I work in the Enterprise Grants Management branch of the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS). In 2021, more than S$7bn was disbursed to support businesses and help Singaporeans retain their jobs or obtain new employment.
Some of the support grants issued by the IRAS arose from the economic impact caused by Covid-19. The Jobs Support Scheme aims to provide wage support for employers to retain their local employees during the period of uncertainty.
My role is to ensure employer compliance through audits and the analysis of data to detect possible abuses and fraudulent activities. The work is meaningful and fulfilling as the grants ultimately stimulate the overall economy. At the same time, there is a need for checks and balances to ensure that monies are duly disbursed and egregious employers who deliberately abuse such grants are taken to task.
I started my career in audit because of the comprehensive professional development offered by firms. When I completed my ACCA exams during my mandatory National Service, I joined BDO Singapore. There, I was assigned to some audit engagements involving public sector agencies.
I feel a sense of satisfaction from the critical tasks we perform to safeguard our country’s resources
I was intrigued by public officers’ dedication and it appeared to me that an audit career in the public sector would be rewarding and satisfying, especially for someone like me who is not afraid of new challenges. At that time, accounting and auditing standards were evolving significantly, which triggered my desire for greater knowledge and to further hone my ability to apply them across various industries.
The biggest achievement in my career has come in my current role. As a young team of officers, we often encounter challenging circumstances when conducting our audit; despite this, there are times when I feel a sense of satisfaction from the important and critical tasks we perform to safeguard our country’s resources. An example would be the recent successful prosecution of employers who attempted to defraud the government.
I look forward to the development of better policies and frameworks for our public sector at large and I hope to play a part in that essential work. ACCA has prepared me for an insightful and challenging career in which I feel satisfied and rewarded daily, and I am excited for the future.
Young accountants need to be mindful of the existing skillsets that they possess, and continue to upskill and to leverage digital technology. Consider adopting an open mindset beyond finance, in order to explore new concepts and principles that could promote and increase efficiency.
