Why Are You Even Here? The Surprising Attitudes of Some Expats in Thailand

[bizzle]

Hi guys

I'm currently doing a bachelor of commerce and was recently thinking of changing to accounting. My goal is to aim eventually to work in investments, primarily for myself . I know I'm quite a way to go but I need to make some choices about the best way to go about it.

I study and work at the same uni so my options are limited. I know that a finance degree is my best option but given the choices I have its between a commerce or accounting degree.

I'm a bit stuck what to do. My commerce degree can specialise in b.admin, economics, marketing or management. Out of these choices which do you think is best for my goal and is that choice better than an accounting degree?

Any advice guys would be great

[SheungWan]

What do you mean 'the choices I have'? and how is this related to Thailand?

[bizzle]

What do you mean 'the choices I have'? and how is this related to Thailand?

Does it have to be related to Thailand?

Regarding choices , the current campus I work at only offers those bachelor degrees at the moment

[fletchsmile]

Which country are you based in and which country is your degree from?. This can be relevant, as the career paths and routes can be entirely different.

If you're looking to go into accounting in Thailand, then an accounting degree or degree in finance with accounting as key modules is important. The big accounting firms and employers are looking for your degree to be relevant and in this field.

On the other hand, when I started in the UK, your degree was pretty much irrelevant, as what counted was the qualification you got from a recognised professional body, eg ACA, ACCA etc. This you did after your degree. So I did a degree in modern languages and had a great time at uni. After that I joined a top 4 accountancy firm and trained and studied as an accountant for 3 years while working. During that 3 years training and working, I studied accounting, law, finance, auditing, tax, management, economics etc

Had I done a degree in accounting it would have saved me about 6 months out of the subsequent 3 years training and exams. So degree in anything + 3 years, compared to a degree in accounting + 2.5 years further study/ training. What you do in a degree is fairly basic compared to a proper accounting qualification

Also the Thai CPA can't hold a candle to the qualification back in the west, nor can the degree here.

That said if you're ultimately looking to go into investing, a degree in Finance would be more relevant. Also important is the particular modules you choose within the degree.

So without knowing a bit more hard to say as the routes differ in different countries.

To be honest, if you're looking to get into Finance, investment, accounting etc and you're an expat, Thailand isn't the best of places to start. Singapore would be better, London, HK, Australia etc. Learn your trade there then come here.

So for me the degree wasn't relevant except to gain entry to a professional accounting firm to train. After 3 years+ there and working in London you were in demand from related industries as well. That includes investment companies and my case merchant/ investment banks.

Cheers

Fletch

Edited January 17, 2015 by fletchsmile

[bizzle]

Which country are you based in and which country is your degree from. This can be relevant, as the career paths and roues can be entirely different.

If you're looking to go into accounting in Thailand, then an accounting degree or degree in finance with accounting as key modules is important. The big accounting firms and employers are looking for your degree to be relevant and in this field.

On the other hand, when I started in the UK, your degree was pretty much irrelevant, as what counted was the qualification you got from a recognised professional body, eg ACA, ACCA etc. This you did after your degree. So I did a degree in modern languages and had a great time at uni. After that I joined a top 4 accountancy firm and trained and studied as an accountant for 3 years while working. During that 3 years training and working, I studied accounting, law, finance, auditing, tax, management, economics etc

Had I done a degree in accounting it would have saved me about 6 months out of the subsequent 3 years training and exams. So degree in anything + 3 years, compared to a degree in accounting + 2.5 years further study/ training. What you do in a degree is fairly basic compared to a proper accounting qualification

Also the Thai CPA can't hold a candle to the qualification back in the west, nor can the degree here.

That said if you're ultimately looking to go into investing, a degree in Finance would be more relevant. Also important is the particular modules you choose within the degree.

So without knowing a bit more had to say as the routes differ in different countries.

To be honest, if you're looking to get into Finance, investment, accounting etc and you're an expat, Thailand isn't the best of places to start. Singapore would be better, London, HK, Australia etc. Learn your trade there then come here.

Cheers

Fletch

Thanks for your advice Fletch

I'm studying and working in Oz and the choice I have at the moment is bachelors of commerce specialising in economics or bachelor of accounting.

Which do you think is best to gain the most knowledge for investing? At first I thought accounting but the more I speak to people they seems to think that economics might be better then a masters in financial accounting

[ExpatJ]

Commerce is a terrible choice- its in the same category as media studies, film studies, social studies- companies place no value on it. Take some thing that a minority of people do- maths, science, economics. MBA is another good option in a good school.

Alternatively- study a subject that you enjoy alot and can build a career in (albeit low paid) e.g. history, archaeology, art history .

[bizzle]

Commerce is a terrible choice- its in the same category as media studies, film studies, social studies- companies place no value on it. Take some thing that a minority of people do- maths, science, economics. MBA is another good option in a good school.

Alternatively- study a subject that you enjoy alot and can build a career in (albeit low paid) e.g. history, archaeology, art history .

Thanks for your advice

Interestingly enough, I've been told the opposite. However I have always thought that it is quite broad but that could be its saving grace a its only a bachelors so doing the specialisation in economics could be a good foundation.

Understandably accounting is more specified but I think in the long run with the choices I have this might be the most favourable. But am definitely open to suggestion regarding my choices (mentioned in first post)

[keeniau96]

Accounting degree would be well respected by business and finance pros. Commerce means nothing much, brings to mind a glorified secretary or office manager.

[bizzle]

Accounting degree would be well respected by business and finance pros. Commerce means nothing much, brings to mind a glorified secretary or office manager.

Thanks for your reply

How about my commerce degree and then a masters of accounting or finance on top of that..?

Not sure if I've mentioned but the reason I want to do the degree is to gain more knowledge into making investments, the things to think about and study eg trends reason for inflation etc. it seems accounting is good at reporting but doesn't go that much into the why of figures. Perhaps I'm wrong but that's why I'm thinking of sticking with BCOMR economics spec

[paddyjenkins]

I'll tell you what will impress traders and portfolio managers looking to hire juniors...and it's certainly not commerce because that's just too soft....not really accounting either although that would be better, but it's still vocational and narrow....they just want bright people with analytic strength...so maybe economics, economics with maths, economics with maths and a little accounting thrown in so you can read financial statements....make sure you can code too and write excel spreadsheets....all the above is what to study if you already know you want to go into trading or investment....but if you look at the bios of famous traders you'll find a lot of hardcore classics like mathematics, physics, psychology, philosophy, economics, history etc....just people who start out very academically strong as youngsters and later find they have the right aptitude for the markets...not commerce though.....but once you manage to get an interview what counts is your ability to think on your feet and sound confident and articulate and numerate...as opposed to cocky, slimy, evasive, unable to think through problems etc.

[SheungWan]

What do you mean 'the choices I have'? and how is this related to Thailand?

Does it have to be related to Thailand?

Regarding choices , the current campus I work at only offers those bachelor degrees at the moment

Well if the campus only offers those choices is it some 3rd rate degree mill or have I got that wrong?

[SheungWan]

Accounting degree would be well respected by business and finance pros. Commerce means nothing much, brings to mind a glorified secretary or office manager.

Some private colleges buy into the soft stuff from some unis which are happy to franchise out and make extra cash while allowing the college concerned to dodge around entry qualifications. To ensure students get through, the course content can be on the softer 'commerce' (appreciation of) side of things. Not always, but.....

Edited January 18, 2015 by SheungWan

[bizzle]

Accounting degree would be well respected by business and finance pros. Commerce means nothing much, brings to mind a glorified secretary or office manager.

Some private colleges buy into the soft stuff from some unis which are happy to franchise out and make extra cash while allowing the college concerned to dodge around entry qualifications. To ensure students get through, the course content can be on the softer 'commerce' (appreciation of) side of things. Not always, but.....

Thanks for your reply

It's actually one of the biggest uni's in Australia and the reason it only offers four degrees at the moment is because the campus I am at has only been open a year and is a branch of the business school. Once it's gets more enrolments, which it will, more degrees will be offered, but in oz, those two bachelors are two of the most popular.

Quite glad to hear a lot of talk about economics. If I make that my specialisation then I'll be confident regarding the knowledge included within it. By the way, I'm not doing a degree to be a trader, I already have a career which I enjoy. I'm doing it for my own investments that's why the content of the degree is most important.