ACCOUNTANCY AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
About the industry With accountancy and financial management qualifications, you can find work opportunities with all kinds of establishments, ranging from the “Big Four” – Deloitte, EY, KPMG and PwC – and large organisations, to smaller accountancy firms, as well as public and private sector employers. In recent years, businesses have started to use digital technology such as cloud accounting software and applications to increase efficiency for accounting and financial management, so you will have to constantly upskill in order to stay relevant in the industry. Additionally, in this current volatile climate, accounting firms continue to profit due to their auditing solutions, although demand for consulting services are weakening. Moreover, being in the accountancy field will give you a good perspective of how companies are run, thus opening doors to start your own enterprise in the future.
Must-have skills Besides excellent numeracy skills, employers look for candidates with strong communication and analytical skills, the ability to work in a team and commercial awareness. You will also be expected to cope with the intensity of working and studying at the same time with effective time management skills and resilience. With new technological developments infiltrating the sector, there is also a need to keep up to date with advancements and develop strategic views on potential risks and opportunities of your own.
Getting in In Singapore, if you want to enter the accountancy and financial management scene, you can do so through two routes: Completing a diploma or degree in accountancy and going on to work in a junior position while continuing the pursuit of professional accountancy qualifications, or, if your degree or diploma is unrelated, join an accountancy firm when you have completed, or intend to complete, certification programmes. There are numerous certification programmes offered by professional bodies such as the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) to choose from. However, completion of the “Singapore CA Qualification”, developed by the Singapore Accountancy Commission (SAC), is a must if you are an aspiring chartered accountant who wishes to practise locally.
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ACCOUNTANCY AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT - Areas of Work
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