Monday, November 4, 2013

Go back to Uni, they said ... it'll be fun, they said...

Help, I've got my first postgrad exam on Tuesday and I'm kind of having a melt down!  Send chocolate!

Okay, maybe I'm overstating it just a tad.  I'm not exactly panicking yet ... I'm sure that will happen sometime on Tuesday morning ... but I am starting to get worried.  Why did I decide to study accouning?  Why couldn't I choose a nice, safe postgrad in ancient history or anthropology or archaeology?

But no, I had to decide that if I was going to make my career in finance, which given that I've been working in the field for 18 year seems pretty likely, it might be a good idea if I actually had some qualifications.  I know, I'm full of kooky ideas like that.

Now I'm no stranger to mature age tertiary education.  I did my archaeology degree while I was working full time, so I know all about having to juggle work and study and how to make use of the company photocopiers.  Back then I could do my readings before work started, jot off an essay in my lunch break, and barely break a sweat.

But a postgrad in accounting?  That's a whole other kettle of fish.

Last time around I was studying a history based course, which pretty much meant I spent all my time reading stories and then bullshitting essays based on what I read.  I was good at that!  Hell, I'm sure any blogger out there could cruise their way through a history based degree on the power of their bullshitting skills alone.

But I can't do that with this course.  This time I can't rely on a half assed knowledge of the facts and a better than average vocabulary to get me by.  This time I actually have to STUDY stuff!

I know, the sheer nerve!

Oh well, I guess I should just suck it up and keep at it.

But seriously, how the hell does one do a Cashflow Statement anyway?  Because as far as I can tell the numbers make about as much sense as if they'd been pulled out of one of those rolling bingo cages at random.

I just wonder if they'll provide the bingo cage in the exam or if I have to supply my own.

20 comments:

  1. Here at the farm there is very little ~ cash flow
    Let me know if you map out any direction to cash flow rivers while hiking in that terrain :)
    Kidding aside , best wishes with your exam.

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  2. Cash flow...money in/money out. I'm really good at the 'money out' part.

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  3. Yikes, you did pick a tough one. I appreciate the "numbers" people, and thank my lucky stars people want to work with things that I am bored to tears with. No...it's even more than bordom...it's aversion. My CPA and my stock broker will both attest to the fact I want nothing to do with anything that has columns of numbers involved. When I read a profit/loss statement, I go to the bottom line. Anything up above that is my accountant's puzzle to figure out.

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  4. Two of my favorite things in the world are bearnaise sauce & cash flow--not necessarily in that order!!

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  5. Holy moly, woman, are you a masochist? Good luck on your exam!

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  6. You remind me of me. After getting a degree in medical technology I decided to switch careers and get an MBA in Finance. Good luck on your exam.

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  7. My homeschooled teen has her first formal exams starting on Tuesday. She is sitting Cambridge exams and won't get the results for months. She is a ball of nerves too. Same advice, relax, do your best, breathe, don't worry it will be fine. And good luck :)

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  8. I am sure you did well. Fingers are crossed and we wait for the results.

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  9. Don't worry. As long as you have some blank checks left over, you're good. :)

    S

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  10. Shouldn't the course have taught you how to do a cash flow statement?

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  11. Math was my worst subject so I'm not in a position to offer advice. Good Luck.

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  12. I bow down to you. I have been out of college for quite some time and am thinking about returning for a masters degree. The homework, commitment, price and stress is keeping me from becoming serious about returning. Best of luck to you!

    Oh, and accountants are an interesting sort. Please feel free to blog about them for your readers' pleasure :)

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  13. I have seriously no idea what Cashflow diagram is? I guess it is something you show the profit and loss, investments and incoming..Well! All the best for your post-grad..I can't even imagine of appearing the exam at such age..age makes it difficult to handle all the that we can when we are young and jumping with high level of hormones and not to forget adrenaline attacks.. :)

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  14. Don't worry. I'm sure there is a bingo cage app for your phone.

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  15. As a lifelong mortal enemy of math and all it stands for, I'm afraid I can't help you very much here. However, the good news is that I'm pretty sure they DO provide Bingo cages for the exams, so that's one worry off your mind. (But you do have to provide your own abacus.)

    I'm 31, have two kids, and am back in college. It's fantastic, but it's definitely a juggling act. I can totally sympathize with you here. Good luck with your exams! I'm sure you'll be great. :)

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  16. Cash flow made simple. If your outgo exceeds your income, your upkeeping becomes your downfall! How much easier than that could it be? Good luck.

    Blessings and Bear hugs!

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  17. I'm going on record here. I will never go back to school to get another degree. Good for you, though, improving yourself, broadening your horizons, increasing your earning potential and all that jazz. I see my lack of further education as my act of kindness to the person who gets the job I could have had.

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  18. I'm late writing this so you would have taken your exam already. I hope you're breathing a sigh of relief that's it's over. I'm sure you did well.

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  19. I hope that you did well on your exam!!! I do have to agree with your friends here. !) Math classes might have been a lot more fun if I would have had a Bingo cage and abacus to play with!!! and 2) Chocolate does solve everything!!!

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