MIA: React Now!

I once attended an accounting conference held by one of public higher learning institutions. The event was good in such a way that students are more exposed to real accounting functions. They were required to relate the theories they learned to practical application and "how-to-solve" abilities. The MIA president also attended and gave speech.

However, towards the end of the session, one accounting lecturer stood up and asked a question pertaining to the recognition of accounting graduates from abroad by MIA. What a shocking answer we received! MIA requires them to undertake qualifying exam (QE) to allow them to become professional members. There are many factors that actually allow this to happen, some of them are really pathetic from my point of view. Correct me if I get this wrong. One of the main reasons is MIA has actually prevented or "blocked" the career of many accountants due to its "self-authority". There have been many graduates from oversea, but their certificates are not being recognised by MIA while local certificates are recognised given the fact that the course modules were similar and approved by this body. Many graduates were actually stop progressing any further as registered professional accountants. Most professional organisations in Malaysia use (or "copy and apply") the same accredited system as oversea professional institute in countries.

The strange thing is a registered professional accounting from oversea such as USA, UK, etc. are not recognised by the board, which actually not attracting the talented people to come back to Malaysia. The reason for not recognising the oversea professional institute is pretty vague (until now). According to my friends studying overseas, a number of staff or vice president from different Malaysia professional organisation have been appointed to give a presentation in foreign universities. It eventually ended up as argument, when most Malaysian students were asking questions such as "why not being recognised when same accredited system is applied?" " why it is recognised in Singapore but not Malaysia?" "Why it is recognised in common wealth countries but not Malaysia?". It was a laugh to me when I heard it, no surprising that they gave answers that can't even persuade themselves this is a believable respond.

Hopefully MIA or other professional organisations could make thing effectively and life more easily, not LATER but CHANGE now.