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12 learning centre
exam technique
understanding command words
Examiners frequently complain that
students do not read exam questions
properly, not just misunderstanding
the requirement but also ignoring
the question structure. As a result,
students often lose marks because of
poor exam technique – even if their
syllabus knowledge is faultless.
Understanding ‘command’
words is the key. Examiners
choose these words with care,
and use them to show how they
want the question to be answered,
and to indicate how they will be
awarding marks.
For example, in a discursive question
you might be asked to ‘explain’ or
‘discuss’. This means you have to
demonstrate in-depth knowledge
(so you can ‘explain’), or show your
understanding of related issues (so you
can ‘discuss’); if you simply provide a
list of statements then you are unlikely
to gain all the marks on offer. However,
if you are asked to ‘list’ key points,
Exam technique:
mcqs – the golden rules
Multiple-choice questions (MCQs)
are not ‘easy’. Demanding both
syllabus knowledge and the right
technique, good MCQ performance
can mean the difference between
pass and fail. So what should you
remember?
First, prepare thoroughly, revising
across the syllabus. Although some
material is clearly more suitable for
MCQs – calculations, for example, or
definitions of terms – don’t try to predict
which syllabus areas MCQs will cover.
In the exam, think clearly and read
carefully. Much time and effort goes into
preparing MCQs, and especially into the
‘distractors’ – the wrong answers.
then extra explanation is unnecessary,
won’t gain extra marks and – crucially –
will waste your valuable exam time.
Go through past papers and identify
all the different command words
employed – and ask for help if you’re
not sure what you’re being asked to do,
as command words are signposts to a
successful answer.
These wrong choices replicate
common mistakes and so will seem
very plausible, especially under exam
conditions. Always make a considered
choice when choosing your answer.
Good time management is crucial,
although it’s better to allocate time to
groups of MCQs rather than individual
questions. You’ll probably find some
MCQs take less time to answer than
others – by completing these questions
first you’ll know how much time is left to
answer the more difficult MCQs.
And finally – answer all the questions.
There are no penalties for wrong
answers, but definitely no marks for an
unanswered question. Try not to guess,
but if you’re running out of time or
knowledge make an educated choice.
Exam technique:
Studying abroad
The ACCA Qualification is a
passport to global employment
opportunities – but even before
you qualify, studying ACCA abroad
can accelerate career prospects,
income and personal development.
Taking the first step, however,
can be daunting. Comprehensive
research is vital, and many different
factors will influence your final choice
of destination – whether family
connections, available budget,
language skills, or climate. You’ll
also need to know about visas, work
permits, passports, inoculations and
any other regulations which might
affect your travel plans.
If you hope to study full-time
then start by researching ACCA’s
network of Approved Learning
Partners, looking at both tuition
and the support offered to overseas
students – social networks, advice
and guidance services and so on.
Also consider college location. It may
seem exciting to study in a capital
city, for example, but not if you’re
faced with a long commute to college
every day.
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14 LEARNING CENTRE
WORKING OVERSEAS
GETTING A JOB IN MALAYSIA
WHAT CAN MALAYSIA’S MULTI-ETHNIC, MULTI-RELIGIOUS SOCIETY AND
STRENGTHENING ECONOMY OFFER TRAINEE ACCOUNTANTS?
Boasting one of South-East Asia’s
most robust economies, Malaysia,
a federation of 13 states and three
federal territories, is among the
world’s biggest producers of computer
disk drives, palm oil, rubber and
timber. And while Malaysia’s economic
prospects were impacted by the global
economic downturn, its previous
good record of industrial growth
and political stability has helped it
maintain a vibrant economy, albeit
with the help of a $16bn economic
stimulus plan back in 2009.
But what can the country’s
multi‑ethnic, multi-religious society
and strengthening economy offer
trainee accountants?
Accountancy is a developed and
well‑respected profession in Malaysia.
It is governed by the Malaysian Institute
of Accountants. Only MIA members will
be considered as accountants under the
Accountants Act, 1967 and ACCA is a
recognised qualification. The Big Four
as well as several mid-tier firms all have
a presence in the country.
Sahun Nadarajah, general manager
of recruitment company Randstad
Malaysia (www.randstad.com.my)
says: ‘Career opportunities for
trainee accountants exist mainly
in multinational companies, audit
firms and government-led companies
who offer in-house management
trainee programmes.’
Although the capital, Kuala
Lumpur, is the beating heart of
finance in Malaysia (it has the largest
concentration of MIA membership
in the country with almost 10,000
members), there are other key cities
for jobseekers.
SA Saw works for JAC Recruitment in
Kuala Lumpur (www.jac-recruitment.my)
and points out that the major business
hubs boasting the best accounting
jobs include cities like ‘Penang, Ipoh
and Johor.’
As far as what industries are looking
for accountants, Nadarajah says that
insurance, shared services and BPOs
are key industry sectors with a high
demand for finance professionals.
Saw agrees. ‘Finance departments
are very important in most companies,
especially in the shared service
industry,’ she says. ‘Most large
companies worldwide today have
some kind of shared services concept

03°08’ N
101°42’ E
in place. Over half of the medium
to large companies are currently
engaged in some kind of shared
service project activity.’
With Malaysia’s economic growth
expected to rise to 5.5% in 2012,
and over 60,000 graduates entering
the Malaysian job market annually,
competition for graduate accounting
positions is fierce, so how can trainees
and newly-qualified accountants
put themselves in the best possible
position to get the top jobs?
One tip is to get some extra
experience while you are studying,
and don’t be backwards in
coming forwards.
‘In Malaysia, many accounting
students are proactive in building
their experience and skills throughout
their degrees and take up part-time
roles with auditing firms after study
hours,’ explains Nadarajah. ‘This gives
them invaluable, practical experience
and can help them to get their feet in
the door with prospective employers
and expand their early career
opportunities.’
But be warned, because it won’t
all be plain sailing. The work ethic
STUDENT ACCOUNTANT ISSUE 07/2011
THE WORK ETHIC IN MALAYSIA IS TOUGH.
EMPLOYMENT IN MALAYSIA IS STRUCTURED AND
STRICTLY GUIDED BY THE MALAYSIAN LABOUR LAW AND
LONGER WORKING HOURS IS AN ACCEPTED NORM
AND, AT TIMES, EXPECTED.
in Malaysia is tough. Employment in
Malaysia is structured and strictly
guided by the Malaysian Labour
Law and longer working hours is
an accepted norm and, at times,
expected. They may also depend
on what sector you are working in.
‘If the nature of work is
complicated, for instance in
manufacturing, food and
beverage and retail, normally
you need to work long hours
compared to the trading
industry,’ says Saw.
Nadarajah points out, though,
that times are changing. ‘More
recently, with the introduction
of more multinational
companies and government‑led
companies entering the
15
Malaysian market, better work/life
balance is becoming more prevalent.’
And what about the all-important
salary? At the time of writing, the
exchange rate was 4.89 Malaysian
Ringgits (RM) to the pound, and
trainee/graduate accountants in the
commercial/corporate arena have
a starting average basic salary of
RM30,000 per annum.
‘In multinational audit firms, where
there is more graduate interest
and a situation of greater supply
than demand, salaries start around
RM18,000–RM21,000 pa,’ says
Nadarajah. ‘This salary bracket is
accepted and offset by the gain of
practical experience. Employees with
multinational audit experience fetch
higher salaries.’
16 learning centre
per support
online links
The ACCA website has a wide range of support to help you get your
practical experience requirement (PER) for ACCA membership
PER interactive case studies
Follow the journey of six individuals
– four trainees and two workplace
mentors – through PER. Explore typical
questions raised and challenges faced
throughout the PER cycle and some
of the choices and options available
to you.
Access the PER interactive
case studies
Further resources, including Support
Sheets and Case Studies are available
from myACCA.
How to use the Trainee
Development Matrix (TDM)
A guide to help you through the various
functions of the trainee development
matrix (TDM) – this is also available
through myACCA.
TDM guidance videos
ACCA has produced 18 short videos
and podcasts which give a step-by-step
guide to assist trainees and workplace
mentors in completing the TDM.
Access the TDM guidance videos
Help with getting a
workplace mentor
This guide has been designed to give to
a person you would like to act as your
workplace mentor. It briefly describes
the nature of the role and the benefits
to them.
PER guide for trainees
This guide explains all you need to
know about ACCA’s practical experience
requirements in detail.
Other resources
Performance objectives booklet
The performance objectives booklet
contains detailed information to help
workplace mentors guide trainees
on each performance objective they
have to achieve, and understand
the values and attitudes trainees
should demonstrate as they gain their
practical experience.
Answering challenge questions
A guide to help you understand how
to approach the challenge questions
which are related to the performance
objectives. The guide contains sample
answers to help you understand what
a suitable answer may look like.
Trainee support sheets
¤ Setting and meeting
performance objectives
¤ Getting practical experience
¤ Ensuring personal effectiveness
¤ How to find a mentor.
The support sheets provide guidance on
what you need to do to help you achieve
your practical experience.
Focus on performance
objectives – published
in previous issues of
student accountant
Professionalism, ethics
and governance
1 Demonstrate the application
of professional ethics, values
and judgment
2 Contribute to the effective
governance of an organisation
3 Raise awareness of
non‑financial risk
Personal effectiveness
4 Manage self
5 Communicate effectively
6 Use information and
communications technology
Business management
7 Manage on-going activities in your
area of responsibility
8 Improve departmental performance
9 Manage an assignment
Financial accounting and
reporting
10 Prepare financial statements for
external purposes
11 Interpret financial transactions and
financial statements
Performance measurement and
management accounting
12 Prepare financial information for
management
13 Contribute to budget planning and
production
14 Monitor and control budgets
Finance and financial management
15 Evaluate potential business/
investment opportunities and the
required finance options
16 Manage cash using active cash
management and treasury systems
Audit and assurance
17 Prepare for and collect evidence
for audit
18 Evaluate and report on audit
Taxation
19 Evaluate and compute
taxes payable
20 Assist with tax planning.

THE VIEW FROM...
BANKING AND PRACTICE
BANKING: MANON SHAH
ACCA, MBA, SENIOR ASSOCIATE, JP MORGAN, UK
Q HOW DO YOU PLAN YOUR
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT?
A I am quite ambitious and always set
long-term goals. I keep identifying areas
of professional development that will
either provide me with knowledge and
skills or bridge the gap in my existing
skills. I am pursuing the Chartered
Financial Analyst (CFA) qualification. I
am also learning French.
Q WHAT PROGRESS WOULD YOU LIKE
TO SEE IN YOUR CAREER WITHIN
THE NEXT FIVE YEARS?
A I have been fortunate enough to have
exposure in different areas of finance in
leading organisations such as Barclays
and JP Morgan. After completing my
PRACTICE: DUNCAN JEFFRIES
FCCA, FINANCE DIRECTOR, GRAHAM MARTIN & CO, UK
Q WITH 20 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE
IN THE PROFESSION WHAT KEEPS
YOU GOING?
A I never tire of meeting new people
and getting to understand different
businesses. I also enjoy the variety that
is offered by clients, and developing
professional relationships.
Q HOW DO YOU JUGGLE YOUR
ROLE IN THE PRACTICE WITH
ACTING AS FINANCE DIRECTOR FOR
SEVERAL CLIENTS?
A I plan and prioritise my work as far in
advance as possible. I am also fortunate
in having an invaluable support team
who are primarily responsible for
the compliance work, allowing me to
concentrate on client interaction.
STUDENT ACCOUNTANT ISSUE 07/2011
FAST FACTS
Market: fixed income, equity, credit and FX
Currently reading: I am reading Sheldon Natenberg’s Advanced Trading
Strategies, on my commute to work
MBA, I worked in corporate finance for a
couple of years and moved towards risk
management. In the long term, I would
like to see myself in a more strategic role
and working with senior management.
Being part of one of the world’s
biggest investment banks, working with
talented people, using sophisticated
systems and most importantly, applying
the theory and skills learnt, gives me a
real sense of  achievement.
FAST FACTS
Clients: There are more than 400 in the company
Currently reading: John Grisham’s The Client (a lesson in how not to run a
professional practice)
Q WHAT IS YOUR NUMBER ONE
PROJECT FOR THE COMING MONTHS?
A On a professional level, to continue to
improve the financial performance on
all levels within the company. Personally,
I would like to assume control
of  the company from the majority of
shareholders on a daily basis.
Q WHAT MEASURES ARE YOUR
CLIENTS TAKING TO IMPLEMENT IXBRL?
A It is fair to say that our clients
17
Q WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST
WORK HEADACHE?
A Work/life balance. I am a bit of
a fitness fanatic and try to lead a
healthy lifestyle. I have a very
demanding job and at the same time
am preparing to take one of the
toughest exams I have ever taken,
level II of the CFA qualification.
Freeing up time and energy
is challenging.
totally rely on us in this regard. We are
sufficiently confident in our own systems
to ensure we will be fully compliant.
Q AS A KEEN SPORTSMAN, HOW DO
YOU MAKE TIME FOR EXERCISE?
A I try to make use of every hour in
the day and ensure that I strike the
right balance between work and home.
Flexibility and compromise are the main
factors, as well as an understanding
and supportive wife.
18 LEARNING CENTRE
DISTANCE LEARNING
IMPROVING ACCESS TO TUITION
FOLLOWING ON FROM OUR ARTICLE IN THE 9 MARCH ISSUE OF
STUDENT ACCOUNTANT, WE SPEAK TO THREE ACCA STUDENTS TO FIND
OUT WHY THEY OPTED FOR DISTANCE LEARNING
NADIA ALINA JOSEPH,
ACCA STUDENT WITH GET
THROUGH GUIDES
‘I am currently working full-time
while studying ACCA, and opted for
distance learning because I found it
hard to find reliable tuition providers
in my country, but it is very difficult
to study at this level totally alone.
Having self-studied before, I find
the online approach is valuable, and
also very affordable, especially as I
am working.
‘My main advice to students
starting a distance learning course
is to first draft a time plan, then make
sure you attend any classroom or
revision sessions run by your learning
provider. Review your course materials
after these sessions and also make
sure you complete plenty of practice
questions in the lead up to an exam.’
ACCA STUDENT WITH BPP
PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION
‘I am currently working in an
accountancy practice, hoping to
become a qualified accountant.
Together with my employer I decided
to opt for a distance learning course
as I felt I could cope with the
study required without attending
classes. As I already had the required
technology, I didn’t need to make any
additional investment.
‘I had previously attended
classroom‑based study courses
with BPP, and although there is no
difference in my ability to learn,
distance learning does offer more
benefits in terms of work/life balance.
As study time is flexible, I can adapt
my study according to my workload,
although I have a basic plan and try to
stick to that. In addition, studying from
home has made life much easier as I
don’t have to travel to attend class.
‘I advise students starting a distance
learning course to make a basic plan
for when they want to study – say
on set days every week. I also found
it best to complete one subject
thoroughly before moving on to the
next, and felt that question practice
in the run up to an exam helped me
remember material.’
DANIEL ROMAN, ACCA STUDENT
WITH KAPLAN FINANCIAL
FLEXIBLE LEARNING
‘I opted for distance learning because
I spend the majority of my working
week travelling around the UK, and
it allows me to continue my studies
in my own time; if I need access to
my materials I can log on to Kaplan’s
EN-gage study portal, and can email
queries to my tutors. This means I can
achieve the right work/life balance.
‘The key benefit is that I am my own
teacher, deciding what and when to
study, but this also means I have to
be very disciplined. You can also feel
alone, but if you want to talk through
problems with tutors in person they are
always available by phone, and there
are also Kaplan student groups online.
‘Distance learning students have
to have discipline and determination.
In addition, you must think positively,
have a realistic study plan and stick
to it, find the study technique that
works for you, and ask for help
when needed. Also try to attend any
face‑to‑face classes that your tuition
provider offers – these will help you
understand that you are not alone,
and can supply essential 
motivation.’
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