The Schippers Group’s Post

Prizewinning #acca and #cima exam sitters display remarkably consistent habits from candidate to candidate. Want to score high marks? It basically boils down to: 1. Practice (ideally under exam conditions) 2. Get feedback on your attempt from a subject expert 3. Alter course & practice again

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I have seen a lot of posts on CA trainees' stipends after comments made by a partner of the firm. I just want to highlight a few points for the fraternity: 1. It is unfair to target one individual, as he is not a council member and is not involved in policy making. 2. I have seen several posts from students and members lacking a professional tone and respect. It's important to express disagreements respectfully and professionally. I have seen people tagging member firms which is a very immature act. 3. Although I don't completely agree with that post, but it's important to note that the stipend level mentioned is a minimum requirement. Firms have the flexibility to offer higher stipends, which is the case with industry articles and also by a few firms. 4. I don't think any other profession offers significantly higher compensation at the same level. Much more can be added to this debate, but the primary purpose was to highlight the fact that we should be respectful while showing disagreement and be mindful of the platform used so we are not bringing the profession and institute to a disrepute.

Challenging the Status Quo: The Fight for Fair Stipends for CA Trainees In recent times, the call for stipend increases for CA trainees has flooded LinkedIn. While these posts highlight the need for change, we must acknowledge a harsh reality: in many third-world countries, merely talking about rights seldom leads to action. In third world countries achieving our rights demands sacrifices and strategic planning. Here are some strategic actions we can take to drive real change: A. Strategic Advocacy: Let's combine our voices to create a unified, powerful front. We can start by forming a LinkedIn group for all CA trainees across Pakistan to share experiences and coordinate efforts. B. Solidarity and Support: Building alliances with influential stakeholders, such as teachers, mentors, and partners who can understand, will amplify our voices. Their support can lend credibility and weight to our cause. C. Concrete Actions: We need to plan and execute steps that highlight the indispensability of fair stipends. For example: 1: Organize a collective decision to not appear for December exams, creating awareness among CAF students and convincing them to join our cause (Don’t be part of the Revenue). 2: Advocate for only one week breaks from firms, to emphasize the need for better compensation. 3: Raise awareness that without fair stipends, firms will struggle to meet deadlines as students will no longer be willing to work under current conditions. 4: It's essential to remember that change will not come easy, but with a well-thought-out strategy and collective effort, we can break the cycle and redefine how trainees are perceived and compensated. Let's move beyond just talking and start implementing plans that lead to real, impactful change. Together, we can challenge the status quo and ensure fair stipends for all CA trainees. kindly share your opinion in the comment section. #StudentRights #FairStipends #ChangeTheSystem #StrategicAdvocacy #CATraineesUnite

Can't be asked writing about A-Levels nor my experience at that level (as I highly doubt many A-Level students will be on this platform). But on a general note, my views are that 'bad' results academically (or results not going to plan) can NEVER be considered the end of the world. The immediate feeling is failure (and the fact that you need to wait months for a retake 🤦♂️which is the real annoyance lol), but really and truly, I believe that it is qualities and traits which ultimately takes you far in life. Discipline, consistency and hard work. Being my top 3. And these traits can be adopted and worked on at any time in life. And will always be a work in progress till the end. I also believe that certain professions do not require academic results for those trying to breakthrough, and many a time, the apprentice route can be much more fruitful. No £9k x 3 minimum debt, rather getting a monthly apprentice wage (be grateful early on) and priceless experience in the early days can really put you ahead of the game. As my first ever manager in an accountancy practice once said (something I always remember and preach): 'You have university students with 1st class degrees in Accounting & Finance, who can't balance the bank.' And it's true. You study all this fancy stuff like international taxation, corporate finance and group accounts, but I couldn't balance the bank. 😂 and only say 2% of students will actually go on doing that. The rest of them need to be balancing the bank, or accurately identifying and spotting errors. 😆 Gone off on a bit of a tangent but thought I'd share my two pence worth, as I've underperformed many a time previously, especially in my early 20's. But if one can use their underperformance as a motivator for going forward, then there is no stopping you! 💪😁 As I'm in tax, I failed my CTA OMB paper twice. Passed on my third attempt. Doesn't mean that I'm a better or lesser advisor than someone who was a prizewinner for example. Rather, I went on to teach the OMB paper and probably taught close to a 100 students! Moreover, experience is very important. Way more important than % results on exams. In an exam, you're timed at c 3 hours. In practice, you dictate when you'll revert to the client and have resources and other advisors to speak to. So different ball game. All in all, as a CTA, it's about assessing a situation in real-life and applying practical solutions. 🌹 ASWATAX ASWATGlobal

Stipend related posts are the only thing appearing in my feed these days that is a genuine issue but cause of concern is the demeaning body of posts. The world is round, we meet someone once and hope to meet again. Let's not humiliate each other so much that we can't even look into each other's eyes again. Trainees are the cost effective way for CA Firms to earn revenue. One can't change the mindset of people who are already exploiting trainees as it took a long run of years to develop such a mindset, but the newly qualified Chartered Accountants can change this system as they will be the ones in practice in the near future. There are different needs at different phases of life. Instead of this cascade, we should be streamlining our focus on studies and try to change things when they're in our own hands.

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I have been having some interesting conversations with candidates who are currently studying towards their exams in either the ACA, ACCA or CTA and I found it interesting to hear about how different people prepare for these exams. These qualifications are highly respected in public practice, but the exams are tough, with pass rates often hovering between 30% and 50%. To help you succeed, here are the top 3 exams tips I have heard so far: 1. Create a Comprehensive Study Plan: Success begins with a well-structured study plan. According to ACCA, students who plan their studies and stick to a schedule are 30% more likely to pass exams on the first attempt. Break it Down: Divide the syllabus into manageable chunks and assign specific topics to study sessions. This helps ensure that every area is covered without overwhelming yourself. Use Study Apps: Tools like Trello or Notion can help you organise your study plan and track your progress. 2. Focus on Core Concepts and Application These exams test your ability to apply concepts to real-world scenarios. For example, the CTA exams focus on applying tax law practically, while ACCA exams include scenario-based questions that assess problem-solving in a business context. Prioritise Key Areas: Identify the core concepts that frequently appear in exams and focus your study on these areas. For example, understanding IFRS standards is critical for ACA and ACCA exams. Practice Past Papers: Regularly practicing past exam papers helps you understand how to apply your knowledge to exam-style questions. Aim to complete at least five full past papers under exam conditions before your test date. The ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales) reports that students who consistently practice past papers are 25% more likely to pass the ACA exams. Use Case Studies: Engage with case studies relevant to your exam. For CTA candidates, this might involve analysing complex tax scenarios, while ACA students might focus on audit cases. 3. Understand the Exam Structure and Marking Scheme Each professional exam has its own structure and marking scheme, which can significantly impact how you approach your studies and the exam itself. Study the Examiner’s Reports: These reports provide insights into common mistakes and areas where students lose marks. For example, ACCA examiners often highlight the importance of time management during the exam. Understand the Weighting: Knowing which sections carry the most marks can help you prioritise your time during the exam. In CTA exams, for example, certain questions on the advisory paper may carry more weight and thus require more time and focus. Practice Time Management: In ACCA exams, over 40% of candidates fail due to poor time management rather than lack of knowledge. During your study sessions, practice completing questions within the allotted time. This will help you pace yourself during the actual exam. Any other tips and tricks you'd like to share?