StarSpecialTHE STAR Tuesday 12 August 2014

Creating work-ready graduates > 8 Making education accessible > 11

More than just numbers

COURSE FOCUS:BUSINESS, ACCOUNTING & FINANCE

2 COURSE FOCUS StarSpecial, Tuesday 12 August 2014

Getting to know accountancy in Malaysia

The versatilityof a business degreeA BUSINESS degree, or more specifically a bachelors degree in business administration (BBA), allows you to be versatile in your career choice.

The BBA is designed to equip students with the basic knowledge of corporate management and help them understand the various functions in a company.

The duration of BBA courses are typically four years in most private colleges and universities. The teaching methods in the BBA often include project work, presentations, visits to industries and internships.

By the end of the programme, a graduate will possess good leadership skills, good communications skills and will have the skills to effectively manage a business.

Students graduating with a BBA can pursue careers in various fields: Banking finance managers, branch managers, bank office managers Finance financial advisors, financial managers Accounting bookkeepers, auditors Management business operations managers, administrative assistants Marketing sales managers, sales representatives Academia lecturers

Students are exposed to various aspects of business management through general business subjects, which will allow them to pick a specialised branch later on. These branching subjects include: Accounting Entrepreneurship Finance Marketing Public relations Management Real estate International business Legal management Information technology

As there is a large number of business graduates who hold BBAs, specialising in a branch subject is important as it boosts your chances of employment in your field of specialisation. This will also give you an edge over your competition.

To give yourself more leverage, you can choose to pursue a masters degree in business administration (MBA) once you complete your BBA.

Having an MBA under your belt will allow you to work in higher ranking positions in the various sectors of business and finance.

Again, because of the high number of graduates with a BBA, most employers prefer an MBA holder because they are better qualified.

THE future of the accounting industry in Malaysia is bright. Because Malaysia is supported by a market-oriented economy and a pro-business government, Malaysia is slowly becoming more industrialised. Its attractive interest rates are a major pull for foreign investors.

New investments will lead to new businesses, creating countless job opportunities for Malaysians, accountants included, as every organisation needs the services of an accountant.

Future of accounting

By NG VEAN TAT

ACCOUNTING is the practice of recording, reporting and auditing the financial activities of a business using a system of measuring and analysing the results of a business activity.

Accountants also prepare statements regarding the assets, liabilities and business outcomes of a company or individual. Professional accountants usually work in accounting firms and provide auditing, consultation and tax services.

In Malaysia, the accountancy profession is regulated by the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA).

MIA is responsible for developing well-trained accountants through education and training.

In order for accountants to be certified, they will need to apply for a membership with MIA as it is the only official and authorised accounting body in Malaysia.

Types of accounting

There are a few types of accounting you can choose to practise, but here are the four most common types:l Public accounting Public

accountants are not engaged with a particular firm. Their clients can be individuals, private companies and businesses, governmental agencies, public firms or non-governmental organisations.

Public accounting, also called assurance services, is a diverse type of accounting

because its practitioners must be able to provide several different services to their clients to meet their various needs, including financial analysis, tax preparation, financial reporting and consultation.

l Management accounting Management accountants or corporate accountants work for agencies and corporations. Their job is to carry out financial analysis and take records of the companys financial data.

Management accountants provide budgeting reports to a company before the release of a new product. This is crucial for any company to prevent over-spending.

They also have to prepare the financial data of the company for investors and tax authorities. These financial data usually consist of the companys assets, liabilities, income, equity and expenses.

The financial data of a company is used to analyse the companys business performance and it helps determine whether the companys business strategies should be kept or changed.

l Governmental accounting Governmental accounting is a form of public accounting, but accountants in this line only work for governmental agencies, sectors and businesses and must be able to provide different types of services.

Governmental accountants maintain and keep financial records of governmental agencies. They also provide

budgeting and costs analysis services to the government.

l Internal auditing The job of an internal auditing accountant is to inspect a companys financial management practices and ensure that there are no flaws in the practices or fraud and waste in funds.

They ensure that a company abides by the law in managing and recording its finances.

Internal auditors play a key role in improving the management of an organisation by giving opinions and recommendations based on the data gathered from financial analysis and business auditing.

StarSpecial 3Tuesday 12 August 2014

4 COURSE FOCUS StarSpecial, Tuesday 12 August 2014

Dr Danny Choong is the principal and deputy chief executive officer of Advance Tertiary College.

Part-time optionfor law degreeADVANCE Tertiary College (ATC) has been at the forefront of private legal education in Malaysia for the past 27 years. During this time, thousands of its graduates have gone on to pursue illustrious careers in law and other related fields.

While most of these graduates came to ATC and fresh out of school, there have also been many students who undertook legal studies later in life and studied for their law degree on a part-time basis.

ATC offers the Bachelor of Laws (LLB) under the University of London International Programmes, which can be completed entirely in Malaysia.

The degree that you will obtain upon successfully completing the programme will be an internationally recognised degree and you will be able to use this degree to practise law in many countries.

ATC has a well-structured programme for part-time studies where classes are scheduled at night on weekdays and on weekends depending on the year of study and the subjects taken.

You also have the option of completing the degree in three years, which is the minimum duration for a degree in law, or you can choose to complete the degree in four years.

Dr Danny Choong, principal and deputy chief executive officer of ATC, says that many part-time students were already established in their various fields but still devoted their time and resources to obtain a law degree at ATC, which has greatly enhanced their career prospects.

Some have opted to leave their original careers and have switched to a career in legal practice.

None of them have regretted obtaining a law degree as it has, in one way or

ATC has groomed students on the University of London Programmes to achieve first class honours and second class upper honours degrees. It is also the single largest institution in the world to produce such results on the University of London Law degree programme.

another, benefited them tremendously, Choong says.

Apart from enhancing ones career, part-time study also provides an avenue for those who did not have the opportunity to obtain a tertiary education when they finished school.

The University of London LLB degree provides a second chance for people to upgrade themselves and move on to more lucrative careers.

ATC has groomed students on the University of London programmes to achieve first class honours and second class upper honours degrees.

It is also the single largest institution in the world to produce such results on the University of London Law degree programme, says Prof Dr Wayne Morrison, immediate past director of the University of London External Undergraduate Laws Programme.

ATC is also one of only five institutions worldwide that was recognised for excellence in conjunction with the University of Londons 150th anniversary celebrations.

ATC is now one of the nine affiliate centres of University of London worldwide for the law programme. There will be a course preview on the LLB at ATC in Kuala Lumpur and Penang this Saturday (Aug 16).

n For more information,call 1800 889 292 (ATC KL) or04-229 9266 (ATC Penang) or visitwww.atc2u.com

Dr Danny Choong

Enjoying the game with numbersProfessionals speakELIZABETH Lim graduated from the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra with a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) and recently completed the Graduate Diploma of Chartered Accounting under the Chartered Accountants Programme.

When starting her course, Lim did not know what to expect as she was from a science background

but numbers interested her.Lim now works as a

tax accountant whose work entails preparing accounts and tax returns for individuals, partnerships, trusts and companies.

She believes that her degree helped her gain the skills and knowledge that gave her a solid platform for on-the-job learning.

She now finds satisfaction in analysing

data and figures and in providing valuable advice to clients regarding their taxes.

As businesses continuously require accountants and the turnover rates for specific areas such as auditing can be quite high, Lim believes that the field is ripe for fresh graduates to enter and has not changed much since she graduated four years ago.

The skills and knowledge you gain from a business and accounting degree are transferable commercial know-how, analytical thinking and leadership abilities to name a few, says Lim.

She adds that with a business background, one can branch out to administration, communication and even the media.

Elizabeth Lim.

StarSpecial, Tuesday 12 August 2014 COURSE FOCUS 5

Moulding business leadersTHE SEGi University Group is a renowned provider of business education and now offers a wide range of programmes under its Faculty of Business and Accounting.

With bachelors degrees offered by universities in the United Kingdom such as Abertay University, University of Sunderland and University of Greenwich, Malaysians can pursue a British education in business and accounting without leaving the country.

These programmes include qualifications in marketing, business psychology and economics with banking.

SEGi University is also the awarding body for a number of bachelors degree programmes. One of the most popular programmes is the Bachelor of Business Management (Hons), which includes options for students to take two years off their undergraduate programme to learn the basics of business management.

Final year students can then opt to branch out into general management, financial management, human resource management or marketing management.

SEGi University has now made obtaining a business qualification much easier with its online university, PACE (Professional and Continuing Education).

This programme enables students to learn at their own pace and complete their studies with the assurance that they can still attend to other obligations and have a fulfilling work-life balance.

Instead of attending scheduled classes at a physical venue, students can log on to their classes at any time of the day and at any location with access to the Internet.

PACE provides students with guided learning and also independent learning. This means that students attend classes once a month and revision classes are provided for one weekend per semester for

a subject. This gives students the opportunity to network with their course mates, meet their lecturers and gain any additional support that they may need.

The number of subjects that students take in a semester is up to them.

SEGi also provides a guided learning plan to ensure that students get the best out of their lessons, including study guides and strategies for coping with coursework and exams.

Undergraduate business programmes under PACE include:

Bachelor in Business Management (Hons)

Students study the basics of business management for two years before selecting an area of specialisation in the final year. This provides graduates with an in-depth study of the field they select to pursue as a career.

No other business degree offers as many specialisation options, especially for programmes that are delivered via flexible mode.

Students can choose from general management, financial management, human resource management, supply chain management and marketing management.

Executive Diploma in Business Administration

The executive diploma is suitable for working adults with a basic education qualification.

This programme prepares graduates for a successful career in the business world by instilling holistic views on business administration.

In addition, students will be provided an understanding of management principles and will also be guided to think like a successful entrepreneur while sharpening core interpersonal skills.

n For more information, visit www.segi.edu.my

SEGi University has now made obtaining a business qualification easier with PACE, its online university.

6 COURSE FOCUS StarSpecial, Tuesday 12 August 2014

Industry-ready business talents WE give our business and accounting students the advantage that many other fresh graduates do not have. Our graduates emerge in the job market complete with job experience, in addition to a dual-award qualification from Anglia Ruskin University in the United Kingdom, says Chung Cheng Hoe, dean of the Faculty of Business and Accounting at MAHSA University.

Through the business incubator programme, our students are given the experience of running an actual registered business at campus for a minimum period of a year. The student-run businesses are facilitated by various larger businesses so that students can learn how to meet the numerous demands of real-life business situations in finance, human resource management, marketing and accounting, he elaborates.

As in every real business or trade, there will be challenges. Students in this programme will face daily challenges, such as staffing, resource management as well as budgetary concerns, and learn how to manage these situations.

They also learn more about how different departments work and come together to form a single unit of one company, Chung adds.

Job opportunities in todays employment arena offer a wide selection for graduates. However, a common plight faced by fresh graduates is that most employers seek job experience, a criterion that fresh graduates are unable to meet.

Through the business incubator programme, internship experiences, theoretical knowledge, continuing professional development programmes and other student activities on campus,

Through the business incubator programme, students at MAHSA are given the experience of running an actual registered business on campus for a minimum period of a year.

Gain experience

Professionals speak

JUSTIN Wong (pic) graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in accounting and finance, from the University of Melbourne and is also a certified member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia.

His current job as an accountant involves assisting businesses with tax compliance, day-to-day operations and other business consulting work.

I draw on a lot from my studies, particularly from subjects in accounting and business and taxation law while subjects in economics and finance helped develop my business acumen. I find job satisfaction in doing what I enjoy, which is to empower businesses.

In addition, he believes that having a great team, a good working environment and maintaining a healthy work-life balance is important.

While postgraduate studies are common for those in the finance sector, Wong does not believe the same applies to accounting and that working while pursuing an accounting professional paper would be the better option.

Specialising when you have not had any experience may not be the wisest decision as you are limiting your career options very early on.

Get some work experience in an area that you are interested in and see what it is like before pursuing a specialisation, he says.

MAHSA prepares its students to graduate with the experience that employers demand.

Chung, who has almost 15 years of experience in business and academics, also reveals that students receive internship opportunities with more than 40 different multi-national companies, through the Malaysian Institute of Management, which MAHSA is closely affiliated with.

Postgraduate business students have the flexibility to choose between full-time and part-time programmes to fit their schedule while learning from experienced professionals in the industry.

In addition, MAHSAs accounting students have a unique pathway to

obtain a globally recognised professional qualification from the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.

MAHSA University offers students the following business and accounting options: Foundation in Business Diploma in Accounting Diploma in Business Administration Bachelor in Oil and Gas Management Bachelor in Accounting Bachelor in Business Administration Masters in Business Administration

MAHSAs Open Day will be held on August 23 and 24 at the Jalan University Campus.

n For more information, call1800 880 300 or visit mahsa.edu.my

StarSpecial, Tuesday 12 August 2014 COURSE FOCUS 7

Prof Martha-Marie Kleinhans is the vice-provost of the University of Reading Malaysia.

Choice of top-ranking universityLAST September, the University of Reading Malaysia delivered its Foundation in Business programme for the first time outside of the United Kingdom.

This intensive course has been designed for students who do not have British A-Levels qualifications or its equivalent who intend to take up an undergraduate business, law or psychology degree.

Successful completion of the Foundation in Business programme guarantees progression to the University of Reading, including Henley Business School courses.

From next month, the universitys Henley Business School will begin the delivery of its BSc Finance and Business Management programme the first in a suite of undergraduate programmes being brought to Malaysia by this award-winning business school.

At the University of Reading Malaysia, were trying to service the Malaysian market in the best way possible by providing a great foundation programme with a long heritage of success at a price that is competitive within the local market, explains Prof Martha-Marie Kleinhans, vice-provost of the University of Reading Malaysia.

University of Reading is in the top 1% of the worlds universities, according to the Times Higher

Education World University Rankings 201314 and is ranked No.1 for accounting and finance by the Guardian University Guide 2015.

The University of Readings Henley Business School is one of only 57 business schools in the world to hold a triple-accredited status from the Association of MBAs, The European Quality Improvement System and the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business top accreditation bodies across the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States.

The cost of studying at the University of Reading Malaysia is significantly lower than the cost of studying the same programme at the UK campus.

Students transferring to the UK campus will be eligible for a 20% discount on the published international student fees.

The University of Reading Malaysia also has scholarship opportunities to celebrate the success of students and awards for high-achieving students throughout their studies with up to a 32% discount on tuition fees.

As a world-class university,

the University of Reading attracts and selects the best students and prides itself on producing graduates who are highly sought after by employers across the globe.

Having received its first Malaysian student in 1934, the university now has more than 1,400 alumni from Malaysia, with 114 Malaysian students graduating in the last two years in law, finance and quantity surveying.

The University of Reading Malaysia is hosting an Open Day this Saturday (Aug 16) at its city

campus in Menara Kotaraya, Johor Baru.

Prospective students and their parents are invited to meet the senior management team, academic staff and current students to experience the universitys up-to-date teaching facilities and to explore the accommodation and social and sports venues at Educity@Iskandar where its new campus will be opened.

n For more information,call 07-295 5010, e-mail my.enquiry@reading.edu.myor visit www.reading.edu.my

The University of Reading prides itself on producing graduates who are highly sought after by employers across the world.

8 COURSE FOCUS StarSpecial, Tuesday 12 August 2014

Representatives from Kolej Poly-Tech MARA and Dublin Business School at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding in July 2011.

The BAAF programme is an excellent choice for those who want to have an exciting and rewarding career in accountancy and finance.

Creating work-ready graduatesTHE Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Accounting and Finance (BAAF) is a collaboration

franchise programme between Kolej Poly-Tech MARA (KPTM) and Dublin Business School (DBS), Ireland.

KPTM is an educational institution registered as a private higher education institution that is managed, maintained, operated and administered by KPTM Sdn Bhd, a company wholly owned by Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA).

KPTM has grown to be one of the biggest bumiputra private educational institutions with nine campuses in Kuala Lumpur, Bangi, Kuantan, Batu Pahat, Ipoh, Alor Star, Kota Baru, Semporna and Kesedar.

KPTMs alliance with DBS began in 1993 as a vision to become a leading higher education institution of choice and resulted from an initiative by MARA in an academic collaboration project concerning the development of an accountancy programme.

This relationship was strengthened by the signing of

DBS is the largest independent third level institution in Ireland that provides a comprehensive range of undergraduate, postgraduate, professional and executive education programmes.

The institution has established an excellent reputation for quality teaching standards that meet the needs of students and the industry.

The BAAF programme has received accreditation from the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and Quality and Qualifications of Ireland (QQI).

QQI is the awarding body for this programme. BAAF, offered by KPTM Bangi, is the only trans-national programme offered and conducted outside of Ireland that has been approved by QQI.

In line with DBS, philosophy of ensuring its graduates are made readily employable, the programmes structure emphasises students development in communication skills, employability skills and entrepreneurship, which form the employability pillar.

According to DBS, this pillar of modules is to ensure students are aware of employer expectations, enhance communication skills and time management skills and experience academic development during their degree.

The added value offered by BAAF programme assists students to not only explore their interests and potential but also equip them with the necessary skills to enter a competitive field.

In addition, 15 hours for each module at stages one and two, and 30 hours at stage three of the programme will be delivered by DBS own qualified and industry-experienced lecturers from Ireland.

Students will need to complete 21 major modules and five MQA requirement modules.

Upon completion of this three-year programme, students will receive a DBS degree certificate identical to the one awarded to DBS students in Ireland with the title of BA (Hons) in Accounting and Finance. Study loans are also available for qualified candidates.

A DBS representative, known as the programme manager, is assigned as a contact person for KPTM Bangi

and DBS, Ireland, and thus ensures close monitoring and co-operation between KPTM and DBS lecturer as well as the respective units involved in the implementation of the programme.

KPTMs determination to provide recognised, quality and market-driven educational programmes to produce knowledgeable, quality and competitive graduates is evidenced by its offering of the BAAF programme.

Accounting and finance knowledge is vital to businesses. The accounting sector not only prepares the financial report of an organisation but also provides expert financial advice on the impact of management decisions and solutions.

The finance sector concerns the monitoring and forecasting of an organisations performance, financing and investment decision and coordination.

Pursuing studies in a diverse field such as accounting and finance therefore gives students the opportunity to be trained in the operations and various roles involving accounting and finance in a wider business management context.

This valuable knowledge and qualification offers prestige to a students career.

They can pursue careers as staff accountants, tax accountants, accountants, auditors, financial analysts, consultants and financial planners.

The BAAF programme by DBS receives the maximum number of exemptions from the professional accounting bodies.

It is also a major stepping stone towards CIMA, ACA, CPA and ACCA qualifications. The completion of BAAF provides exemption to nine of the 14 papers for the ACCA qualification.

Professional qualifications give graduates the competitive edge in employment, international opportunities and rewarding salaries.

The BAAF programme is a great path to pursue especially for students who want to have a rewarding, interesting and exciting career in accountancy and finance.

Online applications are now open for the September intake.

n For more information,www.kptm.edu.my

a memorandum of understanding between MARA and DBS in July 2011 and is related to the academic collaboration project to develop an accountancy programme in Malaysia.

Following this, MARA supported the alliance of KPTM and DBS to offer the international programme, which was in line with KPTMs ambition to produce professional and world-class graduates.

StarSpecial, Tuesday 12 August 2014 COURSE FOCUS 9

Build your future.Build Malaysia.

Distinctly Globalwww.hw.edu.my

Heriot-Watt University Malaysia (KPT/JPS/DFT/US/W 18)Level 2, Menara PjH, No. 2 Jalan Tun Abdul Razak, Precinct 2, 62100 W.P. Putrajaya, Malaysia.

+603 - 8881 0918 HWUM@hw.ac.uk +6014 - 513 7177 or 7277 HWUMalaysia facebook.com/hwumalaysia

YTL FoundationHeriot-Watt University Malaysia Scholarships Scholarships open now for Malaysians Covers full tuition fees & partial living allowances for disciplines listed below (only for study at HWUM) Minimum qualication requirements: A-Levels/STPM BBB or equivalent

BSc (Hons) Construction Project ManagementKPT/JPS (PA4168) 12/18

BSc (Hons) Quantity SurveyingKPT/JPS (PA4369) 06/19

BEng (Hons) Mechanical EngineeringKPT/JPS (PA4095) 12/18

At Heriot-Watt University, were honoured to have YTL Foundation bestow a scholarship fund for our programmes in *Construction Project Management, *Quantity Surveying and Mechanical Engineering. We look forwardto supporting their vision in developingyoung talents for Malaysias growing construction industry.

*AccreditationOur programmes are accredited by the Board of Quantity Surveyors Malaysia (BQSM) and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

FurtherUniversityprovided

scholarships availablefor other

disciplines

Scholarshipapplication closeson 18 August forthe September

2014 intake

Gaining a competitive edgeTIEW Kee Yee is no stranger to adversity. His stellar academic and co-curricular achievements stem from an ironclad determination to achieve. Diagnosed with Type 2 spinal muscular atrophy disease that causes the weakening of muscles, Tiew depends on a wheelchair to get around.

Yet he continued pursuing his education despite knowing his condition would not improve.

Knowledge is my only chance to ensure I have a competitive advantage, says Tiew.

His resolve to earn a degree saw him enrolling in UCSI Universitys BA (Hons) Accounting degree under the Faculty of Business and Information Sciences (FoBIS), and was announced as the recipient of the inaugural Chancellors Gold Medal Award, an honour on par with that of the

valedictorian, at UCSI Universitys 27th Convocation ceremony held early this month.

Tiew is thankful that his experience at UCSI has turned him into a confident young man from the boy who had experienced difficulty expressing himself.

Creating quality graduates

To ensure students such as Tiew are equipped with a competitive edge for the working world, FoBIS periodically reviews its programmes.

The industry leaders we spoke to have said that they are looking for graduates with financial knowledge in addition to a business degree, reveals Melissa Migin, dean of the Faculty of Business and Information Science.

Coupled with the fact that the financial services sector is

Melissa Migin, dean of the Faculty of Business and Information Science, talks about FoBIS focus on giving an edge to its students.

Impart business acumenCOMMERCE in todays world has been redefined by the globalisation of the marketplace and business leaders face formidable challenges in an increasingly dynamic global economy to meet evolving business needs of the 21st century.

Educators are tasked to equip tomorrows business leaders with long-term vision, the ability to analyse risks and opportunities and create value for their community.

With that in mind, Taylors Business School believes in developing purposeful business leaders of the future through a holistic and value-based education. This is achieved by approaching business studies in a practical and engaging manner, making it highly relevant to current global business practices.

Since being established in 1993, Taylors Business School has grown into one of the largest business schools in Malaysia, offering highly recognised international business qualifications, including foundation, diploma, bachelors, masters and PhD programmes.

Taylors Business School also offers dual degree programmes in collaboration with the Bristol Business School, University of the West of England (UWE) and students will receive certification and academic transcripts from both institutions upon completion of the degrees.

Taylors takes pride in grooming business graduates with an entrepreneurial mindset who can create social value through their business activities, look beyond profit margins and contribute to the community.

Despite being challenged with a limited budget and resources, students in the business programmes are required to develop creative and cost-effective proposals to achieve their business goals. This enhances their

practical experience in running a business, enabling them to apply their classroom knowledge as well as improve ethical, interpersonal, communication, leadership and problem-solving skills as seen in some projects undertaken by students.

Two projects organised by Taylors Business School students were the Social Entrepreneurship Fresh Mart and the Kampung Temasek Community Development Project.

The projects helped the local farming community of Cameron Highlands and increased sales revenue for villagers selling food and tourism products in Kampung Temasek.

By providing opportunities such as these projects to its students, Taylors Business School creates a platform for its students to grow and expand themselves outside of the classroom setting while empowering the local community to excel in their chosen areas of interest.

n For more information, call 03-5629 5000 or e-mail admissions@taylors.edu.my or visit www.taylors.edu.my/tbs

Taylors Business School students gain exposure to social entrepreneurship through real business experiences.

targeted to raise the countrys gross national income by a staggering RM121.5bil by 2020, Migin and her team realised the need to equip their students with sufficient financial knowledge.

Thus, FoBIS has designed a new range of programmes to meet this need: Bachelor of Financial Economics (Hons), BA (Hons) Accounting & Finance, BSc (Hons) Actuarial Science & Finance, BSc (Hons) Finance & Investment and BBA (Hons) Islamic Banking & Finance.

FoBIS emphasises hands-on learning, which is in line with UCSIs praxis university approach that advocates the application of theory to practice.

While its two-month co-op attachments for every study year send students to intern with some of the best names in the industry, FoBIS also brings in industry

professionals to deliver lectures to students on the ins and outs of the industry as well as organise forums, seminars, workshops and talks by key industrial partners such as Securities Commission Malaysia, Apple and Tricor.

As a testament to its esteem, FoBIS also has an excellent relationship with accrediting and professional bodies such as the Association of Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA), Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA) Australia, the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), and the Chartered Tax Institute of Malaysia (CTIM). This has resulted in professional papers exemptions for many of its business degrees.

n For more information, call03-9101 8882 or visit www.ucsiuniversity.edu.my

10 COURSE FOCUS StarSpecial, Tuesday 12 August 2014

A fulfilling careerTHE field of accountancy has always afforded graduates great prospects and growth. This is because of the continued economic growth that Malaysia is experiencing.

As the financial sector is a key enabler and the catalyst of economic growth, the demand for skilled accounting and financial professionals will continue to grow in the coming decades.

Presently, the government and the finance industry in Malaysia are in need of highly competent accountants to drive and support the countrys ambition of becoming a high-income nation.

This is why the Malaysia Institute of Accountants (MIA) has an important role to play. MIA is the umbrella body for the accountancy profession in Malaysia and is tasked with regulating and developing the accountancy profession in Malaysia.

MIA is the only accountancy body that is empowered by law to regulate the accountancy profession in Malaysia. An MIA membership is therefore mandatory for those who intend to practise as a certified accountant in the country, MIA president Johan Idris says.

Becoming an accountant in Malaysia

In Malaysia, graduating with an accounting degree does not automatically qualify you as an accountant. To become an MIA member and to practise as an accountant in Malaysia, one must possess a recognised local accountancy degree or be a member of a recognised professional accountancy body such as the Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and CPA Australia, among others.

If you have an accounting degree or other qualifications relating to accounting, business or finance that are not recognised under the Accountants Act but are recognised by the Public Services Department or the MIA Council, you can sit for the MIA Qualifying Examination.

The qualification that you possess should not be less than an undergraduate degree and its content must be at least 60% accounting based. Those who graduate from twinning and 3+0 programmes are also eligible to sit for the MIA QE, explains Johan.

Once the above requirements are fulfilled, at least three years of related working experience in the accounting, business or finance industry is required before applying for an MIA membership.

To facilitate aspiring accountants in gaining relevant working experience after

Johan Idris is the president of the Malaysia Institute of Accountants.

Building life skillsTHE three-year BSc (Hons) Accounting and Finance programme at Sunway University prepares students for the workforce, equipping them with skills in teamwork, problem-solving, communication and leadership.

Sunway University aims to nurture competent and well-rounded intellectuals, giving students the opportunity to take on leadership roles to embrace the concept of community service and enhance their personal attributes.

Tan Wee Li (pic), a student in the BSc (Hons) Accounting and Finance programme, was among the 150 students selected earlier this year as a Google Student Ambassador for the South-East Asia region out of 1,000 applicants.

I was speechless but ecstatic when I got the invitation. I have always dreamed of being part of the Google family, says Tan, who is currently in his second year of the BSc (Hons) Accounting and Finance programme. His main role as a Google Student Ambassador is be a liaison between Google and Sunway University.

Tan recently represented

Malaysia and Sunway University at the Google Student Ambassador South-East Asia Summit in Cebu, Philippines.

The event was enjoyable and an eye-opening experience for

me. I gained a lot of experience and knowledge and met people from different backgrounds. I was inspired by them and learned a lot too, he says.

Students in the BSc (Hons) Accounting and Finance programme at Sunway University will be equipped for future careers in the accounting profession or financial sector.

The degree at Sunway University is validated by Lancaster University and graduates receive certificates from both universities.

The programme is accredited by the prestigious Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and CPA Australia.

n For more informationcall 03-7491 8622 or e-mailinfo@sunway.edu.my or visit sunway.edu.my

completing their studies, MIA has created the Chartered Accountants Relevant Experience (CARE) Programme.

This programme provides guidance and sets out a range of competencies that accountants need to obtain before they can be certified. Under the CARE programme, a mentor will be appointed to supervise candidates until they have completed the three years of required working experience.

Students who intend to enrol into an accountancy programme must ensure that the programme is one that will prepare them for a challenging but rewarding career.

What you can expect

Generally, an accounting programme is technically inclined and requires students to be comfortable with numbers. A good accounting programme will also provide students with the relevant knowledge of business and marketing, an internship component and the opportunity to acquire transferable skills, Johan continues.

The internship component is vital as it allows the student to gain valuable real-life work experience before graduating. During their internship, students will also be able to work on their soft skills such as communication skills, presentation skills, teamwork, research skills and negotiation skills, says Johan.

As accountancy is a profession that is multi-faceted, those with sound knowledge and expertise in accounting can be employed in almost any industry.

By now you should already be convinced that accountancy is a rewarding career. It is definitely a leading profession and is highly sought after by many for its competitive salary, prestige and job satisfaction. So if you have a keen sense of finance and business, you may want to consider a career in accountancy. The opportunities are endless, says Johan.

n For more information, visit www.mia.org.my

StarSpecial, Tuesday 12 August 2014 COURSE FOCUS 11

Heriot-Watt University Malaysia will be hosting its first campus tours this weekend.

Making educationaccessibleHERIOT-WATT University Malaysias state-of-the-art, purpose-built green campus is the first university in Putrajaya.

The university now offers a special range of inaugural scholarships to all students who register for the upcoming intake in September.

Visitors will get the opportunity to visit the first green university campus in Malaysia this weekend as Heriot-Watt University will be hosting its first campus tours.

To celebrate our new foundation and undergraduate programmes, as well as the approaching completion of our new, purpose-built campus, we are offering special financial packages, including scholarships for high achievers regardless of their financial background.

Heriot-Watt University Malaysia recognises that quality higher education should be accessible to a wide range of students, says Prof Robert J.M. Craik, chief executive officer and provost of Heriot-Watt University Malaysia, in reference to the scholarship packages that are made available.

Heriot-Watt University, recognised internationally as a centre for high-calibre research in engineering, built environment, science and business, now offers many of the same degree programmes in Malaysia as its main campus in Edinburgh.

Students who register for the September undergraduate programme intake at the university will be rewarded with a scholarship of RM3,000.

The High Achiever Scholarship for undergraduate studies offers students 30% off their tuition fees for the first year.

Scholarship and non-scholarship holders who maintain a 70% average in their undergraduate studies will be awarded 35% off on their tuition fees in the following year.

Scholarship packages are also available to underprivileged students.

In some instances, these scholarship packages account for 50% or 100% of the total tuition cost.

Scholarships for foundation to postgraduate studies are also available from the universitys corporate and industry partners such as YTL Corporation Berhad, Great Eastern Life Malaysia, MNRB Holdings Berhad and Loh & Loh Corporation Berhad.

Heriot-Watt University Malaysias new campus has a student capacity of 4,000 and is offering a range of undergraduate programmes, including business, finance, mechanical engineering, petroleum engineering, construction project management and quantity surveying for its upcoming intake in September.

Heriot-Watt University undergraduate programmes are designed so that graduates are well prepared when they begin their employment. The syllabuses are closely linked to the industries and provide skill sets that will be useful in their careers.

This is why graduates from Heriot-Watt University gain a higher employability rate upon graduation with 94% securing full-time employment or furthering their studies within six months, says Prof Craik.

Heriot-Watt University is one of the most culturally diverse centres of study with campuses in the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates and Malaysia.

The university has the largest international student cohort of any Scottish university and delivers degree programmes to 11,800 students in 150 countries around the world.

The campus is designed to enforce a supportive educational community that reflects the world famous Heriot-Watt University status as a leading provider of high-quality, professionally orientated education.

n For more information,call 03-8881 0918, e-mail hwum@hw.ac.uk or visitwww.hwu.edu.my

12 COURSE FOCUS StarSpecial, Tuesday 12 August 2014

Opportunities abound with a law degreeLAW is one of the most interesting and rewarding disciplines in the world. It equips one with an awareness of rights and responsibilities, enhances ones self-confidence, augments critical thinking and improves communication skills.

It is also a versatile qualification that enables graduates to pursue careers outside of law.

Brickfields Asia College (BAC) offers the widest selection of law programmes in the nation, ranging from pre-law to professional programmes. It is the nations No.1 law school, having sent more than 6,700 law graduates into practice.The colleges stellar track record includes more than 200 World and National Top Student awards, Book Prize winners, firsts and 2nd uppers in the past two years.

The success of its students showcases BACs commitment in providing a remarkable educational experience.

Currently, BAC has partnerships and affiliations with more than 20 foreign universities and professional organisations,

offering its students access to more than 70 world-class law and business degrees and professional qualifications that can be completed either locally or abroad.

BAC has guided students to achieve outstanding results in the Bachelor of Laws (LLB) programme. In the last two years, 63 first class LLB (Hons) degrees were awarded to BAC students.

In the University of London International programme, BAC

students were awarded the Kings College Scholarship three times in the past six years.

Students can opt to pursue the LLB (Hons) degree via the University of London International Programmes, which is the only external law degree recognised by the Legal Professional Qualifying Board. This is a 3+0 programme that allows students to complete all three years of study at BAC.

BAC is one of the few

affiliate centres for the UOL law programme in Malaysia.

BAC also offers the UK Transfer Degree Programme (Law), which is designed for students to study law in Malaysia for the first two years before transferring to one of BACs partner universities in the United Kingdom for the remainder of the course.

Preceded by BACs A-Levels Express Route, which takes only 11 months to complete, the UKT

programme allows students to graduate up to two years before their peers, making BAC the fastest and smartest path to more than 70 UK law or business degrees.

After obtaining a degree in law, graduates may choose to pursue the Certificate in Legal Practice (CLP), which will qualify them to practise law in Malaysia. At last years CLP convocation ceremony, a BAC student received the Tun Hamid Omar Award for the Best Overall Student in the country.

This is the first time that students from the same institution have been awarded this coveted prize for the ninth consecutive year.

BAC has the largest law faculty in Malaysia, consisting of highly qualified lecturers and experienced practitioners. Students studying in BAC receive free study materials as well as access to exclusive online resources.

n For more information,call 03-2727 7494 or visitwww.bac.edu.my

Dr David Poyton from the Aberystwyth University giving participants crucial insights into the demands of studying and living abroad at BACs recent education fair.

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