Thanks for talking to us Sanjiva, could you tell us a little bit about your professional background, and the reasons why you are studying ACCA?
I started working at the age of 18 for a local construction company, within the finance department. I then moved on to financial accounting at a British American Tobacco subsidiary in Trinidad & Tobago, called Carisma Marketing Services. My studies in accounting began with the CAT (Certified Accounting Technician) qualification. It made the most sense to me to continue on to ACCA as it is an internationally recognised professional qualification. It arms you with the skills and competencies that are required of a finance professional, allowing you to work within different roles and industries. Most recently I wrote and passed my final paper, P4 (Advanced Financial Management) in December 2014. It is an extremely challenging paper, and to be honest, I have struggled with it. I feel such an immense sense of accomplishment now that I have completed my ACCA studies and I am now working on becoming an ACCA member.
And how do you feel about the level of support you’ve received during your studies so far?
The support has been exceptional. From any issues I’ve had with a particular area of my studies, to any problems with using the platform, the response time was quick and dealt with promptly. It made studying remotely in different countries easier, as I knew I could rely on the online support. Studying from home requires a great deal of self-discipline as being at home presents a lot of distractions. In order to be successful, you have to be motivated, committed to making time as well as creating the best environment for studying. That being said, studying online has a lot of benefits. It is both convenient and flexible, and you can study at your own pace. It also allows you to balance your work and family commitments. The lectures and study materials are available to you at any time you may need them.
And finally Sanjiva, do you have any study tips for other students who are studying ACCA online right now?
Master the basics and practice, practice, practice! The exams are timed, so it is important to have good time management skills and a proper exam technique. Attempt as many past paper questions as you can. Read the technical articles in the ACCA student accountant magazine, oh and did I mention practice?!