Chan challenges the men as bean counters vote on council vacancies

Final call for all bean counters aiming for high office. Nominations for the annual council elections of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants close this afternoon. Seven vacancies are up for grabs this year on the council with about 26,000 accountants in the city eligible to cast their vote.

The council has 23 members, of whom 14 are elected by accountants, four appointed by Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen and the rest ex-officio members.

White Collar believes candidates planning to run this year include Mabel Chan Mei-bo, who manages her own company and is founding vice-chairwoman of the Women's Accountant Association.

Also in the running is Peter Chen Po-fun, who, although in his 80s, is still active in the industry.

Four members who are likely to be re-elected include BDO McCabe's Albert Au, Li & Fung's Susanne Chiu, Ernst and Young's Keith Pogson and Ronald Kung Yiu-fai - who just left Grant Thornton to join Golden21 as chief executive.

The election will start early next month and the results announced on December 14 - the day the council will choose a president.