ACCA currently has 428,000 students and 162,000 members in 173 countries. 45% of our members and 51% of our students are female.
To support our growing membership, we have a network of 89 offices around the world, so you can rely on the services and support you would expect to receive from a global organisation.
"A small insight to all pursuing accountants, begin your studies with your end goals in sight – because this is not the end, this is where it all starts."
As Manager – Data Analytics at Silkbank Ltd., Sarah's role is to lead the investigative aspect of the Banks' Retail Business, shooting regular MIS reports, executing (monthly) Business Reviews and ensuring accurate financial/management reporting fall under this ambit.
"My membership allows me unlimited global mobility, i.e. in those places where ACCA is the accounting qualification of choice. To those working towards becoming an ACCA member, I would endorse this qualification as a key to the global business community that we operate in."
A fellow member of ACCA, (FCCA), she completed her articles with Ernst & Young, from Karachi, Pakistan, before venturing in to the industry in 2006.
"ACCA has expanded my horizons and provides the tailored support that assures me that I am aware of international developments in my area of specialisation."
Saeeda Sabah Rashid has been an ACCA member since 2001. She completed her training with PricewaterhouseCoopers and in addition to ACCA has successfully cleared the CPA examinations of the USA and is in the process of acquiring membership of the Colorado State Board of Accountancy. In 2005 she secured a Certificate in International Financial Reporting from ACCA.
After gaining diversified experience in the private sector at a multinational E&P company, she decided to direct her energies towards the public sector and is currently a Senior Financial Management Specialist with The World Bank. In this role she supports the strengthening of public financial management systems through diagnostic work, policy dialogue and project interventions as well as dealing with the fiduciary aspects of the World Bank’s engagement with the Government at the project level. She has been an integral part of various innovative approaches pioneered in Pakistan for strengthening and using the country systems for World Bank projects and achieving aid effectiveness through harmonization of donor practices. Recent published work includes a policy note on "Improving Financial Management" and leading multi-donor Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (PEFA) assessments for the Federal government of Pakistan and the Punjab province. These are available on the World Bank Pakistan website.
Sabah has been a member of ACCA Pakistan’s Members Advisory Committee.
Aqdas is currently working in multinational group. She feels that the role and organisation offers great opportunities of learning and growth, as there are various companies in the group so she has gained diversified knowledge and experience.
After studying science subjects in high school and college she chose ACCA as her professional career to be recognized globally.
Becoming ACCA qualified, she is specialised in accounting and finance but also has diversified knowledge of all areas of business including procurement, production, Sales and marketing etc.
She feels that becoming an ACCA member is like being a battle hardened soldier.
“Being a member is a prestige to be in elites, it’s both intrinsic and extrinsic value you achieve. In industry you are better regarded than a simple affiliate as recruiters and High apex in industries are getting aware of the difference between two. After becoming ACCA member, I am entitled to work anywhere in world as ACCA is worldwide recognized degree. Being part of ACCA family I find myself among elite brains, most important aspect of ACCA is its acceptability internationally. Apart from that I saw few female in this profession and being female ACCA member I am equally competing males in the industry and the experience very positive so far.”
