Accountants’ Career & Your Prospects Being an Accountant
First we need to understand that not anyone can be called an accountant. In Malaysia, one can only be called chartered Accountant or licensed accountant when registered with MIA (Malaysia Institute of Accountant). It is against the law to use the title “Accountant” in Malaysia if you are not registered with MIA.
Who is Accountant?
We need to know that not anyone can be called an accountant. In Malaysia, one can only be called a chartered Accountant or licensed accountant when registered with MIA (Malaysia Institute of Accountants). It is against the law to use the title “Accountant” in Malaysia if you are not registered with MIA.
How do you become MIA member?
There are 3 routes to becoming an MIA member in Malaysia as shown in the progression chart.
Becoming a member of recognised professional body, like ACCA, MICPA, CIMA, ASCPA, ICAS, ICAEW, etc.
Job Titles for an ACCA graduate
Usually, an ACCA graduate would choose to move into a Practice Route or Commercial Route. However, take note that one can still go for other options like public sector (eg: working with statutory bodies or government agencies – like Accountant’s General Malaysia, Inland Revenue Office), joining charitable organisations or NPOs, starting own business as entrepreneurs.
Read more about these options – Click HERE
Typical Job Roles or Titles one could carry being an ACCA include:
- Accountant
- Audit Manager / Audit Partner
- Business Analyst
- CEO (Chief Executive Officer) or Managing Director
- CFO (Chief Financial Officer) or Financial Controller
- Cost Accountant
- Finance Business Partner
- Finance Director
- Financial Analyst
- Financial Planner
- Forensic Accountant
- Fund Accountant
- Head of Finance
- Internal Auditor
- Management Accountant
- Tax Manager / Tax Director / Tax Partner
- Treasury Services
- Turnaround Consultant
However, at the entry level, before gaining your ACCA membership or before completion of your ACCA qualification, you would expect an entry level roles like
- Accounts executive or assistant
- Accounts payable / receivable
- Audit executives
- Bookkeeper
- Internal Audit executives
- Tax executives
Why ACCA?
One will gain a globally recognised qualification. It is a career passport that allows one to advance his or her career to different parts of the world.
The world is becoming more connected and globalised. We have multinational corporations that have business presence everywhere. However, their financial reporting, taxation, treasury needs are becoming more complex yet harmonised. An internationally recognised qualification like ACCA is welcomed by all these large corporations.