Identifying the Next Young Accountant to Represent ISCA
By Industry Support, ISCA
In June this year, ISCA launched a competition in search of the brightest young professional accountant aged 30 years and under to represent ISCA at the One Young World (OYW) Summit 2017. This year’s competition attracted participants from across various industries, job roles, races, and backgrounds. OYW 2017, which takes place from October 4 to 7, presents a rare opportunity for the winner to visit Bogotá, the capital and largest city in Columbia, situated at the north-western tip of South America.
The competition required applicants to submit a short write-up telling us why they would like to represent ISCA at the Summit. In addition, they were required to record a three-minute video that introduced themselves and discussed one of the following topics – Poverty, Ageing Population, Equality & Diversity, Peace & Security, or Environment/Sustainable Development.
Through these videos, the judges would discern their level of creativity, verbal ability, and maturity of thought. Selecting this year’s representative was a panel of five judges comprising the Institute’s senior management, Council members and Young Professional Advisory Committee representatives. After the first round of screening where judges went through the write-ups and videos, five finalists were shortlisted for the interview. The competition was intense, and we congratulate them for having made the cut to the final round.
Muhammad Ashiq Chu, an assistant manager with PwC, was the eventual winner. The judges were impressed by his maturity of thought, passion and knowledge of a wide range of world issues; his drive and genuine desire to contribute beyond his work, and his ability to clearly articulate his thoughts and opinions. They believe that these qualities would allow him to not only participate, but actively contribute to discussions during the Summit, and bring something back to share with the rest of the profession.
A delighted Ashiq said, “I feel extremely honoured and privileged to be ISCA’s representative at the upcoming One Young World Summit. I am excited about the prospects of exchanging ideas with youth leaders from around the world, and I look forward to sharing my experiences as a young Chartered Accountant of Singapore.”
As a sponsored candidate, Ashiq will be attending the global youth summit as an ambassador of ISCA, and also as part of the delegation from Chartered Accountants Worldwide. This will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for Ashiq, and we congratulate him on his success. Look out for his post-event report in the December issue of this journal.
ABOUT ONE YOUNG WORLD
One Young World, founded in 2009, gathers the brightest young leaders from around the world and empowers them to make lasting connections to create positive change.
The annual One Young World Summit brings together young leaders from global and national companies, NGOs, universities and other forward-thinking organisations worldwide, providing a platform for them to debate, formulate and share innovative solutions for pressing issues that the world is facing.
Delegates are joined by a line-up of influential figures who assume the role of One Young World Counsellors. To date, these have included Justin Trudeau, Emma Watson, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, Kofi Annan, Sir Richard Branson, Jamie Oliver, Professor Muhammad Yunus, and many more.
OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUALS WHO MADE IT TO THE FINAL ROUND OF THE COMPETITION
HAKEEM HALIM, 30
CA (Singapore), CIA
Senior Auditor, Business Operations
Visa Inc., California
Currently based in the US and working at Visa Inc., Hakeem is an embodiment of an accountant who has taken his local training and applied it to good use at the world stage. As part of his work, he participates in large-scale audit engagements of company activities, focusing on key business operations. Before embarking on his accounting career, Hakeem was a sprinter/hurdler who represented Singapore at international track & field events. He had held the Singapore 110m Hurdles record from 2008 to 2015. Outside of work, he spends time hiking through the San Francisco Bay Area, enjoying scenic routes on his motorcycle, and exploring sociological discussions of current events within Singapore and around the world.
LEE XIN HUI, 28
CA (Singapore)
Manager
KPMG, New York
Xin Hui joined KPMG in 2012 and is currently a manager based in its New York office. When asked why she decided to work in the US, she shared that she wanted to get out of her comfort zone and experience a different work culture and way of life in order to expand her horizons. Outside of work, she actively participates in and contributes to programmes for youth. For example, she was a participant in the Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Programme (SSEAYP), and served as the Vice Chairperson of the Boon Lay Community Club Youth Executive Committee.
MUHAMMAD ASHIQ CHU, 28
CA (Singapore)
Assistant Manager
PwC Singapore
Ashiq is currently an assistant manager in PwC’s Technology, Information, Communication and Entertainment group, General Assurance line of service. To tap on his perspectives and potential, he was previously enrolled in the firm’s Emerging Leaders Programme – a PwC Global initiative to drive greater focus on Diversity and Inclusion. During his free time, Ashiq enjoys a good hike as he has set his sights on conquering Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia, having previously hiked Mount Rinjani, Indonesia. He also actively gives back to the community and is currently the Vice Chairperson of the Kebun Baru Community Club Youth Club and a member of the Finance Committee, where he oversees the use of public funds at the Community Club.
SARAVANAN PANNIR SELVAM, 28
ISCA Associate
Audit Associate 2
Ernst & Young LLP
Saravanan is a second-year assurance associate, specialising in audits of energy, oil & gas, and aviation companies. He is also part of the EY Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Committee which oversees and supports the firm’s CSR activities and initiatives to achieve sustainable management. Outside of work, Saravanan is actively involved in community work. He volunteers at the Hindu Endowment Board, where he serves as a Temple Coordinator for the Project Bhakti programme – a community outreach programme for youths by youths. He is also a tutor at the Singapore Indian Development Association, providing life advice to youths at risk.
TAI WEI LI WILLY, 27
ISCA Associate
Business Management Analyst
Schroders Investment (Singapore) Pte Ltd
Willy has worked across several functions within Schroders as part of his job rotation. He is currently in the Business Management function where he is involved in activities like financial control, performance management and reengineering existing processes with emphasis on technological enablement and staff upskilling. As part of the digital workforce, he is also involved in data analytics and automation projects, driving metrics visualisation. Besides his core work, Willy is a member of ISCA’s Young Professional Advisory Committee, and volunteers with Food from the Heart and Chinese Development Assistance Council.
This article was first published in the August 2017 edition of the Journal of the ISCA and can be accessed here: https://journal.isca.org.sg/2017/08/24/one-young-world-summit-2017/pugpig_index.html
