I was not expecting to become an accountant. I do love numbers, but not calculus or statistics, and found it interesting how numbers can tell a company’s story. I studied accounting by myself in secondary school, took the relevant exams and happened to get the highest marks.
Everyone around me, including friends and teachers, encouraged me to change my undergraduate major from marketing to accounting, which I did in year two. I have been in the accounting sector ever since.
I describe myself as a Sherlock Holmes using my skills to recover companies’ assets
I joined KPMG as an auditor after graduation and stayed there seven years. I then worked in the commercial sector for a year. During that time, an ex-KPMG partner gave me the opportunity to work in restructuring and recovery.
What I do now is forensic or investigative accounting, depending on the case. The challenge is that, since it is case-by-case, it involves not just accounting skills but knowledge in a wide variety of sectors. I describe myself as a Sherlock Holmes using my skills to recover companies’ assets and investigate transactions. Although I currently do not see great demand for our services in mainland China due to different systems and practices, I am confident that it will grow soon.
The requirements, skills and expertise required of an accountant are now more extensive in our times. Technology and big data also require a lot of knowledge. Globalisation, technology and AI mean that the world is changing so fast, even for the younger generation.
The use of technology, such as online accounting software, means that the need for manpower is decreasing. In accounting, although the demand for headcount is decreasing, the need for knowledge is going the other way. The question that I think needs to be answered now is: how can I as an accountant stand out from my peers?
On the technology side, the world has gotten used to the concepts of working from home and online shopping thanks to Covid-19. But what about the elderly who are not used to smartphones and similar gadgets? Everyone needs to adapt, and this will continue after the pandemic.
I cannot just be in a room, but need to get out there and see what is going on
It was hard to imagine that online food delivery platforms such as Deliveroo and Food Panda could flourish in Hong Kong. But now we all use them. Another example is Zoom, which allows us to meet without face-to-face interaction.
We all need to adapt to our environmental changes. Go out, meet friends and know what is going on in the world as well as in other companies. For me, I cannot just be in a room, but need to get out there and see what is going on. I also tell my staff not to just concentrate on work, but to listen and experience what is going on around them.
When I am not working, exercise is my first choice and I like hitting the gym. I did a lot of sports when I was younger, including basketball, swimming, and track and field.
I also love cooking Chinese and Western dishes. Pairing these dishes with a nice drink is a lovely way to unwind after a day at work. Since Covid-19 has restricted movement, I have enjoyed online streaming platforms such as Netflix. My genre of choice is mystery, including Sherlock Holmes – the Benedict Cumberbatch version.
