Career advice

Practical guides for a Hong Kong career

Curated writing from operators, recruiters, and HR leaders — written for people building real careers in HK.

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Special skills
Advice Columnist

Special skills

Meanwhile, the growing popularity of forensic accounting is ascribed to the development of anti-fraud and anti-bribery legislation around the world, imposing more responsibilities on business owners.  Few CPAs in Hong Kong are specialized in this area, but many Institute members believe that the demand for forensic accountants is stronger than ever. “This industry is really going,” says Alick Fong, manager of corporate recovery and forensic services at Mazars and an Institute member.

Special offers
Advice Columnist

Special offers

Compared with a decade ago, the career paths offered by accounting firms are wider and more varied. Here are some of today’s most popular accounting specializations in Hong Kong.  Corporate finance These specialists not only inhabit the glamorous world of initial public offerings and other fundraising measures, they also have acquired grassroots knowledge of valuation and credit analysis. The right specialist is a person with initiative and a knack for problem solving.

Changing rules, changing roles
Advice Columnist

Changing rules, changing roles

Another example of a CPA who has benefited from specializing is Brenda Tung at RSM Nelson Wheeler and an Institute member, who found the right specialism for her during a three-month secondment to the firm’s risk advisory services department.  “Now I have great satisfaction in being able to convince clients to accept our recommendations to enhance their internal control procedures,” says Tung, who joined from the firm’s technical department in 2010. Such procedures, she adds, help client companies satisfy listing requirements in Hong Kong.

Right place, right words
Advice Columnist

Right place, right words

Extroverts obviously find it easier to work a room, but their more reserved colleagues need not necessarily be out of the game. Successful networkers agree that the essential skills can be learned. “I wouldn’t suggest to anybody that the cocktail party is the best place to build deep relationships,” says Keith Pogson, a managing partner at Ernst & Young and past president of the Institute.  “You also need to get involved in sitting on committees or bodies and meeting the people in the room. They will then help you meet other people as well.”

Cocoon to social butterfly
Advice Columnist

Cocoon to social butterfly

Introverted accountants can take comfort in knowing that often the first step of getting out there is the hardest part – and everything else usually follows naturally. “Networking is great for people who are not so confident,” says Kenneth Wong, PricewaterhouseCoopers partner. “I was one of those when I started my career. It helps you grow. You just need to get into it.”

Perils of the panel
Career Coaching & Guidance

Perils of the panel

Take a deep breath, collect your thoughts and stay clam, writes Marc Burrage.

Advice for advisers
Career Coaching & Guidance

Advice for advisers

With a view to expanding their reach in APAC and increasing the number of skilled staff in order to stimulate growth, global management consultancies are in hiring mode, writes Katharine de Vaal.

Don’t make hash of it
Career Coaching & Guidance

Don’t make hash of it

If you are feeling frustrated or bored at work, the last thing you should do is vent your feelings on social media, writes Marc Burrage.

Top tips for success
Career Coaching & Guidance

Top tips for success

If you feel your current role holds few prospects for promotion, rather than just waiting for something to happen, take ownership of your personal development to fast track your career, writes Marc Burrage.

Celebrate talent
Career Coaching & Guidance

Celebrate talent

Whether you are “Generation X” or “Y”, or even a baby boomer, it is clear that you are expected to change jobs far more regularly than in the past, writes Katharine de Vaal.

Job market hots up
Career Coaching & Guidance

Job market hots up

Financial planners and analysts, senior architects, structural engineers, and actuaries are just four types of professionals in demand as Hong Kong’s economy gathers momentum, writes Marc Burrage.

Survival as a temp
Career Coaching & Guidance

Survival as a temp

The number of temporary assignments is rising. Employers are embracing headcount flexibility, managing workload peaks and hiring specialist help for projects and to cover leave, writes Marc Burrage.