HKICPA launches Volunteer Team and signs MoU with AVS to drive social impact

Serving the community with the collective strength of nearly 1,000 members and their families

The Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA) is pleased to announce the official establishment of the HKICPA Volunteer Team (the Volunteer Team). Rallying the strength of nearly 1,000 HKICPA members and their families, the Volunteer Team will collaborate with social service organizations to launch a series of diversified volunteer initiatives, demonstrating the accounting profession's commitment to serving society. The HKICPA held the HKICPA Volunteer Team Kick-off Ceremony today (28 June) at the Ming Hua Hall of St. James' Settlement in Wan Chai. The event was graced by Dr. Bernard Chan, Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development as the Guest of Honour, who joined over 300 Volunteer Team members, representatives from the social services, professional services, and business sectors to witness this significant milestone in the extension of the Institute's corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts.

In his address, Guest of Honour Dr. Bernard Chan, Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development said he is thrilled to witness the inauguration of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA) Volunteer Team. Accounting professionals are playing a crucial role in fulfilling corporate social responsibility by leveraging their time and specialized expertise to support communities in need. As the Government actively aligns with the National 15th Five-Year Plan to solidify Hong Kong's status as a premier international financial and trade center, it is vital that the economic achievements are shared across all levels of society. He looks forward to partnering with dedicated professionals to build a more harmonious, inclusive, and globally competitive Hong Kong."

Inspired by Wang Fuk Court Incident: Transforming Passion into Sustained Service

Welcoming guests to the ceremony, HKICPA President Stephen Law shared: "The recent tragic incident at Wang Fuk Court profoundly highlighted the community's urgent need for emergency support, which directly inspired the establishment of the HKICPA Volunteer Team. As one of the biggest professional services sectors in Hong Kong, I firmly believe that the accounting profession has the absolute capability to bring a meaningful and positive impact to the community. It is truly encouraging to see that nearly 1,000 people have joined the volunteer team within a short period since recruitment began. I hope that more Institute members will sign up as volunteers, joining hands to build a sustainable platform for community engagement, gathering the passion of our over 47,000 members for serving society and transforming it into regular, organized community service. At the same time, I sincerely invite all sectors to join hands with the HKICPA to drive more cross-sector volunteer activities, spreading care to every corner of the community."

Focusing on Four Core Pillars: Leveraging Professional Expertise in "Community Living Room"

HKICPA Chief Executive and Registrar Arthur Lee, introduced the future plan of the Volunteer Team at the Ceremony. He revealed that the Volunteer Team will uphold the core identity of "CPAs for Good," aiming to realize three core values to society through diverse volunteer activities: "Inclusive engagement," "Interconnection," and "Impact", focusing on four major service areas, including “Community care”, “Social inclusion”, “Green sustainability” and “Animal welfare”. In the coming year, the Volunteer Team will work closely with various community partners. This includes participating in the “Community Living Room” initiative this August to share practical household budgeting guidance and anti-fraud tips with low-income families. Other volunteer activities will encompass elderly visits, blood donation day and caring homeless outreach programs for the homeless, aiming to extend the care and compassion of the accounting profession across the wider community.

Partnering with AVS to Seamlessly Address Community Needs

To enable the newly established Volunteer Team to more effectively provide voluntary services tailored to community needs, the HKICPA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Agency for Volunteer Service (AVS) to strengthen bilateral collaboration across three major areas: “Volunteering opportunities”, “Resource sharing and promotion”, and “Volunteer training and capacity building”. At the launch ceremony, the MoU was signed by Arthur Lee, HKICPA Chief Executive and Registrar, and Carter Ng, Chief Executive Officer of AVS. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Stephen Law, HKICPA President, and Melissa Pang, Chairman of AVS.

Delivering her remarks, Melissa Pang, Chairman of AVS, expressed her delight in signing the Memorandum of Understanding with the HKICPA. AVS will strengthen its bilateral collaboration with the HKICPA across multiple areas, hoping to effectively deliver more volunteer services tailored to community needs through this partnership.

Furthermore, through its long-term partner, Caritas Family Service – School Social Work Service, the HKICPA invited the A Cappella Team of Shung Tak Catholic English College to deliver a wonderful performance, adding vibrancy to the kick-off ceremony.

As the statutory body driving the development of the accounting profession, the HKICPA has always upheld the mission of serving society and actively encouraged its members to give back to the community. In addition to its continuous efforts in promoting financial education and enhancing corporate governance through CSR projects such as the "Rich Kid, Poor Kid" Financial Education Programme and "CPA for NGO," the establishment of the HKICPA Volunteer Team will further connect stakeholders from all walks of life. By combining the humanistic care and professional expertise of CPAs, the Volunteer Team will actively organize and participate in various volunteer activities, demonstrating the accounting profession's unwavering commitment to upholding integrity and safeguarding public interests.

^{The HKICPA Volunteer Team is officially established, rallying the strength of nearly 1,000 Institute members and their families to launch a series of diversified volunteer initiatives.}

^{The HKICPA Volunteer Team Kick-off Ceremony is attended by over 300 Volunteer Team members, representatives from the social welfare, professional services, and business sectors.}

^{Dr. Bernard Chan, Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development graces the HKICPA Volunteer Team Kick-off Ceremony as the Guest of Honour.}

^{HKICPA President Stephen Law states in his speech that he hopes to harness the passion for community service of its over 47,000 members to build a sustainable platform for community engagement through the establishment of the Volunteer Team.}

^{HKICPA Chief Executive and Registrar Arthur Lee introduces the Volunteer Team's work plan for the coming year at the Ceremony.}

^{HKICPA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Agency for Volunteer Service (AVS) to strengthen bilateral collaborations in delivering volunteer services.}

^{Delivering her remarks, Melissa Pang, Chairman of AVS, expressed her delight in signing the Memorandum of Understanding with the HKICPA.}

^{The A Cappella Team of Shung Tak Catholic English College delivers a wonderful performance.}