This article was first published in the January 2016 Singapore edition of Accounting and Business magazine.

Happy New Year! We are pleased to bring you a sneak peek into some of the initiatives planned for 2016. 

First, a word of thanks to my fellow network panel and sub-committee members for their support, guidance and strategic input. Their insights and the invaluable work of the ACCA Singapore team are the impetus behind much of our success. 

In 2015, ACCA Singapore introduced a slew of resources and events to help keep you relevant, recognised and employable in today’s changing business environment.

Among these was our second series of regional conferences, which discussed the need for innovation driven by intrapreneurs – individuals who put entrepreneurial skills to work inside their organisations; our inaugural Professional Debate, in which CFOs and industry experts exchanged views on alternative financing; and the first-ever Finance and Accounting Technical Conference, which provided a one-stop update on key industry and technical developments. 

Forward to 2016

In 2016 we mark our 80th anniversary in the Lion City and celebrate the key contributions of our senior members and so many others. Eight decades in what has now become a global financial centre would not have been possible without your support. This year will be all about you – our members.

To commemorate this milestone, we have lined up a series of activities. ACCA’s first-ever ASEAN conference, to be held in Singapore in June, will explore the skills and competencies our accountants will need to seize the opportunities of the future. 

Not to be missed either is our 80th-year Annual Members’ Appreciation Dinner, which will be graced by special guests from the UK and celebrate not only our anniversary, but also the achievements of all our members, including the newest. 

To keep you at the top of your game and maintain a stream of qualified, work-ready accountants as Singapore transforms into a leading global accountancy hub, we will continue to provide access to educational opportunities, and to deliver continuing professional development through innovative media such as webinars.

In line with Singapore’s SkillsFuture initiatives of lifelong learning and skills development, we will continue to partner with leading institutes of higher learning and relevant industry players to ensure that aspiring and existing finance professionals can extend their learning.

Our ‘borderless education’ offerings, such as our massive open online courses, and digital open-access courses like ACCA-X, will provide aspiring accountants, working professionals without a background in business, mid-career professionals seeking a career change, or anyone keen on entering the profession, with the opportunity to gain new knowledge, upskill or deepen existing skills. 

In 2015, we also partnered with the University of London to launch the first-ever master’s programme integrated with a professional qualification – the MSc in Professional Accountancy. As an ACCA member, you will now be able to complement your professional qualification with the academic insights of a master’s degree, by completing one module and one project. ACCA Singapore will be working with SIM Global Education (SIM GE) to launch the programme in the second half of 2016. 

Conclusion

As we celebrate 80 years of ACCA in Singapore, I urge you to become an ACCA member advocate and share the story of your own ACCA journey. Each one is unique and inspiring. There is nothing more fitting than to hear about the successes of our own members as we celebrate our long history in Singapore. So keep those stories coming!

Today, our 7,000 members in Singapore continue to fly the ACCA flag in a diverse range of industries and ACCA Approved Employers in the private and public sectors. They contribute not just to the profession but also to the community, through involvement in charity and corporate social responsibility events such as our ACCA Gives Back initiatives. 

With the support of the ACCA Singapore office and the insights of my network panel colleagues, I will strive to bring you the latest resources, events and research on the key developments impacting accountancy and the wider world.

Let’s work hand-in-hand to ensure ACCA continues to be the first choice among industry, employers and the business community at large.

Amos Ng is CFO and senior vice president (finance & administration), Straco Corporation