Prospective CPA e-newsletter

	International Recognition
	A New Global Knowledge Resource Centre - IFACnet.com
	Award and Graduation Ceremony
	Career Prospects
	Practical Experience: Views from the Ground
	Student Programmes
	Student Matters
	QP Graduate Career File
	Practical Experience
	How to Motivate and Inspire
	Celebrity and CEO Series
	Upcoming Events

Hong Kong Institute of CPAs' mainland QP graduates fully recognised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland

The Hong Kong CPA qualification has received an extra boost internationally. On 27 September 2006, the Institute signed an addendum to its reciprocal membership agreement with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) extending recognition benefits to mainland (QP) graduates. Click here to see the press release.

Hong Kong Institute of CPAs and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) Strengthen Ties

On 29 September 2006, the Institute signed a mutual examination paper exemptions (MEPE) agreement with the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). This agreement is extended to all Institute members. Click here for more information.

IFAC announces a new global knowledge resource centre for accountants in business

The IFACnet.com , a new global online resource centre provides accountants in business with a one-stop access to leading edge articles, practice guidance and other useful reference. The knowledge net is developed by IFAC together with the Institute and other accounting bodies worldwide. Click here to see the press release.

Award and Graduation Ceremony

On 12 September 2006, the Institute conferred certificates to 551 students who passed the final examination for its QP. At a ceremony officiated by guest-of-honour Mr. Frederick Ma, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, 14 top QP candidates received the award of merit, 18 students received QP scholarships and 29 top accounting students from 12 universities and educational institutions received the Hong Kong Institute of CPAs' scholarship. In appreciation of Mr. Doug Oxley's chairmanship of the Examination Board from 1998-2005, he was presented with a special award recognising his very important role in shaping the QP into what it is today - a highly successful qualifying programme to prepare budding accountants. Finally, this year's Master Workshop Facilitator Award went to Ms. Lusan Hung. Click to view the press release and ceremony highlights.

Click on the highlighted text to read a full version of Mr. Frederick Ma's speech and a full list of December 2005 and June 2006 graduates.

New Memorial Prizes for Top Final Examination Candidates

Two new prizes were inaugurated this year: The Li Fook Shu Memorial Prize and the ICAEW/Simon Morris Memorial Prize.

Li Fook Shu Memorial Prize
The memorial prize is established by Dr. the Honourable David Li in memory of his late father, Mr. F. S. Li, one of the Institute's founding members. The value of each memorial prize is HK$10,000 and the prize is awarded to the candidate attaining the highest marks in the final examination of each examination session. The December 2005 session gold award recipient is Ms. Yip Sin Ying Charmaine, while the June 2006 session recipient is Ms. Ng Yi Wai.

ICAEW/Simon Morris Memorial Prize
Mr. Morris was a member of ICAEW and the Institute and he worked in Hong Kong for 25 years. After he passed away, his widow made the prize donation of HK$10,000 per annum via Mr. Morris's name to the ICAEW. The value of each prize is HK$5,000 and is awarded to the graduate attaining the highest aggregate marks in the four modules of each final examination session. The December 2005 session recipient is Ms. Yeung Hoi Ning, and the June 2006 session recipient is Ms. Wong Koon Fong.

Attention to QP Graduates who did not attend the Award and Graduation Ceremony

QP graduates who did not attend the award and graduation ceremony can collect their certificates on or before 30 November 2006 at the Institute's reception desk on 27/F Wu Chung House. Please present your student ID or HKID when collecting the certificates.

Students positive on Career Prospects

Accounting students are more confident about finding jobs than non-accounting students, according to the Institute's recent survey, which also found that demand for accountants exceeds supply. Click here for more information.

Baker Tilly Hong Kong Limited: Authorised Employer

As one of Hong Kong's well-established accounting practices, Baker Tilly Hong Kong finds the QP scheme particularly relevant to its operations. "We have a specific direction when it comes to educating students." says Audit Senior Manager Edmond Chan, who is the member-in-charge of this authorised employer. "QP's philosophy and mechanisms are very similar to our own and this is part of what makes the programme so pertinent to us. We're very happy with the way in which the QP system merges with our own - in fact, given the minimal differences between QP and our own system, our adoption of QP was a very smooth process." Click here for more details.

Final Examination Assistance Seminars

The Institute is organising four final examination assistance seminars which will be held on 21, 22 and 28 October 2006. Speakers will lead candidates through a list of special topics designated for the final examination (December 2006 session) and use past examination papers as illustrations to help candidates brush up their case analysis skills. Click here for more details.

Revision Courses

The Institute will offer revision courses for candidates sitting the modules A & C examinations and the final examination in December 2006. Click here for more information.

Workshops on PRC Accounting, Auditing, Taxation, Capital Market and Corporate Governance (October 2006)

This 39-hour programme will be held over seven Saturdays between 28 October and 9 December 2006. The course is designed for CPAs wishing to acquire a comprehensive understanding of the PRC investment environment. Professors and lecturers from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Lingnan University will give you an overview of current PRC accounting, auditing, tax, capital market and corporate governance issues. If you are interested in attending this programme, please complete and return the enrolment form to the Institute on or before Monday, 16 October 2006.

Relocation of Hong Kong Institute of Accredited Accounting Technicians (HKIAAT)

For a number of years, the Institute's subsidiary - the Hong Kong Institute of Accredited Accounting Technicians Limited (HKIAAT) - has operated in separate premises. The HKIAAT has rejoined us at our Wu Chung Headquarters with effect from 18 September 2006. We are taking this opportunity to streamline our administrative support and we are in the process of integrating common functions to improve our efficiency and effectiveness.

Permission required to attend unassigned QP Workshop Groups

The QP workshop is a vital part of the assessment process for each QP module. QP candidates are prohibited from attending any workshop group to which they have not been assigned without the Institute's prior approval. No marks will be awarded to candidates attending a workshop group to which they are not assigned. Candidates can refer to the Candidate Handbook Section 6.5.2 for details of making special arrangements to make up workshops should the need arise.

Closer Communication through Class Representatives

To further enhance communication with QP candidates, the Student Education & Training Department will meet QP workshop group representatives during each QP session. To establish a formal channel of communication, each workshop group will be asked to elect a representative during its first workshop session. Please consider yourself as a representative if you are taking module workshops in this September 2006 QP session. The Institute will contact you for the meeting.

Name:

Stanley So

Job Title:

Senior Fund Accountant

Company:

Fortis Prime Fund Solutions (Asia) Ltd

Click here to see Stanley's career profile:

- career and study history

- job involvement

- career achievement

- career progression

Experience Requirements for Membership

Are you working under an Institute's authorised employer or authorised supervisor? If not, please urge your employer or supervisor to apply for registration as authorised employer or supervisor with the Institute so that your relevant practical experience can be accepted for membership. If you apply for membership on or after 1 January 2008, practical experience gained under employer or supervisor authorised by the Institute is mandatory for the whole length of your practical experience.

Completing the Practical Experience Training Records

You are advised to complete the practical experience training records at least on an annual basis and keep supporting evidence (e.g. time sheets, performance appraisal forms, work samples, etc.) to help your authorised employer or authorised supervisor in reviewing and signing off your training records. An on-line version of the training record is accessible here.

List of Authorised Employers / Authorised Supervisors

The Institute's Council has recently approved 25 applications for registration as authorised employers and 57 applications for registration as authorised supervisors. Click here for the list of newly registered employers / supervisors.

A full list of all authorised employers and authorised supervisors can be found on the Institute's homepage.

The ability to inspire and motivate those around you is an invaluable skill for your career development. Having a positive influence and helping colleagues progress their own careers can bring real benefits to your own progression and job satisfaction. Mastering these skills does not require a huge change in behaviour or a great deal of time. Click here to see the full article of how easy it is to inspire and motivate others in your own way.

This article is reprinted from South China Morning Post "JOBCOACH" series with permission from DBM (8 July 2006).

A unique opportunity to hear and meet celebrity(ies) and CEOs who will share their critical success factors. Two top achievers, including President of the Legislative Council, Mrs. Rita Fan, have been invited in the coming two series scheduled for 14 October and 18 November. Click here for details. Don't miss out!