“When I applied to Chuo University, I found out about the Institute of Accounting Research and decided to pursue the chartered accountant examination.” Satake had always been interested in getting qualifications and started studying for the chartered accountant exam when he entered university.

Certified accountants hold state certified qualification in the same way as lawyers, and there are two examinations, a short answer exam and a thesis exam. Satake passed the short exam in his second year and the thesis exam in his third year with flying colors.

“In my first year I studied at home, but from my second year onwards, I came to university every day and studied from when the gates opened at 8am until they closed at 11pm.” At the Institute of Accounting Research in the Honoh-no-Tou (Tower of Light), you can get support for bookkeeping proficiency and certified accountant exams, so he spent all his time studying there.

Even after spending long hours every day studying, it didn't appear to be that tough on him. “It became a routine lifestyle, so I didn't feel that much stress.” He mentions that he didn't know much about a certified accountant's work when he started studying. “I learnt about accounting and business as I studied, so study was fun for me.” This is probably because he set himself a clear goal and did all he could to attain it.

“At the Institute of Accounting Research, I would take practice tests almost every week, and they would show where I was ranked. Those results pushed me. I was also surrounded by other students with strong ambitions, so I could shut out distractions and concentrate on my study. I was very grateful for that atmosphere.” Satake told me that in studying for qualification exams, three things are necessary. “Ensuring that you have enough time for study, information gathering, and keeping motivated.” “I also went to a preparatory school. Because it was a correspondence course, it was convenient to watch DVDs and fast-forward through them in order to go over them many times.” As a result, he passed the exam in his third year and was immediately approached with a tentative job offer from a research corporation.

“After studying for two and a half years, I did what I wanted over the remaining one and a half years. I read books as well as took time out to enjoy my interests.” Reflecting on his university years he says it was “fulfilling”.

From April, Satake will take up a post mainly dealing with foreign-owned financial institutions for KPMG Azusa & Co. He hopes to be successful overseas, so he is now studying English hard because “If I can't speak English, there will be times when I won't be able to do jobs that I want to do.”

Finally, a word to his juniors who aim to pursue the chartered accountant examination. “If you spend time studying, the time you have spent will show in your results. If you can study patiently you will be fine.”

(Takeda)