I started my ACCA journey straight out of high school. I’ve always been fascinated by the role of professional accountants. They have a great responsibility to their clients and various stakeholders. As a fresh high-school graduate, it was my dream to be a professional accountant and ACCA helped me unlock my true potential.
My role is to manage entire audit engagements. I enjoy coaching and mentoring my team, and solving my clients’ problems. Auditors experience various industries and the learning curve is very steep, as you deal with multiple clients and deadlines. This is also what I enjoy most: dealing with many people and delivering work on time.
IT has changed the way we do business. Most businesses are now equipped with advanced accounting software, meaning financial data can be analysed and better decisions made. Employees are connected to the cloud and work globally.
The pandemic has changed how professionals operate. A lot of time is spent on Zoom or Microsoft Teams calls. People are physically apart but virtually together via their laptops. This has dramatically increased efficiency, as decisions can be made more quickly and travel costs have fallen. I think the most important thing it has taught me is having a work-life balance, proving that you can be efficient even when you work from home.
The future will be even more technology-intensive, with audit software the norm and paper-based audits already being phased out.
Rapid changes in technology – especially global financial datacentres – are a critical factor. As auditors, we need to adapt and understand data sources and processes, which can be challenging. The future will be even more technology-intensive, with audit software the norm and paper-based audits already being phased out.
Professional networks are assets that keep appreciating. I’ve met many people during my career. I make sure I learn from everyone and build rapport and connections. When I’m in doubt over a technical term or standard, I turn to my network. Networks can also be used to navigate career paths. You can always ask contacts about positions and referrals. LinkedIn is famous for building connections, so I recommend all professionals use the platform to build their network.
When I first arrived in Cambodia, I felt like I had made the wrong decision. However, once I started to learn the culture and its people and adopted the lifestyle it became easier. I’ve witnessed changes in Cambodia’s economic growth. I’ve seen rising skylines and multinational businesses flocking here. As businesses have grown, the government has legislated on business and taxation. One recent law decreed that every business that meets certain conditions must be audited, which is a good step in my opinion.
