Q:Can job seekers ask for a higher salary as the demand for accounting professionals is high in the job market nowadays? Why or why not?

A:Job seekers that have experience in the areas of most demand can expect high salaries, especially in the Audit. This is a very apparent trend within Hong Kong and greater China. Fluency in Mandarin and Cantonese enables candidates to demand a further increase. Coupled with international experience, candidates can potentially earn a salary level at the top of their field.

Q:Is it necessary for accounting professionals to enhance their knowledge in their career path? If so, how?

A:It is very important for accounting professionals to enhance their knowledge in their career path. In an increasingly competitive market for candidates, employers are looking for ways to differentiate between people. Employers value career minded and ambitious candidates who can demonstrate their willingness and commitment to proactively increase their learning and develop their knowledge base. This can be achieved in a number of ways, such as becoming involved in new projects and initiatives in your current role, taking on different job roles either internally or externally, keeping up to date with changes in accounting policy through industry organizations and trade journals and taking additional training courses provided either through your existing company or through external sources.

Q:As a fresh accounting graduate, I would like to know that why being an audit trainee in CPA firms can have a better prospect than as an accounting assistant in commercial companies.

A:Joining a CPA firm as a fresh graduate offers any accounting professional an excellent training and learning environment and is experience that commercial accounting firms value in potential candidates. It also offers a structured environment and exposure to many listed firms in Hong Kong, which is invaluable for a young graduate. For an audit trainee, a CPA firm offers training, an opportunity to develop your skills in an expanding and sort after area as well as the opportunity to move quickly up the career ladder - something which is harder to achieve within the commercial space.

Q:Is working experience or academic qualification more important for people to enter the accounting profession?

A:Both are very important. Professional practice firms prefer candidates who are qualified, or at least part qualified and working towards their qualification. It is very important that while candidates are studying, they gain experience in an accounting firm - preferably in the area that they are looking to enter after completing study. All of the Big 4 offer internships while the top 10 accounting firms are flexible about study and exam time since they recognize the importance of qualification.

Q:What qualities will employers look for in job seekers of accounting industry?

A:In addition to technical knowledge and skills that an accounting candidate should already possess, employers believe that there are a lot more value-added services a candidate could bring to the company. Soft skills are becoming increasingly important for accounting professionals. Accountants are no longer just a bookkeeper - they must be able to analyse figures, and translate them into a language that top non-financial management personnel can understand. Good time management skills are also important to meet the deadlines that are an ongoing requirement in financial cycles. Additionally, employers also look for candidates who can be a good team player, are innovative, and who possess a positive working attitude.

Emma Charnock, Regional Director, Hays Hong Kong