The demand for accounting professionals has surged in recent years, thanks to the attraction of working in accounting firms and a wide range of other businesses.
'Almost 70 per cent of accountants in Hong Kong work in the commercial sector like internal audit, risk management and corporate governance,' says Brenda Lam, head of learning and development at the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Hong Kong.
'Accounting data is necessary for all kinds of decisions made in a firm. Therefore, it is very important for accountants to receive professional recognition.'
The ACCA qualification is aimed at helping individuals further their career as accountants in organisations throughout the world. The qualification is recognised in more than 170 countries and is based on international accounting standards with adjustments made to local rules and laws in each country.
'Our programme is recognised internationally. Therefore, those who wish to practise locally and overseas should apply,' Lam says.
Individuals taking the ACCA examination may simultaneously gain a bachelor of science (honours) degree in applied accounting from Oxford Brookes University in England, while working their way through the accounting qualification examination.