Certified public accountants may have an undeserved reputation as 'squares', when the best of the lot are actually well-rounded individuals who have the uncanny knack for seeing the forest for the trees.
It is this ability to make sense of the bigger picture from what appears as a bewildering mass of numbers and details that makes certified public accountants (CPAs) the ideal decision makers and business leaders.
CPAs help organisations by offering their professional expertise through critical thinking and judgment. However, it takes years to master these skills, so it is crucial for accountants to enhance their training and technical knowledge.
A handful of accounting training modules exists in Hong Kong, but the qualification programme (QP) - developed and operated by the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA) - has become the most popular because it mixes theories with practice. The institute recently organised the Career Forum 2010, aimed at introducing the examinations and providing insights to those considering taking the programme. The HKICPA revised the QP last month by improving the syllabus, and incorporating more information related to the mainland, Hong Kong's role as an international financial centre, and specific financial products.
'CPAs should be all-rounders,' says Susanna Chiu, HKICPA council member and chairwoman of the Career Forum 2010 organising committee. 'They should be able to display a full understanding of classroom knowledge and excellent people skills while working in a team and proposing creative ideas.'
The institute's QP offers training in all these areas and aims to shape students into future business leaders. 'QP is a good foundation for future development,' Chiu says. 'The qualification is globally recognised, so graduates are able to enjoy high mobility.'
With its theoretical and practical approach, the QP encourages students to learn by participating in workshops that focus on case studies.