Old FAE in May 2010..am i alone

applehunter

Anybody in the same boat as me?

Made a complete dogs dinner of Septembers' papers and now am in the last chance saloon come May?

Have decided to put in big effort this time as I have put too much time and money into the actual work to fail now.

Odats

applehunter wrote: »

Anybody in the same boat as me?

Made a complete dogs dinner of Septembers' papers and now am in the last chance saloon come May?

Have decided to put in big effort this time as I have put too much time and money into the actual work to fail now.

Nope I am in the same both but just have the one paper FA & Tax. Went down on the Institutes 40/40 rule with a bad FA result made a pigs ear of it. Have started grinds in it already going every week and have paid for the revision for the 2 (robbing shower of cnuts with their 0.55 euro to sterling exchange rate :mad:)just to brush up on the Tax even though I got 66% in the Tax part in the Sept sitting.

Have you all the subjcts to repeat or just the one?

I will start out a Thread around end of January like the previous one so everyone can share stuff.

applehunter

Good idea.

tbh the previous one was kind of intimidating when I found it.

It will be good to be starting on the same page as everyone else.

paddy111199

Hi all, I remember doing my FAEs and studied so hard but yet failed every single exam!! Better than that, ironically enough my sister was graduating the same day that I failed all my exams. TBH my confidence took a major hit but I worked hard at my approach and got them all the next year around. As my Mum always says "what is for you will no pass you". Happy xmas and the very best of luck in the exams.:)

applehunter

Anybody doing the course up to MAy?

Odats

Yep timetable is up on the website. Starts next weekend but I'm not in until end of month for FA&Tax. they are on in the NCI

rocksteady36

Have you guys signed up for those classes the ICAI have set up. Are they meant to help or are they just money spinners?

I could not be bothered going to lectures, when i have done that already, I don't see the point. Did you guys hear that they are different and worht it?

I failed three.

But anyway wasnt to far off passing, considering it was yrs since i did prof 3s.

I notice they are charging the FA and TAX separately. Shame they dont treat them like one like the actual exams eh.

rocksteady36

Hi, who are you getting grinds from. Are they any good?

Would you have a contact number for soemone. Thanks

taketwo

Hi I have all 4 to do. Does anybody know if there are many changes to the Tax manual this year or can we go on the one we used in september?

viconia

taketwo wrote: »

Hi I have all 4 to do. Does anybody know if there are many changes to the Tax manual this year or can we go on the one we used in september?

From what I've heard, the tax manual has been updated for the new Finance act,so whatever those changse are. The institute said that you can buy the manual from them at the end of January as it is still not ready. If you send an email to FAE@charteredaccountants.ie they will send yuo a purchase order to buy the tax manual as it is not on their site.

taketwo

its a money racket. Its probably only changing a few pages that they could easily just provide us with. And also the FA case studies. I rang to ask if they have been updated since the update we received and they didn't know. Any ideas on that one?

Thanks a mil

Odats

taketwo wrote: »

its a money racket. Its probably only changing a few pages that they could easily just provide us with. And also the FA case studies. I rang to ask if they have been updated since the update we received and they didn't know. Any ideas on that one?

Thanks a mil

+1 PM me your email address and I will give you the updated IFRS case studies and solutions final version. I got them printed and bound for €10 each,cheaper than Institute €25 for cases and €30 for solutions. I think we are paying enough for the revision courses and that after forking out €283 for Tax course we should atleast get updated packs and solutions included or leave it as it is.

Odats

viconia wrote: »

From what I've heard, the tax manual has been updated for the new Finance act,so whatever those changse are. The institute said that you can buy the manual from them at the end of January as it is still not ready. If you send an email to FAE@charteredaccountants.ie they will send yuo a purchase order to buy the tax manual as it is not on their site.

If this is the case there will be a few things to watch out for like changes in CAT, CGT rates, Income Levies, and a few other things. This doesn't help when you have solutions already printed and are currently studying the old syllabus.

Odats

Email sent to those who sent me PM's with case studies and solutions. Anyone else who needs them PM me with your email address and I'll send them on.

buzzing

PM Sent

murphylo

Are you joking me that after paying that much money per course that we dont get updated materials included in that price? i thought we got all our materials included after signing up for the courses. Anyone know for definite?

applehunter

What are the actual changes to the Financial course since last year?

Will I need to get a new standards book?

rocksteady36

Can people tell me what kind of study leave they get for their repeats, can you break it down to study, annual leave and time in lieu.

Unfortunately we get zero, and can not take any time off the month leading up to the exams. Real support when you need it most.

Would reallly like to see what ppl get, am i wrong to think its unfair or is it normal?

Odats

Thats pretty sh1tty from your firm. I have 2 weeks time in lieu from tax returns plus will take a weeks holidays and two at my own expense. So will take 5 plus my exam day

rocksteady36

Am I alone? I think it really does apply to this study leave.

Can anyone else repsond and let me know what kind of study leave they are getting.

I am half thinking of handing in my notice, I cna take the month off of March I think and then work for a month then do exams, but it is risky not getting through these because i am left with last set in Decemebr and if i mess them up then its a new course.

Dont need this stress. If i hand in notice then it could be impossible to get new contract, and it will extend time in training, so its a tough one.

RyoHazuki9

rocksteady

As far as I know the firms dont have to give you any study leave for your repeat session,not even the exam days. Its meant to be unpaid or annual leave. However,most firms are not as strict as yours. People have repeated in my firm and been given study leave for the exam days and an extra day per subject. They have also been allowed to take unpaid or annual leave for the 2/3 week period before the exams.

If you are not getting any leave at all the exams will be extremely tough...you would need at least a week off before to get yourself mentally prepared. Is ther any reason why you are not allowed the time off before?

I wouldn't hand in your notice but I dont know all the circumstances...goodluck with whatever happens anyway...

viconia

Actually,

The big 4 give up 6 weeks maximum paid leave from them. You can increase this with holidays that you have and arguably unpaid time. They also give you the exam week aswell.

I have another friend who is seriously considering handing in their notice because they don't need the contract timeand don't need the stress. It's a personal deicison but you need to weigh up if you will get the exams with the time off that you can take.

If you can't, well.. you won't work in that firm forever and if you were planning on leaving this year at some point...

rocksteady36

I thought the Big 4 brought in new rules that you can't repeat and your fired if you fail and exam? That's what they tell us in work if we complain.

RyoHazuki9 the reasoning is that people are going to be off on study leave for CAP 2 or 3 so they want to minimise the potential of lots of staff out of the office. They actually take on interns for a years or whatever they are called, so may be they should hire more. They are a source of future employees anyway.

For the repeats situation i dont know, because i have three and others have the lot to do. Miracles can happen i suppose.

But the policy is that for first sittings you get recommended study of 7wks, you must use 8 days for block release and mocks. so your left with around 5.5 weeks for your exams. you cant take annual leave the month before the 5.5 weeks and a month after the exams. We are working late nights up till the exams, its not an office that stops at 5.

Your right the ICAI dont recommend study leave for repeats. But i spoke to them anonymously and asked a few different people what they thought of the month buffer before the repeats.

One said it 'was not in the spirit' of what the ICAI expect. Another said they simply are not supporting the students etc. Lots of people have said to me in work that they want us to fail so they don't have to increase our salary.

So i will leave it there, thats just helped me get the negativity out, need to get positive now haha. thanks for replying.

standardtoaster

"I thought the Big 4 brought in new rules that you can't repeat and your fired if you fail and exam? That's what they tell us in work if we complain"


The policy in my firm (big 4) is that everyone was entitled to two attempts at a set of exams after which it was at their discretion to keep the person on if they failed.

As far as I know this has always been the policy but it only began to be enforced in the past 18 months due to changing economy etc....

standardtoaster

Odats wrote: »

Yep timetable is up on the website. Starts next weekend but I'm not in until end of month for FA&Tax. they are on in the NCI

The revision lectures are on in the Inst's new building on Pearse St.

Odats

standardtoaster wrote: »

The revision lectures are on in the Inst's new building on Pearse St.

The girl Orna in Student services told me that they were on in the NCI. Typical Institute.

alant7

Hi Odats i have the updated case studies and solutions for FA from July 2009 when they were changed from the original books handed out by Derry Cotter. im presuming these are the right ones? i might pm you anyhow just to verify i have correct ones.

Also the tax i need the new manual..im more concerned about past paper solutions where can we get updated solutions..

cheers

mhamilton

Hi

Thank god im not the only one in my position. I too failed all exams after working so hard for 7 weeks and am really worried about the repeats. The institute are only running the FA & tax revision course in Belfast and have charged £149 per subject - i get 2 classes on FA & 2 classes on tax - a disgrace . I have assumed i get all updated material too no one has advised otherwise but if anyone can clear this up i would appreciate it.

My work is giving me 2 days off study and the day of the exam and then i have to work time up or take unpaid which is pretty **** but have no other option not as bad as the person not getting any days.

If anyone is able to advise on how i can get my hands on updated auditing notes i would really appreciate it.

Thanks in advance.

rocksteady36

Hi,

Is annybody using the following book for MABF


http://www.charteredaccountants.ie/General/Shop/Books1/Cases-in-MABF-2nd-Edition/

If so do they recommend it?

Ideo

FYI, that book has been issued to the new FAE students so talk to them and you can get your hands on a copy!

rocksteady36 wrote: »

Hi,

Is annybody using the following book for MABF


http://www.charteredaccountants.ie/General/Shop/Books1/Cases-in-MABF-2nd-Edition/

If so do they recommend it?

alant7

i have mailed the institute couple of times now re updated tax manual and still heard nothing. Called too but no one seems to answer. Has any not doing revision course actually been able to buy this manual?

buzzing

Really fed up of the ICAI , as they stated that one could buy the new material for the exams, without enrolling in the courses.....

Hav emailed de icai and even requested to purchase em but heard nothing.....

by any chance does any1 have the updated DC Books and Solutions , and the Updated tax manual as dont wanta be working of the incorrect material.

Dont really wanta give the icai the satisfaction of paying 283 for de revision courses considering they have started already....

Porridge7

Im in the same boat:

Thinking of doing the chartered grind school revision courses in April, Is anyone else going to do these courses??

The supply all the updated material, but im thinking getting the info in april is leaving it late for the exams in May..:(

alant7

hey porridge i am doing the chartered revision courses in April..FA & tax plus MABF the 2 im repeating. getting the info in april is defo leaving it late for the exams. They are supposed to be very good courses girl i know had to repeat all 4 last yr plus passed them all. yes they supply updated info but in more concised format. I have updated FA case studies if you PM me your e mail i can send them on.
Also with the tax Ordnarith from ICAI sent me order form last wk i spoke to her so my tax manual should be arriving next wk it costs €42 i paid by laser card.
i can send you on order form if you like.
Same for you buzzing PM me your e mail and i will send on updated FA and order form for tax manual

Porridge7

Guys the exam will be the same as in September, therefore we dont need to get updated material...

Odats

Porridge7 wrote: »

Guys the exam will be the same as in September, therefore we dont need to get updated material...

Tax material is updated to the 2009 finance act and FA case study books are updated to the 2nd addition for revisions to IFRS3, IAS 27 etc we got draft ones last year around July 2009 but these are the updated ones.
I wouldn't go into exams without updated material.

buzzing

alant7 wrote: »

hey porridge i am doing the chartered revision courses in April..FA & tax plus MABF the 2 im repeating. getting the info in april is defo leaving it late for the exams. They are supposed to be very good courses girl i know had to repeat all 4 last yr plus passed them all. yes they supply updated info but in more concised format. I have updated FA case studies if you PM me your e mail i can send them on.
Also with the tax Ordnarith from ICAI sent me order form last wk i spoke to her so my tax manual should be arriving next wk it costs €42 i paid by laser card.
i can send you on order form if you like.
Same for you buzzing PM me your e mail and i will send on updated FA and order form for tax manual

PM Sent

Regards,
Buzzing

Kerry_27

Hi was just wondering is the FA casestudies the updated Derry Cotter ones. If so is possible you could email the link as I deleted the updated one from my computer.

Porridge7

Hey Guys,

How are ye getting on with the study, It looks like my St Paddys day will involve plenty of books.

How are ye all finding it at the mo. Im sticking to Auditing at the moment!!!

I just printed off the form for the Chartered Grind school and the are €200 each, I rem checking earlier in the year and Im sure the were €150 per subject. Can anyone correct me? Thanks.

alant7

no they were always €200 from when i checked anyhow.. yes paddys day will be full of books for me too prob tax not doing auditing.. though a look at the parade is a must maybe!!

doakey

hey all had a quick look through the posts so far, in relation to tax what is the new folder like are there new cases etc? I must get on to ICAI and order it.

In relation to FACC are the cases that were updated in july 09 still valid? don't think there has been anymore changes? is standards book 2008 still valid?

I appreciate your time. I'm also doing MABF and Multi-D.

Porridge7

Just to clarify my earlier point:

These exams are resits of the FAE 2009 Paper, therefore the syllabus applicable to that paper is still the same for this years resits.

Financial obviously changed late on last year in 2009 therefore we need the revised standards for the likes of the IFRS3 etc.

As for Tax, the tax paper is based on the 2009 syllabus, therefore no new information will be examinable.

Little Miss Cutie

Hi all,

I hope the studying is going well for you.

Just wanted to share my thoughts on the grind school. I went to the chartered grind school for MABF for the Sept exams and honestly it was worth every cent and more. I honestly don't think I would have passed without it.

Best of luck to all in the exams,

Little Miss

Porridge7

Odats wrote: »

+1 PM me your email address and I will give you the updated IFRS case studies and solutions final version. I got them printed and bound for €10 each,cheaper than Institute €25 for cases and €30 for solutions. I think we are paying enough for the revision courses and that after forking out €283 for Tax course we should atleast get updated packs and solutions included or leave it as it is.

Hey Odats where did you get the the FA notes printed and bound for €10 - is it anywhere in Dublin - Thanks.

rocksteady36

Can anyone who has been to FA and MABF Chareterd Accountants grinds let us know if they gave any tips or anything like that?

Thanks in advance

Odats

What did anybody think of the mocks in FA & Tax today. Cannot see an acquistion and disposal that straight forward coming up in 5 weeks. Ran out of time in tax need to brush up on things abit more there but plenty of time. Inventory for 20 marks in FA was abit much i thought.

buzzing

Odats wrote: »

What did anybody think of the mocks in FA & Tax today. Cannot see an acquistion and disposal that straight forward coming up in 5 weeks. Ran out of time in tax need to brush up on things abit more there but plenty of time. Inventory for 20 marks in FA was abit much i thought.

fin a/c seem a bit too skimpy, with the inventory 20 marks, declining investment and the intangible brands. However the first part re change of accounting year...never seen that b4.( spent like 20 mins searching for it in the notes but couldn't find it)

tax imo seem a bit more tough, dere appeared to be alot of issue floating around with the shares and the sites and buildings.
Mind you saying that wasnt at all prepared for them, have a lot of ground to cover, hopefully getting study leave soon enough.

how ya get on odats? how did any1 else find them?

MABF wasn't the best - did nothing for it so really cant complain

Odats

buzzing wrote: »

fin a/c seem a bit too skimpy, with the inventory 20 marks, declining investment and the intangible brands. However the first part re change of accounting year...never seen that b4.( spent like 20 mins searching for it in the notes but couldn't find it)

tax imo seem a bit more tough, dere appeared to be alot of issue floating around with the shares and the sites and buildings.
Mind you saying that wasnt at all prepared for them, have a lot of ground to cover, hopefully getting study leave soon enough.

how ya get on odats? how did any1 else find them?

MABF wasn't the best - did nothing for it so really cant complain

Just the FA & Tax papers myself so going flat out on study leave since last week but have to go into work tomorrow for half a day to finish something. A FA paper like that won't come up in the real thing I think and Derry Cotter wrote it as the acquisition and disposal of the subsidiary was the easiest one to do i.e. no selling part and retaining control or subsidiary to associate.
The change in accounting period was in IAS27 first couple of pages accounts cannot be more than 3 months apart if it is impracticable to prepare additional accounts to bring in line with parents y/end for consolidation or just prepare additional accounts to bring in line. Significant events between both y/end's need to be adjusted for in the consolidation accounts.
Paul Monahan said at start of Revision course that Inventories hadn't been asked in a while so that's why I'd say they put it on the mock.
Very skimpy paper no accounts in Appendix but not taking this seriously and slacking off as that was my mistake as passed mock but failed main one.

For Tax just need more questions as only spent a day so far on it.

applehunter

Management Accounting

Just his opinion but Liam Doran at the Grind lectures at the weekend pointed to 4 topics that have a good chance of appearing.

1. Valuation of Companies
2. Relevent Costing for decision making
3. Variance Analysis
4. Foreign Currency

He also thought CAPM will appear somewhere on the paper.

What he doesn't expect to see are

WACC
Target Costing

He also suggested looking at "Performance in the non-profit sector" as the examiner has worked in the Health service in the past.

Can someone scan up the mock papers for FA & Tax if possible?


I would recommend the courses to anybody who is feeling anxious at the moment. Very much exam oriented and hopefully the rest of the lecturers are as good as Liam Doran.

bubblicious

Hey guys,

Just wondering if anyone would mind uploading the FA and Tax mock papers please? I'm doing my Part 2 tax exams at the moment so couldn't sit the revision course and am just dreading something sticky coming up in FA!

Thanks!

applehunter

I'd nearly say if you rang the institute they would send out to you.

It would give them something to do in there.