MIA-Sunway TES Platform Brands Tech-Enhanced Accountancy as the ‘Most Exciting Profession in the World’

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 17 (Bernama) -- The nationwide MIA-SUNWAY TES Accounting Quiz 2018 (AQ) aims to enrich the accountancy talent pool by exposing young talents to the profession and its dynamic prospects in the emerging era of Industrial Revolution 4.0.

The AQ holds the distinction of being the first on-line accounting competition in Malaysia and is gradually incorporating more elements of technology and digital as it evolves. ‘This is really important because the profession today is being disrupted by technology,’ stressed MIA CEO Dr. Nurmazilah Dato’ Mahzan in her speech. She explained to the students and potential accountants that although the basic accountancy principles and concepts they were learning today will continue to be valid in the future, the way accountants work in future will be extremely different. ‘Tools like artificial intelligence and machine learning, blockchain, cloud, and data analytics will remove the boring parts of work. You will be doing work that requires judgement, thinking skills, and integrity, as well as communications skills to tell your clients what you are doing and the value you bring.’

Dr. Nurmazilah also quoted Rachel Grimes, President of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) and also Chief Financial Officer, Technology, Finance Strategy, Transformation and Progress at Australia’s largest bank Westpac, who previously enthused that: ‘This is the most exciting profession in the world! And there is no more exciting time to be an accountant than now because of the technology!”

She added that the AQ is a platform for MIA to open doors to the ‘exciting and unlimited world of accountancy’, and to expose students to the tremendous career opportunities and demand for accountants who have the right skills for the global digital economy. ‘The world truly is your oyster if you are good with numbers, be able to think, to communicate, to lead, to strategise, to learn continuously, and curious and open to change,’ she told the students.

Ms Lum Pey Wah, Head of Programme, ACCA/CAT, Sunway College mentioned that Sunway TES has received 6 past winners of 2016 and 2017 and they are currently pursuing CAT, CFAB, ACCA and ICAEW courses and progressing very well in their studies.

The AQ is recognised by the Malaysian Ministry of Education (MOE) as one of its co-curricular activities and is open to Form 4 and Form 5 students from secondary schools under the MOE, secondary schools under the purview of other government agencies and private secondary schools. AQ guest of honour Tuan Haji Mohd Rashid Mean, Principal Assistant Director, Co-Curricular & Arts Division, Ministry of Education complimented MIA-Sunway TES on their efforts to support nation building through talent development and championship of technology and IR4.0. He welcomed the AQ’s initiative to promote online-based competition and embrace technology and digital disruption, hence making the AQ more interesting for the Gen Z students. ‘This is a good initiative in line with the Industrial Revolution 4.0 where technology is changing the way the world works and lives.’ He also commended the AQ for upskilling accountancy students in line with the objective of the Malaysia Education Blue Print 2013-2025 (Pre-school to post-secondary education), which promotes the key attributes demanded by employers: knowledge, thinking skills and leadership skills.

The AQ attracted more than 5,400 students from 500 schools throughout Malaysia. The AQ on-line competition took place from 5 February until 1 July 2018, culminating in today’s grand finals. In the Group Category, the Team “KOK” from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan USJ 13, Selangor  emerged as the Champion. In the Individual Category, Ms Chin Joe Yee from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Malim Nawar, Perak emerged as the Champion.

This is the sixth consecutive year that MIA is organising the Quiz together with Sunway TES, and the competition has grown from strength to strength. At inception in 2013, AQ drew 616 participants. In 2018, more than 5,400 students signed up, compared to 5,073 students in 2017. In total, AQ has attracted close to 15,000 students from all school categories nationwide since inception. 500 schools participated this year as compared to 478 schools who took part in AQ last year. 

MIA is hopeful that the AQ will be a starting point that inspires many young talents to pursue a career in accountancy, because the nation will require 60,000 accountants by 2030. Currently, there are over 35,000 members registered with the MIA, and many more qualified accountants are needed over the next decade to beef up the talent pipeline.

MIA and Sunway TES acknowledged their strategic partner, ACCA and their long list of sponsors for their support in making the AQ a growing success. Sponsors for AQ2018 comprised of PKF, T.H.Kuan & Co., BDO, Cheng & Co , K.C. Chia & Noor, Gow & Tan, SJ Grant Thornton, KPMG, Ernst & Young Advisory Services Sdn Bhd, PwC, Deloitte, ICAEW Malaysia Limited, and CPA Australia for their support.
  
WINNERS LISTING

Team Category

CHAMPION:
Team KOK - Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan USJ 13, Selangor
 
FIRST RUNNERS-UP:
Team ATHENA - Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan USJ 12, Selangor
 
SECOND RUNNERS-UP:
Team KING KONG - Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan USJ 13, Selangor
 
Individual Category

CHAMPION
Chin Joe Yee - Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Malim Nawar, Perak
 
FIRST RUNNERS-UP
Wong Gui Fang, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Chung Hua, Sarawak
 
SECOND RUNNERS-UP
Leong Kar Man, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Serendah, Selangor

NOTE TO EDITOR:

Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA)

Established under the Accountants Act 1967, MIA is the national accountancy body that regulate, develops, supports and enhances the integrity, status and interests of the profession in Malaysia.  MIA accords the Chartered Accountant Malaysia or “C.A. (M)” designation. Working closely alongside businesses, MIA connects its membership to an unmatched range of information resources, events, professional development and networking opportunities.

Presently, there are more than 35,000 members making their strides in businesses across all industries in Malaysia and around the world.

MIA’s international outlook and connections are reflected in its membership of regional and international professional organisations such as the ASEAN Federation of Accountants (AFA), and the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC). For more information on MIA, visit www.mia.org.my
 
About SUNWAY-TES

Sunway TES CAE was incorporated in 1994 as a subsidiary of the Sunway Education Group. We conduct internationally renowned professional accounting programs such as the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA); Certified Accounting Technician (CAT); Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW); Certificate in Finance, Accounting and Business (CFAB); Certified Internal Auditors (CIA); Certified Practising Accountants (CPA); Australia and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).
 
Source: Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA)
 
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: 
Name : Thane Meyyappan              
Tel: +603 2722 9184  / +6012 248 9534
Email : communications@mia.org.my

Name : Nurul Nadira Muhammad Shaharudin
Tel : +603 2722 9185 / +6019 261 9708
Email: communications@mia.org.my
 
--BERNAMA