Shek Long Yin Esther

Monday 20 February 2017

Useful qualifications for fresh graduates!

Career time!

I have determined to work in the banking and finance field since my year 1. To achieve this goal I have spend most of the time developing my profile and equip myself with related working experiences. Moreover, I attempted for professional qualifications that are useful for developing career in the finance field.

Do you want to know what kind of qualifications are useful when you are finding jobs in the banking and finance field?

Here are 4 qualifications for all of you.

In the following there are different qualifications that are popular among fresh graduates. I would briefly explain what they are and the usefulness.

1. CPA

This is the professional qualification in the accounting field. If you are determined to work in the accounting field, you would not miss this qualification. It is a basic quality for people working for Big 4. Many bankers, ibankers and asset managers are CPA holders as well.

Noted that there are two major professional qualifications for accountants i.e. CPA Australia or QP by HKICPA and ACCA

They are same in nature but differs in the chartered procedures and minor deviations for example CPA Australia holder can not do certification or sign reports. Regarding QP by HKICPA there is no such restrictions. The CPA Australia provides lots of support to candidates taking the exam including workshops but the fee is relatively higher than QP by HKICPA.

Studcents cannot attempt CPA in their undergraduate studies but final year students can apply for an early bird exam in semester two. There are 5 papers in total, with four modules and a final exam. The examination fee is lower than CPA Australia. It is an open book exam.

You may check out the fee schedule on this page :
http://www.hkicpa.org.hk/file/media/section2_become_a_hk_cpa/QP/pdf-file/stud-dl-form/2015/fee-schedule.pdf

ACCA is the exam of the UK. The credibility is not as high as QP by HKICPA and CPA Australia. Moreover, there are more modules compare with the two qualifications we well.

Students who determined to work in the Hong Kong accounting field would normally go for QP exam.

If you are not a degree holder majoring in accounting, you would have to apply for conversion program before you are qualified for taking the QP exam by HKICPA.

Check out the details in the link below:
http://www.hkicpa.org.hk/en/become-a-hkicpa/how-to-apply/entry-routes/

Check out more about HKICPA in this video too

2. CFA

CFA is one of the toughest qualification to obtain because it covers wide range of subjects including economics, accounting, derivatives, financial products, professional ethics etc. There are three levels in the CFA exam. The workload of level one is approximately equal to studying one semester in undergraduate studies. Noted that there are only 2 entries i.e. June and December for each year.

Applicants are not required to be a finance major graduate. Students can apply for the level 1 exam in their undergraduate studies but they are not eligible to level 2 and 3. Disqualification would take place if students violate the rule.

This exam is popular among bankers, ibankers, asset managers, traders and other professionals working in the finance field. Students are recommended to attempt the level one exam in order to increase the competitiveness.

To find out more about the CFA:
https://www.cfainstitute.org/pages/index.aspx

To find out the fee schedule:
https://www.cfainstitute.org/programs/cfaprogram/register/pages/fee_schedule.aspx

3. FRM

Financial Risk Manager is a qualification set up by the GARP (Global Association of Risk Professionals). It is globally respected and widely certified. Certified FRMs have achieved positions such as Chief Risk Officer, Senior Risk Analyst, Head of Operational Risk and Director of Risk Management.

It is not famous as CPA and CFA but it is beneficial ti students who are interested or major in Risk Management. There are two levels in the exam. Level one focuses on quantitative measures while level too places emphasises on qualitative measures. Students can attempt the exam before graduation. The levels can be attempted at the same time.

To know more about the FRM exam :

http://www.garp.org/#!/frm

To know more about GARP:

http://www.garp.org/#!/home

4. ICA Certificate in Anti Money Laundering

This is the only professional qualification for Compliance. Candidate is qualified to be an AML specialist after passing the exam. The compliance field is booming after the 2008. Students who are interested to work in the compliance field should definitely take the exam.

Find out more about this exam:

https://www.int-comp.org/qualifications/all-certificates-and-diplomas/cert-in-aml/

Hope the information helps! Feel free to share with me any ideas related to career and anything interesting!

Explore Hong Kong!

Hong Kong people love travelling. According to the statistics in 2016, the total number of Hong Kong people travelling to other countries was 89.1 million people. On average every Hong Kong people go 12.4 times travelling within the year.

(Please find more on this website : http://hk.on.cc/hk/bkn/cnt/news/20160223/bkn-20160223175638669-0223_00822_001.html)

aren't this surprising?

Hong Kong people are trying to escape our city and gain satisfaction from new places that they have never been to. In recent years, there are a trend of local travelling. The idea is to explore Hong Kong because the public has not enough information about the natural beauty of Hong Kong.

Do YOU know that there are natural scenery that you can find no where but in Hong Kong?

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO the dragon's back or Hong Kong UNESCO Geo Park (香港地質公園)?

Lets explore Hong Kong with me!

I would recommend two places for all of you as the starting point to truly admire our motherland---> Hong Kong.

First stop : Po Toi Island （蒲台島)

This should be somewhere that you have heard for but have you ever get on Po Toi Island? It is the southernmost island in Hong Kong.

How to get there?

After the extension of MTR south Hong Kong island line, the first thing is to take the mtr and get off at 利東station. Find the Po Toi pier after that. You can get to the pier either taking a bus or by 10 minutes walk.

It takes around 1 hour to get to Po Toi Island from the pier. You can enjoy the refreshing sea view while you are on the boat.

You can see a map after you get off the boat. It is easy to find the road heading to different spots on the island e.g Ngau Wu Teng Pavilion, Nam Kok Tsui lighthouse, Gold Panning Cliff and Palm Cliff.

There were two restaurants selling seaweed and snacks. Don't miss out the chance to try some fresh food there!

This is my friend and we are ready for the hike!

This is Palm Cliff. I spent some time wondering if this is the cliff that I am looking for.

My friend loves taking shots in this style in order to post in her Instagram and Facebook. Di I take a good shot for her? 👀

I love the background so much!

Check out http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/see-do/great-outdoors/hikes/po-toi-island.jsp if you wanted to know more about Po Toi Island.

Second stop : Hong Kong UNESCO GEO Park (香港地質公園)

In 2009, Hong Kong Geopark became a national Geopark, in 2011, is was accepted as a ember of the Global Geoparks Network (GGN), and in 20115, it was renamed "Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark". The park demonstrates the unique landscape of Hong Kong.

We had our lunch in Sai Kung. I love Sai Kung as I can find different cuisines in this district! (though the price is high...)

We chose to walk to the GEO park instead of taking the taxi. It approximate took us around 3 hours to get to the park.

Caution: Don't try this trail in the summer... It was hard.

This was taken during the hike. Nice one. I didn't know the name of this place but it simply inspires me.

Yes! It was a really sunny day so we had to put on the sunglasses. 😎 Noted that it was REALLY hot. We sweated a lot.

Hey take a selfie with this lovely signpost! One! Two! Three! Smile! :)

I could not describe the feeling when I saw this view. It should be calm, And I feel like theres nothing we can do when we are facing the nature. We are just a tiny piece of life. Be humble and live your life.

One of my favourite picture of the year! I can't believe my eyes because this kind of rocks was exactly what I have seen in Iceland!!!!!

Can you believe that?

Photo taken in Iceland...
Try not to pay 10000 hkd to explore the world. Go and understand your motherland. You will be surprised.

Please watch the video for better view

To find more about GEO park, please visit :
http://www.geopark.gov.hk/en_s2a.htm

If you want to know more about Iceland, go
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/iceland

There are many beautiful places out there!
Spaces are limited so I could only recommend all of you two places. Here are more photos relating to my journey. I would share other places next time!

Explore the beauty around you. They are not far away. You just have to be sincere and be open to every detail.

Go travelling!

TRAVELLING definitely one of the best thing in life💛

Don't you all agree?

It is a great chance to relax and explore the world. There are numerous unknowns and possibilities out there beyond our comfort zone. So step out and see how far you can go!

I have been to more than 20 countries up to now. During my exchange to the Netherlands I had the chance to explore Europe. Throw back to last time I met with Julie (my best friend if you remember her), we discussed a lot about travelling. She asked me to talk about my last trip to Japan! (I would share more about my journey in Europe next time including iceland haha!)

So... Ready? Here I go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My trip starts from 6/1 to 13/1. The destination is... OSAKA!!!!!

Day 1

Photo taken when I was waiting to go on board. I was toooooooo excited because it was the first time I went to Japan with my friend!

Although the flight time was not favourable, I still being excited!

I stayed in Kansai Washington Airport after my arrival because it was too late to get to Kyoto.

Day 2...

I took the Haruka express directly from Osaka Kansai Airport to Kyoto. It was a great experience to ride on Japan's JR. There are comfortable seats and clean settings. I really appreciated this!

We arrived Kyoto station at around 1 pm. The first thing was to settle our luggage. After that we rushed to have a nice bowl of ramen! I really really love RAMEN!

There is a ramen museum located in the department store of the Kyoto station. It is named as KYOTO RAMEN KOJI.

This is the the map directing tourists how to get to the KYOTO RAMEN KOJI

This is a popular tourists spot so it took us around 20 minutes before we can get into the
shop. Good things take time. It turned out to be a great ramen! Recommend!

If you are interested in ramen you should not miss this place!
Check out more information on this website :
http://www.kyoto-ramen-koji.com/chinese_traditional/

I stayed in Airbnb during my stay in Kyoto. This is not the first time I use Airbnb. I tried it when I was on exchange in the Netherlands. It was a brand new experience to live in someone's home. You might not be residing in the most convenient location but you experience the local life better than normal visit. This is exactly what I wanted!
(It is cheaper than booking a hotel, too!)

Try out Airbnb :
https://www.airbnb.com

The place was a traditional Japanese style room. I can experience sleeping on a tatami (this is not the first time for me but for my friend!). The host Eri is really kind. She provided snacks and travel guide for us...

You can find more about Eri and her renting :
https://www.airbnb.com/users/show/41621617

This is our dinner! Perfect 😚

Day 3 💧💦

After taking a good rest we start our sightseeing in NARA (奈良)!
NARA is a place near Kyoto. It takes 30 minutes JR to get to Nara from Kyoto. (1 hour is needed if you ride on 普通 instead of 特急 train.) It is a place with historical buildings such as Todaiji (東大寺) , Nara Park (奈良) and Kashuga-Kaisha (春日大社).

We planned to visit Kashuga-Kaisha (春日大社) before going to Nara park. Unfortunately it was a rainy day.

This was the first deer I saw right after I got off the bus heading to Kashuga-Kaisha (春日大社). It looks so poor...

Check out more about it on this webpage!

http://www.kasugataisha.or.jp/index.html

Inside Kashuga-Kaisha (春日大社).

This video actually summarised how I feed the deers and their reaction.

We were soaked in the rain after visiting Kashuga-Kaisha (春日大社) and a short attempt to feed the deers. It has been a difficult choice but we decided to stop our plan and returned to Nara station.

We randomly picked this restaurant with Eel as the special dish. (One of y favourite!)
It was really tasty. I would say it saved my life because I was cold and in huger that time... Properly I would fall in love with any hot food...
It is at reasonable price (1300 yen) so please visit this shop if you are going to Nara!

Ask me for more details!

We wandered around Nara station after the perfect lunch. There were souvenir shops nearby so it was easy to spend your time doing shopping there. I bought some nice postcards and a lovely coins bag for my mum😁

Our dinner at the izakaya (居酒屋）recommended by our host Eri.😃 It was really nice restaurants with attractive price. Everything in this shop costs 420 yen but the food quality is great! I have never tried any takayaki better than this!

Day 4

Kiyomizu temple!!!!!

We wore the traditional dress!!!! It was too cold so we dropped in a restaurant and enjoyed a hot meal.

This cake is really nice! We bought it from the shop near the temple. It is matcha flavour. My favourite!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Best shushi that I have ever tried!

After the trip...

Perfect Weekend With bff

TGIF! Actually its Sunday haha. It was a perfect one because I spent the time with my best friend 😎

We meet up in our favourite district -----> Central and Sheung Wan ❤

The first stop is Artisan Garden Cafe.

The address is G/F, 23 Po Tuck Street, Shek Tong Tsui, Western District. Please exit B2 of Hong Kong University Station. After that you should go up along the hill and turn left on the first corner. I think it is convenient because we get there for less than 5 minutes!

This is the cafe! We arrived at 2 pm. Luckily we get a seat without waiting.

Facade of the cafe

Decorations in the cafe

My best friend Julie is my secondary school mate. She loves everything relates to Scotland and France! (I love everything from UK basically haha). We both are foodies so we always explore new cafes in Hong Kong! Julie recommended Artisan Garden Cafe so we visited here on 19/2 👻

We ordered All day Waffle Breakfast, carbonara pasta and flat white. I am a big fan of All day breakfast because I can enjoy different food in one dish. The scramble egg was soft and tasty. I really appreciated the fried mushroom! However the waffles was not as fluffy as expected... I would rate this cafe as 6/10. Perhaps I would visit it when I have no idea where I should meet up with my friends.

Please find more reviews and photos if you are interested in this cafe! Feel free to ask me in person too!

Link to Openrice :

https://www.openrice.com/en/hongkong/r-artisan-garden-cafe-western-district-australian-r491641

The second stop is... PMQ!

This is one of the favourite spot of Julie and me. There are nice cafes and shops. It is a landmark of creativity in Hong Kong. You may find unique products designed by local artists and handcrafts made by foreigner designers. PMQ used to be a dorm for married police.
Please watch the video to have a brief idea about PMQ.