Last year of the first 5-years plan

Before I embarked on my career right after graduation sometime back in 2007, I set forth a 5-years plan.

First of all, I did not expect myself to be an auditor. I became an auditor by a decision I made in 2003, during the last few months of my army life. I was first accepted into NUS Business School to study Business Administration. Naturally, regardless of what degree was, NUS was a good branding by itself and I thought that alone took care of everything.

JC asked me to visit  some road-show by NTU Business School in Suntec. I was inspired by the Dean who reminded us that having a specialized degree is better than a general degree and Accountancy was a specialized degree, as compared to a Business degree. She said, "An Accountancy student can do what Business students do, but not vice versa." And I agreed with her.

I have no idea what I wanted to do. I knew that I have interest in Finance. Bonds, equities, derivatives and commodities. Business degree would be good. At that point in time, I did not know what Accountancy was. I had a very vague idea of what it is. Accountants.

However, I soon convinced myself that an Accountancy Degree would be in my best interest. I was right and I was wrong. During 2004, I submitted my application for NTU Accountancy course and was accepted. I did not have a full picture of what Accountancy course entails and the career paths it will bring me. Audit? Assurance? Accounting? Where are my bonds, equities, derivatives and commodities? During the last year of my study, I had to make a choice. What will my career be? I signed up for the Big 4. It was THE thing to do as an accountancy student.

Auditing is something that I did not regret doing. It widened my horizon and gave me opportunities that my common peers may not have accessed to. To travel, to gain industry knowledge and to strengthen my technical knowledge on accounting and the financial reporting standards. However, I soon loathe it. Auditing does not give me the work-life balance that I crave for. More importantly, whatever I am doing have little bearing on my interests in Finance. I am only doing part of it, the financial reporting part. Auditing involved moderate risks that bring little returns.

Nonetheless, I have made a 5-years plan: (i) To stay until Manager, (ii) To be proficient in the financial reporting standards, (iii) To be involved in different industries and (iv) To be involved in IPO process.

Now a preliminary check:

(i) To stay until Manager - May not realized it as I think I cannot handle the job and the stress well.

(ii) To be proficient in the financial reporting standards - I have the tools to update myself with the FRS. I have the basic knowledge of the FRS.

(iii) To be involved in different industries - Done. Manufacturing (Textiles, tiles, confectionary products), Retail, Hospitals, Constructions.

(iv) To be involved in IPO process - I am involved in several IPO projects. Even though, I was involved in different stages but I did have an understanding of the IPO process.

I think it a good time to move on.

I have started on the CFA again. And I am trying to plan out a proper route to do my ACA, and at the same time to stay in EY (due to the training contract). And I also plan to take the CAIA.

I will need to devise my second 5-years plan soon. Until then.