This year, the job market for accounting industry has been vibrant and the demand for accountants is very high. Some companies try to attract talents both locally and from overseas by high salaries. To let job seekers who would like to join the accounting industry or those who want to advance in their accounting profession learn more about the current recruitment situation, JobsDB and ACCA have co-organized a seminar titled “Career Opportunities of the Accounting and Finance Profession in Hong Kong” on 29 November 2006.

Talents in Demand
In the seminar, Dr T T Yu, Group Financial Controller of Lam Soon (Hong Kong) Limited presented to job seekers the macro trends of accounting and finance profession in Hong Kong. Yu told the audience that accounting personnel is currently in soaring demand in Hong Kong. He said that salaries of accountants have risen at a compound average growth rate of 25% per annum throughout 20 years.

Globalization in Industry
By sharing with job seekers how he himself joined and advanced in the accounting profession, Yu reminded the audience that the accounting and finance profession is experiencing globalization. It is therefore essential for job seekers to be updated with new technologies especially those related to China. “To advance to higher positions in the industry, China exposure is very important.”

Yu commented that accountants are not just a book-keeper but a partner of the business. In commercial businesses, job seekers can move up the career ladder from supporting staff such as assistant accountant to managerial positions such as accountant to the director level including CFO and group financial controller.

Prepare to Compete
He advised the audience to be well-prepared if they want to join the industry and be competitive in the job market. For example, they should be equipped with technical skills and be willing to travel to China to work. During job interviews, candidates should be well versed in hot topics of the industry and present to the employer their enthusiasm in the accounting industry.

In the seminar, Brenda Lam, Student Promotion Manager of ACCA, also shared with the audience various paths they can take to enter the profession including acquiring ACCA's professional qualifications, which are internationally recognized.