The ChatGPT chatbot was launched approximately 2 months ago, yet it has already reached 1 million users in only 5 days. Comparatively, Facebook took 10 months to achieve the same number of users, while iPhone took 74 days. ChatGPT’s unexpected strength and the newly discovered potential of large language models posed an immediate threat to Google’s position as the world’s leading search engine.

The emergence of artificial intelligence

There is a misconception that the accounting industry is monotonous. This stereotype may be influenced by the perception that accountants are purely focused on numbers and data and that there is no work-life balance.
Machine learning and robotic process automation have made it easier for accountants to automate routine tasks such as data entry and financial reporting. Therefore, accountants will be able to devote more time to activities that require analytical, strategic, and creative thinking to make informed financial decisions for companies.

On the other hand, accountants work with large amounts of numerically structured data. They can use deep learning – one of the machine learning methods, to identify complex patterns and relationships within large datasets. Using statistical models, financial and non-financial data will be trained to predict financial performance. Predictive analytics can help identify patterns in data, make forecasts, and assist in decision-making.

Data accuracy is another potential advantage to professionals. Accountants will no longer need to manually check each cell and figure on a spreadsheet which is prone to human error. With interactive charts and visualisations, data can now be processed quickly and accurately. Some professionals already use Microsoft Excel which provides an integrated feature of PowerQuery by connecting to databases for live data feeds. Business intelligence tools like PowerBI and Tableau will help create stunning data storytelling experiences for accountants.

Bridging the skills gap

Is artificial intelligence going to replace accountants? It is a common question I get from colleagues and peers. To put it simply, accountants will be displaced, not replaced. Accounting will shift from being perceived as mere bookkeeping to what it really is – problem-solving, business improvement and communicating impact which requires strong analytical and critical thinking. Artificial intelligence, robotics, and machine learning specialists will replace the industry’s declining workforce of accounting clerks.

How about the level of preparedness of current accounting education for the digital world? Researchers have found that most local accountants are not adequately trained or exposed to the digital economy. Studies in the US reflect the same trends within college and university accounting programs, pointing out “significant gaps between what the practice requires and what students are being taught in accounting programs”.

I am pleased to learn that some major accounting firms are investing in their existing staff to learn to code rather than hiring a team of data scientists. It will be difficult for data scientists to analyse data if they do not understand the client’s business domain. Making meaningful conclusions requires a thorough understanding of the client and the industry in which it operates.

ChatGPT in business schools

The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania announced that ChatGPT has passed one of its core MBA courses – operations management. Some academicians also raised concerns that students may use it to cheat in their essays and exams. The question remains: What is the value of a rigorous 4-year accounting degree in Malaysia?

A typical business school curriculum involves case studies, presentations, and networking activities. In other words, these are the “Business School Experiences” that artificial intelligence cannot replicate, including ChatGPT.

I believe that artificial intelligence can enhance the study process. Think of it as interacting with a study group member (like any other classmate) — learning through “study group discussions” instead of memorisation. That’s the most effective way for business school students to benefit.

Final Thought

There is no doubt that ChatGPT will significantly impact the accounting industry. ChatGPT’s ability to automate routine tasks has the potential to revolutionise the way accountants conduct their work.

Managing the risks associated with any new technology is essential in achieving the intended objectives. Artificial intelligence, including ChatGPT, cannot be guaranteed to be error-free. The generated data may also be inaccurate and unreliable, leading to mistakes and bad decisions. Ultimately, it will all come down to how the accounting industry embraces and leverages ChatGPT to drive growth and innovation.

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This article is contributed by Mazars’ Director & Young MICPA (The Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountants) Task Force member Roger Loh Kit Seng. The views expressed here are the writer’s own. You can check out some of his open-source codes at https://github.com/rogerloh-acc.

My school years were laidback. I was a small-town girl with big hopes and dreams to make a mark in the world. I grew up in Seremban for the greater part of my life up until I was 17; and was in an all-girls school (shoutout to my Puteri girls) from Standard 1 to Form 5. I remembered a lot of tuition classes where not much studying was done and choir practices and LimeWire downloads in between. My childhood was filled with a mesh of all things a millennial would experience but I wouldn’t have traded it for the world.

What extra-curricular activities appealed to you whilst in school and in university? What about now?

I grew up listening to the Sound of Music, Queen and Mamma Mia; hence in school, I was committed to the choir team where we sang a lot of show tunes in competition. I also participated in the track and field competitions back in the day. In university, I was very active in the Malaysians of Melbourne University (MoMU) Society where we organised events to create a home within the Malaysian community. I also participated in case challenges such as start up competitions and business case competitions. Outside of that, I was a volunteer at various film festivals as an usher as well as committed my time to volunteering during the Pink Ribbon month for breast cancer awareness.

Which University did you attend? What were your best moments there?

I attended the University of Melbourne and the best moments I have of my time there revolve around the opportunities I had for cross-cultural exchanges and immersion. This ranged from things such as committing my time to student led organizations such as MoMU, organizing the Grand Malaysian Ball for the Malaysian students and volunteering at various events and festivals to 5am adventures with my friends in search of the best croissants in the world in winter.

How do you think your university experience has helped shape you as an individual?

University was filled with a lot of people filled with hopes and dreams and wanting to find their foot in the door.  The people I met in university were fun as well as driven and I learn new things from them as they did from me; and I am glad to call them my friends till now. Moving from a small town to a big city helped provide insight to be an independent individual and has broadened my horizons in many ways. To learning how to cook and renting a place with no “adults” guiding my way was daunting but it prepared me for what’s to come.

There are many bodies which offer professional accounting qualifications. What made you choose the MICPA Programme?

I chose MICPA because of it’s unique proposition of delivering a dual qualification module. I believed the programme would have helped me develop into an efficient and effective problem solver. I also enjoyed that it was flexible, and I could self-study for the exams. As the structure of the exams was similar to my degree i.e. it was not only exam based but it consisted of collaborative learning within the cohort. I do believe it gives us the skill of solving problems as a team together which is useful in the working world.

It can be challenging working whilst pursuing a professional qualification at the same time. How did you cope?

In the beginning of my first year of work, having to juggle learning things as you go about your day to day. The learning curve was steep which made it really tough when you had to go about picking things up from experience. Having a good Spotify playlist helps when you’re burning the midnight oil and learning how to set proper boundaries for yourself. Taking adequate rest over the weekend. giving proper handover before you go on your study leave is essential so that you will not have any distractions on your study leave.

What do you think contributed to you doing well in the Programme?

Definitely a lot of support from friends / family. PwC provided plenty of Flex Benefits with the study leave and my team members were understanding enough to give me the space I needed to focus on my exams with no distractions.

What aspects of the Programme did you enjoy most / found most beneficial?

The self-study option! Often, we are caught up with work that it makes it tough to balance that and attending classes as well. The flexibility of being able to do my studies on my own time was a disciplinary course in itself but it worked better for me as I could plan out my days.

How do you feel about winning MICPA’s Most Outstanding CPA award?

Still feels pretty surreal, I can’t believe I was even nominated in the first place!  It does sort of feel like a lot of weight on my shoulders and I do hope to do my best to represent MICPA in my career.

What do you think were the key factors that led to you winning this Award?

I was just myself, by explaining my hobbies and my interests alongside what I do as an auditor whilst participating in the programme. My drive and dedication to getting the job done whilst juggling my interests and responsibilities outside of work have been a constant struggle but I believe that when you learn to set boundaries and know when to prioritize yourself that’s when you can truly be at your best.

How has the Programme helped in paving a professional pathway for you?

I managed to build connections within the Programme and especially during the Capstone module. The MICPA programme provided an insight to my career progression and prospects, as well as an avenue of meeting like minded people.

What are some notable experiences that have contributed to your career growth at your current workplace?

I am definitely a lucky one to have had good team members that taught me teamwork and have guided me every time I was stuck. The firm also provides plenty of outside of work activities which have led me to build a network of connections inside and outside of my own field.

How do you envision your future career path?

For now, to learn as much as I can in audit and working towards getting a Masters in the near future.

For the most part we are all molded by our upbringing and family values. Please share with us what are some of the key values and personal beliefs that you hold close to your heart.

My parents worked hard to provide my siblings and myself a good future. To me, the process of working hard is undoubtedly very difficult but trust in the process. I am very lucky to have been surrounded by people who love and care for me deeply and has taught me to be who I am today. I think most importantly is to always be kind to yourself and to not let negativity into your life. To always champion what is right and true to yourself.

What inspires you?  

My brother, Tim and my sister, Kath have both been my greatest pillars of inspiration. Growing up, they were a source of joy (and pain as siblings go) but being the youngest, they’ve always encouraged and stood by me during my highs and lows. A role model that I do look up to is Senator Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez who displays such tenacious spirit at a young age in championing for women’s rights and rejecting racism and social issues.

A quote of hers that sticks, “You don’t have to be perfect, but you have to be 100% committed” is one that I hope to practice everyday.

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. How do you reward yourself after a tough day at work?

A night out consisting of dinner and drinks with my partner or with my friends after a hard day’s of work soars my spirits. I also enjoy sweating it out be it boxing, spin or HIIT as a means of a relief. Furthermore, I am an avid film and TV viewer and I try to catch up on the latest series or a good movie in my free time.

How would you advise a student who is undecided on their career pathway and how would you encourage them to consider accounting as an option?

Take it easy and take your time in deciding. Everyone’s journey has different chapters and there’s no point in rushing. I would say if the individual has a keen spirit, strong willpower and tenacity, they should consider accounting as a valuable profession to have.

What would you say to an accounting undergraduate who needs motivation and inspiration to continue their pursuit of a professional accounting career?

Keep your head down; this path is not going to be an easy one but by asking lots of questions and solving one problem at a time this will help you to prioritize on the things you need to do. Remember to also be kind to yourself and take breaks whenever you feel stressed out because it is impractical to force yourself to work / study when you’re mentally tired.

If you were given the opportunity, how would you make a difference for accounting students and the accounting world in the long run? What are the changes that you would like to see in the accounting industry?

Normalise the importance of self-care! Oftentimes, the impression of the accounting world is a toxic culture filled with working overtime and burnouts. I believe that in this digital age, the impression is dated, and the younger generation is learning to stand up for themselves for a better work culture. By normalizing the importance of self-care and our mental health, we are putting our health and mental state of mind above work; which I strongly believe would provide stability to a young professional’s state of mind.

How were those years for you?

When I think about my high school years, there are many good memories, some bad, lessons, but overall, it was definitely a good time in my life. I had great friends, opportunity to take part in many exciting things, such as robotics competitions, other competitions within the school itself, connecting with people who I’m still friends with currently and developing my identity as I was growing. I had the fortune of having great classmates, great teachers and genuinely great friends which shaped me into the person I am today.

What extra-curricular activities appealed to you whilst in school and in university? What about now?

Well, when I was in school, I was really active in Robotics and Scouts, but as I joined pre-university and majored in Accounting and Finance, I quickly realised I didn’t really had the in-depth knowledge or skill to build higher skill level robots, so I decided to try something different.

I joined the Sunway Australian Matriculation (“AUSMAT”) Student Council in 2014 and the Sunway University Business School (“SUBS”) Student Concilium from 2015-2016 to represent a voice for my peers in developing new activities or planning events for the students. There I had the opportunity to be a part of planning of several events, such as the AUSMAT Futsal Tournament and the AUSMAT Night, which was like a graduation and prom night combined. Being in the SUBS Student Concilium, I had the opportunity to be a part of planning of more events, including the SUBS Run 2015 and the Yule Ball 2015, both which were the one of the bigger events where I was fortunate enough to be a part of the planning committee.

As I joined EY in 2017, I volunteered to be a part of the Ernst & Young Sports Club Committee, where I started out as a department representative in 2017, moved my way up to treasurer of the club in 2018, and of Vice-President in 2019 up till now. Here, I had the opportunity to be a part of as well as lead the planning of several events, such as the EY Social Night 2018 and 2018, the Intra EY Games 2017 and 2018, as well as being one of the key lead planners for one of largest event among the accounting firms in Malaysia, the Inter Accounting Firm Games (“IAFG”) 2019, the year where EY was the host for IAFG.

Which University did you attend? What were your best moments there?

I attended Sunway University. I think Sunway University were one of those universities which gave a wholistic campus experience where there were always some events going on within the campus. I believe, my best moments were taking part in those events. Either that or staying in the library and having group study sessions with my friends until the library closes and having mamak sessions after.

How do you think your university experience has helped shape you as an individual?

In my university days, I had the opportunity of having great lecturers whom I could have casual conversations with after classes. Some of my lecturers shared their life stories and gave me plentiful insights that gave me some perspective in making my decisions on my current career path. I am grateful for that interaction because it really helped me to form a perspective on what it means to be a professional in the audit line of work, and I’ve also gotten tips from my lecturers on time management, something I believe to be absolutely necessary in the line of work I am in currently.

There are many bodies which offer professional accounting qualifications. What made you choose the MICPA Programme?

In my conversations that I had with my audit lecturer during my university days, one of the advices I asked was what the different programmes had to offer, and which programme does he think is most suitable for me. Ultimately, I choose the MICPA programme because I found three things about this programme that I liked better than other programmes, the first was the dual-qualification aspect of the programme. Firstly, I qualify to be a member of both MICPA and CAANZ professional bodies. Secondly, this programme was rather quick to complete, I took 1 subject each term and completed the programme within 2 and a half years of starting the programme. Finally, this programme offered the flexibility of self-studying rather than requiring students to attend classes. I’ve always been the kind who enjoys studying at my own pace within my own schedule rather than being forced to attend classes.

It can be challenging working whilst pursuing a professional qualification at the same time. How did you cope?

The difficult part is making time to self-study and being disciplined to study weekly. I ensured I allocated at least a day within the week to study on the subject material and cover at least 3 chapters a week or as recommended by the study guide and attempt the practice questions which were shared to us. Having a study schedule and a designated day and time within the day allocated to study the material is necessary otherwise you risk falling behind on your studies. Also, I took sufficient study leave to ensure I had ample time to revise and prepare myself prior to the examinations. I also developed a study plan during my revision weeks to make sure I have sufficiently covered the revision of all the chapters in depth and explored all the practice questions that were made available to us.

What do you think contributed to you doing well in the Programme?

I believe my time management and discipline in ensuring I committed a designated time every week to study on the material helped a lot in being familiar with the subject contents. I also used to have the habit of summarizing the chapters I studied into notes based on my own understanding to ensure that I have sufficient familiarity. That was very helpful to me in developing a comprehensive understanding of the subject.

What aspects of the Programme did you enjoy most / found most beneficial?

There were a lot of resources available which were shared to the students. The study guide itself was structured really well, and it had a suggested timeline on which chapters to cover in which weeks as well as other study tips, which I definitely implemented in my study plan. The study guide was definitely one of the things I enjoyed most about the programme. I still have all my study guides with me as reference material sometimes.

How do you feel about winning MICPA’s Most Outstanding CPA award?

I’m honoured to receive this award from MICPA. Was surprised to hear my name announced, I genuinely felt that the other nominees were as capable of winning the award. Ultimately, I’m grateful of this recognition, and happy to make my family and friends proud of my achievement.

What do you think were the key factors that led to you winning this Award?

Frankly, it was a tight competition between the nominees, I genuinely felt so. They were all equally capable if not more of winning this Award. I believe the key distinguishing factor was how I balanced my commitments to work, studies and being a key committee member as the Vice-President of the Ernst & Young Sports Club. Balancing the three, all of which took quite a huge chunk of my time, required a feat of excellent time management, something which I believe MICPA recognised in giving me this Award. Of course, I was fortunate to be given a key position in the Ernst & Young Sports Club, which allowed me to demonstrate my time management skills. Absent of that, I believe it would have been a level playing field between me and the other nominees.

How has the Programme helped in paving a professional pathway for you?

The Programme helped in giving me the latest updates relating to my profession and helped to equip me with up-to-date changes in the accounting standards, which was transferrable to my professional career pathway. The structure of the Programme was also very useful in developing critical thinking and public speaking skills, especially with the Capstone module, which required us to showcase our public speaking skills, and to study case studies and give our response using critical thinking, and application of the knowledge from the other modules. The Capstone module really helped in tying all the knowledge from the other modules together and giving a good conclusion to the overall programme. This was something key which helped a lot in my professional pathway, especially in the public speaking and critical thinking aspect.

What are some notable experiences that have contributed to your career growth at your current workplace?

Having good colleagues and leaders contributed to my career growth in EY. I have been fortunate to work under great leaders who have inspired me to be a better leader and have empowered me to do more and give me the recognition where deserved. My colleagues have also taught me how to be a better team player, to be a better listener to be a more empathetic teammate and leader. This have helped to shape me into a better empathetic leader which has helped in my career growth in EY.

How do you envision your future career path?

I envision to explore big data analytics for corporations in the future where we deliver valuable analysis which can help corporations make key value-added business decisions.

For the most part we are all molded by our upbringing and family values. Please share with us what are some of the key values and personal beliefs that you hold close to your heart.

Compassion, respect, hard work and taking responsibility. My parents have always reminded me the benefits of putting in effort in everything I do, to excel and do my best. That is something they have always reminded me time and time again, and I still hold that close to my heart. Compassion and respect come hand in hand, my parents have always reminded me to respect every individual regardless of who they are or what their background is, and to act with compassion to everyone and to be understanding of others. Taking responsibility and being accountable is a value that I developed over the years growing up. I realised the importance of having someone taking responsibility and being accountable and to take control of situations and to have a plan for the worst-case scenario. These are values that I still actively practice today and will continue to hold close to me.

What inspires you?

My biggest inspiration is my parents. They have been one of the most hardworking and selfless people I have met in my life. They have done a lot to ensure that me and my siblings had a great upbringing and were able to achieve our dreams. They have been great role models in my upbringing, and I am grateful for all the advice and lessons they have taught me which shaped me into the individual I am today.

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. How do you reward yourself after a tough day at work?

Pre-COVID, I used to reward myself with either a mamak session with my friends or go for a nice meal. Food has always been the best way to a good mood for me.

Recently, I’ve been exercising, I find going for a jog after a tough day at work helps to get my mind off things and reset my mood.

How would you advise a student who is undecided on their career pathway and how would you encourage them to consider accounting as an option?

I would advise them to speak as many different people as possible from the different professional backgrounds (i.e. Engineers, Doctors, Accountants, etc) and try to get an understanding on what a day in the life of these individual looks like. It helps to give perspective of what the job is like on a normal day, and it helps to give undecided students an understand of what aspects they may or may not like for that profession.

Personally, I find accounting a profession has its fair share of problem solving, especially in applying the right accounting treatment for business transactions, which differs from companies within different industries. Furthermore, combining accounting knowledge with business knowledge can turn accountants into valuable analysts as they know how to analyse the accounting numbers, as well as add value from business perspective by defining what the numbers means to the business and help decision making, which is often known as management accounting. Also, accounting is a profession which is high in demand globally, with global opportunities. Thus, I believe its worthwhile to consider accounting as an option for a career pathway.

What would you say to an accounting undergraduate who needs motivation and inspiration to continue their pursuit of a professional accounting career?

My advice is if accounting is a professional career that you want to pursue, you must persevere and be patient. You may feel that it may be hectic to balance professional studies and a career simultaneously, but it is doable, and you need to trust you can pull through. Give yourself more credit. You may not be able to see the end as you are in the middle of it, but just keep moving forward, you will reap the fruits of your labor in the end once you become a Certified Public Accountant & Chartered Accountant.

If you were given the opportunity, how would you make a difference for accounting students and the accounting world in the long run? What are the changes that you would like to see in the accounting industry?

I’d like to see automation in the accounting industry, specifically in the auditing line of work. I believe there are a lot of hours spent doing audit procedures which are time consuming which with sufficient advancement in technology and investment in the development of the right tools, it can be automated. I believe, this will help a lot of auditors/accountants reduce the hours spent in their work, and better achieve an overall work-life balance.

Describe your university life – what was your experience like at IIUM & how was student life for you?

I was very active in co-curricular activities since I was in school and this continued when I was an undergraduate. Since I was in the first year, I joined many community services locally and globally. One activity that I really liked was the intellectual discourse series where we selected books and discussed the content, including works by John Naisbitt and the Muslim philosopher, Malek Ben Nabi. Through student activism, I learnt discipline, how to implement a balancing act, networking, decision making and tolerance.

Do you believe that your university education and experience played an important role in your development?

Education irrespective of whether it is a formal university education or informal education is definitely very important. I believe in lifelong learning and knowledge seeking. Even while working, I continue to learn in order to be relevant to the current scenario.

How did your education at IIUM shape you into the person you are today?

One important impact of my education in IIUM is that it shaped the worldview that I embrace on integrity, tolerance and moderation. Such a worldview helps me to be where I am now and to work with all walks of life.

What would you advise lecturers to tell their students should they be asked about taking up MICPA?

Taking MICPA will strengthen students’ knowledge on technical accounting and sharpen their decision making ability. The syllabus  will also help them to make judgements and articulate various points when making decisions.

Description of your role – what are the important roles you play professionally?

I was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA) since 2016 and was previously the Deputy Chief Executive Officer since 2015. Throughout the past 5 years, I have led MIA’s transformation journey through enhancement of its management team, branding and global recognition, and operational excellence, as well as adoption of technology and Integrated Reporting.

How has your MICPA membership impacted you / your career?

I obtained the MACPA (MICPA now) qualification in 1995. I planned to sit for the exam whilst I was still in my final year of a Bachelor of Accountancy at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). This came about because in my 2nd year, I simulated my results and realised that I wouldn’t be able to achieve 1^st class honours. Hence, I applied to cram and finish my degree in 3 ½ years rather than 4 years. I already figured out that to add more value to my credibility, I needed to sit for a professional exam. Once I completed my degree, I applied to work in Arthur Andersen and enrolled for the MICPA exam.

I made the right decision because my learning experience whilst preparing and sitting for the MICPA exam gave me a deeper grasp of accountancy, further enhanced with the working experience obtained at Arthur Andersen. It was not an easy journey because whilst preparing for the exam I was also building a family. I sat for the exam when I was heavily pregnant with my first child. However, it was really a worthwhile journey.

What is your definition of success?

Success is a journey. It is about achieving our purpose in life.

What are the most important decisions you make as a leader in your organisation?

Operationally, I make decisions almost every day. It is part-and-parcel of running an organisation. One momentous decision that I am grateful for was to rebrand MIA in 2016 with the #nationbuilding purpose and tagline. We reached this decision during a soul-searching discussion with then MIA President Dato’ Muhammad Faiz Azmi and my management team. Since then, the whole direction of MIA is oriented towards nation building and our team is united on this purpose.

When faced with two equally-qualified candidates, how do you determine whom to hire?

A lot of hiring decisions are made by the executive directors and heads of department. My hiring decisions are limited to my direct reports, such as the Executive Directors. The process is very rigorous, and I consider multiple factors. If there are 2 candidates, the final determinant would be the one who possesses leadership traits.

What are you doing to ensure you continue to grow and develop as a leader?

I learn a lot and am always passionate about new knowledge. Since I am always occupied with work, listening to audiobooks (audible), podcasts, webinars and reading books on Kindle are my learning platforms. I am grateful for technology advancement as it helps me tremendously in multi-tasking.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I enjoy spending time with my 7 children, and I hope to have grandchildren and spend my retirement days taking care of my grandchildren. Children give me many positive vibes that always encourage me to be a better human being.

What would you do differently if you had the chance?

Exercise more and eat more healthy food. Most of the time, when life is in the fast lane, I tend to pay less attention to these two areas.

What advice would you give to rising young accounting professionals?

I urge young professionals to have passion and patience, because these two attributes are very important in building a career. Once they have embarked on a job or accepted a responsibility, they need to be committed and turn the opportunity into a value-adding experience. Next is to be patient, because your career is a journey and you have to give it time until you master the skills.

Director, Centre for Accountability & Governance Research & Professor in Department of Accounting, Sunway University Business School, Sunway University Malaysia

Your MICPA journey

Prior to my joining the accounting firm in early 1980s, the practice was to recruit A-level students. I was one of the first to be recruited directly from a degree programme. It was an experiment that was fruitful as I recall. All three of us recruited cleared our 5 MICPA modules in one sitting. It was moment to rejoice. I was at the client’s place when we got the results. The firm rewarded us well for our efforts.

After passing the examinations, I just focused on my work, taking on many challenging clients and experiencing clients with different business operations. The days in audit were long but somehow satisfying because we were learning new things. After 3 years, I became a member of MICPA. After 7 years in the accounting firm, I joined University of Malaya in 1987. After joining University of Malaya, I continued my involvement in MICPA and other professional bodies.

Description of your current role – what are the important roles you play professionally?

In my present role as Director of the Centre for Accountability and Governance Research, I play a leadership role in designing engagement sessions to extend the outreach of academics in the university. We focus on capacity building through short courses and dialogues with industry experts. The centre also aims to provide experiential learning opportunities for the students through creating activities and platforms for more engagement opportunities within Malaysia and beyond.

Currently I am the President of the Malaysian Accounting Association. I hope to enrich the experience of the members of MyAA through various forums and collaborations. My current focus is to enhance the ecosystem for capacity building of professional accountants and improve accounting education in institutions of higher learning with a view to nation-building. I believe that the accounting profession contributes significantly to the nation’s economic development and sustainability agenda.

What inspired you to take up teaching?

When I was in the accounting firm, I was involved in training and also research. I particularly liked the developments in accounting standards and the unintended consequences of accounting standards. In the firm, I was also in-charge of technical activities which nurtured my interest in research. During the recession, I saw many instances of unethical behaviour and decided that I would join academia to nurture students (who are potential members of the profession) to be ethical and put integrity as their core.

As a lecturer, how has the MICPA qualification & membership helped you in the teaching profession?

The university appreciated that I was a professionally-qualified accountant with MICPA with 7 years’ industry experience. My entry pay was equated to a PhD holder commensurate with the work experience. After joining the university, I continued on a retainer basis with the former employer doing technical updates for the firm. MICPA provided me with the technical expertise and access to up-to-date technical pronouncements that made my teaching more efficient and effective.

Key attributes you have developed / relied on to keep you going strong in the academic profession

I relied mostly on sharpening my technical knowledge especially in accounting standards. I was very passionate about accounting standards. My research focus shifted to accounting standards and I secured a scholarship from UM to pursue my PhD in New Zealand on the topic of Accounting Standard Setting. In 1996, I completed my PhD. I was very interested in accounting standards and the political economy of the due process. Later in 1998, I served as Technical Advisor to the Malaysian delegation to the International Accounting Standards Committee.

The experience deepened my belief that the standard setting arena requires the participation and input from academia. I wanted to focus on capacity building in accounting standards. I was appointed on the council of MIA in 2000 and later stood for election in MIA AGM.

My research interest as well my belief that academia can contribute significantly to the development of the profession. Being a member of a professional body gives an academic like me a useful platform to engage and disseminate my research findings and engage in policy initiatives. I believe MICPA has a great role to play in nation-building and driving the national agenda in shared prosperity in line with the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030.

Share your motto in life

To do the best I can in whatever I do, be calm and choose my battles carefully.

Director, Centre for Accountability & Governance Research & Professor in Department of Accounting, Sunway University Business School, Sunway University Malaysia

Your MICPA journey

Prior to my joining the accounting firm in early 1980s, the practice was to recruit A-level students. I was one of the first to be recruited directly from a degree programme. It was an experiment that was fruitful as I recall. All three of us recruited cleared our 5 MICPA modules in one sitting. It was moment to rejoice. I was at the client’s place when we got the results. The firm rewarded us well for our efforts.

After passing the examinations, I just focused on my work, taking on many challenging clients and experiencing clients with different business operations. The days in audit were long but somehow satisfying because we were learning new things. After 3 years, I became a member of MICPA. After 7 years in the accounting firm, I joined University of Malaya in 1987. After joining University of Malaya, I continued my involvement in MICPA and other professional bodies.

Description of your current role – what are the important roles you play professionally?

In my present role as Director of the Centre for Accountability and Governance Research, I play a leadership role in designing engagement sessions to extend the outreach of academics in the university. We focus on capacity building through short courses and dialogues with industry experts. The centre also aims to provide experiential learning opportunities for the students through creating activities and platforms for more engagement opportunities within Malaysia and beyond.

Currently I am the President of the Malaysian Accounting Association. I hope to enrich the experience of the members of MyAA through various forums and collaborations. My current focus is to enhance the ecosystem for capacity building of professional accountants and improve accounting education in institutions of higher learning with a view to nation-building. I believe that the accounting profession contributes significantly to the nation’s economic development and sustainability agenda.

What inspired you to take up teaching?

When I was in the accounting firm, I was involved in training and also research. I particularly liked the developments in accounting standards and the unintended consequences of accounting standards. In the firm, I was also in-charge of technical activities which nurtured my interest in research. During the recession, I saw many instances of unethical behaviour and decided that I would join academia to nurture students (who are potential members of the profession) to be ethical and put integrity as their core.

As a lecturer, how has the MICPA qualification & membership helped you in the teaching profession?

The university appreciated that I was a professionally-qualified accountant with MICPA with 7 years’ industry experience. My entry pay was equated to a PhD holder commensurate with the work experience. After joining the university, I continued on a retainer basis with the former employer doing technical updates for the firm. MICPA provided me with the technical expertise and access to up-to-date technical pronouncements that made my teaching more efficient and effective.

Key attributes you have developed / relied on to keep you going strong in the academic profession

I relied mostly on sharpening my technical knowledge especially in accounting standards. I was very passionate about accounting standards. My research focus shifted to accounting standards and I secured a scholarship from UM to pursue my PhD in New Zealand on the topic of Accounting Standard Setting. In 1996, I completed my PhD. I was very interested in accounting standards and the political economy of the due process. Later in 1998, I served as Technical Advisor to the Malaysian delegation to the International Accounting Standards Committee.

The experience deepened my belief that the standard setting arena requires the participation and input from academia. I wanted to focus on capacity building in accounting standards. I was appointed on the council of MIA in 2000 and later stood for election in MIA AGM.

My research interest as well my belief that academia can contribute significantly to the development of the profession. Being a member of a professional body gives an academic like me a useful platform to engage and disseminate my research findings and engage in policy initiatives. I believe MICPA has a great role to play in nation-building and driving the national agenda in shared prosperity in line with the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030.

Share your motto in life

To do the best I can in whatever I do, be calm and choose my battles carefully.

My name is Azleena, I started my career journey with PwC in 2013 and spent just over 3 years there before I decided to join Shell in 2017. To date, I’m working in Shell – specifically in the Shell Malaysia Exploration and Production (SMEP Upstream) as a Business Analyst.

I play an extensive role in supporting the business, focusing on projects in Sabah. Acting as the finance advisor to the engineers who work relentlessly offshore can be challenging as it requires effort to ensure the projects are executed with sufficient budget and economically. With the current COVID-19 situation and the low oil price affecting the world, efforts have been doubled (if not tripled) to ensure extensive precautions are taken and wise decisions are made.

No doubt it has been a very challenging journey but yet exciting and meaningful to me. With the professional skills that I gathered along the way from my experience in PwC, my learning throughout the MICPA Programme has also helped me to endure the working world. The preparation throughout the Programme on developing professional skills and knowledge have been the essence of my career journey. Either direct or indirect, the learning gained from the MICPA Programme has been applied throughout my career for both PwC and Shell.

What is so special about the MICPA Programme? Well of course it is one of the most prestigious professional qualifications recognised globally. Through the collaboration between The Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA) and Chartered Accountants of Australia & New Zealand (CA ANZ), it offers a dual membership with both MICPA and CA ANZ, carrying the titles of CPA and CA. And the best part is, as a young professional accountant who just joining the working world and coping with the new working environment which can be challenging, the Programme offers options to choose between classroom-study or self-study, and I chose the latter.

I completed the MICPA Programme in November 2017. Indeed the journey has been meaningful as I myself could not believe that I managed to obtain the dual membership while juggling my time with my career. As I chose to self-study, it really tested my IQ, EQ, patience and discipline level to ensure that I studied sufficiently for all the exams. In the Programme, it is not all about learning from the textbook. I still remember for the final Capstone Module (which is the only module with compulsory attendance at the workshops), we were required to do many team presentations on case studies. I like the Capstone module as it reflects the true scenarios of the work life and how we work together as a team by finding time to meet and discuss in ensuring all of us passed the module despite our hectic work life.

My key takeaway is that challenges will always come to any of us even though we are not looking for it. Endurance and perseverance are some of the main ingredients to tackle them. The important part is what we learn from the challenges encountered, in order for us to become a better person (more skilful, wise, extraordinary) for the next challenge that awaits us. Take it as an adventure, for each one will add colour to your life (it will be a colourful life!). To relate it to the professional qualification, why not choose two instead of one? And that’s why I chose the MICPA Programme.

NUR AZLEENA ABDUL RAZAK
MICPA & CA ANZ MEMBER
BUSINESS ANALYST AT SHELL MALAYSIA

I commenced my career in 1990 with Arthur Andersen-HRM (Management Services) Sdn Bhd as an Associate Consultant. I then served in the audit and business advisory division of Arthur Andersen & Co. between 1990 and 1994. I joined CWS Hygiene Sdn Bhd (“CWS”) as the Finance & Administration Manager in 1994. When the Zuellig Group acquired CWS in 1995, I moved to Zuellig’s Gold Coin Group. I was appointed the Regional Financial Controller of Gold Coin Feedmills (M) Sdn Bhd – the primary operating subsidiary of Gold Coin (Malaysia) Berhad.

In 2006, I joined Engtex Sdn Bhd as the Group Financial Controller and was instrumental in the initial public offering (IPO) of Engtex Group Berhad (Engtex) in 2002. I held several positions in the group – I was appointed as the Personal Assistant (“PA”) to the Group Managing Director (GMD) in the year 2000 and the Joint Company Secretary of Engtex 2002 until I resigned in 2006. I served TH Group Berhad (TH Group) from 2006 to 2010 as the PA to the GMD of TH Group. I was also the Acting Chief Operating Officer of Nilai Medical Centre (a wholly-owned subsidiary of TH Group) in 2010 after the Group was taken private by the controlling shareholders. I then joined TSH Resources Berhad as the General Manager in charge of Strategic Planning and Operations – a position I held until 2012, before becoming an academician.

Description of your current role – what are the important roles you play professionally?

I am a local thoroughbred from the University of Malaya (UM) where I hold a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD.) degree in Credit Management (2010), a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree (2001), and a Bachelor of Accounting (Honours) degree (1990), all from UM. In terms of professional qualifications, apart from MICPA, I am a fellow member of ACCA (UK) and CTIM, respectively, and a member of MIA.

I am currently a Senior Lecturer in the School of Business, Monash University Malaysia. I teach the Auditing & Assurance unit and the Corporate Treasury & Credit Management unit (that I designed and developed, leveraging on the knowledge gained from my PhD journey in credit management).

Equipped with professional qualifications in accounting and a wealth of experience in audit, financial management, and corporate governance, I was invited to sit on the board of several listed companies as an independent non-executive director, safeguarding the minority shareholders’ interest. I serve MICPA as a Council Member and am involved in the Education and Training Committee; Commerce, Industry and Public Sector Committee and the Membership Affairs Committee of the Institute.

What inspired you to take up teaching?

I faced challenges in taking the accounting route as I was from the science stream during my higher school certificate (STPM) education. During my time, not many schools offered accounting as a subject. I needed to take classes outside of school. When I studied accountancy at the University of Malaya (UM), they were also short of accounting lecturers. It was challenging to find accounting lecturers as the remuneration is not attractive as many classes were still conducted in English except for economics subjects. Some of my lectures and tutorial classes were held on weekends or on the weekdays’ evening to fit the part-time lecturers’ availability. That motivated me to return to my alma mater as a part-time lecturer in auditing to fulfil my passion in education after attaining my professional accounting qualification – MICPA. During my two-year stint, I enjoyed teaching and hoped to continue teaching as a second career after my corporate roles. To be an academician in a world-ranking university, I had to pursue a PhD degree. I pursued it on a part-time basis, without sacrificing my corporate career growth – juggling studies with work and raising a family. Two years after completing my PhD and with 22 years of working experience, I left the commercial sector to join Monash University Malaysia.

Your MICPA journey

I joined HRM Consulting Sdn Bhd as an Associate Consultant on 1 April 1990, immediately after completing my final year at UM. Two weeks later, Hanafiah Raslan & Mohamad (HRM) merged with Arthur Andersen & Co. (AA), and Samad & Co. is the original local firm’s name. I stayed in consulting for 6 months before deciding to obtain audit exposure and pursue my MICPA professional qualification. I then joined the audit division, and I spent almost 4 memorable years in AA with my last position as the person-in-charge of AA Kuala Terengganu office. By then, I had completed my MICPA professional qualification and was ready to join the commercial sector.

One of my fondest memories is where my audit team detected financial fraud committed by an outlet manager of an out-of-town fast food outlet. He used his dot-matrix printer to print the bank-in slips by forging the bank’s printout and remitted the forged slips to the head office and siphoned the cash collections. As the uncredited lodgements still appeared in the bank reconciliation after more than two months (which is unusual instead of unpresented cheques that are valid for six months before staled) and suspected something amiss, we sent copies of the bank-in slips to the confirming bank for verifications. The bank responded and confirmed that the printouts were forged, as evidenced by the larger than usual font size used in the forgery. I alerted the CFO and pulled out my audit team from fieldwork for safety reasons until the internal inquiry and the issue was resolved. The outlet manager was dismissed during the internal inquiry, and actions were taken to recover the losses from him. It was a real-life lesson on fraud for the audit team.

Challenges faced as a lecturer, and how you overcome them

Teaching is an honorable and noble profession. The salary of an accounting lecturer is not comparable to accountants’ pay. We need to be passionate about education to be good educators, and monetary reward is not the main criteria. That is why I spent 22 years working and accumulating my savings and my children’s education fund before throwing in the towel to become an academician. Apart from education targets, I need to meet the research targets and the lecturer’s engagement targets. Engagement targets are not an issue for those like me from practice or commercial sector as we can quickly re-establish our contacts and link academia with industry. Academic research is the main challenge for me as I am more well-versed in thought leadership research and article writing. World-ranked universities only recognise publications in top-tier academic journals (A or A* ranked journals). The challenge is to produce sustainable research outputs that can provide new knowledge that closes some gaps in the present body of knowledge. To overcome my academic research challenges, I will typically team up with my fellow colleagues and superiors who are well-versed in academic research or external collaborators in research projects and work on the research based on each member’s expertise areas.

As a lecturer, how has the MICPA qualification & membership helped you in the teaching profession?

Being a member of MICPA, accounting lecturers can get the latest up-to-date resources and accounting and auditing pronouncements and standards through the MICPA website. The technical department of MICPA can be consulted on issues relating to accounting, taxation or auditing. I can also reach out to member firms and other MICPA members and engage them in academia-industry linkage collaborations. If I need assistance in organising guest lectures or workshops or student club activities, I can contact the MICPA secretariat.

Key attributes you have developed/relied on to keep you going strong in the academic profession

In the property industry, the most important factors are location, location, location. In the noble accounting education profession, the essential element is passion in what I do – passionate educator in the subject matter, passion for being at eye-level with students, and passion in delivering the subject! I am here in the academic profession to impart more than two decades of my knowledge and experience to aspiring finance professionals. I hope that the younger generation will be inspired to undertake the same in the future, which keeps me going.

Innovative ideas to share with fellow academicians

Pre-lecture quizzes (weightage of up to 10% of the unit marks) effectively incentivise students to read up and prepare for the coming weekly lecture. Combined with in-lecture and post-lecture exercises, students’ interest will improve.

Individuals and students appreciate group assessments based on real-life cases / data (e.g. market-available data from Bursa Malaysia on public-listed companies or publicly available regional data). Students can see the real-life application of what they have learned.

Selection of group members for group assignment could be better, applying half self-selection and another half determined by the lecturer via balloting, considering diversity and inclusiveness. For example, in four students per group, I will allow them to get their pair/buddy. 2 other members will be allocated through balloting, taking into account gender (female vs male), domiciliary (domestic vs international students), etc. From students’ reflective essays, many appreciate collaborating with some new members and at the same time have a familiar buddy to work with.

Educators should use mnemonic techniques like mind maps using keywords, abbreviations, and acronyms to reduce memorising and encourage more reasoning and application. I use easy-to-remember mnemonics in my auditing subject, and students liked mnemonics very much!

Why do you think students should choose the MICPA Programme?

The MICPA Programme today has transformed vastly compared to my time. Like the legal profession, local practices and regulations are different from one country to another, especially in law and taxation practices. MICPA is the premier Malaysian accounting qualification that was perceived to be very difficult to attain with a low passing rate akin to ICAEW (not available off-shore the UK, during my time). At that time, MICPA courses were not available throughout Malaysia as the number of candidates were only a handful. As such, it would be easier for aspiring accountants to take other professional accountancy qualifications available on the Malaysian shores, with many tuition centres offering such courses mushrooming throughout the country during my time.

Things have changed in the past decade. MICPA has transformed into a more popular chartered accountancy qualification with the tie-up with Chartered Accountants of Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ). MICPA candidates can attain two professional qualifications undergoing the MICPA Programme with CA ANZ conducting the final stage – the Advanced Stage Examination (except for the taxation paper based on Malaysian laws) concurrently in three countries – Australia, New Zealand, and Malaysia under their CA Programme. Using the CA ANZ comprehensive online self-directed learning platform, candidates can study for the exam wherever they are. In Malaysia, we still have colleges providing tuition classes to supplement the Programme. The open-book exams with the availability of education support in Malaysia elevates the passing rate of MICPA Programme to 70% level instead of approximately 20% during my time! It is not that the standard of the examination is brought lower now but it is the availability of study guides, learning resources, and exam guides that are available online with the advancement of technology that made study easier for aspiring accountants. Getting two qualifications with the MICPA Programme – Certified Public Accountant (CPA) of Malaysia and CA ANZ – which is part of the Global Accounting Alliance (GAA) – an alliance of the world’s top CA and CPA institutes speak for itself. MICPA members enjoy the gateway to GAA through CA ANZ. Unlike other professional accounting qualifications, the MICPA – CA ANZ Programme is a postgraduate qualification. Without a doubt, it should be the first choice for Malaysian graduates that aspire to become a qualified CPA in Malaysia. I can vouch for it as my eldest daughter enrolled herself in the MICPA Programme immediately after completing her degree, majoring in accounting in December 2020 at Monash University Malaysia. My second child, a few years younger, is also aspiring to attain the dual qualification.

What is one mistake you witness teachers making more frequently than others?

The one mistake that I see many accounting educators make is delivering their subjects, not at the same “eye-level” with their students. Borrowing the philosophy of meeting the “eye-level” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8hw_7wOGtM) of each student by South Korean Daekyo Co. Ltd’s that owns the franchise of the Eye-Level learning centres throughout the world, educators must ensure that students can comprehend the subject matter at their level.

For example, Auditing and Assurance is a new subject for all undergraduates in accounting as it is not a subject of their pre-university education. Just explaining the principles and concepts of auditing and getting the students to do their reading or self-directed learning of auditing text, pronouncements, guidelines, and standards would not lead them to a good understanding and mastery of this subject. Many will be overwhelmed by this subject that requires understanding professional scepticism, ethics and independence; audit assertions, objectives and procedures, etc.

Students needed to be motivated to undertake this unit with exciting case studies, easy-to-remember acronyms, and exposure to audit applications in real-life companies in their group assignments. Academicians need to be passionate about their subjects. I always console students who find difficulty learning audit and assurance subjects that they have yet been able to “catch the ball”. They will appreciate this subject once they have “warmed up” and are back on their feet again.

What are a few resources you would recommend to someone looking to gain insight into becoming a better teacher?

In the New Normal, educators could use massive open online courses (MOOCs) like Coursera, edX, Udemy, etc., to get acquainted with the subject matter and learn how the lessons are structured and delivered in an online environment. Most MOOCs are available free of charge and some are as cheap as USD9.99 per course for lifetime access during their promotional period.

Accounting and consulting firms’ websites also provide loads of contemporary resources and thought leadership articles that are more current than textbooks. It will take a few years to get books updated, and by then, they become outdated again. However, texts are important as they set out the theoretical framework and cover the fundamental concepts, theories, and practices but needed to be supplemented by up-to-date resources provided by the accountancy fraternity in their websites, practice workshops, and guest lectures by industry experts.

One of our MICPA members, Johnny Yong, who was with IFAC based in New York, recommended me the Centre for Financial Reporting Reform (CFRR) website at www.cfrr.worldbank.org. This site provides workshops and teaching materials for audit training for trainers available for use.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, apart from the above websites that offer accounting and business-related knowledge and information, educators should update themselves with the knowledge, skills, settings, and technology required to deliver online, hybrid or physical courses as a result of the rapid transformation in the education industry in this challenging time.

Hazmi bin Salihudin, a 24-year-old Kajang boy went to high school at Kolej Yayasan Saad – a boarding school, and then moved on to take up accounting at Kolej Yayasan Saad Business School, sponsored by MARA.  It was a twinning programme that allowed him to spend his final years of study at the University of Auckland in New Zealand.  He is now a Commerce graduate, holding a double major in Accounting and Commercial Law.   He was a very active student who would get involved in as many activities as he could, and was very enthusiastic about a future career in accounting.

Since high school, he has always dreamed of becoming a successful entrepreneur. Choosing to become a professional accountant would be his biggest stepping stone to achieve it.  He believed that becoming an accountant would help him develop his industry knowledge, and that the work experience gained whilst training to become a professional accountant would allow him to learn more from others – be it their strengths or weaknesses.  He thought that at the very least, even if he fails as an entrepreneur in the future, he would still have a backup plan to practice as an accountant.

In pursuit of his goals, Hazmi faced a setback.   “In November 2018, I flew home to Malaysia during the summer break for my internship with EY.  Within a few days of arrival, I was admitted to the ICU for breathing difficulties. For the next 2 months, I had lots of procedures performed on me and I was admitted to the ICU on another 2 occasions. During the last ICU experience, my oxygen levels were so critical that my parents were told to bid me farewell. Fortunately, I survived, but was diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease which requires me to commit to dialysis 4 times a day. My parents and I managed to convince the doctor to permit me to finish my final semester in New Zealand. Thankfully, I managed to score much better in my final semester compared to the previous ones, even though I had to commit to regular daily dialysis while studying. Of course, I had to skip lots of lectures and do more self-study, but I never once used my disease to excuse myself from compulsory classes or assignments. All of these couldn’t be achieved without the endless support from everyone around me, especially my parents and the medical staff. Only a few months ago, my mom and I went through a successful major surgery, where my mom’s kidney was transplanted into me. Because of that, I’m now free from dialysis and finally able to have the luxury of living a normal life, and I’m definitely going to make the most of it.”

Upon completing his degree in New Zealand, Hazmi took up the MICPA Programme which will pave the way for him to hold a dual qualification from MICPA and CA ANZ.   In the meantime, this March 2021, he will be starting his career at KPMG as a Tax Consulting Assistant under their Tax Trekkers programme.

“I started the MICPA Programme around February 2020 as a full-time student under MARA sponsorship.  I would have completed 4 out of 5 modules by the end of September, however, my tax paper was postponed during the COVID-19 outbreak and I had to undergo my kidney transplant surgery. My plan is to complete the Taxation and Capstone modules as a part-time student while I am working with KPMG.”

When asked what influenced his decision to take up the MICPA Programme, he shares, “It was an easy decision. As someone who prefers exercise over reading and memorising, MICPA became the clear choice for me as they offer open book examinations, which is something I really like about the Programme. Personally, I feel that a closed book exam may be tougher and requires a lot of memory work, but does not necessarily provide more exposure on real work experience. Spending more time on practical exercises exposes me to multiple situations that require different approaches in problem-solving. Being a full-time student has offered nothing but more flexibility in time, more friends to study with and less distraction.  Although doing 2 modules per semester may sound taxing, I strongly believe it is nothing compared to committing to one module whilst working.”

Even with his health challenges, he remained determined in his pursuit of the MICPA Programme.  “As a chronic kidney disease patient, I was required to commit to dialysis 4 times daily. Each procedure consumed 40 minutes to 1 hour of my time. Instead of spending my lunch breaks with friends, I needed to commute home for my dialysis and would come back late to class feeling exhausted. Still, I would sit right at the front of the class so that no matter how tired I felt, I would be inclined to focus on the lecture and at least understand it partially.”   Though the Programme can be fully self-studied, tuition classes were provided as part of his sponsorship.  “For me, passing 3 modules so far was the result of both 70% self-study and 30% tuition classes. To learn something new, I need someone to introduce the concept to me. But it takes personal commitment to truly understand it. Tuition classes will speed up getting answers to your queries and is a great option at an introductory level.”

“With introductory level knowledge, I attempted lots and lots of exercises using the given answers and found the explanation in the softcopy version of the Candidate Study Guide for better navigation. The first few attempts may make us feel like we know so little, but it’s only a matter of making more queries, more attempts and doing some research to understand a particular concept. It’s quite the opposite to the method that others use, but it works well for me.  To excel in the Programme, make less assumptions, do more research and don’t be afraid to ask! Good social skills and a supportive community also plays a vital role for your personal development.”

To keep himself motivated, he shares: “Personally, I feel obliged to push myself in the corporate world while I’m still in my youth and full of stamina. There’s never really been the thought of giving up in anything I do, including my studies, but only backup plans if I ever fail. The famous Malay saying ‘bersusah-susah dahulu, bersenang-senang kemudian’ has never been clearer to me. I know that there is more to gain by putting in the effort now, rather than later.”  He is of the view that aspiring accountants should pursue the MICPA Programme because the job market is getting more and more competitive. “Pursuing a professional programme will definitely add value to us in the eyes of employers.  If you want to stand out in the accounting industry, being a MICPA professional should be your first step.”

With a deeper insight into what matters most in life, he shares these words of advice: “Define your ultimate goals for your life and make sure that you truly believe you’ll get there. For me, I see myself in my 50’s owning an important company with a kitchen in my office, feeling healthier than I am right now, and being a great inspiration to my family and the nation. Believing in those goals motivates me to see the solution and opportunity in every problem, even when it is as big as being sick. If you see your goals as feasible, nothing can stop you.”

Thanks Hazmi, for sharing your insights and wisdom – we’re sure our readers have been truly inspired and benefitted from your honesty and openness to share.  We wish Hazmi the very best in his last leg of completing the MICPA Programme and in his new career ahead!

1. Description of your role – what are the important roles you play professionally?
I am currently involved in advising businesses in connection with merger and acquisitions (M&A), Initial Public Offering (IPO), debt fundraising, business valuation.

2. When did you become a member?
I became a full member of MICPA since the year 2017.

3. Share some of your fondest memories in your MICPA journey.
I met Dato’ Seri Johan Raslan when I was choosing which accountancy qualification to study. After discussing with him, it was clear to me that MICPA suited me better. He was right, and I never regretted it since then.

4. How has your MICPA journey shaped you as an individual?
The MICPA Programme is not about memorising theories and formulas. Instead, the examination tests candidates on their understanding of accounting treatments. The MICPA approach allowed me to appreciate the standards while not being just book smart.

5. How has your MICPA membership impacted your career?
Being MICPA-qualified is more than I have imagined. I have trained beyond just compliance, adding value to my M&A advising role.

6. Why is MICPA special to you / why are you proud to be a MICPA member?
MICPA focuses on technical excellence on its members, and I feel proud to be one of them. MICPA shares technical updates to members, and through its collaboration with Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), I have access to Global Accounting Alliance as well.

7. Why do you think that young aspiring accountants would benefit from the MICPA Programme?
The MICPA Programme is vigorous as it comprises of four solid technical modules with the Capstone module. Most of the Programme is delivered online, where I am free to plan out my schedule to study while earning my way to become a full member of MICPA.

8. How do you think MICPA members are perceived in industry?
MICPA members are generally perceived to be technically sound with outstanding professional competence.

9. Why did you choose the MICPA Programme?
I had a full-time career when I decided to choose MICPA. I was willing to use my weekends for studies and therefore looking for a programme with online delivery. On top of that, the MICPA Programme typically tests candidates’ understanding more than memorising the accounting concepts.

10. Looking back on your MICPA journey and knowing what you know now, what is one piece of advice you would have given yourself along the way?
When I started my MICPA journey, I thought of enrolling in one module each term. However, there were times when I was more occupied with work (especially during audit peak periods). It is wise to keep a comfortable pace without rushing to complete all modules in the shortest time.

11. How did you keep yourself motivated throughout your studies especially having to work & study at the same time? What benefits did you reap from the experience?
I must admit this was not easy as I took the MICPA Programme while having a full-time job. I planned and allocated time for study. It was not easy, but I realised that when I am able to plan and allocate my time well, I am better at prioritising work and meeting deadlines.

12. Do you feel that the Programme prepared you for real work life scenarios? Share your experience.
Definitely! I believe MICPA Programme prepares candidates to be a qualified Accountant. My analytical skills and scepticism have developed over time, and I comprehend the relationship between a company’s business model and financial performance. I truly appreciate the training I have gone through under the Programme.

13. What would you do differently if you had the chance?
I am glad I took MICPA, and I think I would stick to the same decision if I could choose again.

14. What advice would you give to rising young professional accountants who might be afraid to take up the challenge?
The MICPA Programme provides a lifetime of rewards with just a few years of hard work. What is better than earning two qualifications with a single Programme?

Note: The MICPA Programme is awarded by MICPA. Completion of the MICPA Programme can lead to eligibility for CA ANZ membership if requirements are met.