MULTINATIONAL accountancy firm KPMG aims to double the size of its workforce in Hong Kong and in the mainland to meet the rising demand for accounting services.
The expansion is being driven mainly by increased commercial activities in the mainland, said the firm's principal of human resources, Irene Hefferman Ho. A changing global regulatory environment has also led to increased demand for accountants, she said.
KPMG is a member firm of KPMG International, which employs about 100,000 people worldwide. It set up its Hong Kong office 60 years ago, and in 1983 opened its first mainland office in Beijing. It has a 3,500-strong team covering Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Macau. About 1,500 employees are based in Hong Kong.
Ms Ho said the mainland's economic growth was affecting all sectors involving KPMG's clients.
'We have huge opportunities at the moment for people joining because of the growth,' she said. 'It is also because of the change in the regulatory environment. The regulations for corporate governance have created greater demand for accountants - not only in accountancy firms, but also for accountants to work in-house in corporations.'
While many mainland companies are looking to invest in the global market, international companies are seeking to enter the China market, resulting in a sharp rise in demand for professional services.
