Why did I choose Accountancy:
From a first look, you won’t really be able to tell if I’m the courageous type of person. Some people think that I might not survive in a big competitive world with my timid, reserved and silent personality. So it came as a surprise when I decided to take up a degree in Accounting. It was a course that I really decided on my own. To me, this course would help me build my confidence more and teach me to become independent.
From what I know, Accountancy has been the one of the topmost sought-after course since. As multiple kinds of businesses start to emerge in the progressing Philippine economy, Accountants are becoming more in-demand. I was also interested to get a better grasp of how the financial world runs through accounting.
With this idea in my mind, I knew I had a place in a competitive world to fill in. It was a very tough choice that I made but since the prospects were too great for a future accountant which I aspired to be, I just stood by that with a strong belief i
About my college education:
It might be so ironic that I hated my accounting subjects back in the days. But at first, when there was only the BASIC accounting, I kind of enjoyed it. I really felt accomplished each time I could balance the debit and credit sides. Sadly, my happy days lasted very shortly as we progressed to more difficult accounting. Cost accounting and taxation were the most complex and painstaking for me. And ‘til today, I think I’m still fighting that battle to conquer my fear of these subjects.
Talk about exams. The most horrifying moment of all time. I always dreaded accounting exams but I guess my routine of study-study-study, not to mention my lack of social life, really helped me in passing the exams. Of course, there were some who failed the exams, but they didn’t give up and redeemed themselves the next time.
However, since studying accounting is almost equivalent to eating stress for breakfast and depriving yourself of sleep, those of the frail of heart eventually shifted to business management.
Seriously, I don’t recall myself having a social life other than those spent with my classmates. The circle of friends I hang out with were also in the same course so each time we gathered, it was only because of our subjects, our assignments and anything accounting-related. If I bump into my other friends from other courses, we’d only be saying our short hellos and goodbyes and though I really wanted to stay a bit more for a little chit chat, I just didn’t have a minute to spare. So for me, every day was the same--- study, study, study.
My current job:
I’m one of the MANY junior accountants at SGV & CO – the “Philippines' largest multidisciplinary professional services firm”; I’m in their Davao branch.
I do what typical accountants do --- handle several business accounts, encode transactions in the computer which will take all day, and strain my brain for analyzing financial data.
Am I using what I learned in college:
Yes. I’m able to apply all the things I’ve learned from my accounting books, teachers and from my daily student life to my current job. Because I was used to being under pressure in college, I think that was the main reason why I’m able to cope with it now.
With respect to the accounting skills I’ve gained at college, I definitely didn’t leave them behind. Being logical or analytical, being goal-driven, embracing the math of all things, and always having that eye-for-detail, these are the things which I picked up from college and find very useful for my job at present.
How long did it take to find a job:
Right after the results of the CPA board exam got out, I got a call from the company. So in a month, I already started working there.
Do I recommend studying Accountancy:
Taking it from my own experience, I would highly recommend this course to every competent young Filipino student we have here in our country. Like I said, it’s not for the frail of heart but with the right amount of determination and an eye for success, you’ll find your way though, with flying colors even.
Accountants always get employed so you don’t have to break a sweat in finding a job.
For fresh graduates, they can get a salary of P8,000 (minimum) to P12,000 a month. Supervisory level or senior accountants get a little above P20,000 while accountants with 5 or more years of experience get around P30,000. As you gain more experience and move up from your position as an accountant, the monthly salary also increases (to P60,000 and more) and so do the extra benefits.
Advice to people who are thinking of studying this course:
Whatever happens, don’t let accounting eat you alive. Pressure will always be there, but don’t succumb to it in a way that you’ll disregard your health by not sleeping, not eating right, always locking yourself up in your room that you forget to have some fresh air and by always worrying.
Know how to differentiate between GOOD pressure and BAD pressure, because if you mix the two, you’d be in for big trouble. Studying is always good, but knowing how to balance your academics, social life as in family and friends and your spiritual life is the true essence of being human. Yes, indeed.
But wait, before I forget the most important thing, this is just a stepping stone. The real deal is the Board exam which you have pass more than anything else; so don't celebrate just yet once you've graduated because you just managed to pass the first step.
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