Our school years are essentially a time when we discover ourselves and our identity. How were those years for you?

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.

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