Software Developer vs Chartered Accountant

Komodo said:
I'd go CA and learn development on the side.

Then you can take the best of both of these options and create a business of your own.

But if you don't have a driving passion for either of them, you will stay mediocre at whatever you choose, which will limit your success going forward.
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Why do you need to be a CA to start your own software development business?
 
Ancalagon said:
Somebody posted a similar question a while ago, so I'm just going to quote my response if you dont mind.
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The problem is that it is near impossible to tell if you would love something before you do it. And doing something you love doesn't always pay the bills.
 
senyetse said:
What about business analyst? You can do a BCom Informatics - accounting/business with software development.
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What does a Business Analyst do? I am completing a BCom degree in 2014. But have to decide if I want to continue the CA route or change to something else, like software development.
 
Necuno said:
Neither.
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I saw in an other thread that you wish to get out of Software developing. You care to state why and which factors makes you want to get out? You can PM me if it is too private to share openly.
 
krycor said:
CA.. SD = ok now but u will always be competing with outsourcing and everyone who can code(non-degree'd). CA, MbChb, LLb only protected professions, rest have tech/diploma folk hot on heels for less cost with same perceived output. i'd say get it while the getting is good because it wont last forever..
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This really depends: there are definite skillset bands for SD. If you are a highly generic programmer, then sure, someone is going to drink your milkshake. If you have experience in a particular industry, or with a specialized skillset (math, stats, HPC, performance, simulations, database engines, compilers, mission critical code, etc, etc), it is roughly equivalent to having one of the protected certifications you mention.

Additionally, there is the flipside that SA can actually function as an outsourcing target, when the goal is to find a midpoint target, where the average skillset is higher on average (vs say India), but much cheaper (vs say metropolitan USA). I know a few people who have established contacts overseas (by working there for a few years), who since then have moved back to SA and retained their clients or employers, allowing them to earn some pretty high rates relative to the local community.
 
IceDreama said:
What makes you say that? Why is this any more different to working hard for any other degree?
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Articles, not degree. Not sure how to answer that without saying something I shouldn't so let me rather hint at it. Lets just say there are people out there working hours long enough that it affects their ability to function (e.g. drive a car without totaling it). If what you took away was "it's allowed me to travel" then consider yourself lucky.
 
That is the individual's fault for not having the back bone to say anything. When I say travel, I meant I've been to America, the BVI and now Jersey for work. Not sure any job allows a person to do that so easily.
 
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CA = bean counter.
Always paid more, because, oh gee... accounting is such an intense job. Some of them I know of, get paid what they get paid because they are "creative" accountants.. you can read anything you like into that.
I personally despise them because my experiences with them has been they do not understand software dev (or product dev for that matter) and then try and meddle in the project and cut the budget for development, which usually leads to staff resigning and the project's utter failure.
Their purpose in life is to maximize profits, and minimize employee's share by fair means or foul.
I have thrived at companies where bean counters were not allowed to enter my department, and I have left companies where bean counters rule the roost, rather quickly.

bean to America, the BVI and now Jersey for work. Not sure any job allows a person to do that so easily.
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A true bean counter... even uses the word "bean" instead of been.

I travel a lot in my job too... all over the place, and I develop software and hardware... Touche!
 
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Koosi said:
CA = bean counter.
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By saying that, your statement lost all credibility because we are most certainly not bean counters. If only you knew...

Perhaps your statement would ring true for bookkeepers but I assure you, you are not even in the ball park to what we do. We get paid a lot because what we do is generally high risk and you need expertise to provide an opinion or perform the work.

You have clearly got no idea what goes on in the finance industry and possibly even business as a whole if you simply 'despise us because we want to cut costs'. That is one aspect of business. I guess you'd rather have an endless budget, bankrupt the company and everyone loses their job. Great thinking buddy!!!
 
Koosi said:
A true bean counter... even uses the word "bean" instead of been.

I travel a lot in my job too... all over the place, and I develop software and hardware... Touche!
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Way to play on a spelling mistake. Go ahead and hate, I'm laughing over here since your statements sound like your bitter you didn't go the CA route.
 
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. On the other hand if you like accounting and are introverted then other branches of accounting are very suitable. Its mainly the CA's that end up in the people oriented roles. SD on the other hand is more doing your own work at your PC and finding fulfillment in the work rather than the interactions.
 
Horsekit said:
Why do you need to be a CA to start your own software development business?
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Because a software developer has very little idea of business value in the accountancy world, so it's tough to develop a winning app in an environment you dont understand, nevermind not having enough experience to spot a gap that hasn't been covered by many other companies.
 
CA opens many doors.

Audit, Financial Manager, Credit Analyst, Portfolio/fund manager, Research Analyst, Lecturing, Business skills etc etc.

Sets you up with a minimum pay bracket currently R500 - R550k p.a for newly qualified CA.

You get vastly different jobs from working 9 -4 or 9 to midnight your choice
 
Koosi said:
CA = bean counter.
Always paid more, because, oh gee... accounting is such an intense job. Some of them I know of, get paid what they get paid because they are "creative" accountants.. you can read anything you like into that.
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Why oh why do people still perpetuate this myth? CA ≠ bookkeeper.

You are so off base it is better to rather not give your opinion, you'll only give the OP bad 'information'.
 
KalMaverick said:
Why oh why do people still perpetuate this myth? CA ≠ bookkeeper.

You are so off base it is better to rather not give your opinion, you'll only give the OP bad 'information'.
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Where did I use the word book-keeper?
I also take offence at the book-keepers being referred to as the bean counters. The ones I know, usually work for little money and their primary function is to ensure the books are correct and can stand up to SARS's scrutiny. They don't count beans... On the other hand, I am dealing with companies where the bean-counters are trying to shaft me because they have no clue about how products are developed and all they see is the bottom line.

Nonetheless I am now going to point out a few things about what engineers really think of CAs
From this site: www.analog-rf.com (One of the foremost RF experts in the world. I learnt from him and because of his knowledge he imparted into me I am able to design digital wireless radios)

Quotes from Why businesses fail or under perform

Downsizing by Eliminating the Most Talented People
This usually happens when the bean counters who are totally lacking in business skills are in charge of the company. That is, ones who do not realize that it is talent, not human bodies, that produce products that sell. They trade short term gains for long term losses.
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Letting Accountants Make the Major Business Decisions

General Electric was once the world's leading semiconductor company. The accountants calculated that there was such a small market for such things that they got out of the business. The employees went to National.

Logitech was the original leading company in digital still cameras. They did not bring out new models because the accountants saw the market as small and saturated.
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I think I make my point. This is an example from the US. Trust me, its even worse in ZA. There is a reason why engineers drive the battered Datsun and the CAs drive the Mercs. I was told in school I should become a CA. I thank God every day I didn't listen to them.
 
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Koosi said:
Where did I use the word book-keeper?
I also take offence at the book-keepers being referred to as the bean counters. The ones I know, usually work for little money and their primary function is to ensure the books are correct and can stand up to SARS's scrutiny. They don't count beans... On the other hand, I am dealing with companies where the bean-counters are trying to shaft me because they have no clue about how products are developed and all they see is the bottom line.

Nonetheless I am now going to point out a few things about what engineers really think of CAs
From this site: www.analog-rf.com (One of the foremost RF experts in the world. I learnt from him and because of his knowledge he imparted into me I am able to design digital wireless radios)

Quotes from Why businesses fail or under perform





I think I make my point. This is an example from the US. Trust me, its even worse in ZA. There is a reason why engineers drive the battered Datsun and the CAs drive the Mercs. I was told in school I should become a CA. I thank God every day I didn't listen to them.
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I can only laugh, you've obviously had very limited bad experience with CA's which seems to left you quite bitter! Anyhow enjoy.
 
Freaksta said:
I can only laugh, you've obviously had very limited bad experience with CA's which seems to left you quite bitter! Anyhow enjoy.
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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.
 
Koosi said:
Where did I use the word book-keeper?
I also take offence at the book-keepers being referred to as the bean counters. The ones I know, usually work for little money and their primary function is to ensure the books are correct and can stand up to SARS's scrutiny. They don't count beans... On the other hand, I am dealing with companies where the bean-counters are trying to shaft me because they have no clue about how products are developed and all they see is the bottom line.

Nonetheless I am now going to point out a few things about what engineers really think of CAs
From this site: www.analog-rf.com (One of the foremost RF experts in the world. I learnt from him and because of his knowledge he imparted into me I am able to design digital wireless radios)

Quotes from Why businesses fail or under perform





I think I make my point. This is an example from the US. Trust me, its even worse in ZA. There is a reason why engineers drive the battered Datsun and the CAs drive the Mercs. I was told in school I should become a CA. I thank God every day I didn't listen to them.
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It's a poor point that you make there.

You don't let accountants "make the decisions". It's a group effort, in terms of personality and skill. Entrepreneurs, accountants, managers and leaders -> put those together and you have a pretty mean decision-making and profitable system.

That said, you should see what good leaders/managers/entrepreneurs some [chartered] accountants are.
And what does it matter what engineers think of CA's or what this profession thinks of that one? They're on opposite ends of the spectrum.
 
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