However, I encountered some problems later. When I checked for my payments and fees, I noticed that I had one overdue transaction invoice! I was helpless as I paid for all the fees on time! This was almost impossible! It stated that I still owed them 124 Pounds, which was equivalent to RM620!
This made me down and all my study mood was gone! I lost appetite too! I was thinking, where should I get the money? I checked the particulars in the invoice and I found that, there were mistakes, probably human error! In my payment advice, it states that I had paid 303 Pounds, which were divided in to two exemption fees of 179 Pounds and 55 Pounds respectively and 69 Pounds of Initial Registration - ACCA Qualification! Nevertheless, I had paid for the initial registration in my first payment to ACCA and the transaction was closed!
I asked Mr Simson for solution on Tuesday after his briefing but he asked me to email ACCA with my receipts. I did it on that night but I didn't photocopy my bank draft, I just had the bank draft's receipt with me. I did whatever I can. I emailed ACCA UK and gave them 1 week of time to carry out the investigation. I felt it silly as ACCA asked us to study Audit and Assurance but their internal audit and internal control were that weak!
I still din't get their reply on Wednesday except for the acknowledgement mail stating that they had received my mail. I asked Mr Tan Vooi Giap for the email address which he often send to ACCA. He said he just use the 'contact us' icon on the website. However, it refreshed every 5 minutes and it didn't offer me the attachment function. By the way, 5 minutes was too short to complete my complain letter! At night, I paid for the F6-F9 exemption fees using my Public Bank Day-to-Day Visa Debit Card after receiving two emails from Public Bank.
Thursday, I completed my evaluation online and printed out the evidence and some notes in CITC. After I finished my lunch, I headed to Mr Simson's room in order to seek for his help. On my way there, I met Mr Benny Goh, my previous Taxation's tutor. We had a short conversation. As usual, I couldn't find Mr Simson. Then I straight away went to Administrative Office to find Ms Soo Yoke Lin. She was typing a letter when I found her. I interrupted her, told her my problems and showed her the evidence! She was so nice and listened to me patiently.
She told me that there used to be payment problems every year. She gave me an email address from ACCA Malaysia and the recipient's name. She told me that this guy was the one facilitate our transactions, he had all the evidence and records with him. She also told me that ACCA UK took a lot time to do their work while this guy, Mr Clement just needed roughly two working days. She even gave me the complain's format. I wanted to take the copy, unfortunately she just had that copy and refused to give me, instead she gave me a paper to copy. I declined by taking photos of the format instead. She was so surprised! I told her that I was just making use of the technology. She asked me to find her back next week if my problem is not solved! I followed the format, scanned, uploaded and emailed to Mr Clement Dass at night.
Friday morning, around 9:10a.m., I received an email from Mr Clement. He replied my first mail regarding the exam venue. Then I posted the information on the Facebook wall of AFA Group. I never expected Ms Geh to comment on my post and even 'liked' my comments. I felt so honoured! Maybe as what our course representative, M.Y.K. said, this was the sharing spirit among AFA community. What bizarre was, a girl asking me to help find out the exam venue in Johor Bahru. She should know that there is no free lunch in this world. Besides, I am not the ACCA officer, how can I know where is it? She should take her initiative to email ACCA personally. Maybe this was the reason why Ms Geh 'liked' my comment again.
In the lecture hall, Anthony and Lucas asked me whether I would take my ACCA examinations in Penang. I thought, they were the first ones who saw my post. I don't know for the time being as I haven't apply for the examination yet. I need to consider where will I be during that time. I was so shocked when Anthony told me that the previous venue as mentioned in 'other' was PCGHS instead of Penang TARc.
At night, when I checked my mail box, I received Mr Clement's reply regarding my overdue payment. He said he had asked the relevant department in Glasgow office to investigate and update further for me. I hope it won't take too much time! I won't have the study mood once the problem is not settled! Please do pity a poor student like me!
Today, Saturday, I saw the F6-F9 exemption fees were reflected on my bank statement. It meant that the payment had been processed and accepted. ACCA don't have any reason to revise my 69 Pounds per paper invoice later. I think, it's also time for me to disclose the emails from Public Bank on the Facebook wall of AFA Group. Let's unleash our spirit of sharing.
Before that, let me emphasise one thing. I didn't blame Mr Simson as some students did. They blamed him for his incompetence, inexperience and difficulty to find him. However, do they ever think that Mr Simson is a 'new bird' as Programmed Supervisor? I strongly believe that he can answer your questions regarding CIMA's stuff. Have you ever encountered a lecturer/tutor who is willing to give you their cell phone number? I have some. I think this is because they trust me and have faith in me. Mr Simson gives his handphone number to some of the students. They should take their initiative to seek for remedies whenever a problem arises instead of just waiting for others to respond or babysit or 'spoonfed' by college. What will you do if you face some problems in your work next time? Are you going to ask your boss for help? Come on, don't be silly, matured and independent a bit!
