Dan Vo - Find out his philosophy for achieving success in the Chartered Accountants Program.

1. Describe what you do in a typical week?

Well I'm actually right in the middle of audit busy season and EBA at the moment, so that certainly takes up a large portion of my regular week.  Aside from work and study, I try to catch up with friends and family which probably doesn't sound too fascinating, but I find that it keeps me grounded and allows me to unwind.   

2. How do you plan the 12 weeks leading up to your exam?  

To be honest, I'm not all that organised!  It's pretty important for me to make sure that I understand all of the concepts and research those areas that I find I am lacking in and I do try to do this sooner rather than later as it will ultimately pay-off at exam time.  I also try to minimise any possible distractions in order to be able to focus on the module at hand (I've actually delayed the purchase of a Playstation 3 for the last 6 months!).   

3. What tools do you have to help you study and plan your study?

I have a dedicated study area at home that I have set up to allow me to focus and concentrate. I think this is important and has really helped me with my studies.  There really isn't much formal planning, but I do cognitively set time allocations and milestones which I try to keep to. This rarely works, so the over-arching principle is 'study when you can, where you can'. 

4. What is the most difficult aspect of the Program and how have you overcome it?

The transition from tertiary to post-grad studies and the differing expectations between the two was a big hurdle at the beginning of my foray into the Program.  In addition, the time-management of balancing full-time work with study was challenging. I found that I overcame both of these difficulties by simply having the drive and commitment to ensure that I have been able to accomplish what I have set out to do and more.   

5. What tips do you have for candidates about to start the Program?

Don't rush into starting the Program.  The experience requirement is now six months and when I had started it was nine months.  The extra three months of practical experience I had in the profession prior to starting was invaluable.

Ensure you prioritise your commitments and stay on top of the work.  Twelve weeks per module is not a long time, and the exam will be there before you know it. So it's really important to make sure you don't fall behind because whilst it is possible to catch up, it's not easy. 

6. What do you enjoy most about the Chartered Accountants Program experience?

It has provided me with an invaluable grounding on which to base the rest of my career.  The technical knowledge and analytical problem-solving abilities that I have developed, in addition to the growth in my time-management and presentation skills, are where they are largely due to my Program experience.  It has also allowed me to develop strong networks and relationships with peers who I have studied with.

7. What is your support network like?

I have a close ring of peers and colleagues who will meet occasionally to discuss any contentious issues that we may come across.  We generally come from differing technical backgrounds, which help to add alternative perspectives on certain issues. 

KPMG as a firm has been excellent in terms of support around the Program, but also as an environment in which I have been given the opportunities to apply my skills and knowledge - as developed in the Program - to practical real-world situations.