Students on internship at GrantThornton.
BECOMING a chartered accountant is a career aspiration for many. Chartered accountants are in high demand, even during economic downturns, and are needed in almost every industry sector.
No matter the economic climate, the services provided by chartered accountants will always be needed, making it a stable career and a wise choice for those aspiring to make their mark in accountancy.
However, today the role of an accountant has evolved greatly to encompass a wider area. The most capable accountants are now not just number crunchers – they serve as business consultants advising on strategy and operations and tend to have the widest opportunities to work globally including at international business hubs such as Singapore and London.
To get started off on your journey towards a sound career, find the best course to suit your needs.
The Henley-ICAEW programme (HIP) is a partnership between Henley Business School Malaysia and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), one of the industry’s most respected professional bodies.
Designed as an integrated, career-focused programme, HIP offers students a fast track to chartered accountancy, which can be achieved within two to three years after they graduate.
Henley’s financial dealing room.
A distinct feature of HIP is that students graduate with three qualifications rather than just one. Students not only get a prestigious BSc Accounting and Finance degree, but also the ICAEW Certificate in Finance, Accounting and Business (CFAB), and can use the BFP (Business and Finance Professional) designation after their name.
Another distinctive feature of HIP is that students undergo a full 12-month work placement in Year 3, where they gain valuable work experience.
Henley has a 100% record of placing students in established firms such EY, GrantThornton, KPMG, Deloitte and other ICAEW Authorised Training Employers (ATE).
This gives students an advantage in employability over others when they graduate. More importantly, the work placement counts as credit for Prior Work Experience for the purpose of meeting the requirements for chartered status.
Students receive the maximum eight paper exemptions from ICAEW, as well as a waiver of about 850 Sterling pounds in exemption and registration fees. It’s also worth mentioning that ICAEW has reciprocal memberships with professional bodies in Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Canada.
An ICAEW chartered accountant can therefore practise accountancy in these countries without necessarily taking examinations with them, making it perfect for those who plan to settle out of the country later.
With Henley, students also benefit from the excellent environment afforded by one of the world’s leading triple-accredited business schools.
Henley Business School is located at University of Reading’s Malaysia campus in Educity Iskandar, Johor.
Located at University of Reading Malaysia’s stunning campus in Educity Iskandar, Johor, students have access to excellent facilities including the financial dealing room and Learning Resource Centre (LRC). In addition, 75% of Henley’s faculty are PhD-qualified.
All of this means that graduates from HIP are work-ready, highly employable, and stand out from the crowd of other graduates.
The next intake for HIP is September for those with A-levels, STPM, UEC and equivalent qualifications. SPM, IGCSE and equivalent holders can enrol in the university’s International Foundation Programme (IFP) which, upon successful completion and progression, guarantees them a place on the HIP programme.
To speak to a counsellor or arrange a campus tour, call 07-2686 205, Whatsapp 016-7725 400, email my.enquiry@reading.edu.my or go to www.reading.edu.my/henley. Opening hours are 9am-5pm (Monday to Friday) and 10am-4pm (Saturday).
