CA Program - Ask questions, get answers! (new and improved) (3 Viewers)

[msbhvnboy]

Hi guys,

Not sure if anyone mods this post anymore, but I am considering doing my CA in June this year. So just a brief intro, I have already graduated from UNSW with an accounting major and I am now working in an accounting related position.


So my questions (and I'm sorry if they have already been answered) are:

- After you find a mentor and registered to be CA, [waited 4 weeks for your registration to go through], what do they send you? like what do your fees cover, e.g. textbooks, past papers, modules, syllabus etc?

- Are the exams something you can cram for a few days before (similar to uni), or is there a lot of content so you just can't do that?

- I've been told to do Tax and Fins first, any basic advice on them?

- I think the main thing I relied on, especially for uni, was past papers and lots of them. Are there any past papers for the CA exams, and where do I get them?

- How did you manage work and studying for your CA during the same time?

hmm thats all I can think of now.

Thanks for any replies.

 

[seremify007]

- After you find a mentor and registered to be CA, [waited 4 weeks for your registration to go through], what do they send you? like what do your fees cover, e.g. textbooks, past papers, modules, syllabus etc?

Gets you a candidate learning pack (I think it's in soft copy now... but they've switched back and forth a few times over the years), attendance at the focus sessions which are now delivered both online and in real life (and includes additional material/questions), and the exam.

- Are the exams something you can cram for a few days before (similar to uni), or is there a lot of content so you just can't do that?

Some people cram successfully but definitely helps to study it over time and also try to link it back to your own practical experience.

- I've been told to do Tax and Fins first, any basic advice on them?

I did Tax first because it was the least relevant to my job and hence I'd forget my uni stuff (including case names, etc) sooner rather than later. I'd leave Fin to the end if that's what your job is because you'll get better at it with time/experience, and you also get automatic supp if you fail.

- I think the main thing I relied on, especially for uni, was past papers and lots of them. Are there any past papers for the CA exams, and where do I get them?

Make friends with people who have done it before

- How did you manage work and studying for your CA during the same time?

Make sure you book leave in for the exams, and stick to your study commitments. Falling behind can be very difficult to catch up!

 

[msbhvnboy]

Thanks mate! really appreciate it.

 

[koolkid59]

After the CA program and once u qualify as a CA, whats the salary like?

 

[seremify007]

After the CA program and once u qualify as a CA, whats the salary like?

It varies based on role and performance. Off the top of my head at least in professional services, most people are on around $70k-80k when newly qualified CAs, but it definitely varies (some will be low $50's if it's a certain type of role, whilst others might be >$100k). Try looking at some of the independent surveys online. If you're in a role in professional services, the salary may be more tied to role/performance than qualifications.

 

[koolkid59]

Thanks Sermify007!

Sounds good! Specifically which role will produce the 100K or 150K+?

 

[koolkid59]

Which fields in accounting has the highest salary (ie.100K+)?

 

[seremify007]

Thanks Sermify007!

Sounds good! Specifically which role will produce the 100K or 150K+?

Worth noting not everyone works in accounting with a CA- and there are plenty of roles which are borderline accounting. It's the skills/abilities/way of thinking you learn which is valuable in other fields.

Anyway, $100k is manager salary in most big firms/banks. It's something worth aspiring to, but not something beyond reach for most people. (I know quite a few people who reached manager at 23/24 in big4).

 

[esaitchkay]

CA versus CPA? People seem to just say that the CPA is much easier. Thoughts?

 

[seremify007]

CA versus CPA? People seem to just say that the CPA is much easier. Thoughts?

Heard that too but I've never done CPA so can't really comment. For most roles though, companies require one or the other. Only exception would be a few select roles, and chartered firms.

 

[Watermelooon]

For the current CA program, how many years of experience do you need to have so you become eligible to apply for it? Like 2-3 years of working to be able to study CA? Is it possible to start studying CA while working to make up for those 2/3 years, or do you have to complete them prior to starting the program?

Thanks!

 

[Chronost]

For the current CA program, how many years of experience do you need to have so you become eligible to apply for it? Like 2-3 years of working to be able to study CA? Is it possible to start studying CA while working to make up for those 2/3 years, or do you have to complete them prior to starting the program?

Thanks!

3 years in total, yes you're able to gain the experience whilst working and doing your CA. You're expected to manage work and CA study at the same time. You generally start after working 1 year as a graduate, unless you got previous experience (e.g. Cadetship)

 

[Watermelooon]

3 years in total, yes you're able to gain the experience whilst working and doing your CA. You're expected to manage work and CA study at the same time. You generally start after working 1 year as a graduate, unless you got previous experience (e.g. Cadetship)

Ah okay, thankyou so much! I was worried after not gaining a cadetship offer that I would have to wait 3 years after graduating to start studying CA

 

[seremify007]

You can complete the studies and all the exams for the diploma (i.e. academic requirements), and just wait until you meet the practical experience requirements before applying to gain the actual CA designation.

 

[BLIT2014]

Has anyone started a CA module and paid for it by themselves before starting full-time work?

 

[BLIT2014]

Tax or Audit for the first module?

 

[seremify007]

Haven't been on here in a while!

Depends how strong you were in either of those subjects in uni or in your career.

For me given I worked in audit, I figured I would forget my tax studies from uni would fade over time as I didn't use them (e.g. references) and I also assumed I would get more proficient in audit over time making it easier to do it later on. I also looked at my client schedule/busy seasons and it made more sense to do tax first. I left FIN until last (of the technicals) because of similar reasons, and also since it's "the hardest" (or so they say), you get automatic supplementary exam (in my time, not sure about now).

 

[BLIT2014]

Any CA bros here?

 

[seremify007]

Any CA bros here?

Bros doing it now? Or already CAs?

 

[BLIT2014]

Bros doing it now? Or already CAs?

Both are good