The Sunway TES ICAEW programme is geared towards getting students into the workplace as fast as possible.
STUDYING abroad has been perceived as the best way to get your foot in the door towards an international job opportunity, but this does not always have to be the case as Sunway TES graduates have experienced a successful global career.
One such global alumni, Chow Pheng Sum who is a senior internal auditor to one of the big four banks in the UK, Natwest Group PLC, began his Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) journey in 2014 at Sunway TES and that has led him to a world of opportunities.
According to Chow, he chose to pursue the ICAEW programme at Sunway TES because the ACA qualification is a reputable qualification that is highly sought after in the job market globally.
“There are two parts of the ICAEW curriculum that I believe helped me most in both my past and my current roles, critical thinking skills and soft skills. I do think that the curriculum does develop more soft skills and critical thinking skills as compared to pure technical accounting knowledge.
“The intensity and the complexity of the ICAEW curriculum has shaped how I work and treat my work these days. The ability to meet the level of documentation detail and work standards to which my organisation strives stemmed from how the ICAEW curriculum had moulded me,” he said.
‘If a career that opens doors into a wide array of industries and international opportunities in finance is something you’re looking for, I won’t hesitate to recommend this (ICAEW) programme,’ said Chow.
He added that the ICAEW qualification and membership is one of the main reasons for obtaining his position in the UK.
“When I was still working back in EY Malaysia, I got my first job offer in the UK and one of the main considerations of PwC UK hiring me was the completion of the ICAEW qualification. There’s not much else you can ask for in an education that’s geared towards getting you out of the door and into the workplace as soon as it can.
“As such, if a career that opens doors into a wide array of industries and international opportunities in finance is something you’re looking for, I won’t hesitate to recommend this (ICAEW) programme at Sunway TES, the lecturers in the Sunway TES ICAEW programme are definitely very knowledgeable, both technically and practically,” he said.
‘Sunway TES ICAEW’s training does not only develop the technical knowledge of accounting and finance but also provides valuable organisational and strategic management skills,’ said Tan.
Meanwhile, Tan Chee Yun who is a qualified ACA chartered accountant managed to secure her role as a financial planning and analysis assistant manager for Lee Kim Tah Holdings Limited Group in Singapore.
Tan started her ICAEW journey at the age of 18 right after finishing high school at SMK Notre Dame Convent in 2013 and completed the first 12 ICAEW papers at Sunway TES as well as joined the workforce at the age of 21.
“Sunway TES ICAEW’s training does not only develop the technical knowledge of accounting and finance but also provides valuable organisational and strategic management skills.
“The ICAEW training helped me secure my first job as an auditor with one of the big four in Singapore despite the fact that I did not have my ACA qualifications and was still pursuing my last advanced paper.
“I believe this proves that the ICAEW qualification is highly regarded in Singapore as my employer was willing to offer me the job with competitive remuneration and sponsor the remaining exam fee together with the membership fee once I qualified,” she said.
Tan opined that the ICAEW qualification gave her a leg-up in mastering key technical and management skills required by a chartered accountant.
“We can essentially work in any industry we want once we qualify; ICAEW ACA holders are highly-regarded by employers, as more than just college graduates or skilled accountants, but rather as professionals dedicated to our profession,” she said.
‘The ICAEW qualification is one that I would absolutely recommend to students. The sky's the limit with this qualification on your resumé. It is globally recognised, and you will be able to secure opportunities globally,’ said Ng.
Currently working for PwC Middle East in Dubai, Ng Jin Wei joined the pathway to ICAEW- Certificate of Finance, Accounting and Business (CFAB) programme at Sunway TES, fresh after graduating from secondary school at SMK Pusat Bandar Puchong (1) in 2013, and progressed to the ICAEW programme next after completion.
Understanding that the ICAEW ACA offered by Sunway TES is much more than an accounting qualification as it also enables holders to explore other sectors such as consultation and advisory roles, Ng found it easy to make the decision to take the straightforward path, obtain his professional qualification within five years and concurrently gain work experience with a renowned employer.
“Having an ICAEW qualification is a testament that one has the technical knowledge and capabilities to perform the role, it all boils down to your soft skills when trying to secure an overseas opportunity.
“There should be no complications in having the ICAEW qualification recognised, in fact, many will be impressed that you have the qualification,” he said.
Ng had always known that he wanted to work abroad and soon after qualifying as an ACA member with PwC Malaysia, he applied to work in the UAE and is currently working for PwC Middle East in Dubai.
“The ICAEW qualification is one that I would absolutely recommend to students. The sky's the limit with this qualification on your resumé. It is globally recognised, and you will be able to secure opportunities globally,” he said.
For more information on the Sunway TES CFAB & ICAEW programmes, visit my.sunway.edu.my/sunctes.
