Untitled - Confederation of Asian and Pacific Accountants
Untitled - Confederation of Asian and Pacific Accountants
Untitled - Confederation of Asian and Pacific Accountants
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MEMBERS UPDATES<br />
HONG KONG<br />
Winnie C. W. Cheung, chief executive <strong>of</strong> the Hong Kong<br />
Institute <strong>of</strong> CPAs, says, “The Institute, as the statutory<br />
licensing body, is m<strong>and</strong>ated by the Pr<strong>of</strong>essional <strong>Accountants</strong><br />
Ordinance to develop the st<strong>and</strong>ard <strong>of</strong> qualification <strong>of</strong><br />
the accounting pr<strong>of</strong>ession in Hong Kong <strong>and</strong> this agreement<br />
will help assure the central role <strong>of</strong> the CPA as we evolve<br />
as an international financial centre.”<br />
Allen Blewitt, chief executive <strong>of</strong> ACCA commented, “This<br />
agreement will mark the beginning <strong>of</strong> a new era in ACCA’s<br />
long history in Hong Kong. We look forward to working<br />
with the Institute to continue building the pr<strong>of</strong>ession here.”<br />
to achieving membership,” added Blewitt. “To recognize these<br />
differences, this new agreement contains the steps to be followed<br />
by ACCA <strong>and</strong> HKICPA members seeking membership in the<br />
other’s body.”<br />
According to Cheung, “In a nutshell, members <strong>of</strong> the ACCA must<br />
have a university degree, pass the final pr<strong>of</strong>essional examination<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Institute’s qualification programme <strong>and</strong> gain practical work<br />
experience under an Institute-authorised employer or supervisor.<br />
This way, the Institute’s three-pronged foundation <strong>of</strong> university<br />
education, post-graduate study <strong>and</strong> practical experience is<br />
maintained.”<br />
“This agreement recognizes that each body <strong>of</strong>fers different routes<br />
(Extracted from Hong Kong Institute <strong>of</strong> CPAs Website)<br />
Shortage <strong>of</strong> <strong>Accountants</strong> Found, even as Supply Grows<br />
Positive Career Prospects Tempt Many Students, Survey<br />
from the Hong Kong Institute <strong>of</strong> CPAs Shows<br />
HONG KONG, 20 September 2006 — The dem<strong>and</strong> for<br />
accountants is exceeding the supply in Hong Kong <strong>and</strong> will<br />
continue to do so if economic growth remains high, a recent<br />
market survey by the Hong Kong Institute <strong>of</strong> Certified Public<br />
<strong>Accountants</strong> shows.<br />
The study indicates that the supply <strong>of</strong> <strong>and</strong> dem<strong>and</strong> for accountants<br />
is growing, but dem<strong>and</strong> is growing at a faster pace, resulting in a net<br />
shortage <strong>of</strong> accountants. Based on the most recently available data<br />
from 2004, dem<strong>and</strong> for accountants is estimated at 6,544 jobs in<br />
2005, with supply from local institutions estimated at a maximum<br />
<strong>of</strong> 5,007, leaving a shortage <strong>of</strong> 1,537 accountants, or 23 percent.<br />
Winnie C.W. Cheung, chief executive <strong>of</strong> the Hong Kong<br />
Institute <strong>of</strong> CPAs, says dem<strong>and</strong> is notoriously fickle <strong>and</strong> could<br />
change within months, while the study accurately reflects the<br />
supply <strong>of</strong> accountants about to enter the market. “Many firms<br />
<strong>and</strong> companies are dealing with this talent crunch by recruiting<br />
overseas.<br />
Fortunately, the Institute’s recognition agreements with overseas<br />
accounting bodies allow Hong Kong firms to recruit from some<br />
<strong>of</strong> the best trained pr<strong>of</strong>essional accountants from around the<br />
world.”<br />
“The very high dem<strong>and</strong> for the skills <strong>of</strong> accountants is in part<br />
due to our healthy economy, but as we have seen before, that<br />
could change quickly,” adds Paul M.P. Chan, President <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Institute. “Right now, dem<strong>and</strong> is outstripping supply <strong>and</strong> the<br />
CPA qualification is valuable – not only in Hong Kong but<br />
around the world. Unfortunately, it is also resulting in long<br />
working hours for these pr<strong>of</strong>essionals.”<br />
Growing supply<br />
The number <strong>of</strong> places <strong>of</strong>fered at Hong Kong’s educational<br />
institutions for accounting studies has increased about 20<br />
percent in the last two years – from roughly 4,700 in 2004-05 to<br />
5,600 in 2006-2007 academic year, <strong>and</strong> academics polled say this<br />
will continue for the 2007-08 academic year.<br />
Academics polled (86%) say that dem<strong>and</strong> for accounting<br />
graduates is increasing, <strong>and</strong> the majority <strong>of</strong> accountants<br />
polled (74 percent) expect dem<strong>and</strong> fromChina for Hong Kong<br />
accountants to increase over the next five years.<br />
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