november 2008 examination - The Malaysian Institute Of Certified ...

YOUNG CPAYoung CPA MalaysiaSymposium 2008Charting the Future of Accounting and Finance ProfessionalsOn August 6, 2008 the Young CPA MalaysiaSymposium 2008 with the theme Charting theFuture of Accounting and Finance Professionalswas held at the Sime Darby ConventionCentre. The Symposium was specially designed to addresspertinent issues in today’s business environment and toprovide young accounting and finance professionals withcritical understanding of the changing financial regulatorylandscape and emerging trends across the profession. Thiswould further help them to capitalise on their careerdevelopment opportunities.The Symposium, attended by over 70 participantscommenced with a welcome address by the Chairman ofthe Young CPA Group, Encik Abdul Halim Md Lassim. Hehighlighted the importance of acquiring soft skills intoday’s challenging environment as young businessprofessionals progressively advance into managementpositions.The President of the Institute, YBhg Dato’ NordinBaharuddin delivered the Keynote Address and officiallydeclared open the Symposium. In his address, Dato’Nordin advised participants to continually upgrade theirknowledge, skills and expertise in order to provide relevantand high quality services to employers and clients. He alsoencouraged participants to facilitate entrepreneurship,create value, manage risk and rationalise complexity tomeet the needs of both the local communities and globalmarkets. He urged young CPAs to uphold their objectivity,integrity and technical excellence in whatever capacitiesthey may be serving.After the formalities were over, a panel of highlyexperienced business professionals led discussions andshared their knowledge, experiences and best practiceswith participants in the following 4 Sessions.The first Session, “Reflection on the Past Years ofFinancial Regulatory Reform and Corporate Failures – Impactson Next Generation Accountants and Finance Managers”, waspresented by Mr Ong Ching Chuan, Senior ExecutiveDirector at PricewaterhouseCoopers. He deliberated on thechanging external business environments and its directimpact on the role and career aspirations of accountingand finance professionals. The session was moderated byEncik Ahmad Shahrul Hj Mohamed, a member of MICPA’sYoung CPA Group and a Partner at Khairuddin Hasyudeen& RaziThe second Session was on “Employment Trends – TheSpecialities and Skills in Demand”, which was delivered by MrKok Ghee, Senior Manager, Group Business System atJobStreet.com. He provided an insight on the specialitiesand skills in demand and the current recruitment andretention strategies of various organisations in response tothe changes in the business environment.18 | The Malaysian Accountant | August 2008 www.micpa.com.my