The first thing that drove me to pursue a career in accountancy was my admiration of ACCA. In mainland China in 2004, ACCA was the shiniest and strongest certificate to work towards in one’s professional life. When I started the course, I discovered that I enjoyed the analytical part of accounting. Great accountants can help a business prosper, as well as provide transparency and fairness.
My current role at CNQC International Holdings can be separated into professional practice and managerial sections. As a senior accountant, I am responsible for consolidating and analysing financial reports and other data, as well as preparing documents such as management reports at the group level. As the financial controller for the realty division, I oversee M&A and equity investment projects, managing finance staff and setting the budget, among other duties. I find that the most challenging part of the work is to manage the financial team in an efficient but fair manner.
Fintech will take the accountancy professional to greater levels of analytical and comprehension ability
In China, as new technology evolves, new challenges to the basic bookkeeping role are emerging. This does not mean that a layman can be an accountant or a bookkeeper without any proper training in handling fintech. Rather, fintech will take the accountancy professional to greater levels of analytical and comprehension ability. The more fintech develops, the more opportunities there are in our careers. From this perspective, in China, the profession is evolving towards a bright future.
The challenge ahead for us is how to incorporate the social element. For example, when those with low incomes seek fairer profit-sharing treatment, how will accountants adjust shareholders’ equity to meet their requests in the business entities that they work for?
Another challenge is to adjust to accounting standards and principles that constantly evolve globally. We have seen stakeholders gain more influence via media, online channels and policymaking. They can significantly direct or control a business in many ways and that, by the definition of control, changes the ownership of assets in our book. Accounting standards should either acknowledge this trend or adjust accordingly.
My advice to my peers is simple. Keep an open mind and keep your basic knowledge solid.
Outside work, I get a lot of joy from collecting antique jewellery. I scour car boot sales and charity shops to pick up charming but inexpensive pieces.
Boot-sale trinkets
To find out about Xiaosen Pu’s hobby and how it helps her to recharge and de-stress, see our short article Collecting little treasures
