Public university Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and private higher education institution Sunway-TES have signed an agreement with accountancy firm KPMG to collaborate on offering students in Penang the internationally renowned and highly respected Chartered Accountancy qualification (ACA) from ICAEW, a world leader in the accountancy and finance profession.
The innovative arrangement was formalised at a ceremony held in USM, Penang on Monday 31 October. The agreement, signed by Mr Adrian Lee, Partner from KPMG, Professor Dato’ Dr Ishak Ismail, the Dean of School of Management from USM and Mr Teo Ee Sing, Executive Director from Sunway-TES, was witnessed by ICAEW President Mr Clive Parritt.
ICAEW’s ACA qualification is recognised all over the world for the high technical and ethical skills it develops. It is a requirement for becoming an ICAEW Chartered Accountant, of which there are over 136,000 in more than 160 countries. In Malaysia, there are around 900 ICAEW Chartered Accountants working high up in the finance function in business, in leading roles in well-known accountancy firms, for regulators and standard setters.
USM’s Bachelor of Accounting students were earlier this year granted up to 8 credits towards the ACA qualification for their degree. This deal provides a further opportunity to be selected by KMPG to enter a training agreement with the firm that will allow them to gain the required practical work experience for ICAEW’s chartered accountancy qualification while they are studying for their last required exams through the link with Sunway-TES, which is the only tuition provider for the ACA in Malaysia.
Speaking at the signing, ICAEW President Clive Parritt, said: “Increasing access to globally recognised accountancy and finance qualifications such as the ACA is an important step towards developing the right type and number of finance professionals in Malaysia for the future”.
Professor Dato’ Dr Ishak Ismail, USM, commented: “This collaboration opens up the opportunity for graduates from local public universities around Malaysia to study and train to become ICAEW Chartered Accountants. It is a very exciting opportunity for our students”.
Teo Ee Sing, Executive Director, Sunway-TES, said: “The Government is keen to promote partnerships between the public and private sectors. We are very pleased to work with USM and KPMG to increase access to the highly regarded ACA qualification and help develop a larger pool of much-needed finance professionals in Malaysia”.
Adrian Lee, Partner, KPMG, said: “As an organisation, we need the brightest and best of talents. The ACA is a tough qualification but one that gives professional a very sound base on which to build an exciting and challenging career. We are delighted to work with the universities and ICAEW to develop future business leaders in Malaysia”.
Media enquiries
For further information on the scheme, please contact: Cheng Soo Min from Sunway-TES at smcheng@sunway.edu.my or 03-7491 8622 ext 3788.
Elizabeth R. Pabunag, Senior PR Consultant, tel: +60 (3) 7493 5588, email: elizabeth@my-essence.com
Kirstina Reitan, international media relations manager, tel: +44 (0)207 920 8607, email: kirstina.reitan@icaew.com