Accountants broaden their horizons
THE MICPA-CAANZ Programme is a professional accounting programme jointly offered by The Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA) and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ) that arms its graduates with globally recognised and widely accepted credentials – Certified Public Accountant, Malaysia or CPA (M) and Chartered Accountant, Australia and New Zealand or CA (ANZ).
The training offered embeds measures to ensure quality in the development of professionals, such as the need to be mentored for three years.
There is also a need to complete at least the final three out of five modules of the programme while working to ensure that candidates are able to apply their technical knowledge in the real world.
The exams are designed to be an open book as the programme aims to enhance a candidate’s critical and analytical thinking skills.
The programme also incorporates an element of soft skills in the final module that requires candidates to work as a team and give presentations in a simulated work setting based on real-life case studies.
Many graduates have gone on to exciting careers abroad. A recent graduate, Franklin Shepherdson, started his career in audit At a Big 4 firm in Malaysia while pursuing the programme.
Upon qualifying as a full mem- ber of MICPA and CAANZ, he applied for a role in audit with another Big 4 firm in Brisbane, Australia.
He shared, “The programme has definitely helped shape my career. I have always wanted to work abroad and it opened those doors for me.
“As a MICPA-CAANZ graduate, I got an edge in my application. I was even given a senior role.”
Shepherdson added, “I really enjoyed the final Capstone module based on a case study – it gave me the opportunity to interact and learn from peers from different backgrounds and experiences, and provided a good view of how to manage a real-life business.”
Tah Eve Lynn, who won MICPA’s Most Outstanding CPA Award 2013, trained in audit with a Big 4 firm in Malaysia and is now doing extended audit in another Big 4 firm in London.
“The MICPA and CAANZ qualifications are readily accepted in the United Kingdom,” she shared.
“As we are part of the Global Accounting Alliance (GAA), I was able to remain connected to the local professional accounting bodies there and obtain the technical and membership support I need for my work here.
“It was also easy for me to become a full member of the local body here because of the GAA con- nection. The experience I gained in Malaysia has certainly equipped me for the global market.”
Tah’s stellar performance in the MICPA-CAANZ Programme has been one of her biggest achievements.
She said, “I have no regrets choosing the MICPA-CAANZ programme, which offers two renowned qualifications from two established and highly regarded professional bodies.
“The programme helped me hone my problem-solving and application skills.”
Jason Hew, another member who completed the MICPA-CAANZ programme in 2016 while training inauditwithaBig4firmin Malaysia, has now moved to Singapore, and works in audit with another Big 4 firm.
“I enjoy the mobility the profession and qualification has given me. The MICPA and CAANZ affiliations paved the way for me as they are widely accepted here.
“Assimilating myself into the Singaporean work environment hasn’t been too difficult. The programme and training I went through in the first few years of my career have really helped me develop resilience and adaptability and I appreciate that I’ve become well-rounded as a result,” he said.
■ For details on the MICPA-CAANZ programme, contact the Marketing Department at 03-2698 9622, e-mail info@micpa.com.my or log on to www.micpa.com.my