The view from Thomas Tang

I started in accounting back in university when I studied for the bachelor’s in business administration. I was influenced by my elder brother who also studied accounting at university and is in the profession.

The fact that accounting involves critical analytical skills, and how it works as the bridge between numeric analysis and the business commercial world, attracts me.

I began my career as an audit associate, subsequently moving to the deal advisory practice. I am currently in the transactions service team, focusing on financial due diligence services and providing advice to clients in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) transactions.

As part of my work, I enjoy interaction with the team, with clients, and with various other parties involved in the M&A process such as financial advisers and lawyers. I have exposure to projects in different industries such as retail and consumer products, infrastructure and renewables, technology, media and telecom, and real estate.

In the past decade, there have been growing demands and at the same time higher expectations on the profession. In addition to compliance-based work, the profession is providing different types of advisory services to support clients in their business growth.

In line with the growing demand of these services, there is also a higher expectation from clients and the public to ensure that the profession possesses technical proficiency while maintaining its independence and objectivity.

Looking ahead, we need to be equipped to meet the growing expectations of the market. Having a continuous learning mindset and maintaining a critical thinking mentality will be the keys to facing the various challenges; in the meantime, we see more opportunities opening as well.

Just like any other profession, it takes time to build up a good foundation in accounting. Once you possess the technical capability and experience, it will lead you to a vast range of opportunities that go beyond the original profession.