Thanks Topace. Appreciate your insight very much.
If you are really interested with ACCA why don't you try to change to the same course as your friend as well? Unless you're not sure whether you want to do ACCA, then maybe it's better to do degree first.

As for your question, the most you can apply for exemption is 9, however, it depends on how your degree syllabus correlate with ACCA syllabus and also whether your university is recognized by ACCA or not (I think so). But if you really want to take degree first and then ACCA, better go UK.

For CAT->ACCA route, generally it takes around 3 years to complete. As for your case, A-Level usually last for one and half year and then another 3 years for degree.

Find the IPC, RDC & OHQ article, somewhere in april.

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Added on May 31, 2009, 3:47 pm

If your first choice is acca then take cat-acca route.
If you want a degree first then it your own choice on how to pursue it.
For accounting profession its wise to have professional qualification instead of degree alone since global recognition is more widely regarded compared to degree. For course like law degree will suffice but need to apply for their own profession license. Thats why for law graduates they can only practice in their own country but accountant can practice anywhere even in foreign country.

When you want to find job you will face stiff competition since you will compete with other graduates for a position unless you have considerable work experience. Having professional qualifcation like acca give you a slight edge in terms of qualification hold. Other areas irrespective of your qualification can be your communication skills, charisma, contacts, capability,.....etc.

Accounting gives a strong foundation & versatility in penetrating other field as well which includes accouting firms, audit & taxation firms, investment firm, banking......etc. If you have degree wou will be measured based on your CGPA but acca grades student based on markings. It gives employer a transparent view on acca student performance compared to degree (that is on the assumption that you have never failed b4 or have good grades)

Badan ACCA menawarkan pensijilan kepada pelajar sebagai telah mencapai tahap lulus setara bagi Paper 1 dan Paper 2 untuk Level 1, dan LCCI pula sehingga Level 2 LCCI Qualification.

Hal ini bermakna pelajar lepasan SPM yang mengambil mata pelajaran Prinsip Perakaunan diberikan pengecualian menduduki Paper 1 dan Paper 2 bagi Level 1 ACCA (daripada keseluruhan tiga level), dan untuk LCCI pula mereka dikecualikan menduduki Level 1 dan Level 2 (daripada keseluruhan tiga level).