This article was first published in the May 2015 Malaysia edition of Accounting and Business magazine.

ACCA welcomed 160 new members at a masquerade-themed ceremony held on 12 March in Kuala Lumpur. Joining the celebration were their peers, family and friends. 

David Chin, head of ACCA Malaysia, opened the ceremony by welcoming the new members and their guests. This was followed by special remarks from the guest of honour, Datuk Zaiton Mohd Hassan, president of the ACCA Malaysia Advisory Committee (MAC). 

Sharing her personal experience as an ACCA fellow, Zaiton said: ‘Take it from me that the ACCA Qualification and membership does many things for you, the least of which is that it opens many doors. This is because ACCA members are versatile. Our training makes us flexible and very good at adapting. Employers love that about us.’

Over the course of the evening, the new members were able to mingle with members of the ACCA MAC, the ACCA Public Practice Committee and industry leaders, including Ho Foong Moi, CEO of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants. 

Other invited guests included representatives from Deloitte, KPMG, PwC, Baker Tilly Monteiro Heng, BDO, Morison Anuarul Azizan Chew, Schlumberger, Shell and SJ Grant Thornton.

Aside from the presentation of membership certificates, a highlight of the night was the ‘best dressed’ contest. Six members were chosen to compete against each other, performing a catwalk and displaying their personal talent. Much to the crowd’s delight, the six ACCA newcomers sang and danced their way to their prizes, demonstrating that accountants are indeed far from square.