Goodbye 2014

A few more minutes to go before it marks the end of 2014 and the beginning of a new year. I believe that most of my friends are busy celebrating or countdown for a new year. Yet, I'm sitting down in front of computer updating my silly blog. Sounds so sad, right?

Anyway, 2014 has been quite a hectic yet meaningful year. My job seems to get from bad to worse along the year. The daunting task in dealing with clients is constantly tormenting my mind and soul. Expectations from managers also getting higher and higher, sometimes rather ridiculous and unreasonable. I begin to wonder whether I should slow down and give myself a break once a while. Oh well, I guess that's why I took leave to spend my weekend at home.

Looking forward into 2015, I think it's about time for me to make decisions! Not some random resolutions that can be carried forward easily but serious planning for my future career and development. Although I have been working for about 2 years now, my future seems to be so bleak and full of uncertainties. I don't even know what to do after I obtain my ACCA membership one year later.

Hence, I shall set my new year resolutions as follows:

 - Update CV and search for dream job occasionally

 - Decide where should I settle down in the foreseeable future. (Duh, I always have dilemma on this issue)

 - To purchase a house after having an answer for the point above.

 - Spend quality time with family and friends

Happy New Year! Sweet dreams and all the best!

Little milestone

It's been one and half year since I started working. There were ups and downs as well as invaluable lessons learnt throughout my working experience. So, I think maybe it is time to pause and take a step back to look at what I have done and achieved thus far.

Referring to the post I have written one year ago, I had set a few targets after being inspired by the book written by Robert Kiyosaki. The targets seems rather vague back then. However, I did managed meet some of the targets set. For instance, I have only 1.5 years more to achieve my target of being an ACCA member. Additionally, the nature of my job has enhanced my communication skills with clients and given me a broader exposure to the financial world.

My investment portfolio? My attempt to open a unit trust account for high risk investment failed terribly. The investment bank rejected my application after assessing my risk appetite although I have emphasised that I have read the prospectus and understood the nature of fund which I wished to invest! I'm very frustrated when I try to recall this incident. Enough said, I still managed to set aside some funds for rainy days and get a few dividend yielding shares. I hope I am able to expand my portfolio continuously. However, the dividends I gotten so far are so immaterial and it prompted me to wonder whether investing in shares is the best option to build up my wealth. :/

On the other hand, my personal financial statements look healthier than I expected. Hehe... At least I managed to get a net asset position after taking into consideration of my car loan to parents. ;) Overall, it seems that Phase 1 of my financial targets has been substantially achieved! Next year or so will be the crucial year for me as I will be in the transitioning stage to Phase 2 of my financial target. Change is always difficult without strong determination and courage. I certainly wish that I could take the leap of faith when the time is right...

p/s: Happy birthday Singapore!!

Template for tax computation

First time submitting your income tax?

No clue where to start of?

No worries!

Refer to the link below for simple tax computation that I have prepared for the year of assessment 2013:

Tax comp YA 2013

You may download a copy and edit it yourself by filling in the figures.

Although your first year salary may not be high enough to be taxable, you are still required to submit your annual tax return. So have some fun doing your own tax computation and submit them on or before end of April. :)

*Only applicable for Malaysian tax payers with employment income

Two sides of a coin

Six months have passed since I started working. A common question that people tend to ask is whether I like my job or not. Instead of saying yes or no, I shall list down the push and pull factors of my job and  the working environment.

Factors/people that made me love my job:

Respect. The best part of a job is the moment where you gain the respect of your client. I always feel motivated and satisfied whenever my client contacted me to discuss on certain matters. It makes me feel that I'm actually adding value to my client, which is what an auditor supposed to do.

Travel opportunity. Since I seldom travel around, the opportunity to travel makes me love my job as well. I am lucky enough to go for a stock count in Sandakan Bay by boat. It was a nice experience and I felt like I was having a holiday trip rather than working. 

Money illusion. I will feel happy and glad to work nearing month end. Yes! It's purely due to the paycheck that I'll be receiving. As an auditor, we'll usually receive "more" money than our predetermined salary due to inclusion of mileage claims.Although the claims are actually reimbursement of what we paid for in advanced, the money illusion will still give me a short term happiness. :)

Generous bosses. In rare circumstances, you'll be lucky enough to get a generous boss. I feel happy to work with such bosses. He/she is willing to treat the whole team a nice meal after work. Be it a box of chocolate or Chinese-style seafood dinner, he/she will gain my loyalty for the job. Haha...

The joker. Most of the job will have a cheerful person that will brighten up your day. No matter how stressful the working environment appears to be, such person will keep you happy by making some jokes or talking some nonsense which makes you smile. I hope there will be more people with such trait in my future jobs.

Factors/people that made me hate my job:

Working hours. I think there are many complaints about auditor's working hours and suicide cases to support this. No further elaboration needed.

Subjective appraisal. There is an appraisal after every single job. It's fine to have frequent appraisal. However, it is purely subjective and dependent on your direct senior or manager's discretion. If they like you, you are safe. If they are biased, it's the end.

Poor planning. The job schedule is always subject to change. Managers can book you for a job and subsequently release you when they don't need you anymore. I hate this kind of arrangement. It made me feel like a trash that is being dumped around. Worst still, you might be booked for a job but there's nothing for you to do. Sometimes, I feel like a beggar begging around for work to do when I'm free. It sucks.

Punctuality. I simply don't understand why most of the auditors cannot be punctual. It seems to be a trend to come to work late and leave the workplace late. Ironically, managers prefer those people who came in late and stay late for work. What's the difference if I work from 7.30 am to 7-8pm compared to those who came in around 9-10am and leave at 9-10pm? Obviously, most of the auditors failed their maths. Oh wait, how do they audit the accounts then?

Two-faced people/Backstabber. Well, it's difficult for me to choose which face to slap or what knife should I use to stab them in the front.

No brainer. This kind of people hate me when I leave my workplace earlier than them. Yet, when I approach them for work they have nothing for me to do. Typical brain donors.

The clown. Have you ever met someone who likes to show off their limited talent or knowledge? These are people who usually a little bit senior than me. I told them I understood and knew what to do but they will doubt your ability and continue saying things that you already know, over and over again. I believe that some trust and respect will create a better working environment.

The pretender. Worst kind of people in workplace. They are reluctant to leave work early when they have nothing to do. What's the point of staying late at workplace when you have nothing to do? Sucking up bosses' ass? Puik! Get a life for god sake!

That's the main push and pull factors that I can think of right now. I hope the points above will provide a better picture of my feelings towards my current job. Deducting the human factors, it's still a decent job with slow learning curve as at to date. Hopefully I'll gain more exposure and meet more awesome people. :)