It works like these :
If you have degree you cannot called yourself an accountant since you are not recognised by a body (as a/c is a profession)
To be recognised you need to be listed under a body like MIA (need to take short exams & stuff)
If you want another qualification which is similar is called MICPA which is similar to ACCA.

There are others who pursue ACCA / CIMA / CPA immidiately & get their own title at the respective country (ACCA, CIMA = UK), (CPA = US & AUs)
So if you are recognised in these foreign countries you are more recognised worldwide. MIA although are international accredicated but lack the international exposure of the said qualifications. Most of those whom want to practice in MYS but with foreign qualification. MIA is more than willing to let them apply for MIA membership as well. Thats why most qualification have 3 yr working experience requirement. Once you possessed professional qualifcation & work 3 years , you can also applied for MIA concurrently & get 2 membership at one go.

If you only have degree your option is restricted to MIA if you want recognition unless you wish to pursue prof qual.

If you go for Uk qualification = get title "Chartered" awarded by the Queen (source from Wikipedia)
If you for US or Aust qualifaction = get tilte "Certified Public".

If you have MIA you cannot apply the same with ACCA or CPA as you need to study for those if you want foreign recongition.

You want to hear the acca sunway lecturer thing you can go to acca v4
http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/727328
They have a strong debate on the lecturer issue for almost 2 months (read the last few pages or you can view my previous posts)

Sunway is the best "place" to take acca but not the best "way" to do it.
I have met with other sunway acca students and they also admit their lecturers may not be adequate for the more professional level.
Speciallist lecturers who focus on professional level are catered mostly in KL whom normally gathered with other lecturers to open up their own place. Furthermore the sunway acca dir is quite infamous with bad ethical issue as the recent famous lecturer scandal just months ago. Can go and vist the forum i listed above.

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Added on April 22, 2009, 11:47 pmACCA fundamental F1 to F3 is liken to lower qualification like LCCI or foundation & lower than diploma.
ACCA fundamental F4 to F9 is liken equivalent to degree (but most agree that its also tougher than degree). ACCA holders are given option to apply for a degree in UK (OBU) , course around 2 mths & get double qualifcation even before you enter professional level. But that depends on your average mark lo.
ACCA professional P1 to P3 & choose 2 out of P4 to P7 is liken to masters programme (P3 is very similar to MBA).

I have met with several sunway students in my studies in KL & they also admit among their respective batch only 3 -4 make it to the final level within the minimum 2.5 year time period (includes CAT). They have several batches since they accumulate a lot of students from different background. For Kl students its even lesser since the study culture is not so competitive compared to students in sunway.
About myself :
I am from Kl centres & i am currently at my final papers at acca & will probably graduate at age 21 & i have not failed any of my papers yet.

One thing that I need to clarify clearly is that acca is a postgraduate programme & its more difficult than degree.
My current batch of class consist very few from those who carried forward from CAT or fundamentals. Most of them if did normally failed or have to resit several papers before.
My current class students consist mostly from those whom already obtained a degree / advanced diploma from TARC / working in large firms (big 4) et al. The age gap between students can be quite varied depending on type of papers.

Anyone wish to know more about professional qualification like ACCA can pm me directly or visit the forum below for the latest update :
http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/987309

This post has been edited by Topace111: Apr 22 2009, 11:47 PM