Financial skills are among the most in-demand capabilities in today’s competitive job market.
Businesses need accounting and finance professionals who are trained to do more than crunch numbers.
ACCOUNTANTS are currently the fourth most in-demand professionals in Malaysia, according to the Institute of Labour Market Information and Analysis which listed them in the top five hottest jobs in May.
Financial skills are among the most in-demand capabilities in today’s competitive job market, despite the pandemic.
According to professional recruitment consultancy Robert Walter Malaysia, to attain a position such as a finance leader, graduates need a good mix of business and accounting abilities.
In current times of uncertainty and economic volatility, the CPA Australia program allows accountants and finance professionals to hone necessary skills and safeguard their career with the backing of a world-renowned designation and a network of industry experts.
Pursuing global success
“One of my main reasons for choosing the CPA Program was because of its global recognition and in our home country, ” says Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad assistant supply chain finance manager Jamie Cheah.
“It developed my critical thinking and decision-making abilities and allowed me to consider the current economy and industry trends when suggesting business strategies.
“I would definitely encourage my peers to take up the CPA Australia qualification because it gives you a deeper, more specialised knowledge not only of accounting but of contemporary business issues and global strategy and leadership that incorporate real-world scenarios, ” she says.
Like Cheah, former Yayasan Peneraju scholar Tengku Ikram Hussain, who is now an assistant finance manager for Total Marine Technology, says the program helped him to learn new accounting standards relevant to his work.
“At the same time, the subjects offered by the CPA Program have equipped me with knowledge on business, strategy and leadership for the future.
“My only wish is I had started sooner. I shall forever be grateful to Yayasan Peneraju for sponsoring my study, ” he says.
Tengku Ikram was also attracted by the graduation benefits, among them membership of a globally recognised accounting professional body, CPA Australia.
(From left) Tengku Ikram, Jamie Cheah and Chua Jie Sheng all benefited from the CPA Australia program.
Furthermore, as a father-of-two, Tengku Ikram also needed a study option that was flexible.
As well as providing the option of test centre exams or online proctored exams in most locations globally, the CPA Program offers an online learning platform that includes extensive resources from business simulations, video resources and weekly webinars to module quizzes and downloadable study notes.
“I could study anytime online, and the guided learning resources that map out a step-by-step learning journey throughout the semester include everything you need to help you achieve a great result in your exam, ” he says.
Gaining a competitive edge
Chengco PLT’s audit associate Chua Jie Sheng, who has gained high distinctions in Ethics and Governance, Financial Reporting, Strategic Management Accounting and Advanced Audit and Assurance, agrees the CPA Program has given him an edge in his career.
“Rather than merely follow what was done in the past, the CPA Program prompted me to take a step back and think if there are better ways to perform my tasks.
“For example, insights from Strategic Management Accounting have helped me manage the expectations of both internal and external parties and taught me about increasing job scope as technology improves and market demands change, ” he says.
Chua believes the quality of the CPA Program’s learning resources outperform those of other qualifications.
“My father who ran a multi-disciplinary professional service read my Strategic Management Accounting textbook and became so excited by the information – till we were fighting to use the book.
“For a textbook to have such an impact on a businessman, I believe the subjects taught by CPA have quality and are applicable in the business world, ” he said.
For more details on the CPA Program, attend one of the Become A CPA Information Session webinars. Alternatively, call or WhatsApp 012-229 6746 or 012-207 5772 to speak to a customer service representative.
