WEBVTT - ...is the training really worth it? 0:00:01.530 --> 0:00:04.500 Hey there, I'm Maiki Lynch and I'm an accountant. And 0:00:04.500 --> 0:00:07.170 in this series from ACCA, I'm sitting down with some 0:00:07.170 --> 0:00:10.410 other accountants and people who work in finance to lift 0:00:10.410 --> 0:00:12.750 the lid on some of the common myths you might 0:00:12.750 --> 0:00:17.969 have fallen for about this awesome career path. This week, 0:00:17.969 --> 0:00:20.189 we are looking at the process of actually getting an 0:00:20.190 --> 0:00:24.450 accountancy qualification. With so many routes into the profession, many 0:00:24.450 --> 0:00:26.820 of which we've heard about on the series, it can 0:00:26.820 --> 0:00:30.120 feel a bit overwhelming. Because the thing is, you can be 0:00:30.120 --> 0:00:35.369 an accountant without having any specific accountancy qualification, but to 0:00:35.369 --> 0:00:38.550 be a chartered accountant, you do need one. And for 0:00:38.550 --> 0:00:43.379 most people, getting an accountancy qualification like ACCA can take 0:00:43.380 --> 0:00:47.759 several years, requires quite a bit of studying, and can cost 0:00:47.759 --> 0:00:52.169 a bit of money too. It's a commitment. So is 0:00:52.229 --> 0:00:55.860 the training really hard? Are they good resources to pass 0:00:55.860 --> 0:00:58.830 the accountancy exams or do you have to go it alone? 0:00:59.790 --> 0:01:03.209 And are there benefits to getting through the tests even 0:01:03.210 --> 0:01:07.440 if you've already started working? Let's find out. This is 0:01:07.860 --> 0:01:15.360 By All Accounts. Now, this is a subject I happen 0:01:15.360 --> 0:01:18.060 to know quite a lot about, and that's because although 0:01:18.060 --> 0:01:20.999 I have an accountancy qualification, I've spent the past 10 0:01:21.000 --> 0:01:25.259 years working in the education of future accountants. I've taught 0:01:25.289 --> 0:01:29.250 many school- leavers, those on apprenticeship schemes, grad schemes, and 0:01:29.250 --> 0:01:33.360 those more experienced hires sponsored by their employer to complete 0:01:33.360 --> 0:01:37.800 their training. Everyone's path is different, and what gaining that 0:01:37.800 --> 0:01:41.190 qualification means is personal to each of us, whether that 0:01:41.190 --> 0:01:43.889 be the letters we can place behind our name, the 0:01:43.889 --> 0:01:46.949 job we can land, the knowledge and skills we've gained, 0:01:47.279 --> 0:01:50.460 or the salary we are now awarded. So I found 0:01:50.460 --> 0:01:54.030 two people who currently work in accounting and finance, alongside 0:01:54.030 --> 0:01:58.769 studying their accountancy exams, to ask, is the training worth it? 0:01:59.309 --> 0:02:01.019 First up, Ravi Tanna. Hello. 0:02:01.080 --> 0:02:01.500 Hi, nice to meet you. 0:02:02.040 --> 0:02:03.390 And Xhulja Duka, welcome. 0:02:03.599 --> 0:02:04.500 Nice to meet you. 0:02:04.949 --> 0:02:07.440 Ravi, I'm going to come to you first and ask, 0:02:07.620 --> 0:02:08.670 how's the studying going? 0:02:10.200 --> 0:02:13.050 It's very stressful, to be honest. I started ACCA about 0:02:13.050 --> 0:02:15.900 10 years ago. I actually did AAT before that so I 0:02:15.900 --> 0:02:18.480 had three exemptions, and then I did the tax exam past 0:02:18.480 --> 0:02:20.549 that and then did the financial reporting and I got 0:02:20.549 --> 0:02:23.099 49%. And I decided to give it up after that 0:02:23.100 --> 0:02:25.800 because my confidence was really knocked. I just couldn't get 0:02:25.800 --> 0:02:28.590 back into it. Mentally, I just couldn't do it. And 0:02:28.590 --> 0:02:30.270 then I decided just to work my way up. I 0:02:30.270 --> 0:02:32.940 qualified by experience. And that's what I've been doing for 0:02:32.940 --> 0:02:35.070 the last 10 years. And the latest role I'm in 0:02:35.070 --> 0:02:38.429 is for a qualified accountant, but everyone around me is 0:02:38.429 --> 0:02:40.979 qualified and I just feel like it's a piece of 0:02:40.980 --> 0:02:43.530 me that's missing. So I've went back into it last 0:02:43.530 --> 0:02:45.450 year and started again, ACCA. 0:02:46.139 --> 0:02:47.190 Wow, that's quite a journey. 0:02:47.190 --> 0:02:47.191 Yeah, it's a journey. 0:02:47.190 --> 0:02:51.000 And when you're saying 49, what's the pass mark? 0:02:51.059 --> 0:02:51.690 It's 50. 0:02:51.690 --> 0:02:52.651 Oh, so only one mark to go? 0:02:52.651 --> 0:02:57.330 Yeah. And I put so many hours into it and I just felt like 0:02:57.510 --> 0:03:01.620 this is not for me now. And then, as I say, my confidence was knocked 0:03:01.830 --> 0:03:03.660 big time and then I decided to give it up. 0:03:03.960 --> 0:03:06.630 I thought I'd just focus on working my way up in 0:03:06.630 --> 0:03:08.790 a company and that's what I did, basically. 0:03:10.410 --> 0:03:14.609 Can I ask what made you come back? What made 0:03:14.609 --> 0:03:14.701 you start again? 0:03:14.701 --> 0:03:18.270 I always felt it was like a piece of me that was 0:03:18.300 --> 0:03:22.139 missing. I feel like if I'm working in an accountancy, a 0:03:22.139 --> 0:03:23.730 role, I just feel like it's something I need to 0:03:23.730 --> 0:03:25.380 do. So I thought I'm going to give it one 0:03:25.380 --> 0:03:27.689 more shot. And I started last year and I found 0:03:27.690 --> 0:03:31.530 a provider that I felt they were really good and 0:03:31.740 --> 0:03:34.679 I started passing the exams again and then my confidence 0:03:34.980 --> 0:03:37.200 built up. But the first result I was waiting for 0:03:37.320 --> 0:03:39.210 last year when I went back into it was nerve 0:03:39.210 --> 0:03:41.910 wracking. Those three months, four months were the worst. Even 0:03:41.910 --> 0:03:43.650 when I passed, I didn't open my results up for 0:03:43.650 --> 0:03:46.230 two days. And my tutor contacted me saying, " What did 0:03:46.230 --> 0:03:47.370 you get?" I said, " I'm not going to open my 0:03:47.370 --> 0:03:50.280 results up." So I was on holiday and I opened 0:03:50.280 --> 0:03:53.040 it up there and then I passed and I couldn't believe it. Honestly, I couldn't believe it. 0:03:53.040 --> 0:03:55.589 How did it feel? 0:03:56.249 --> 0:03:58.680 I felt like I won the lottery. I think you put 0:03:58.680 --> 0:04:00.780 so much effort into it and so many hours and 0:04:00.780 --> 0:04:05.370 you sacrifice your social life and it affects everything like your day- to- 0:04:05.370 --> 0:04:07.979 day. So I felt like it meant a lot to 0:04:07.980 --> 0:04:09.960 me. And especially going back into it after 10 years, 0:04:10.410 --> 0:04:12.780 I just felt... All I keep saying to everyone is, " 0:04:12.780 --> 0:04:15.210 I'm studying, I'm studying." So it was worth the sacrifice 0:04:15.210 --> 0:04:17.310 I made and then I just slowly got back into it and 0:04:17.670 --> 0:04:18.660 started doing the exams again. 0:04:19.380 --> 0:04:21.270 That's fantastic. And how many have you got to go? 0:04:22.260 --> 0:04:22.981 I've got five more now. 0:04:22.981 --> 0:04:23.221 Five more to go. 0:04:23.670 --> 0:04:29.099 Yeah. I did the financial management exam and I failed 0:04:29.100 --> 0:04:30.990 that in the summer, because I had year- end, so 0:04:30.990 --> 0:04:33.450 it's a combination of both. And then I just stopped 0:04:33.450 --> 0:04:36.000 it again. So I went and did it again in 0:04:36.000 --> 0:04:39.510 December, so I'm waiting for my results next week. Yeah. 0:04:40.380 --> 0:04:41.880 It's only a few days out. 0:04:41.880 --> 0:04:42.839 It's a few days out, yeah. 0:04:43.529 --> 0:04:44.699 We're just waiting for results at the moment. 0:04:45.359 --> 0:04:46.050 Yeah, we are. Next Monday. 0:04:46.050 --> 0:04:52.710 A few days until they come out. And you touched on that you 0:04:52.710 --> 0:04:55.740 were focusing on getting qualified by experience. Where are you working 0:04:55.740 --> 0:04:57.089 at the moment and what do you do? 0:04:57.089 --> 0:05:00.000 I work for ERM and they're based in Liverpool Street in London 0:05:00.360 --> 0:05:02.759 and they're an environmental consultancy, so they're backed by a 0:05:02.759 --> 0:05:04.859 private equity. So I'm doing a group accountant role there 0:05:04.859 --> 0:05:10.050 now. Yeah, so I actually love the role. The team are amazing and they're very supportive. 0:05:10.500 --> 0:05:12.900 And I think where you're working, as well, is really important. 0:05:12.900 --> 0:05:16.230 If they understand your studies and if they give you 0:05:16.230 --> 0:05:19.020 that sort of understanding, I think you can actually get 0:05:19.020 --> 0:05:19.800 your exams. 0:05:19.830 --> 0:05:23.219 Okay. And Xhulja , if we can come to you, what 0:05:23.219 --> 0:05:24.750 do you do? Where do you work? Can you tell 0:05:24.750 --> 0:05:26.099 us a little bit about your job? 0:05:26.820 --> 0:05:30.810 Of course. So at the moment I'm working as a financial 0:05:30.810 --> 0:05:35.339 analyst associate at Nomad Foods. It's a really great job. It 0:05:35.339 --> 0:05:39.479 gives you opportunities to grow, especially if you've got the 0:05:39.480 --> 0:05:45.180 ACCA title, which I'm working towards on. So it's a 0:05:45.180 --> 0:05:48.988 very nice environment. It's a big company with many opportunities 0:05:48.990 --> 0:05:53.729 to socialize but also to grow and to travel, as 0:05:53.730 --> 0:05:58.589 well, because we are currently collaborating with Germany. Their finance 0:05:58.589 --> 0:06:03.150 department is moving to London. So I found myself there 0:06:03.330 --> 0:06:06.570 in this amazing team and I'm currently very happy with 0:06:06.570 --> 0:06:06.990 my job. 0:06:07.740 --> 0:06:10.980 That's fantastic. And can we ask, where are you in your 0:06:10.980 --> 0:06:11.940 studies at the moment? 0:06:13.259 --> 0:06:18.150 Basically, I'm done with the practical practice of ACCA because 0:06:19.140 --> 0:06:21.928 since I started uni, to be honest, I started my 0:06:21.930 --> 0:06:24.900 journey with ACCA, as well. At the same time I 0:06:24.900 --> 0:06:28.380 was working, I looked for an internship. And as soon 0:06:28.380 --> 0:06:32.399 as I said, " I'm working towards ACCA," they said, " Okay, 0:06:32.520 --> 0:06:37.859 good. There's an ambitious girl who has work ethic," of 0:06:37.860 --> 0:06:43.589 course. Because that's what ACCA gives you, basically. It makes 0:06:43.589 --> 0:06:47.640 you more reliable and more professional to people, which is 0:06:47.670 --> 0:06:51.269 very important in the financial career. You are dealing with 0:06:51.270 --> 0:06:55.469 money, you are dealing with different assets. So it's really 0:06:55.470 --> 0:07:00.210 important for people to trust your ethics and professionalism. That's when 0:07:00.480 --> 0:07:04.500 I started. Now I have only two exams left so 0:07:04.500 --> 0:07:07.469 I can reach to the next stage of my career 0:07:07.469 --> 0:07:12.720 and become a full analyst. And this is what ACCA 0:07:13.860 --> 0:07:15.630 does, basically. It helps you grow. 0:07:16.050 --> 0:07:18.870 That's a fantastic answer. So you've only got two exams left 0:07:18.870 --> 0:07:19.260 to do. 0:07:19.410 --> 0:07:19.710 Yeah. 0:07:19.830 --> 0:07:22.229 So you've passed many exams so far. What does it 0:07:22.230 --> 0:07:24.719 feel like to pass when you've opened that email or 0:07:24.719 --> 0:07:28.229 that text message that gives you your passing mark? 0:07:28.500 --> 0:07:34.770 It's the greatest satisfaction to see your achievements become true, 0:07:34.770 --> 0:07:39.510 your dreams become true. In a way, you feel properly 0:07:39.510 --> 0:07:43.889 that all this investment that you've put on all this 0:07:43.889 --> 0:07:48.029 time, everything that you had to invest, it gives you 0:07:48.029 --> 0:07:52.650 a reward. It has a light in the end of 0:07:52.650 --> 0:07:53.280 the tunnel. 0:07:54.060 --> 0:07:57.059 And could you go over a little bit about what 0:07:57.059 --> 0:08:00.480 investment there is? As in, are we talking time, work? 0:08:00.719 --> 0:08:03.839 What goes into taking the exams and what has that 0:08:04.320 --> 0:08:05.100 looked like for you? 0:08:05.400 --> 0:08:10.230 Obviously, it requires a lot of time management. Basically, you 0:08:10.230 --> 0:08:13.770 need to sacrifice a lot of time, do a lot 0:08:13.770 --> 0:08:17.910 of reading, of course, and be very well- prepared. For 0:08:17.910 --> 0:08:21.540 me, it was a sacrifice that those hours I could 0:08:21.540 --> 0:08:25.740 be working, but I was instead studying. And in the 0:08:25.740 --> 0:08:28.710 end of the day, as far as I can see, 0:08:28.710 --> 0:08:32.400 progressing through my career, all these hours that I invested 0:08:32.940 --> 0:08:35.730 in studying so that I didn't go to work or 0:08:35.880 --> 0:08:39.509 do socializing or do something else, take a trip for 0:08:39.509 --> 0:08:44.190 myself or just be on my own time, basically, it 0:08:44.190 --> 0:08:47.309 has its rewards; because it helps you grow and in 0:08:47.309 --> 0:08:51.060 the future it helps you earn more money and be 0:08:51.150 --> 0:08:55.230 in another position for yourself, be more independent, be more 0:08:55.230 --> 0:08:57.480 proud of yourself, be more professional. 0:08:58.289 --> 0:09:02.670 And have you found other people as part of a 0:09:02.670 --> 0:09:06.300 student community? Is there a community of those who are studying? 0:09:07.440 --> 0:09:12.210 There is a large community, actually. People in finance or 0:09:12.210 --> 0:09:21.449 our people aim towards ACCA because it is a internationally recognized title, of 0:09:21.450 --> 0:09:26.220 course. But I actually found my study buddy in my 0:09:26.220 --> 0:09:30.090 friend at uni. She was an ambitious girl, like all 0:09:30.090 --> 0:09:34.920 70% plus. So we joined together and we are currently 0:09:34.920 --> 0:09:38.730 studying towards ACCA so we can have it in our 0:09:38.730 --> 0:09:39.720 pocket, let's say. 0:09:40.410 --> 0:09:45.120 That's lovely. That's really lovely. What's been hard? Has there 0:09:45.840 --> 0:09:49.139 been any bumps in the road in your journey through 0:09:49.139 --> 0:09:50.550 the qualification? 0:09:51.780 --> 0:09:56.610 Of course, because life happens when we are busy doing 0:09:56.610 --> 0:10:04.290 other things; like family time that required money, attention, loss 0:10:04.290 --> 0:10:09.059 of travel because of work, university studies, as well, at 0:10:09.059 --> 0:10:12.359 the same time. So I was doing three jobs and 0:10:12.359 --> 0:10:14.040 ACCA at the same time. 0:10:14.340 --> 0:10:15.030 Three jobs? 0:10:15.240 --> 0:10:15.960 Yes. 0:10:17.070 --> 0:10:17.130 Wow. 0:10:17.190 --> 0:10:21.300 So time management is a quality that was a must 0:10:21.300 --> 0:10:25.500 for me. But still, even with three jobs and life 0:10:25.500 --> 0:10:29.549 happening on the other side in uni, I'm telling you, 0:10:29.549 --> 0:10:32.910 you can still do ACCA and still excel on it. 0:10:33.809 --> 0:10:37.500 I think that's a really inspiring message to hold down 0:10:37.500 --> 0:10:41.218 three roles and still be continuing with your studies with 0:10:41.219 --> 0:10:44.458 that goal of getting to the end. That's really lovely 0:10:44.460 --> 0:10:46.739 to hear. Ravi, I want to come back to you. How do you 0:10:47.549 --> 0:10:50.520 think your job will change when you've completed your exams? 0:10:50.520 --> 0:10:51.001 You've got five to go. 0:10:51.001 --> 0:10:53.460 I think my job will still stay the same, but 0:10:53.460 --> 0:10:56.820 there'll be opportunity to be promoted in the company, maybe 0:10:56.820 --> 0:11:01.679 more management positions. Or if I want to leave, in 0:11:01.679 --> 0:11:04.919 say five or 10 years, there'll be other opportunities worldwide. 0:11:05.339 --> 0:11:08.309 So I think because ACCA is recognized worldwide, so it's a good qualification to 0:11:08.309 --> 0:11:11.280 have. You can go and work abroad and we have 0:11:11.280 --> 0:11:12.809 offices all around the world, as well, so we can 0:11:12.809 --> 0:11:15.090 even maybe move between those offices. 0:11:15.090 --> 0:11:19.170 And what have you enjoyed about the process so far? I 0:11:19.170 --> 0:11:22.139 know that your journey, you've started, you've stopped, you've gone 0:11:22.139 --> 0:11:24.388 back, and now we're at the point where we've got 0:11:24.389 --> 0:11:26.730 lots of passes under our belts, we've got five more 0:11:26.730 --> 0:11:29.820 exams to go. What have you enjoyed about the process 0:11:29.820 --> 0:11:30.300 so far? 0:11:30.360 --> 0:11:34.380 I like how when you are practicing the studying and 0:11:34.380 --> 0:11:37.349 revising and you feel that you're getting the answers right, 0:11:37.349 --> 0:11:40.679 I just feel that you feel that you're achieving something. I think it is 0:11:42.720 --> 0:11:45.960 a self- confidence thing. So I definitely feel that after 0:11:45.960 --> 0:11:48.540 passing these exams and studying for the exams, it definitely 0:11:48.540 --> 0:11:52.650 helps the self- confidence. And then that mirrors into your 0:11:52.650 --> 0:11:54.238 work, as well, because you can apply a lot of 0:11:54.240 --> 0:11:58.529 the skills, the discipline and the learning that you learn through ACCA 0:11:58.529 --> 0:12:00.660 into your day- to- day work. You don't realize it, 0:12:00.660 --> 0:12:06.750 but subconsciously it does improve your work standards, self- confidence. 0:12:07.530 --> 0:12:11.009 Have you found a student community? Is there someone that 0:12:11.009 --> 0:12:14.429 you are studying with or a group that you've worked with? 0:12:14.429 --> 0:12:19.530 I use FME Learning. They're a learning provider. And each time 0:12:19.530 --> 0:12:22.110 we do a subject, the tutor creates a WhatsApp group. 0:12:22.860 --> 0:12:25.650 For three months you are in contact with everyone that's 0:12:25.650 --> 0:12:27.960 studying in that period. So there'll be a lot of 0:12:27.960 --> 0:12:30.838 questions going back and forth about any queries they have on 0:12:30.840 --> 0:12:34.049 an exam question to the tutor and they've always answered 0:12:34.049 --> 0:12:38.460 it straight away. So there is a community every three months whenever 0:12:38.460 --> 0:12:40.230 you do the exams with this learning provider. 0:12:41.190 --> 0:12:42.179 That's fantastic. 0:12:42.179 --> 0:12:42.510 Yeah. It's really good. 0:12:43.500 --> 0:12:47.130 What's been difficult about progressing through your studies? 0:12:47.130 --> 0:12:51.089 To be honest, I feel like it's making time for 0:12:51.089 --> 0:12:54.960 yourself, as well, and your friends and your partner, family. 0:12:55.260 --> 0:12:57.780 And that's what I find the most hard; because sometimes when 0:12:57.780 --> 0:13:00.000 you work in a job Monday to Friday, you might 0:13:00.000 --> 0:13:02.699 work till say 8: 00 sometimes or 7: 00, and 0:13:02.700 --> 0:13:04.140 then the weekend is the only time you get to 0:13:04.320 --> 0:13:06.420 relax and wind down. And if you have to go 0:13:06.420 --> 0:13:08.849 straight into your studies on a Saturday morning or a 0:13:08.849 --> 0:13:12.149 Friday evening and you have to sacrifice saying no to 0:13:12.150 --> 0:13:15.510 people, not going on holidays, missing out on having great 0:13:15.510 --> 0:13:19.920 times with your friends or your partner, I feel that's 0:13:19.920 --> 0:13:24.179 what's been the most difficult. So just balancing everything in 0:13:24.179 --> 0:13:26.879 terms of saying no to people and just keeping your 0:13:26.880 --> 0:13:28.740 head on the studying game. 0:13:28.740 --> 0:13:30.900 On the prize. 0:13:30.929 --> 0:13:34.500 On the prize, yeah. And I took the time out 0:13:34.500 --> 0:13:36.090 and I managed to go and see a lot of places 0:13:36.090 --> 0:13:39.870 around the world and do scuba diving, practice my hobbies. 0:13:40.320 --> 0:13:41.820 But I can't do that right now. Now I have 0:13:41.820 --> 0:13:44.130 to say, look, you know what, I can't go away right now. I need to 0:13:44.280 --> 0:13:47.369 just focus and that's why I have to sacrifice. That's 0:13:47.369 --> 0:13:48.059 the hardest thing. 0:13:48.389 --> 0:13:51.720 Is there something that you'll reward yourself with when you 0:13:51.720 --> 0:13:52.500 do qualify? 0:13:52.620 --> 0:13:55.440 I would like to travel, maybe just go away for 0:13:55.440 --> 0:13:57.630 three months. I don't know if my employer will allow me, but 0:13:57.630 --> 0:14:02.009 I'd love to just go to the Philippines, Bali or Southeast 0:14:02.009 --> 0:14:05.609 Asia and I just want to go away. I just want to travel. I think that's the 0:14:05.609 --> 0:14:06.629 best thing, honestly. 0:14:06.629 --> 0:14:07.199 Disappear. 0:14:07.590 --> 0:14:09.660 Disappear and switch off. And honestly, I would like to 0:14:09.660 --> 0:14:13.500 do it by myself, as well, now, because I just 0:14:13.500 --> 0:14:16.619 imagine myself just sitting on a beach. Because even when you go 0:14:16.830 --> 0:14:19.019 on holiday and you know have to come back to 0:14:19.020 --> 0:14:21.000 studying... Work is work, but when you have to come 0:14:21.000 --> 0:14:23.670 back studying, it's a big shock to system to get 0:14:23.670 --> 0:14:25.500 back into it. I think it takes me about two 0:14:25.500 --> 0:14:27.480 to three weeks to actually sit there on a desk 0:14:28.170 --> 0:14:30.330 on a Saturday and say, " Look, just focus on that one 0:14:30.330 --> 0:14:32.970 thing," and not look at my phone, not watch TV 0:14:32.970 --> 0:14:34.950 or not go out or anything like that. So it'd 0:14:34.950 --> 0:14:36.750 be nice just to go away and just completely switch 0:14:36.750 --> 0:14:39.000 off and not have to think about sitting on a 0:14:39.000 --> 0:14:41.340 desk for three months or something like that on the weekends. 0:14:41.340 --> 0:14:44.190 You're not going to take some ACCA notes or some light reading to the beach? 0:14:45.090 --> 0:14:50.190 Whenever I've done that, I always say I would do that. And then when I take it there, I never look at them. So 0:14:50.430 --> 0:14:54.060 I always feel just maybe just leave the notes back home. 0:14:55.770 --> 0:14:59.040 Would you do anything differently if you could go back? 0:14:59.040 --> 0:15:02.580 Yeah, I think if I could go back now, say 10 years, 0:15:02.580 --> 0:15:06.300 I think I would've finished my... If you can do that, 0:15:06.810 --> 0:15:08.580 I would feel that just don't even work if you 0:15:08.580 --> 0:15:11.160 can and maybe just do the exams for a year 0:15:11.160 --> 0:15:15.300 or two years and just focus on your exams. Because 0:15:17.790 --> 0:15:20.520 if you have the opportunity not to have to, living at home 0:15:20.520 --> 0:15:22.110 or whatever, I say just do your exams for two 0:15:22.110 --> 0:15:24.690 years, like a university degree, and just treat it like 0:15:24.690 --> 0:15:27.210 that and then go into the work world. Because I 0:15:27.210 --> 0:15:30.030 think work's always there for you if you're studying or 0:15:30.030 --> 0:15:33.839 something like that; but in terms of exams, you need 0:15:33.839 --> 0:15:35.129 to give your time to that. So I would say 0:15:35.129 --> 0:15:37.710 I would've completed it say 10 years ago and just 0:15:37.710 --> 0:15:39.450 focused on my studies and not focused on looking for 0:15:39.450 --> 0:15:40.500 a job or working. 0:15:41.730 --> 0:15:45.330 I think there are many different ways of gaining your qualification. 0:15:45.330 --> 0:15:47.940 And obviously, studying full- time is definitely one of them. 0:15:49.049 --> 0:15:50.909 But then I guess you're missing out on the experience 0:15:50.910 --> 0:15:54.660 that you are gaining in the workplace that solidifies what you are learning 0:15:54.690 --> 0:15:58.650 in the classroom, whether that's in person or online. Xhulja , 0:15:58.830 --> 0:16:01.800 would you change anything? Would you do anything differently if 0:16:01.800 --> 0:16:04.500 you could go back to the start of your studies? 0:16:05.370 --> 0:16:09.899 To be honest, I was fully invested since I started 0:16:09.900 --> 0:16:15.180 the journey with ACCA and I wouldn't have done anything 0:16:15.180 --> 0:16:18.570 differently, even though it cost me a lot, like social 0:16:18.570 --> 0:16:24.090 life and everything. But I can say with full voice, 0:16:24.120 --> 0:16:27.630 let's say, it was worth it in the end. So 0:16:28.500 --> 0:16:31.290 everything was worth it all the time. 0:16:34.050 --> 0:16:37.890 That's lovely. What resources have you found helpful to you? You're 0:16:38.580 --> 0:16:41.729 so far through your studies, you are almost at the 0:16:41.729 --> 0:16:44.669 end and I hope you'll stay in touch and you'll 0:16:44.670 --> 0:16:48.209 let us know when the end has arrived and you've 0:16:48.209 --> 0:16:51.060 got no more studies left to do. But what resources 0:16:51.060 --> 0:16:52.410 have you found helpful? 0:16:53.580 --> 0:16:59.460 There are all sorts of resources online. You have everything 0:16:59.759 --> 0:17:03.509 you need. But what I use actually is the Kaplan 0:17:03.509 --> 0:17:10.770 books and the ACCA resources to do different mock tests, which 0:17:10.770 --> 0:17:15.090 are very, very helpful. You test yourself before you're going 0:17:15.388 --> 0:17:19.079 to the actual exam, so you have the opportunity to 0:17:19.080 --> 0:17:22.589 see where you stand and how far you need to 0:17:22.590 --> 0:17:26.430 go. It's a clear mirror. I would suggest to all 0:17:26.430 --> 0:17:29.760 of the students, actually, firstly to start with the mock 0:17:29.760 --> 0:17:34.468 test, see where you are, then study through the ACCA 0:17:34.469 --> 0:17:39.000 materials, Kaplan books. Everything you need is there. And if 0:17:39.000 --> 0:17:42.330 you find boring, like reading a book, you are not 0:17:42.330 --> 0:17:45.600 the bookish type, there are so many videos on YouTube 0:17:46.109 --> 0:17:47.490 which are very helpful. 0:17:47.910 --> 0:17:51.510 Thank you. I think that's great advice and that's something that 0:17:51.510 --> 0:17:55.259 we also advise at ACCA. Practice is key. Practice, practice, 0:17:55.259 --> 0:17:59.940 practice, in terms of question practice for your exam. Have 0:17:59.940 --> 0:18:04.590 any of the exams or study helped specifically in your 0:18:04.590 --> 0:18:05.850 work so far? 0:18:06.480 --> 0:18:10.290 Absolutely. In the beginning when I started the ACCA, it was 0:18:10.740 --> 0:18:14.729 taxation actually helped me a lot because I was working 0:18:14.730 --> 0:18:19.110 before in an accountancy office. So obviously, it helped me 0:18:19.500 --> 0:18:24.480 through the self- assessment, different taxes for different business. And 0:18:24.480 --> 0:18:28.350 then it was strategic business leader, which I actually just 0:18:29.700 --> 0:18:32.671 did in December. Still waiting for the results next week. 0:18:32.671 --> 0:18:32.672 Keep my fingers crossed. 0:18:32.672 --> 0:18:39.180 Yes, please. And it helped me through the financial journey 0:18:39.180 --> 0:18:44.668 to understand better the corporation world and how it works. 0:18:45.150 --> 0:18:50.519 So definitely, as you previously said, it is very important to get 0:18:50.520 --> 0:18:54.688 in touch with the reality. From studying ACCA, you are 0:18:54.690 --> 0:18:57.960 in touch with the reality, as well, so it helps. 0:18:59.070 --> 0:19:02.010 And as you're so close to the end of your 0:19:02.190 --> 0:19:04.859 studies, what are your hopes when you finish? 0:19:05.550 --> 0:19:12.869 When I finish, I'll start another title with ACCA. That's the 0:19:12.869 --> 0:19:16.438 beauty of the ACCA title. It gives you basically the 0:19:16.440 --> 0:19:21.089 basis to reach for the stars, in a way. Because 0:19:21.090 --> 0:19:26.849 there are titles which I've been researching on; actually, international 0:19:26.849 --> 0:19:30.329 audit. Because it's not just finance and accounting, it's the 0:19:30.330 --> 0:19:34.619 auditing, as well. And there are so many career opportunities 0:19:34.619 --> 0:19:39.780 out there, like international opportunities. So just put a finger 0:19:39.780 --> 0:19:42.270 on the globe and you can be there with ACCA. 0:19:42.719 --> 0:19:46.320 What an inspirational message there. But I do understand where 0:19:46.320 --> 0:19:49.470 you are coming from. It is an internationally- recognized qualification in 0:19:50.070 --> 0:19:53.910 accounting and finance. There's so many career paths open to you, 0:19:53.910 --> 0:19:57.418 specifically once you have qualified. Xhulja, can you tell me 0:19:57.570 --> 0:20:01.710 if there have been any rewarding aspects about studying for the qualification? 0:20:02.730 --> 0:20:08.190 Of course. My teacher obviously knew that I was studying 0:20:08.190 --> 0:20:12.300 towards ACCA, so she selected me as one of the 0:20:12.300 --> 0:20:16.770 students to make it to this international competition for the 0:20:16.770 --> 0:20:23.219 UK. And basically, we submitted our application and I was 0:20:23.219 --> 0:20:27.690 selected Accountancy Graduate of the Year by the PQ magazine. 0:20:27.690 --> 0:20:34.499 That's amazing. That's really amazing. You got your trophy. Did 0:20:34.500 --> 0:20:35.190 you get to keep it? 0:20:35.400 --> 0:20:38.669 Yes, I got to keep it. I have it at home. 0:20:39.780 --> 0:20:42.000 That's really fantastic. I'm very impressed. 0:20:42.779 --> 0:20:43.289 Thank you. 0:20:43.589 --> 0:20:47.340 I'd like to return to you, Ravi. Is the training worth it? 0:20:47.340 --> 0:20:54.960 I think it is, yeah. I think it definitely is. Like Xhulja was saying, there's a module financial reporting, 0:20:55.530 --> 0:20:57.989 and I find that really helpful in my work because 0:20:57.990 --> 0:21:01.619 of looking at balance sheets, financial statements, cashflow statements. So that 0:21:01.619 --> 0:21:05.280 worked hand- in- hand. What you're studying, the study actually 0:21:05.280 --> 0:21:09.000 is very detailed, but overall what you're learning can be 0:21:09.000 --> 0:21:11.160 applied in your day- to- day work. So I think 0:21:11.160 --> 0:21:14.250 it is worth it 100 percent. Yeah. 0:21:14.940 --> 0:21:17.520 Have you done strategic business reporting just yet? 0:21:17.789 --> 0:21:18.388 Not yet. No. 0:21:18.749 --> 0:21:20.879 You're going to love it. It's going to be great. Xhulja 0:21:22.200 --> 0:21:24.780 , I want to come to you. Is the training worth it in your opinion? 0:21:25.560 --> 0:21:31.978 It is definitely worth it. As Ravi previously said, it's day- to- 0:21:31.980 --> 0:21:34.920 day life. It applies to day- to- day life because 0:21:34.920 --> 0:21:37.710 in the end that's what you need, something that's going 0:21:37.710 --> 0:21:41.609 to be applied in reality. We are more and more 0:21:41.609 --> 0:21:45.780 going into a practical world who teaches exactly what you 0:21:45.780 --> 0:21:49.290 need to do and that's what ACCA does. 0:21:49.380 --> 0:21:52.740 And lastly, if you were to give some advice to 0:21:52.740 --> 0:21:56.460 someone listening at home who's considering accounting and finance as 0:21:56.460 --> 0:21:59.070 their career path, what advice would you give them? 0:21:59.550 --> 0:22:04.830 Please do, first of all. But what amazes me about 0:22:04.830 --> 0:22:08.580 the world of finance is you don't get just stuck there. 0:22:08.910 --> 0:22:12.630 It just opens the door to so many other opportunities. 0:22:13.289 --> 0:22:17.908 So basically, if you've chosen finance, you just chose to 0:22:17.910 --> 0:22:23.129