In 2013, fresh from Youth Service, I had no idea how to proceed with life. I mean I knew what I wanted, the big picture but I didn't have any direction how to get there. I then remembered that my good friend @zulfahxyz started ICAN(ATS) while we were both in school.
That influenced me to take ICAN too. The journey took two years and I got chartered, at that time, it was the hardest thing for me in terms of commitment, it seemed like a very proud feat, being a Chartered Accountant.
I had the chip on my shoulders going through the classes like everyone else who takes those classes. It was the highest, or so I thought. But then it was over, and the reality set in after induction. I was working in a small accounting firm as an Auditor,
what to do now after about 3 years without specialising. An MBA won't necessarily solve the problem or give me the specialist skills I needed. I needed to specificialize and move up, as audit wasn't doing it for me. The routine bored me, as someone with a technical mind.
Most people have a natural predisposition to consistent upward mobility. They must always be doing something productive, they must stay grinding, always up to something. They can easily get frustrated if things around them seems as if they're not moving. I fall in this category
You see, the thing they don't prepare you for during ICAN, is life after ICAN. The illusion that you somehow become a self-made successful professional once you're done. That is a big lie. Lol. So there are two types of people taking ICAN, people who already have jobs..
(working in firms, etc), and those who don't and hope that the program will open doors for them. The latter have it the hardest. Those working in well structured firms like the big four have things way easier. There is a structured growth path, networking, opportunities.
But what about those who don't? What do they do? Take on these peanut Accounting jobs that want to work you full but pay peanuts and no opportunity for self development. Getting chartered is only the beginning.
The Accounting profession is highly dynamic and easily influenced by technology, regulation, etc. To become a successful young Professional Accountant, you have to be strategic in the way you position yourself. ICAN has faculties that helps members specialise, there is TAX..
Forensics, Technology, etc., but in my opinion, these faculties don't do enough for the 'Youngings' in the profession. So if you're at this stage, know you're just getting started. Fast paced 21st century organisations do no longer need just a Chartered Accountant..
they need one that knows Forensics, data analysis using python, excel, R, one that know information system audit, risk assessment, disaster recovery and incident management, they need a Chartered Accountant that knows finance, mergers and acquisition, due diligence, valuation etc
So if you're a young Accountant and want to be relevant, a future CFO, which is it going to be for you? Finance? Tech? You must decide and start pursuing that now. Because if you don't and think ICAN is everything? You're in a for a big surprise in a few years.
I went the tech way, completely opposite Accounting, because I am tech savvy and creative and needed a wheel to express that potential. Today, I'm a software developer, I know information systems audit, I know data analysis, now I'm chasing cyber security.
Do you think I'm CFO or CTO material? I'm sure you get the picture. As a professional Accountant, to stay relevant in the coming years, you must align with where the future is headed. Tech, Finance, etc.
