MBA vs C.Secretary

1) Cost

MBA - $28K (4 installments) with discount of $1.8K for early bird.
Chartered secretary - $5,880 for 4 modules but exclude association fees.

Conclusion: CS is obviously the winner. For MBA, the co does sponsor but there is a 2 yr bond that sucks big time. Alternatively, I could apply for the sponsorship and pay when I exit the co.

2) Duration

both 2 years - of course assuming that all exams & requirements are met.

Conclusion: equal.

3) Level of commitment

CS: Courses begin in July or Jan of each year. 15 weeks of classes, once per week for each module. This would last for about 4 mths.

MBA: Courses begin in Oct or April of each year. 3 mths of more intensive classes - 1 or 2 per week with some wkends (say 5 out of 12) burn. Exam in the 4th mth.

Conclusion: CS requires lower level.

4) Recognition

CS: recognised worldwide.
MBA: Usually depends on ranking. This MBA is top 100 or top 50 in 2 categories. Treble accreditation. So quite ok.

Conclusion: both quite recognised.

5) Career growth

CS: Most CFOs undertake the CS responsibility as well. Snr FM or FM, sometimes are also tasked with this. A good upgrade if one remains in the Accounting role.

MBA: Provide a broader perspective to consider issues and more structured training of mgmt skills. Gives ability to cross over to mgmt when opportunity arise (assuming that one wants).

Conclusion: both provides good upgrade ability.

6) Current circumstances

young kid, not quite sure whether to stay further in the co or to switch. Switching will likely provide better pay but a new environment. Currently, considered a regional controller but the package is not that great. For short-term, may be a good idea to move but the move will lead to uncertainty but also opportunities. Any move should be to a regional role or a listed company, otherwise considered a set back in the career development. A lot depends on the proposal from the co this year, which will only be confirmed in Oct/Nov.

If take CS:
lower level of commitment (time and cash), better able to deal with another kid if comes along.

If I decide to leave this year, I could check if the new company provide sponsorship for the MBA and I could take that after completing the CS requirements. Big savings. The downside is that those help from the insiders will not be so prompt. Slightly more expensive, as there is further discount for applicants employed under the current company.

If I decide not to leave this year and I take the CS. Just mean that I delay my MBA ambition further by 2 years.

If take MBA:

If I decide to leave this year, I would need to pay back whatever the co has paid on my behalf, lesser discount. Can't ask new co to sponsor, even if they have the benefit. Location may take longer to reach school. Wife got to be supportive, especially if next kid comes along.

If I stay and take MBA, bigger discount and if I leave after completion of MBA, either pay back prorated or earned out the sponsorship. same with the next kid thing.

Logical conclusion

To take the chartered secretary course because, given the high probability of the next kid coming along, I need to be around to help, even how little it may be. This allow me to continue to develop, given the constraint on time and cost. No harm for MBA to wait further. Also, given the uncertainty whether I'm going to stay, this represents the logical conclusion.

The risk is of course, I end up staying more than 2 years and I kick myself for failure to seize the sponsorship from the co. I will have to bear with this for the rest of my life.

The reason why the MBA should not be taken is because, given the high probability of the next kid coming along, wife & myself will be stressed to take care of both. If I stay, life could be better given the familiarity but if new job is undertaken, further stress because need to impress and build goodwill in the new job. If I stay and complete, I can pad myself on the shoulder that a gd decision taken but if I leave, then there's whole load of shit - new pressure, pay $, next kid.