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SCMP Reporter

Name: Alfred Wong Chun-shek

Age: 19

Course: Bachelor of Business Administration (Hons) in Accounting and Finance

School: Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Year of Study: second year

Duration of programme: three years

Young Post: What subjects do you  study?

Wong: It's a double-major course. In the first year, we study fundamental business subjects, such as accounting, business law, economics, finance, information technology, management and marketing, as well as general education subjects.

In the second and third year, we study strategic management,  and also accounting and finance in greater depth through subjects such as company law, corporate finance and management, as well as global institutions and markets.

Generally speaking, the first year and first semester of the second year are more on accounting, and we focus more on finance starting from the second semester of the second year.

Besides the core subjects, we are also allowed to choose electives from a wide range of subjects.

YP: Was it difficult for you to catch up at the beginning since you were a science student in secondary school?

W: Yes, it wasn't easy at the beginning as I had not studied economics before. We also needed to do a lot of group presentations so it took me a few months to get on track.

YP: There are many internship opportunities, is that right?

W: Correct. We must complete 300 hours of work-integrated education [WIE] in order to graduate. We will be working in a firm in Hong Kong or on the mainland. Say, if you work five hours a day and five days a week, that will probably take three months to finish the WIE.

I'm going to do my WIE next spring. Hopefully I can get a place at Ernst and Young, one of the four major accounting firms in Hong Kong.

As I'll be working during the day, I'll attend lectures in the evening.  It's going to be tough so I need to manage my time better.

YP: Besides lectures and internships, what else do you need to do?

W: We will be better off by joining more accounting or finance-related competitions. Then we can learn how to apply what we have studied in our daily lives.

YP: In your opinion, what kind of candidates are suitable for the course?

W: First of all, you must be interested in business. You also need to be organised, and have strong analytical and logical thinking. Good communication skills are also important.

Admission

E (A-Level)  in Chinese Literature, or E  (AS-Level) in Chinese Language & Culture, or (for those applicants who have not taken Chinese since Form Five) D in a HKCEE language other than Chinese and English and in  (AS-Level) Use of English;

E in two other A-Level  subjects, or E in one other A-Level  subject and two other  AS-Level subjects; E in five HKCEE subjects; E in HKCEE mathematics or additional mathematics.

Career prospects

Prepares students to sit for professional examinations, such as the Qualification Programme of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants,  and Level 1 of the Chartered Financial Analyst  programme.

Graduates are expected to become competent professional accountants with a sound knowledge of finance. They should be able to take up jobs in accounting and financial analysis, control and risk management, as well as corporate governance and ethics.



Accounting & Finance