Career advice
Curated writing from operators, recruiters, and HR leaders — written for people building real careers in HK.
AICPA & CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, announced the winners of their inaugural CGMA Professional Awards – Asia Pacific in a virtual ceremony on 20 December 2024.
The Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, representing AICPA & CIMA, has officially launched the CGMA Finance Leadership Program in the U.K., an alternative pathway to complete CIMA’s CGMA Professional Qualification and earning the CGMA designation. CGMA Finance Leadership Program candidates will study the same syllabus, sit the same case study exams and need the same practical experience requirement as those on the traditional pathway. However, it will be delivered through self-paced e-learning.
You have just sat one of your CIMA exams. A wave of relief washes over you — or at least until the results arrive. But what do your exam results mean? That depends on whether you’ve just completed an Objective Test or Case Study exam. Read on to understand what your marks mean and how you can make the most of them.
It can be disheartening to miss out on an exam at the first attempt. However, I can tell you that for the vast majority this is only a minor delay on the road to achieving your career goals. Persevering with your studies despite setbacks shows a degree of resilience — a characteristic in high demand by employers. I’ve put together some tips to provide targeted advice for those of you retaking your CIMA exams.
According to research by McKinsey, companies with low rates of gender and racial diversity are 29% more likely to be less profitable than their more inclusive competitors. Similarly, companies with higher gender diversity on executive teams have a 21% likelihood of outperforming companies that scored low on gender diversity. The business case for having an inclusive culture is clear. Greater diversity among executive teams perform better. Businesses with stronger commitments to diversity are also more likely to attract top talent and improve customer and employee satisfaction.
According to recent studies, one in six Hongkongers suffers from a diagnosable mental health illness. Hard work is notoriously associated with Hong Kong’s workforce – with people working an average of 50.1 hours per week. Long working hours coupled with a fast-paced business environment and cramped living conditions have resulted in increased levels of stress, anxiety and depression.
As COVID-19 continues to cause disruption around the world, at the time of writing Hong Kong is in a relatively better position compared to others. While the possibility of a resurgence in cases cannot be underestimated, Hong Kong has at least been able to resume some semblance of business normality and is now dealing with the ‘problem’ of enabling staff to return to work.
Hong Kong was ranked second in the latest Cloud Readiness Index by the Asia Cloud Computing Association (ACCA), with IT professionals prioritizing investments in cloud computing and hybrid IT more than any other technology.
You have drafted a cover letter and sent off your resumé. The call or email came through; you’ve been shortlisted! The end is now in sight! But there’s still just one more hurdle to clear: the interview. And it’s in English! No one really enjoys interviews (if you’re one of the rare few, you wouldn’t be reading this article right now…). However, with these top tips in hand, you’ll be able to sail through it more smoothly than you might expect. Before interview day
With any CV, you can be sure that it will be looked at both quickly and critically. Simplicity, clarity and accuracy are the keys to getting through the first door — but what is that first door? Employers do not have time to spend hours looking at every CV. Those first few seconds are crucial. What’s more, the first glance at your CV will be to see if you, the candidate, meet the essential requirements. If you do not demonstrate that you meet them or if your information is unclear, your CV will head straight to the recycling bin.
When hiring, you don’t want to be wasting time meeting candidates who don’t meet the requirements of the job. Instead, your goal should be to narrow down the candidate pool to a manageable size so you can better identify the candidates who will be right for your role.