Software Developer vs Chartered Accountant

Koosi said:
You can try and diss me as much as you possibly can on this forum. If you knew who I was, you'd think twice about making comments like that.

I am right about CAs... the above case was from a friend of mine in the US. I could fill the pages of this forum with my experiences, but, since this IS the biggest peanut gallery in SA, I don't feel its right to provide ammo for the peanut gallery to use to diss me all the time.

CAs and bankers are the reason why we are in so much trouble the world over... Think about that next time you make a comment about my apparent "lack of knowledge".

There are several people in this life and world, whom I hold in very low regard: Politicians, Estate Agents, Accountants and Lawyers.
Click to expand...

No, it's got nothing to do with CA's or bankers. Those were just the professions of the people that didn't think further than their noses.
 
Koosi said:
You can try and diss me as much as you possibly can on this forum. If you knew who I was, you'd think twice about making comments like that.

I am right about CAs... the above case was from a friend of mine in the US. I could fill the pages of this forum with my experiences, but, since this IS the biggest peanut gallery in SA, I don't feel its right to provide ammo for the peanut gallery to use to diss me all the time.

CAs and bankers are the reason why we are in so much trouble the world over... Think about that next time you make a comment about my apparent "lack of knowledge".

There are several people in this life and world, whom I hold in very low regard: Politicians, Estate Agents, Accountants and Lawyers.
Click to expand...

Your sweeping generalisations say a lot about you and your character. Not all CAs are good and have potentially bankrupted companies with poor decisions. But not all engineers are good and some have probably cost people their lives due to poor road planning, bridge building, electrical faults etc.

So here's an idea: when you open your business, don't employ anyone with a commerce degree, because they all had to do accounting at some point and are filthy, tainted people! Oh... And never, never, ever get your books (which I assume you'll have a hmmm... actor?, compile and maintain?) audited, because well y'know... Auditor's are all qualified CAs (horrible people who have NO idea about business).

I'm sure you'll have many suppliers and customers who will just love dealing with you.
 
Actually, there are some stats regarding companies and how well they do if the CEO is an accountant I think. Of course those stats where shown to me by my engineering lecturers so I would take that with a grain of salt.

His other favourite quote about accountants running engineering firms was this:
"Every organ grinder is entitled to his Monkey to collect the coins but at no point should the monkey be allowed to turn the handle."

If anyone gets that you just spent time on wikipedia.

Organ_grinder_with_monkey.jpg
 
Koosi said:
You can try and diss me as much as you possibly can on this forum. If you knew who I was, you'd think twice about making comments like that.

I am right about CAs... the above case was from a friend of mine in the US. I could fill the pages of this forum with my experiences, but, since this IS the biggest peanut gallery in SA, I don't feel its right to provide ammo for the peanut gallery to use to diss me all the time.

CAs and bankers are the reason why we are in so much trouble the world over... Think about that next time you make a comment about my apparent "lack of knowledge".

There are several people in this life and world, whom I hold in very low regard: Politicians, Estate Agents, Accountants and Lawyers.
Click to expand...

It's amazing how our economy has lasted, you know with something like 1/3 of the CEOs of the top 200 JSE listed companies being CAs or even around 3/4 of the top 200 companies CFOs being CAs.

Damn accountants.
 
Koosi said:
the bean-counters are trying to shaft me
Click to expand...
Way to go with the victim mentality...

Cius said:
Also personality is a big one. May sound funny but if you are an extrovert CA may be better and if an introvert SD may be better. I know a few guys who where very introverted but smart and did CA and hated it as in this country its always management related jobs or consulting.
Click to expand...
A case could be made for intentionally doing the opposite. Right from the start the CA route is very much sink or swim in terms of dealing with diverse people & the dynamics between them so if an introvert wants to get out of his/her comfort zone & improve these skills then its a good idea. Getting out of a comfort zone is by definition uncomfortable though so I can see why the okes you mentioned "hated it". If you realize that this will happen then you can prepare yourself for it mentally.
 
I looked at both when I started studying. Did my first year BCom IT, realized my mistake then switched to straight IT. Never looked back since.
Yes, I'm a software developer, but after 15 years I'm specialized in Systems Integration. I have worked closely with CA's, Lawyers, Engineers, Business Analysts, Architects. I've had to skill up and learn about a variety of subjects from Mining to Retail to Satellite Navigation to do my job. As for travel - been there, done that. Seen some places I would not have gone in another job.
Its about what you enjoy. If you can imagine - after 15 years - waking up and still looking forward to work, then you have the right job.
 
Koosi said:
You can try and diss me as much as you possibly can on this forum. If you knew who I was, you'd think twice about making comments like that.

I am right about CAs... the above case was from a friend of mine in the US. I could fill the pages of this forum with my experiences, but, since this IS the biggest peanut gallery in SA, I don't feel its right to provide ammo for the peanut gallery to use to diss me all the time.

CAs and bankers are the reason why we are in so much trouble the world over... Think about that next time you make a comment about my apparent "lack of knowledge".

There are several people in this life and world, whom I hold in very low regard: Politicians, Estate Agents, Accountants and Lawyers.
Click to expand...

I'm 8 months from qualifying as a CA. Your statements are flawed in so many ways. The majority of companies on the JSE are headed by CAs, and thriving companies ya that.

It's clear your just trolling.
 
HavocXphere said:
Well you're asking on an IT forum so you'll get some seriously biased opinions.

They both have merit. Its very much a situation of what you make of it.

It also depends on what matters to you. Stress, money, work-life balance, job satisfaction etc. Both have serious pros and cons.

Also keep in mind that these fluctuate heavily as time goes by.

I had to make a call between those exact two options. Looking back I miss some of the benefits of the other choice and yet am thankful for the benefits of my current choice.

There is no "right" answer in my opinion - except...do what feels right to you. I made that call on raw gut instinct and I'd suggest you do the same. Asking other is of limited value and might do more harm than good.

If you pick CA...prepare for a rough ride my friend.
Click to expand...

I had that choice. Graduated, completed articles. Decided then that I had to get out of the industry. Never did the board. Took me a few years, but I did it. No regrets. And yes, you right. Every career choice is each individuals choice.
 
So I discovered I have an ISTP personality type, according to the Meyers-Briggs inventory assessment. And one of the ideal careers for it is Computer/Software Programmer. Accountancy is no where to be found.

Should I thus according to this? Who else has made a career decision based on their personality type?
 
zippy said:
I had that choice. Graduated, completed articles. Decided then that I had to get out of the industry. Never did the board. Took me a few years, but I did it. No regrets. And yes, you right. Every career choice is each individuals choice.
Click to expand...
Never understood that tbh. 7 years of effort and then abandoning the path a meter from the finish line?
 
Horsekit said:
So I discovered I have an ISTP personality type, according to the Meyers-Briggs inventory assessment. And one of the ideal careers for it is Computer/Software Programmer. Accountancy is no where to be found.

Should I thus according to this? Who else has made a career decision based on their personality type?
Click to expand...

Meyers briggs is a preference, it doesn't mean you can't be ENFJ or any other variation. It just takes a bit more energy to go against your preference. Also it may change over time.
 
Horsekit said:
So I discovered I have an ISTP personality type, according to the Meyers-Briggs inventory assessment. And one of the ideal careers for it is Computer/Software Programmer. Accountancy is no where to be found.

Should I thus according to this? Who else has made a career decision based on their personality type?
Click to expand...

There are different personality types in SD with different strengths and weaknesses. I wouldn't advise choosing a career based solely on that.
 
Horsekit said:
So I discovered I have an ISTP personality type, according to the Meyers-Briggs inventory assessment. And one of the ideal careers for it is Computer/Software Programmer. Accountancy is no where to be found.

Should I thus according to this? Who else has made a career decision based on their personality type?
Click to expand...

So here in my office we have (and I'm picking a few from the 100 strong team):

* An extrovert/party animal
* A dad that wants to code till he retires
* A single guy that wants to take over the PM's job one day
* A guy who is just happy to have a job
* A woman who is very efficient but with no ambition to become anything more than a developer
* We have people who are client pleasers - get the job done as fast as possible so the client is happy
* We have people who will kick back on a deadline because for the sake of the quality of the software
* An ex teacher
* An ex rugby player
* There is a guy here that never attends any of the social functions
* There is another guy here that gets completely wasted at every event


...so in short, **** that personality test.
 
Hamster said:
So here in my office we have (and I'm picking a few from the 100 strong team):

* An extrovert/party animal
* A dad that wants to code till he retires
* A single guy that wants to take over the PM's job one day
* A guy who is just happy to have a job
* A woman who is very efficient but with no ambition to become anything more than a developer
* We have people who are client pleasers - get the job done as fast as possible so the client is happy
* We have people who will kick back on a deadline because for the sake of the quality of the software
* An ex teacher
* An ex rugby player
* There is a guy here that never attends any of the social functions
* There is another guy here that gets completely wasted at every event


...so in short, **** that personality test.
Click to expand...
Haha. That was entertaining, thanks.

*SynergyX* said:
Just become an actuary...chicks dig it :P
Click to expand...
Not a bad idea actually. OP should consider it. Not convinced about the chicks part though.
 
If there will be time for me to talk to my twins about career guidance, then i will encourage them to follow my foot steps. I am a Software Developer, Graphic Designer, Java Apps Developer and DBM DataBase manager. Ask other SDs about the lives we live, not easy! sleepless nights and lack of friendship etc. but I enjoy every minute of my work! This is the world of IT, There is no way a CA can earn more than the SD. The other thing we should consider important is the type of qualifications one has.
 
Schlitz said:
If there will be time for me to talk to my twins about career guidance, then i will encourage them to follow my foot steps. I am a Software Developer, Graphic Designer, Java Apps Developer and DBM DataBase manager. Ask other SDs about the lives we live, not easy! sleepless nights and lack of friendship etc. but I enjoy every minute of my work! This is the world of IT, There is no way a CA can earn more than the SD. The other thing we should consider important is the type of qualifications one has.
Click to expand...
I don't think you can generalise it like that. If your skill is in demand, and you're good at what you do, you will be paid well. Irrespective of what field you're in. So just do what you enjoy and the rest will take care of itself...
 
Hamster said:
So here in my office we have (and I'm picking a few from the 100 strong team):

* An extrovert/party animal
* A dad that wants to code till he retires
* A single guy that wants to take over the PM's job one day
* A guy who is just happy to have a job
* A woman who is very efficient but with no ambition to become anything more than a developer
* We have people who are client pleasers - get the job done as fast as possible so the client is happy
* We have people who will kick back on a deadline because for the sake of the quality of the software
* An ex teacher
* An ex rugby player
* There is a guy here that never attends any of the social functions
* There is another guy here that gets completely wasted at every event


...so in short, **** that personality test.
Click to expand...
True.
That's a load of shyte, together with the culture crap.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X