The view from Cassie Man ACCA

I started my career with a local accounting firm as an audit junior. I then moved to EY Hong Kong’s core assurance team. EY provided me with exposure to different industries and companies, and equipped me with accounting knowledge and problem-solving skills.

I joined gold and jewellery business Chow Sang Sang in 2020. I handle month-end closing processes and review monthly management accounts and financial statements. I work with various internal departments and mainland China offices to facilitate timely reporting to the group, as well as assisting in the annual budget process and conducting analysis for business growth evaluation.

Due to the increasing volume of entries, more and more companies are investing in automation. The job responsibilities of accountants are shifting from inputting manual data entries and cross-checking results in spreadsheets to interpreting the results to make reasonably accurate predictions, working with business managers to establish profitable goals for the companies. I think this is a good move for the profession as it frees up capacity for accountants to work on analysis and create more value.

The transitional period is one of the challenges we have to face before systems of automation can be put in place. We should manage our capacity wisely and work smart with the help of existing technology.

A Chinese proverb I am fond of goes: “He who asks a question remains a fool for five minutes. He who does not ask remains a fool forever.” My advice to other accountants is to not be afraid to ask. You will never find out what the answer is if you don’t ask questions. People will appreciate your curiosity and you will learn something new every time.

During weekends, I like to go wakesurfing with friends. Wakesurfing not only makes me feel happy but also being in the middle of the sea gives me a sense of calmness, which lets me clear my mind and stay focused. I also like grabbing drinks with friends to relax and catch up.