Career Awareness Session on CA and ACCA at VCA

At Virtual College of Accountancy (VCA), Sialkot, we always try to guide our students not only in studies but also in making the right career decisions. Choosing a professional qualification after Matric or Intermediate can be confusing. Many students and parents are not sure which path to choose.

To help our students understand better, we arranged a special career awareness session for our ACCA and Matric students. The session was conducted by Sir Abdul Mannan, who shared valuable knowledge about CA and ACCA career pathways.

Understanding CA and ACCA in Simple Words

Sir Abdul Mannan started the session by explaining what CA and ACCA actually mean.

He explained that:

• CA (Chartered Accountancy) is a highly respected qualification in Pakistan. It is regulated by ICAP and includes exams plus practical training called articleship.
• ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is an international qualification recognized in many countries around the world.

He explained everything in very simple language so that even Matric students could easily understand.

Number of Papers and Time Required

Many students are worried about how many exams they have to pass and how long it will take.

During the session, students were guided about:

• Total number of papers in CA and ACCA
• Different levels of each qualification
• Average time needed to complete them
• Difficulty level and study commitment required

Students learned that both qualifications require hard work and consistency, but with proper guidance and planning, they can be completed successfully.

Career Scope and Job Opportunities

One of the most important parts of the session was about career scope.

Sir Abdul Mannan explained that both CA and ACCA offer strong career opportunities such as:

• Jobs in audit firms
• Working in banks
• Corporate finance departments
• Tax consultancy
• Starting your own accounting firm
• Working abroad

He also explained that qualified professionals are always in demand because every business needs financial experts.

Salary Expectations

Students were very interested in salary expectations.

They were guided about:

• Starting salaries after qualification
• Growth in salary with experience
• Salary differences in Pakistan and abroad
• Opportunities in Middle East and other countries

This helped students understand the financial benefits of choosing these professional careers.

Articleship and Practical Experience

Students were also informed about practical training.

For CA students:

• Articleship is compulsory
• Students work with audit firms while studying

For ACCA students:

• Practical experience is also required
• They can work in different finance related roles

This made students understand that both qualifications are not only about exams but also about gaining real work experience.

Interactive Question and Answer Session

After the presentation, students were given the chance to ask questions.

They asked about:

• Which qualification is better after Matric
• Which one is more difficult
• Which has better international scope
• Can we do CA or ACCA after Intermediate
• What if someone fails in exams

Sir Abdul Mannan answered every question patiently and clearly. This part of the session was very helpful because students felt comfortable asking their concerns.

Encouraging Students to Think About Their Future

The main purpose of this session was to help students think seriously about their future. Many students choose careers without proper information. This session gave them clarity and confidence.

Students realized that:

• Professional qualifications require dedication
• Early planning makes the journey easier
• Right guidance can save time and effort
• Hard work today can lead to a successful tomorrow

VCA Commitment to Student Success

At VCA, we believe education is not just about teaching books. It is about guiding students in the right direction.

We are committed to:

• Providing clear career guidance
• Supporting students at every stage
• Helping them understand real market opportunities
• Building confidence for professional growth

This awareness session was a great step toward helping our students make informed decisions about CA and ACCA.