Professionals need to embrace China experience

Young professionals with an accountancy qualification are in demand. The need for sound financial skills means roles are always available in the corporate or commercial world if someone decides to switch from work as a practitioner or a specialist in compliance or audit.

Professional bodies and recruitment firms play up the range of opportunity. However, they also note that compared with 15 or 20 years ago, today's young accountants don't necessarily appreciate what it takes to build a career.

"Previously, people coming into the profession were more realistic and practical," says Louisa Yeung, managing partner, Hong Kong and southern China, for Michael Page International. "Now, you see signs of a change in mindset. Young people in Hong Kong seem to want cushy jobs, good money and to stay in one place - that is just cutting down options for future career growth."

The fact is that China experience - gained on the mainland - is vital for anyone wanting to make a mark and leave the humdrum behind.

It is something Brenda Lam, head of learning and development for ACCA Hong Kong, emphasises to students during campus visits. What still surprises is the apparent reluctance in some quarters to accept the obvious, take the plunge, or even bring Putonghua language skills up to scratch.

"Hong Kong has unique exposure to Asian and Western business, but you still need to understand the rules, regulations and government framework on the mainland as well," Lam says. "It is a question of meeting the needs of employers and the modern world as China becomes increasingly important and business gets more complex."

A first step, Yeung suggests, is to shed the notion that mainland assignments are too "tough".