Setting global standards
As mainland companies have expanded overseas in search of new markets and resources, the need to hire internationally trained employees has increased. In particular, state-owned enterprises are always on the lookout for accounting professionals with international training.
The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), a global body, has been working closely with mainland universities to incorporate accountancy degree programmes in line with its qualifications.
Ada Leung, head of ACCA China, says the body has been working with about 50 universities. 'We are also working closely with employers who help and support their employees in studying and going for ACCA qualifications,' she says.
Leung says some employers give financial aid to employees to study ACCA courses.
As the first global accountancy body to have entered China, ACCA now has more than 22,000 members and 41,000 students, with seven offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong and Macau.
ACCA has recently worked with several state-owned enterprises, such as China Mobile, in different areas.
Since 2007, ACCA has co-operated with ICBC to offer training classes to elite employees, who are selected from offices throughout the mainland, to improve the quality of its accounting and finance professionals.
'The co-operation has been mutually beneficial to both parties. ICBC has a strategic plan to go global and, with the globalisation of its business, it needs internationally qualified candidates. ACCA can provide its employees with that qualification,' Leung says.
According to Leung, ACCA is able to enhance and equip ICBC's elite professionals to understand international standards and management strategies, while widening their international perspectives.
'These well-equipped professionals help ICBC to explore business opportunities in overseas platforms,' she says.
Last month, ACCA set up another class in Changchun to train ICBC's selected employees. ICBC selected 112 employees from all over the country, including Macau, to get trained in ACCA qualifications.
Apart from the present class, ACCA has trained 100 ICBC staff.
