sorry, but before answering the question I would like to ask what do ya guyss think of the standard of B. Commerce (Accounting) from a main campus of a G8 university of Australia?

I mean there are tonnnesss of people with dat these days. If dat's not bothering you, then why bother wit tonnnnesss of people having "lower standard" of CPAs?

CPA definitely cannot be compared to those with the title "Chartered" or "Public" lah. Shud compare apple to apple lah. I beleive there's something like "another level" to become a CA for those with CPA and ACCA etc.

But heck, to be an accountant in Msia, the most important thing is not wat paper you have but the following:
- a member of MIA or MICPA (which like others, CPA also qualifies you this)
- few years of experience especially from the big 8 audit firms (most CPA students are in the big4 as CPA has mentoring programme arrangement)
- able to perform task diligently, effectively, efficiently and able to demonstrate good leadership/team-player (depends on individual)
- and the most important element today, especially in Malaysia (!!!) is = ETHICAL Behaviour (depends on individual)

One thing I do agree is that CPA is very commercialised and Exorbitant!!

I understand that the perception of CPA is very much lower in Australia today, in fact, I believe it's because most international students (or rather immigrants) are doing CPA.

I also understand that certain GLCs are not too keen on CPAs as ACCA was like the norm amongst their top management. But heck, you can just say you did CPA because you're an Australian degree holder, thus got advantage. That's it! The employer should not be prejudice or bias against YOU in this case.

But no worries, the growing nations of Asia is very much in "SHORTAGE" of accountants, including Malaysia (according to Idris Jala). Someone told me dynamic industries like banking/finance or businesses in China loves CPA because CPA holders are deemed more "entrepreneur". Not really sure about that since Tony Fernandes is an ACCA.

This post has been edited by accetera: Oct 1 2010, 12:59 AM

It's a well known fact that a vast majority of Corporate Malaysians are ACCA holders. Many younger ones have CPAs too (especially those who study in Australia). Besides CA and ACCA, many Big4+4 partners are CPAs too. Really no issue.

Btw... apparently HKICPA, Hong Kong's premier accounting body recognises CPA Australia more than ACCA? I'm not too sure but you can read up here: http://www.hkicpa.org.hk/en/become-a-hkicp...verseas-bodies/ (see ACCA's FAQ page 2 of PDF)

Apparently ACCA is fighting hard with ICAEW in Asia... read this: http://www.accountingweb.co.uk/anyanswers/...icaw-takes-over.

CPA Australia ended up having more flexibility and designations.. sounds abit weird as suddenly it becomes more prestigious haha.

I think as accountants or in professional service, people just need to respect one another's qualification and not prejudice to one another. Right?

This post has been edited by accetera: Oct 2 2010, 02:04 AM