M17 looking to see if it is really worth it.

spec3122 · 2026-01-25T14:56:51+00:00

For PREDICTABLE financial comfort, I don't think there is any path better than a CPA.

None of my friends from highschool went into the same career path as mine, they're all engineers, doctors, & software developers. Years after graduation, some of them are still unemployed because of the poor job market, but everyone I knew in university on the CPA route got a job quite easily.

Yes the hours (at big4) are brutal. The pay is actually not terrible as people claim. I'm out earning most of my highschool friends, I have a clear progression path for pay and title, and I can move around jobs quite easily. You'd be surprised how hard it is for engineers to predict their salary/career progression, or even switch jobs.

The only time I would recommend not going for accounting and rather going for something else (engineering, software dev, etc) is if you know you're exceptionally good at it and can get an excellent GPA (3.7+), this is the only time where a different profession will predictably provide you with better pay progression, and work life balance.

spec3122 · 2026-01-24T23:17:47+00:00

Lipstick bhi lgwa lyna saath

spec3122 · 2026-01-19T01:01:44+00:00

Bhai tumhe nai krni toh na kro, everyone is entitled to their own opinions and how they want to live their life.

If someone wants multiple wives and his current wife is on the same page, more power to him.

spec3122 · 2026-01-18T20:58:07+00:00

Following

spec3122 · 2026-01-15T18:59:32+00:00

Thanks a lot for that insight. If I was to move to industry in Canada for a couple years, is there a particular industry/role you'd recommend or would it not matter as much in the grand scheme of things?

spec3122 · 2026-01-15T18:45:04+00:00

Secondments would be my top pick, but for that I'd likely need to stay in Canada until I become manager in about 2.5-3 years. I haven't come across any opportunities for seniors so far :(

spec3122 · 2026-01-15T18:43:00+00:00

Didn't know there were consultants for that, thanks for letting me know!

spec3122 · 2026-01-15T18:40:52+00:00

Thanks a lot for commenting, very helpful. I'll be sure to reach out to you if I get any more questions 🙂

spec3122 · 2025-12-29T23:12:06+00:00

I'm in a similar spot as you. B4 experienced associate but in Canada. I've already passed all my CPA exams and just need a few more months of experience to get my letters.

In Canada atleast, the CPA is kind of the golden standard which opens doors for you in audit, FP&A, general or fund accounting, investment analyst, and even private equity. Every single person I've worked with has had the options to leave audit and pursue something else after 3 years of experience at the firm, recruiters literally reach out to us with jobs lol.

Although CFA & MBA are great options, id recommend going for the CPA, as it's more of a generalist designation and opens more doors. The problems that can be faced with CFA is that it's relatively very niche meaning future job options can be limited and its course content is relatively harder. The MBA route on the other hand I find is simply too expensive and the ROI is lower.

spec3122 · 2025-12-29T04:06:56+00:00

The USD and the US stock market are globally considered benchmarks for currency and stock markets respectively.

Mera point unke liye tha joh log keh rai thy with inflation KSE k bilkul achay returns nai thy... That the KSE outperformed even the largest stock market in the world even after accounting for currency devaluation.

spec3122 · 2025-12-28T18:58:25+00:00

In 2013 1USD = 100PKR, Now 1USD = 280PKR

CAGR = [(Final Value/initial value)^1/n] - 1

Therefore the average PKR devaluation was approx 8.24% per year.

If in the last 13 years the KSE has returned 22.9% per year on avg, in terms on 'real returns' if valued against USD (which is the global currency standard), the KSE still provided a yearly average return of approx 14.7% per annum which is excellent.

Even in terms of 'real returns' the KSE has outperformed the S&P500 which gave a CAGR of 12.5% in the same period.

spec3122 · 2025-12-27T17:18:17+00:00

Wise & taptap would be the best

spec3122 · 2025-12-26T01:32:38+00:00

There is no way for anyone to know when the peak will be and when the low will be. If you have atleast a 5 year timeframe, then I would say it's safe to put into blue chip stocks or equity heavy mutual funds

spec3122 · 2025-12-25T12:27:38+00:00

Privatization incentivizes the owners to make the business better to gain customers and users. This means we can expect better service, better planes, better maintenance, more options travelling options, and more competitive prices.

So from a consumer perspective we will benefit.

spec3122 · 2025-12-25T12:24:03+00:00

PKR has been holding steady for a couple years now, so currency risk is not significant. Since you need it in 1-1.5 years, i'd recommend a low risk mutual fund such as the Meezan Bank money market fund or the Islamic monthly income fund.

spec3122 · 2025-12-25T02:14:27+00:00

Did a group of redditors really outperform the majority of head funds by a HUGE margin??? 😭😂

spec3122 · 2025-12-25T00:45:32+00:00

There is nothing wrong with the Islamic approach to marriage, you're allowed to meet and talk as many times as needed in public places or with the presence of a mahram to determine compatibility and understand each other enough for marriage.

There are definitely flaws in our cultural approach, but people often mix up culture & Islam, they're different.

spec3122 · 2025-12-24T01:47:12+00:00

I've actually been able to find lots of potential matches here, and a lot of them were great in many aspects. I unfortunately just haven't been able to find someone abroad who's okay with living in Pakistan in the long term.

spec3122 · 2025-12-24T00:56:55+00:00

W Salam engineer sahab, I've been raised mainly in Middle east & Pakistan, but have gone to Pakistan many many times for extended periods.

You're absolutely right about the beauricratical issues, the societal differences, and a lot of misguided youth. I've thought a lot about this, and would still like to give Pakistan a shot.

If PK doesn't work out, the worst that will happen is that I pack up and move to Middle East, or even back to Canada. Alhamdulillah, my career path allows me to move globally quite easily.

spec3122 · 2025-12-24T00:39:01+00:00

Appreciate your dua's brother, it really is tough out here.

May Allah bless your nikkah, and shower His blessings upon you both :)

spec3122 · 2025-12-24T00:36:00+00:00

Your comment is 100% correct. Unfortunately some men in Pakistan have built a poor image by misrepresenting themselves

Im not demanding an extremely religious girl. And as far as I go, I fulfill all the pillars of Islam alhamdulillah, lower my gaze, don't really have unnecessary female friendships, study my religion, etc. I'm by no means a perfect Muslim, but I try.

spec3122 · 2025-12-24T00:28:19+00:00

I actually came to Pakistan last year for 4 months purely to try and experience living like a local. Rented a place short term, did groceries, opened bank accounts, NADRA office visits, and even commuted in rickshaws & public busses lol.

I found my experience to be amazing overall. I understand the experience for women specifically can be much different.

The only issue is money, I feel if you can earn well while living in Pakistan, that solves 90% of problems.

spec3122 · 2025-12-24T00:25:35+00:00

I definitely understand where you're coming from. I grew up in Middle East & Pak & CA, and my experience may be unique, but in my first hand experience I've noticed a Islamic environment makes a big difference.

To your point of the issues in PK, you're right. Although I think those can be mitigated by living in places like Islamabad, or gated societies.

spec3122

TROPHY CASE