One-stop shop shines a light on job scene
In the wake of the global financial crisis, university students will be well aware that finding a good job may be considerably tougher this year than it has been in recent years. Companies and, indeed, whole sectors hit hard by the effects of the economic turmoil will be far more cautious about hiring, so anyone searching for opportunities will have to take a very practical approach and be ready to focus on areas best able to weather the storm.
Undoubtedly, one of those is accounting. Through good times and bad, demand for professionals in the sector remains relatively consistent and that means, of course, that firms continue to hire. They need trainees taking their first steps on the career ladder, in addition to qualified specialists in diverse disciplines capable of steering clients through the regulations and uncertainties of the financial world.
To bring candidates and employers together, CPA Australia is organising its 'Career Market Day 2009' today at the Conrad Hotel. Now in its fifth year, the event serves as an effective bridge between leading accountancy firms and potential employees, providing information, introductions, contacts and advice, and may lead to that all-important first interview.
Loretta Shuen, president of CPA Australia Hong Kong China Division, said that there were always three main objectives for the event. The first was to tell students and perhaps recent graduates about the type of work and career prospects in the accounting profession, bearing in mind that many of them might have an incomplete idea of what was involved. A second was to explain the standard requirements in terms of training, on-the-job experience and working towards professional qualifications. The third was to emphasise that the door was open to students of any academic discipline and that conversion programmes were available to help with transitions into the sector.
'We know that many students may not be clear about their choice of career,' Mrs Shuen said. 'By providing as much information as possible through the event, we want to help participants make a decision and make sure they understand that accounting professionals are still in demand, no matter whether the economy is good or bad.'
Last year, the corresponding event drew about 1,000 participants to the stands of 17 main exhibitors, and even more are expected this year. Judging by previous turnouts, the majority are likely to be undergraduates keen to line up a first job, but there are also sure to be a significant number of qualified professionals with several years of experience, who are on the lookout for new opportunities or some change of direction.
'With the economic recession, we expect there will be more students coming to the event in search of jobs,' said Mrs Shuen, who is also a partner for tax and business advisory services with Ernst & Young.
She added that, throughout the day, there would be a series of seminars and talks, in which the exhibitors and representatives of CPA Australia would play a full part.
'The employers will talk about job requirements and career prospects, and we will share information about the examinations and working experience programme that people need to take to become a qualified accountant,' she said.
Mrs Shuen noted that one of the organisation's guiding principles for the event was to create genuine benefits for all who attended, whether as potential employer or hopeful employee. Exhibitors had a platform to present their strengths, background and openings to an interested audience, while job seekers could meet and question numerous firms, which were actively hiring, within a few hours.
'We really are providing a one-stop shop for participants to meet prominent employers in the accounting and finance industries,' Mrs Shuen said. 'This is an opportunity for them to obtain first-hand news and insights about the job market for this profession. But the most important thing is that it will help them find out whether working in this industry will suit them or not.' Participants would also be able to register on site to become an associate member of CPA Australia. To be eligible for this, applicants had to hold a degree accredited by the organisation and fulfil specific requirements relating to core knowledge and proficiency in English. Those who did not hold an accredited degree could also become eligible for associate membership, but they would have to complete a recognised conversion programme or designated subjects from such a programme.
This would allow them to meet the core curriculum and English proficiency requirements, and then proceed with full accountancy training. The University of Hong Kong's School of Professional and Continuing Education, Baptist University's School of Continuing Education and the Hong Kong Management Association are among the local institutions offering accredited Australian conversion courses in Hong Kong.
More generally, Mrs Shuen said that businesses in Hong Kong had to prepare themselves for a difficult year. The Chinese government's promised stimulus scheme should go some way towards boosting the economy in Hong Kong, but people looking for work would have to maintain a positive attitude and use occasions such as the Career Market Day to explore opportunities and keep learning.
'It is always a good sign if participants ask a lot of questions. This is the way to help them to understand the requirements of the profession and decide whether it is the right path for them.'
