KUCHING – Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Malaysia have signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) for undergraduates to complete the ACCA professional qualification before they graduate through the ACCA Accelerate Programme.
Swinburne Sarawak students majoring in the Bachelor of Business (Accounting) or Bachelor of Business (Accounting and Finance) can now undertake papers from ACCA, the international professional accountancy body, in the second year of their degree studies under the ACCA Accelerate Programme.
In the past, students from both programmes were required to first complete their degree before they could pursue the ACCA qualification with maximum exemptions by ACCA.
Under the current arrangement, eligible students can sit for the last five ACCA Professional Level papers with a maximum exemption of nine papers in the Fundamental Level whilst studying for their degree programme.
This will give students a head-start to becoming qualified professional accountants.
Through this pathway, they can complete their degree and professional accounting qualification concurrently within three years.
Signing the MoA for Swinburne Sarawak was deputy vice-chancellor and CEO Professor Janet Gregory, while ACCA Malaysia was represented by country head Jeyasothy Palakrishnar.
Guest-of-honour Yayasan Sarawak deputy director of corporate services and finance Mersal Abang Rosli witnessed the exchange of the MoA.
“We are certainly pleased that both our accounting degrees are recognised by the ACCA. It is a reflection of the high quality of education we provide,” said Gregory.
“Undoubtedly, acquiring a qualification such as the ACCA will give our graduates a competitive advantage in their careers.
“I therefore encourage students who are eligible to consider making full use of this opportunity to obtain an international qualification in addition to their Swinburne degree,” she said.
She said ACCA papers at Swinburne will be taught by a team of dedicated and experienced lecturers from Swinburne Sarawak and course materials will also be provided.
“Creating opportunities for our students in their studies and careers is at the heart of what we do at Swinburne. We constantly look to establish partnerships and collaborations with business and industry that give our graduates an advantage in the job market,” said Gregory.
Jeyasothy added, “This agreement between ACCA and Swinburne University establishes an accelerated pathway via the ACCA Accelerate Programme for outstanding accounting and finance undergraduates from Swinburne University to complete the ACCA qualification and fulfil their aspirations to become chartered certified accountants.”
He said ACCA is happy to be able to expand its presence in Sarawak.
“We are very pleased to partner with such an influential institution to groom the next generation of leaders skilled to embark on a career full of possibilities,” he added.
Undergraduates from the two programmes are required to apply for entry into the ACCA Accelerate Programme through Swinburne.
Successful applicants will have access to benefits such as the waiver of initial registration fees, annual subscription fee for two years up to their graduation year, and deferment of exemption fees up to two years upon graduation.
