For CPA Hugo Cheung, Assistant Internal Audit Manager at data centre provider SUNeVision Holdings Ltd., the constant pursuit of knowledge is the key to providing value

Educational journey

No one could accuse Hugo Cheung of being underqualified. The Assistant Internal Audit Manager for data centre company SUNeVision Holdings Ltd. treats qualifications and certifications like Pokémon: he wants to collect them all. In addition to his CPA qualification via the QP, he is pursuing a Master’s in Corporate Governance at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University; holds certification as an ESG planner by the International Chamber of Sustainable Development; has received a Sustainability Certificate from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW); completed the HKICPA’s Financial Controllership Programme; qualified as a Certified Internal Auditor; and decured his UK qualification through the HKICPA’s partnership with the ICAEW.

 

“By learning, we reveal our own blind spots; we often don’t know what we don’t know,” he says. “A stronger base of knowledge allows us to react instantly when facing a problem.”

 

His first qualification of all was a degree in professional accounting from Hong Kong’s Centennial College, following a decision made in secondary school to pursue a CPA qualification.

 

“I realized that accountancy is the common language of the business world,” he adds. “It’s about understanding how business value is created and measured. Every listed company needs CPAs. It’s not just about numbers; it’s also about using logic to solve problems.”

 

Fresh out of university, Hugo followed the well-trodden path of many accounting graduates and joined a Big Four firm, in his case Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, where he spent three years, rising to the rank of Audit Senior.

 

“Deloitte was my foundational training centre,” he says. “I view my time there as a second degree. It provided me with access to large companies and the most valuable skill I developed there was the ability to learn quickly. AI makes finding knowledge easy, but the ability to absorb and apply information quickly is still a way to differentiate yourself.

 

“The most transferrable skill I learned there was the audit mindset – how you ask the right questions and apply critical thinking. ”The pressure of the job is a positive force.” He notes.I “It’s not just hard work but a fast track to professional maturity. It gave me the confidence to deal with challenging situations.”

 

Helping him along the learning curve, he also undertook the QP while at Deloitte. “QP is internationally recognized. I saw it as a professional passport to the global stage. The workshops are excellent for developing analytical thinking, and preparing for the exams is the ultimate test of time management. You really feel like you’re upgrading your brain.”

Expanding role

After completing his studies, Hugo transitioned to the commercial sector, joining Chinese medicine clinic chain Nong’s International as a Senior Internal Auditor. The move from external to internal audit, he says, was driven by a desire to move beyond reviewing financial information to understanding the business behind it. He admits an improved work-life balance was also a welcome factor.

“It feels like shifting from being a reviewer to being a business partner – giving recommendations to help the company grow.” he says. “Although I had no prior experience in this industry, the core skill of an auditor is analytical thinking, which applies to any industry. Industry knowledge can be acquired; the skill is lies in how you think.”

The job was the first time he had dealt with environmental, social and governance issues – something that, with his multiple qualifications, has subsequently become a personal speciality. His interest in the subject, he says, aligns with his philosophy of continuous improvement. “I need to input new knowledge in order to output the best opinions. If I stop learning, I stop being able to provide value.”

After two years at Nong’s, Hugo advanced Internal Audit Manager at beauty centre chain Perfect Shape, where he headed the department and worked directly with the executive director, COO and audit committee – all of whom were far more experienced. His solution, he says, was to position himself as a supportive business partner to his senior colleagues.

After a year, he took on his current role at SUNeVision Holdings Ltd., a subsidiary of Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited.

“Data centres are a booming industry in Hong Kong, driven by the AI revolution,” he says. “It was a great opportunity to step into a high-growth environment. It’s not just about reviewing the figures; it’s about establishing internal controls and processes to support the company’s future growth.”

Hugo has himself been a keen adopter of technology, digitizing the audit process by creating AI tools – one for data analytics, one to report review and one for brainstorming risks and controls.

Hugo is also a member of the HKICPA’s Young Members Committee, which he describes as a valuable opportunity for exchange views with industry peers, while welcoming new members to the Institute when they first join. In addition, he’s a member of the Institute’s CPA Community, helping to promote the accounting profession – including speaking to secondary school students in April.

“When I was a secondary school student, I didn’t have much information about the profession, and it was a bit confusing to me,” he recalls. “I want to share insights with students on how to become a CPA and why the journey is worth taking.”