When I was in secondary school, I believed accounting was my calling. I found that I could connect the dots and identify the logic in most situations that my friends would struggle with. 

It was my father who first introduced me to the ACA. As an accountant, he would always speak highly of individuals whom he knew carried those three precious letters after their name. 

I was introduced to EY during my internship for the CFAB leading to ACA programme. Having enjoyed the experience, I decided to become a full-time employee while pursuing my ACA advanced level studies. 

It was a very challenging moment in time for me, balancing between work, my social life and trying to pass a rigorous set of exams, but looking back at what it has made possible, I’m glad that I made the decision to endure some short-term hardship for the benefit of lifelong gains.

Having been in assurance at EY Malaysia and PwC London for eight years, I have learnt that accounting is really the heart of any business.

As ICAEW Chartered Accountants, we are equipped to understand how business operates, the assets and manpower it requires, the volume of input it needs to generate output and the formula that it needs to apply for success. 

People always say that the ACA has opens doors for them, and for me, it has been true from the very start. 

I met my partner of seven years during this time, and we both journeyed together to build successful careers from our humble beginnings in Kuala Lumpur to our new home in London, England. 

Time has not changed the ACA and it remains one of the most prestigious accounting and financial qualifications. It has offered me incomparable experiences, one that I did not imagine I would have in my youth.