‘There are only two certainties in life – death and taxes.’ That quote – from a lecturer on my accounting degree course at a local university in Malaysia – inspired me to venture into taxation. I’ve never looked back. I see myself as a problem-solver who brings value-added solutions to clients and eventually gains their trust.
The great turning point in my career was moving to Singapore and joining PwC in 2018. It gave me the opportunity to meet and work with many great mentors. Their key guiding points are: always stay hungry for new knowledge; teamwork matters and be a leader for the team; uphold integrity in whatever you do; and a career is a marathon not a sprint.
Being a tax professional today means providing business-relatable solutions
I’m currently an international tax director with PwC Singapore. My key role is supporting foreign multinationals and local conglomerates on tax matters, with a strong focus on the healthcare and pharmaceutical spaces. I’m also part of the core team working on base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) projects.
The international tax landscape is definitely getting more complex and demanding, especially with the impending BEPS Pillar two. Being a tax professional today means not only being technically sound but also providing tax solutions that are implementable and relatable to the business.
My ACCA journey was not a smooth one – I failed my first paper and thought about giving up
One of my proudest achievements is the day I finished all the ACCA professional papers. It meant a lot to me both professionally and emotionally, as I’d made a promise to my late mother. The journey was not a smooth one – I failed my first paper and thought about giving up. Most of my colleagues and friends said I was overambitious in trying to complete ACCA while having a full-time job. Discouraging comments like ‘you’re never going to make it’ hit me hard. After some self-doubt and self-reflection, I picked myself up and became even more determined and focused. I managed to pass all subsequent sittings at the first attempt.
To me, ACCA is a symbol of dedication, commitment and a constant reminder to embrace a never-say-never attitude. I’m proud to be an ACCA member as well as an accredited tax adviser with Singapore Chartered Tax Professionals and holder of a master’s degree in organisational leadership.
