It's Official, I'm an ACCA Member

Just because you passed all the exams, it doesn't mean you are automatically accepted as a member.

The various ACCA Status;

So the requirement to be an ACCA member are;

• Pass all the exams (with or without exemptions)
• Complete the online Professional Ethics module
• 36 months experience in relevant accounting / finance role [to be recorded in the system, signed off by immediate supervisor and you have to write several essays to illustrate your competency]

The most tedious part believe it or not; is not passing the exam; but the final step.

Tips

Start recording your experience in the system as early as possible to account for different employers, promotion etc. You can use your 6 months internship experience in getting the total 36 months. Jadi kalau record lambat, belum tentu you are still in contact with your former boss, so how are you gonna get the sign-off? [You can record the experience that occurred before, during or after you sit for ACCA exams]

The great thing about studying part-time is that you're working concurrently. 

So in my case, I started ACCA after 1 year of work experience so by the time I completed my papers, I've achieved the 36 months requirement. 

Not only you have to meet the 36 months experience requirement, but you will also need to meet 9 performance objectives. In order to prove this, you'll need to write a 300 words statement to demonstrate your competencies for each and every one of the objectives.

However, if you are employed at ACCA approved employer with Gold/ Platinum status (like I am) you could potentially ask for an exemption from all the performance objectives ; but only after you completed the 36 months experience.

After everything is set and done, your supervisor will receive an email to sign off your working experience.

Only then, you can submit the application to become a member. 

Of course, it's not free. 

£236 for membership admission + first-year annual subscription

Wait for a few weeks to get the reply on your membership status and they will mail you the hard copy certificate all the way from the UK. 

Now, you can use ACCA designation after your name ❤

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#MakanTrip : Melaka

At last, a reality ❤

2D1N trip, just before Ramadhan starts. 

This time we stayed at Arissa Hotel. Was tempted to stay at nicer hotels outside of the city center but decided against it at the last minute. And I don't regret it a bit!

Pros : Very comfortable bed, clean, ample parking, strategic location, free shuttle van to/fro Jonker Street

Cons : Open parking, receptionist was a tad cold

Rating : 4.5/5

The trip to Melaka was solely for food hunting. We went to most of the famous eateries. And here's my review. 

Ee Ji Ban Chicken Rice Ball

Lama juga mengidam. My verdict : over hyped. I really love chicken rice and this place, they do serve a good plate of chicken rice, succulent chicken and all. But. I felt like it's a bit overprice and not worth the queue. The nyonya cili garam dish was a bit bland, not full of flavor like I have anticipated. And oh, they charge you for the tapau container too 😣

The chicken rice set does not come with soup. Say whattt? Even chicken rice set at the food court provides you with 1 small bowl of soup. Here you need to order separately. 

[Tips : Chee Meng serves better chicken rice]

       

Rating : 3/5

Klebang Original Coconut Shake

Obviously the line was long but they were efficient. It's very affordable seeing the quality of the ingredients they used. I don't even bother to buy coconut shake at most night market because it is watery, too much water, not enough coconut, chunky ice etc

But here, everything is blended nicely. One of the best coconut shake I've tasted but would love if even more if the coconut bits are not as gritty. Well, to each his own; right?

Rating : 4/5

Jonker Street

The coconut is a hard pass. I thought it's gonna be as amazing as the one I had in Thailand but nooo.
The reason I bought it was to cool down. It was freaking hot, a lottt of people squeezing in the tiny road. The coconut water was warm. WARM! *laughing at myself* The flesh was too hard to eat, had to ask them to cut it for you. (In Thailand, if was so soft, you can just poke it with your straw) And it was not tasty. Kelapa tua. What do you expect...

Rating : 1/5

This baby, it's the bomb! So delicious, warm and gooey, make sure to buy it!!

Muah Chee : Glutinous rice ball covered with sugared peanuts

Rating : 5/5

Asam Pedas Claypot Kota Laksamana

Huge, huge place. Quite cheap for the price because the fish was big, N can barely finished it. Set comes with an asam pedas of your choice, rice, sambal belacan, salted egg and fried vegetable. Quite good!

Rating : 4/5

Awang Roti Canai, Bukit Beruang

The. Best. Roti Canai. I. Had. Ever!!

It's thick, crispy, fluffy. All at the same time. The curry was delicious. A must must try!

*parking can be limited tho

Rating : 5/5

Kuih Keria Antarabangsa Haji Jalil & Hajah Rahmah

Hajah Rahmah's

So we tried both, freshly from the fryer. Personally I'm more in favor of Hajah Rahmah's keria. 

The combination between flour and potato is just perfect. The sugar coating ... Just divine. 

Rating : 4.5/5

Mango Float Royale Melaka

Our final pit stop.  

At first, it tasted too sweet for my liking. 

But I kept on drinking because it's so good! Topped with mango cubes and vanilla ice cream. 

Rating : 4.5/5

Can't wait to be back in Melaka. #Eh

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#MBAJourney : Why I'm Saying No to UUM

This is my personal experience and you may or may not experienced the same thing.

So I'm looking to pursue my studies locally and I want to start as soon as possible *typical me*.

UUM offered classes in May, so I applied.

First things first. The reasons why I chose UUM;

• The MBA program is quite good, accredited by global bodies
• MBA structure : classes + exam + without thesis
• Location is in central KL
• Classes were held on the weekend
• Fee : RM18k

Just before I applied, I read through the new program book and surprise! Major changes!

• MBA structure : classes + exam + thesis
• Fee : RM35k (an increase of 94% / almost doubled)
• Upon graduation, will receive Chartered Manager status by Chartered Management Institute

To fork out and invest RM35k for a local university MBA is not worth it.

Then okay, my second choice was to take MSc Management. 

Deep down in my heart, deep deep down I felt like it will be less challenging for me. Since I have my diploma, degree and ACCA. All of the modules in this particular MSc program are merely extensions of what I've learnt before. 

But I was stubborn. I want to start studying as soon as possible. 

So I bought the pin number to apply at UUM.

The due date for application was 31st March. I completed everything in the final week of February; the online application, referee report, everything. 

I know the registration day will be on May 6th. Ideally, candidates should know the result and get the offer a month before; early April right?

That leaves UUM about a week to decide. So I thought, it must mean they reviewed the application on a rolling basis kan, kalau tak everything will be super last minute. 

So I wait, and wait and wait until the third week of April.

This. Cannot. Be. I contacted UUM on FB since they are quite active. 

Eh? How come the result announcement is on 9th May, while semester starts on the 6th?

It's my own fault that I didn't clarify further.
Instead, I take it as 'Oh.. Maybe they defer the registration day to a later date'.

On May 6th, I saw a post on FB 'UUM welcomes 80 new postgraduate students'.
I was like ^%&#$#^

Mind you, me and N wasted RM200 for the application fee (N applied for another program).
We were confused. And pissed off.

A few days later, I received an email from them.

Terrible customer service. No apologies, no explanation on the late offer whatsoever.

To make things worst, they send me the WRONG offer letter.

I replied to the email, asking for my correct offer letter; no reply.

My husband got his offer letter right but didn't get all the supporting documents.

I got all 4 documents while N only got the offer letter.

All in all, a terrible experience.
I truly believe the admission office did a bad job for this cycle of potential-students.

I did not regret saying no to UUM even though I've secured the offer.
Can't imagine the problems I will encounter as a student there.

Not to say other university is perfect but this is too much, for me.

Dodged a bullet!
Now I can apply at my first university of choice 💗 [will be in a separate post].

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