IT AND TECHNOLOGY | AREAS OF WORK
PROFESSIONAL IT SERVICES Help businesses safeguard their IT systems and observe regulatory compliance with local regulations.
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he industry – which focuses on assisting their clients with specialist expertise and advisory services – typically offers their know-how in several areas, such as audit, tax, accountancy, consulting, law, corporate governance, corporate finance and risk assessment. Some of the most recognisable professional services firms in Singapore include BDO, Ernst & Young, Deloitte, KPMG and PwC – all of which are wellknown for offering assistance when it comes to compliance with various legal requirements related to accounting and business processes. And with IT and data management now playing a big part in clients’ daily operations and business strategies, companies in this sector have expanded their expertise to include technology. Typical services include: • IT audit: In this area, professionals assess the clients’ IT systems to determine effectiveness and integration with the business. They usually focus on issues such as possible security risks and increasing efficiency. • IT governance: This service involves checking a clients’ IT systems to ensure that they are operating and complying with Singapore’s legal and accounting regulations. • IT project reassurance: Professionals evaluate the risk probability of an IT project before a client implements it, and then advises the organisation on ways to either manage or mitigate it. • Security and privacy: This part of the field includes checking a clients’ IT
systems for security threats, and also handles crisis management in the case of any attacks.
Career overview Graduates joining professional services firms usually do so through a specialist graduate programme where they will be assigned to a team or project from the start. From there, mentoring facilitates acclimatisation to the work culture, and skills will be picked up over on-thejob training and exposure to different experiences through various assignments. Teams tend to be multidisciplinary, and the job involves a lot of client-facing responsibilities as most professionals work onsite alongside clients’ in-house IT departments or users, assessing risks and developing recommendations to improve systems. To progress in this industry, pursuing an internationally-recognised professional certificate in information systems auditing, control and security is advised. In this regard, graduates can look to the Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) and Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT) certifications, among others.
Trends and developments With the boon of a sophisticated workforce and reliable regulatory framework, this growing and vibrant landscape has experienced continuous innovation to harness opportunities in high-growth areas.
Investments in this sector are ceaseless as well, with the launch of the Professional Services Industry Transformation Map (ITM) in 2018 continuing to accelerate its expansion.
Pros and cons Tiring but exciting Although the constant travelling may leave some individuals weary, professionals in the industry find excitement in being able to work in a variety of organisations and sectors. There are also plenty of networking opportunities, so if interacting with people while handling technical responsibilities is something particularly enjoyed, this job is the right one! Skills required in professional IT services
• Excellent interpersonal skills • Ability to work in a team • Commercial awareness • Adaptability • Awareness of the latest industry regulations and services • Numeracy skills • Analytical skills
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