The ICAEW Chartered Accountant qualification, the ACA, is one of the most highly-rated financial-based qualifications in the world. Upon completion of the ACA training, professionals move on to become valued ACA members and highly-recognised business partners. This esteemed qualification enables them to practice the accounting profession immediately, and opens the door to a plethora of essential networking opportunities.

For aspiring accountants and auditors, ICAEW is the platform to gain access to the ACA qualification. Attaining the qualification is not before completing a series of extensive papers and rigorous on-the-job training with one of ICAEW’s 3,300 partners globally. Trainees also undergo crucial training on work ethics to match the highest standards of integrity.

One such trainee who is benefitting from this judiciously-planned framework is JessieSoya Ng. JessieSoya graduated with a degree in Accounting and Finance, but felt it was necessary to gain an advanced professional accounting qualification. She was drawn to the prospect of gaining an edge over regular degree holders – after all, the qualification would allow her to sign off on financial papers immediately.

She also chose the ICAEW ACA because of the strong influence it has on the accountancy and finance landscape. “If the founding fathers of the ‘Big Four’ accountancy firms were presidents of ICAEW, there’s no reason why I wouldn’t choose the ICAEW ACA,” she muses.

Gaining Insights

JessieSoya’s strength and interest were always veered towards numbers. This interest led her to a career in bank sales prior to her degree and ICAEW journey. She tells us, “In the bank, I always wondered how numbers associated with financial products came about. I felt it would be easier to sell these products if you understood the rationale behind those numbers.”

This thirst for knowledge led her towards a decision to undertake the ACA training. Under her ACA training, JessieSoya is currently fulfilling the work experience component with UHY Lee Seng Chan & Co. She explains that the firm offers a diverse range of business advisory services, and the Audit section sees her fulfil her roles as Audit Associate.

JessieSoya Ng
ACA (Associate Chartered Accountant) student, ICAEW
Bachelor of Science in
Accounting and Finance,
awarded by University of
London, SIM Global Education

“I love that the nature of my job requires me to meet different sets of clients regularly. This means that we have to be on our toes often to cater to their varied interests. I have to be extremely familiar with their requirements and construct sound plans accordingly.

“The dynamic nature of my work certainly keeps things interesting. There is never a dull day and there are plenty of challenges – some people like this style of work and some people don’t.”

Overcoming Challenges

For many, the dual priorities of work and study may seem like an uphill task to fulfil. It takes patience, resilience and good time management to balance the individual demands of both.

Apart from that, the ACA training requires individuals to be fiercely independent. “Degree students in university are exposed to plenty of resources. There are facilities from which to get your textbooks and lecturers are equipped with essential knowledge to impart. Under the ACA training, one cannot afford to wait to be spoon-fed. There is no such thing as exam tips from lecturers and no exam revision lessons to go for. You have to source for your own resources to do well,” JessieSoya shares.

She thus dedicates a day in a week to her studies committedly. “I have colleagues who are pursuing their degree part-time, and they leave for school on time every Tuesday. Even though I don’t have to go for actual classes, I see it important to commit a particular weekday to study. This is why I leave early with them on Tuesdays too!” she tells us with a laugh.

But at the end of the day, employer support is extremely important in helping to smooth the journeys of part-time students. This support ensures half the battle in reaching one’s goal is won. ACA trainees choose from a list of close to 3,300 global employers who have established a solid agreement with ICAEW. This means that employers of ACA trainees are highly recognised by a global accountancy and finance leader – and especially supportive. “The support from employers gives us a sense of assurance, and does much in helping us get to where we want to be,” says JessieSoya.

Spending Time Wisely

JessieSoya’s short-term plans apart from attaining her ACA qualification include leading a team of auditors as Audit Senior. She also sees herself continuing to live her passion as a swimming coach, something she has been doing on the side to help defray the cost of her school fees. In fact, she reveals that her love for the sun and water propelled her towards a career in the Navy during her younger days!

As someone who has been through a wealth of experiences, she offers some nuggets of wisdom to individuals who are exploring the idea of the ICAEW ACA. She shares, “I cannot stress enough the importance of being an independent learner. If things get hard, talk to your employers – trust, support and mutual understanding form the foundation of a good employer-employee relationship.

“But at the end of the day, while you set time to work and study concurrently, don’t forget to dedicate some to your friends, family and self. It is not impossible. If it helps, go to work earlier to ensure you are able to establish a line between work and life. While money is important, you can earn it back – the same cannot be said for time. So spend your time wisely and set all your priorities right.”