The fact that so many industry leaders both locally and abroad were ACA-qualified made a huge impression on me. I knew about the ACA’s solid history and prestige, so when the opportunity to pursue this qualification presented itself, I decided to give myself a shot.

I began as an audit associate in PwC, one of the ‘big four’ accounting firms and worked my way up to manager at PwC where I remained for five years. 

It was then that a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity opened at Deloitte in London, and I decided I was ready to take the next step forward.

The sudden passing of my late father brought me back to Kuala Lumpur. There were those who commented on my decision, saying that I ‘sacrificed’ my career. However, at that point in my life, I had to put my family priorities first, and I believed that as an ICAEW Chartered Accountant, I could still excel in my field, no matter where I was based.

Today at just 29 years old, I am a partner at Foo, Lee, An & Associates, a boutique accounting firm that specialises in accounting, taxation and business advisory services for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). 

I oversee the audit department for our Kuala Lumpur office as well as the firm’s operations, cloud accounting initiative and business development efforts. 

I enjoy my work and love meeting clients or business partners; getting to know them better as we collaborate to understand and improve their business.

During my ACA studies, I learnt the importance of technical integration, which has been instrumental in helping me provide my clients with more holistic solutions. 

The rigorous training that I received gave me a firm foundation, as well as built my resilience and tenacity to be able to manage all of life’s pressures, both professionally and personally.