ACCA Mauritius: part 1

I recently had the privilege to interview Mr Vinod Bussawah, manager of ACCA Mauritius. Since my registration as an ACCA student, the local office has been supportive towards my examination achievements.

I have considered two blog postings about the ACCA Mauritius office, and the aims of these  are to explore the support that the branch offers; the role that ACCA is playing to ensure the delivery of high calibre finance professionals for sustaining the growth in the Mauritian financial sector; and how ACCA has gained its reputation as a highly regarded professional qualification among employers and various stakeholders.   

I was inquisitive about the trends and reasons why Mauritian students register for ACCA.  ‘ACCA is the fastest growing professional accountancy body in the world, and has maintained a consistent growth in its membership and student growth over the past years,’ Mr Bussawah says. ‘In 2007, global student and affiliate numbers grew by 10%. Mauritius, despite being described a mature market for ACCA, has recorded a growth of over 5% over the past five years, and the trend looks to continue upward,’ he adds.

Mr Bussawah continues: ‘We work in collaboration with the department of career guidance from the Ministry of Education in assisting secondary level students in their career choices. It is worthwhile to point out that students do understand the fundamental difference between a professional and academic qualification, and as such they are more prone to opt for the former one. This is where ACCA comes in.’

‘ACCA’s policy towards accessibility and openness of the course, the cost involved, the benefits of employment, and market adaptability of the ACCA professional qualification results in its great demand. The attractiveness of ACCA is based on key criteria such as open access policy, the credibility and integrity of the course structure and the way in which examinations are held, and also the revision of the syllabus itself at regular intervals, in order to meet the requirements of today’s professional accountant,’ Mr Bussawah states.

I was pleasantly surprised to know that ACCA has been present in Mauritius since 1960.   ‘ACCA’s professional qualification has proved itself through the dedication and hard work of its members. Members occupy highly ranked positions in the government bodies and agencies (for instance Director of the National Audit Office, Accountant General, and Mauritius Revenue Authority, to mention a few) and also CEOs, CFOs, and Senior Audit Partners in the private sector. As such, ACCA students can foresee their career path as to where this qualification will bring them to,’ adds Mr. Bussawah.

‘The ACCA Mauritius office was established in the year 2000, and we offer our services to the ACCA community, our various stakeholders, and also the public at large. We have a library attached to our premises and we have extended this facility to five different local municipal libraries throughout the country. Thus students will have a greater access to updated study materials. Among our team of five members, we have a dedicated student advisor who provides guidance to our newly registered students about the various study options and how to achieve the right blend of working experience,’ explains Mr Bussawah.

I recalled those challenging phases prior to my ACCA final exams in June 2007. I had the opportunity to attend crash courses organised by ACCA Mauritius with the support of lecturers from the UK. It proved that my first attempt for the three final examinations was also the last attempt!

My next posting will delve into the role ACCA Mauritius is playing with local authorities, support being offered to ACCA affiliates and members, and the social activities of the office. 

Comments

[Mohammad Huzaifa]

Dear Kathy,

Thank you for your post. To become an ACCA Member you need to acquire the 3 Es:
1. Examinations
2. Experience
3. Ethics

You will need to demonstrate Ethical values as an ACCA student and throughout your professional career as an ACCA member.

The flexibility of ACCA's Professional Examinations enables you to choose as whether to be a part-time Student which yields the advantage of acquiring Experience simultaneously or full time student, depending upon your commitments.

ACCA allows exemptions towards certain examination papers to Degree Holders upon admission as an ACCA student. I would advise you to contact ACCA [email protected] for further information.

I hope that I have been of support towards your choice.
Bon courage and have an excellent start!

Thank you,
Mohammad Huzaifa

[Mohammad Huzaifa]

Dear Jawad,

Thank you for your post and congratulations!

You will agree that having a good grasp of both areas is crucial in consolidating your professional profile.

Taxation is dynamic in terms of legislations and clients' queries, hence you need to be 'sharp' in interpretations and thus, developing your advisory skills.

Auditing requires a lot of analytical,critical and communication skills (among other skills!) and renders a broad view of the client's business, hence depicting its strategic formulation.

As far as you are working towards your membership requirements with the right level of experience as your venue, there is nothing to worry upon.

I would advise you to talk to your workplace mentor, She or he will advise you about the right time to make the right move.

Thank you,
Mohammad Huzaifa

[Kathy]

Hello Mohammed,

I hope you can help me :)

I'm a school leaver and want to become an accountant but I'm in a real dilemma.

Could you please advice me,I should choose between working and doing ACCA or going to university to study finance...

I really don't know what will be more beneficial to me now and for my future.

Waiting for your reply.

Thanks,
Kathy

[jawad]

Hi,

I became an ACCA affiliate in the last session and am currently working in a chartered accountants firm in the direct tax department.

But, I am a little confused as to whether tax is better for me or whether I should go to the audit deparment.

Can anyone tell me what will be more suitable?

Jawad, Pakistan

[Mohammad Huzaifa]

Hello Noorina,

Thank you for your post. Kindly contact ACCA's local branch in Mauritius on 2109701, and they will assist you in every respect.

Kind regards,
Mohammad Huzaifa

[Noorina]

Hi Mohammad

I need some kind of help...

I need to register for ACCA but i don't know how... I went on the site www.accaglobal.com but can't find any application form. Will it be better if I register directly in ACCA Mauritius? I will have to go there to register myself as an ACCA student.

Thanks

[Mohammad Huzaifa]

Hi Marie,

I hope you are fine. Thank you for the post.

I advise you to contact the ACCA Mauritius Office - an excellent team will be glad to assist you.

All best for your studies,
Mohammad

[marie]

Hi, I'm looking for the name of tutors in Mauritius who teach the ACCA Diploma in Financial Management, please. Can anybody help? Thanks

[Kris]

Hi Mohammad,

How are your studies? Are you stressed about exam results?

What study books/materials do you use? Maybe you could blog about it please?

Do you use any online support? What do you think about the new site: http://www.opentuition.com/

There seem to be many students using their free materials - have you heard of any other sites?

Thanks and keep blogging!

[Web editor - ACCA]

Hi djsmax

The following fees and subscriptions apply for ACCA exams and students:

CAT STUDENTS
Initial subscription: £58
Re-registration: *£58
Annual subscription: £58
Introductory Level exam: £37
Intermediate Level exam: £37
Advanced Level exam/exemption: £42

ACCA QUALIFICATION AND MSER STUDENTS
Initial subscription: £66
Re-registration: *£66
Annual subscription: £66
Knowledge exam/exemption: £50
Skills exam/exemption: £60
Professional exam: £70
*plus unpaid fee(s)

AFFILIATES
Annual subscription: £95
Permanent subscription: £181

ACCA students must not forget to pay their fees on time. Dates by which fees and subscriptions must be paid and arrangements for payment are included in the ACCA welcome pack.

The annual ACCA subscription fee was due and payable on 1 January 2009. Remember, fees can be paid at ACCA’s e-business website: https://www.acca-business.org

Every student on file as at 1 January each year is required to pay a subscription for that year in order to remain active on the register. The initial subscription fee submitted with the Initial Registration Form is required to cover the registration process and to maintain students' names on file for the calendar year in which you register.

Students who fail to pay fees when due (including exam/exemption fees), will have their names removed from the ACCA register. Students wishing to re-register are required to submit any amounts unpaid at the time of their removal in addition to the re‑registration fee. No penalty fee will be charged. Confirmation of unpaid fees can be obtained from any national ACCA office or ACCA Connect.

[Mohammad Huzaifa]

Dear Sadiq

Thank you for the post.

Both qualification and relevant experience are the keys for higher responsibilities.

The PER is marvellous in providing guidance to trainees in acquiring the essential experience in order to meet current and future professional exigencies.

Getting through the ACCA pass mark is a milestone achievement. Moreover, you would agree with me that achieving the highest marks creates a 'profile' for the candidate.

Thank you,
Mohammad Huzaifa

[Sadiq Ali]

Hello Muhammed,

First of all thanks for putting such valuable material to guide young ones.

My question is in response to your line in which you have described that your job depends on your progress thru the ACCA qualification - does it really matter to qualify with the highest marks? or are simply passed or high achiever put in the same lane? It is also heard that your PER is the key to get the beneficial job in the future?

Please answer my query, your reply would be of crucial importance to me.

Thanks
Sadiq Ali , Pakistan

[djsmax]

Hello,

I would like to know the fees of ACCA exams.