From Financial analyst to Accounting?

[lamb_chops]

Hi, I'm a Mangement (MFI) graduate... working as a financial analyst in a multinational company for 3 years now... medyo related sa financial analysis ang work ko. recently my aunt in the states told me that accountants are in demand in the US.... so im thinking to take up some units in accounting and eventually take a CPA exam... i asked around and they say na i need 4 sems lang to finish it...

by year 2008-2009, in demand pa ba sa states ang accountants? how much nga pala ang salary sa mga audit firms? :D

[comrade5031]

not so much... what would be in demand is the IT industry in the coming years... you would just waste effort if you take cpa board exam for the purpose of getting US employment since a cpa title here is not recognized in any states in USA... I suggest you take CFA exams instead....

[C_ronaldo7]

Hi, I'm a Mangement (MFI) graduate... working as a financial analyst in a multinational company for 3 years now... medyo related sa financial analysis ang work ko. recently my aunt in the states told me that accountants are in demand in the US.... so im thinking to take up some units in accounting and eventually take a CPA exam... i asked around and they say na i need 4 sems lang to finish it...

by year 2008-2009, in demand pa ba sa states ang accountants? how much nga pala ang salary sa mga audit firms? :D


i agree take the cfa exams instead, but think you need have a masters degree in finance 1st before you could able to take the exams

btw am also an mfi student:D

[comrade5031]

i dont think u nid to have a master's in finance only a three year relevant experience... btw, is mfi an opus dei run school?

[Queen_Bee]

not so much... what would be in demand is the IT industry in the coming years... you would just waste effort if you take cpa board exam for the purpose of getting US employment since a cpa title here is not recognized in any states in USA... I suggest you take CFA exams instead....


Umm.. i don't think it's totally useless to take the cpa exams. coz i know a lot of CPAs who got employed in the US (as auditors in Big 4 firms) without taking additional exams.

[feisty_virago]

Umm.. i don't think it's totally useless to take the cpa exams. coz i know a lot of CPAs who got employed in the US (as auditors in Big 4 firms) without taking additional exams.

^yup, but i think they're usually employed as bookkeepers or cashiers in big firms. For them to be considered certified public accountants or auditors, they have to take the board exams depending on which state you intend to practice.

so if you're happy being a bookeeper in the US, then i suppose you don't have to take accounting.

and as referred to an earlier post, you can consider the CFA. It is recognized worldwide and unlike being an accountant where you are only limited to the accounting principles/restrictions of a certain country and are recognized only where you passed the board. And yep, CFA are more sought after and get paid higher than CPAs, from what I heard from investment banker friends.;)

[Queen_Bee]

Question: Is the exam for CFA conducted worldwide? Just like the CIA? (Certified Internal Auditor). And a masters degree is required?

feisty_virago: my friends who are already in the US work as audit seniors in the Big 4 firms, not cashiers or bookkeepers. from what i've heard, pumupunta pa minsan yung mga employers dito to hire auditors. wala ng additional certifications, as long as you have enough experience in audit (average of 3 years i think).

[bluethehero]

^yes, the CFA exam is being administered in different countries. In fact, meron na sa Manila. but no, master's degree ain't required.

ako rin, financial management graduate. but since most guy here call it MFI, I suppose you guys including the threadstarter are from DLSU.

p.s. mr. threadstarter, baka may junior financial analyst or investment banker position sa multinational company mo, baka pede magapply :D

i'm planning to undergo the CFA review at the JBF Banking Center (assuming I won't proceed to law school), probably this october or december or kapag sapat na ipon ko (unless the company that will hire me can sponsor it).

to the threadstarter: yup, i agree with the majority here. go for the CFA exams instead of the CPA. mas in demand yun, at mas competitive. your title as a CFA will serve as the key for your financial management career. kumbaga, regardless kung san ka galing bansa or saang school ka nag-aral, your CFA title will make things even for you. even in the event that a major american corporation will select between a pinoy CFA who got his title at manila and an american CFA, pede na maging patas ang laban for you. wala pang requirements per state or per country for that matter, since it's an internationally recognized title.

besides, I don't think it's good to pursue something just because of demand. what if the demand will decline? i guess it's still best to pursue something because 1) you love it, and 2) you're most productive in that arena.