Gaining prestigious academic and professional qualifications in accounting isn't as difficult as you might think. ACCA offers you an innovative solution. Focussed, hard-working professionals are very much the norm in Sri Lankan business culture. Successful Lankan business people are well-qualified, with most holding multiple qualifications - sometimes covering several disciplines. To someone on the threshold of their career, the challenge to reach this high standard can be intimidating!

For those considering a career in accounting and finance, the global body for professional accountants, ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants), provides the opportunity to gain a unique combination of a professional qualification and a UK degree.

How is this possible? ACCA has an exclusive partnership with Oxford Brookes University in the UK which enables ACCA students to gain a BSc (Hons) in Applied Accounting as part of the ACCA Qualification. This means that in addition to completing the required professional exams, ACCA students simply require to submit a business-related Research and Analysis Project to Oxford Brookes University in order to be awarded the degree. The research project can be submitted when the student completes the Skills area of the syllabus, so rather than being only 'part-qualified' the student can achieve graduate status. Most ACCA students complete the degree in under two years.

In addition, students can be safe in the knowledge that the degree is awarded by a quality university. Oxford Brookes University has been voted the best modern university in the UK Sunday Times Good University Guide for seven years in succession. And like all degrees awarded by UK universities, this degree meets the same high and rigorous standards.

A degree not only gives credibility and boosts confidence, it teaches new skills which are highly prized by employers, and can lead the way to increased job prospects. Even for those that are already graduates, this is a way of gaining more letters after their name and gain a relevant accounting degree from a UK university with an excellent reputation.

The ACCA qualification itself is exceptional, providing a framework of leading-edge exams, practical experience requirements and ethical development to help achieve the range of skills required of finance professionals. The flexibility of the ACCA Qualification means that it is not restricted to one particular area of business. ACCA's 122,000 members worldwide work in every sector: audit, public sector, financial services and the corporate sector, enabling access to a broad range of complex and interesting roles. ACCA's international recognition make this qualification the perfect choice for aspiring financial professionals - whether you intend to remain in Sri Lanka or travel the world, the ACCA qualification is your passport to a rewarding career.

Interested? Our friendly, professional staff in Colombo will be happy to answer questions and give personal advice. You're welcome to visit our office at No. 424 R A De Mel Mawatha , Colombo 3, call on 2301920 / 2301923 or email info@lk.accaglobal.com