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Rising stars
“From my
experience,
working over-time
means when we
deliver more than
we expected, the
extra effort we
contribute is less
than the harvest
we can enjoy
afterwards.”
Francis Nip
Senior manager, assurance
and business advisory
24 December 2012
There has been debate about under-representation
of women in the higher echelons
of the profession. Lee says she does not see
notable obstacles to progress. “I don’t see
any major issues with becoming a female director.
Many senior accountants are female
and they are high performers in the industry.
It’s all about enthusiasm and professionalism
–[qualities] that are most valued by
people in the field.”
As well as challenging work situations,
younger members such as Lee cite the ears
and minds of more experienced accountants
in their firms to be core factors leading to the
development of their skills.
“Partners in our firm are all very open
to listening and sharing their experiences,”
she says. “The most valuable asset I have
learned from them is the way to communicate
and handle different clients. It is
always important to listen to our clients so
that we will be able to provide services that
best suit them.”
Prepare to fly
Speaking to university students at a career
forum, Francis Nip, 33, was asked whether
striking a work-life balance in CPA firms
was tough.
His answer was this: “For the first 20 years
of your life, you live happily, study happily with
your family and friends. The next 20 years,
you have to work. So at the age of 40, you will
have balance in your life,” laughs Nip.
Another Institute member, Nip was recently
promoted to senior manager of assurance
and business advisory at Mazars.
“From my experience, working over-time
means when we deliver more than we expected,
the extra effort we contribute is less
than the harvest we can enjoy afterwards,”
he says.
Nip’s efforts have even taken him to war
zones. Last year, he flew to Dushanbe, the
capital of Tajikistan, and went again in July
to visit coal mines located in remote terrain
to inspect operations there. “Tajikistan is a
PHOTO: SAMANTHA SIN