Onward: (From left) Farah, Lam, Noraini and Ernst & Young PLT Malaysia managing partner Datuk Abdul Rauf Rashid.
LAM E VAINE of Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) will represent Malaysia at the “EY Young Tax Professional of the Year (YTPY) 2024” international finals, where she will compete against national level winners from other countries in January next year.
The international EY YTPY 2024 competition will entail learning, team building and networking sessions, with the top three winners to be announced at an award ceremony in March.
As the winner of the EY YTPY 2024 Malaysia competition, Lam took home a cash prize of RM8,000 and secured a paid internship of no less than eight weeks or a conditional offer of employment in Tax Services with Ernst & Young Tax Consultants Sdn Bhd.
The 22-year-old Bachelor of Accounting (Honours) student was announced the winner of the national level competition on Aug 21, a press release read.
Winning the competition, said a grateful Lam, was an immense honour.
“The journey has been both challenging and rewarding, significantly boosting my confidence and reinforcing the belief that challenges should never stand in the way of reaching greater heights.
“I am also excited to represent Malaysia on the global stage and showcase the talent and potential our country has to offer,” she said.
The two-day YTPY 2024 Malaysia competition in Kuala Lumpur saw presentations delivered by 18 semi-finalists, a sharing session about career opportunities in tax and a fireside chat with EY leaders.
Joshua Yap Jan Chen, 23, who is also pursuing his Bachelor of Accounting (Honours) at UTAR, was named the first runner-up.
Yap received a cash prize of RM6,000 while Ng Yew Sheng, 21, who is pursuing her Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) at Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology, received a cash prize of RM3,000 for taking the second runner-up spot.
Yap said every participant who gave their all is a winner.
“The prize is a bonus.
“I am grateful to my family and my lecturer for encouraging me to participate in the competition and giving me the chance to seize this rare opportunity before my university days come to an end.”
Like Lam, both Yap and Ng were given an option of a paid internship or a conditional offer of employment.
In her address, Lembaga Hasil Dalam Negeri Malaysia (HASiL) corporate services department director Noraini Mustafa said the EY YTPY has been instrumental in promoting tax knowledge, imparting insights and clarifying the reasoning behind tax policies to the younger generation.
“The essential insights gained from this competition demonstrates the real-life complexities and hurdles in today’s business and tax landscape.
“It is our hope that the undergraduates have found this experience to be a valuable complement to their academic pursuits, broadening their perspectives and honing their abilities, thus preparing them to effectively engage and collaborate on the international stage,” she said.
Ernst & Young Tax Consultants Sdn Bhd tax managing partner (Malaysia) Farah Rosley said the annual YTPY offers “an invaluable experience” that will give students an edge in their future professional lives as it pushes them to apply their practical knowledge to international tax issues.
Today’s tax professionals play crucial roles as advisers, policy influencers and strategic decision-makers, she added.
Ernst & Young Tax Consultants Sdn Bhd partner and YTPY Malaysia programme director Hisham Halim described the competition as a launchpad for the next generation of tax leaders.
“It brings together top talent to tackle real-world tax challenges with creativity and precision, showcasing their potential to drive innovation in a rapidly evolving industry.
“Beyond technical skills, participants gain exposure to global tax trends and connect with a powerful network of peers and experts. This competition offers a unique opportunity to elevate their careers, forge lasting connections and shape the future of tax advisory. It’s a call to action for those ready to lead and make a lasting impact in the field,” he said.
