KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 4 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA) held its inaugural Employer Town Hall event on January 30, 2019 at the Sime Darby Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur.  Established in 1958, MICPA stands tall as the only Malaysian home-grown professional accounting body that trains and develops a pool of accounting professionals tailored for the global marketplace in partnership with employers.

Employers today realize the importance of having professionally-qualified accountants in their respective organisations and have been very supportive of the Programme that is offered jointly by MICPA and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ) – the MICPA-CAANZ Programme.  The MICPA-CAANZ collaboration was initiated in 2009 as a dual qualification that grants memberships into both bodies, and the subsequent use of the titles ‘Certified Public Accountant, Malaysia’ and ‘Chartered Accountant, Australia & New Zealand’.   

The Town Hall attracted close to a hundred representatives from 51 organisations ranging from the Big 4 accounting firms, small and medium-sized firms and commercial organisations.  Also present were CAANZ Regional Councillor, Asia, Dato’ Richard Abas and representatives of CAANZ’s Malaysian Committee.  The event kicked off with an address by MICPA’s CEO, Mr Novie Tajuddin, who shared his vision for the growing collaborations with employers and other stakeholders, and how important it is to maintain a healthy ecosystem to ensure a continuous pipeline of qualified professionals, not just for recruitment purposes, but for a wider national agenda – to have more qualified professionals serving the nation in various capacities.  

The employers present were lauded for the support rendered to the Institute and the MICPA-CAANZ candidates in their respective organisations and were encouraged to provide feedback to the Institute for continuous improvement and engagement.  One of the core requirements to qualify as a MICPA-CAANZ professional is to be mentored whilst obtaining 3 years of relevant practical experience with an Approved Training Organisation (ATO).  Mentors must be experienced professionals who are either MICPA, CAANZ or Global Accounting Alliance (GAA) body members.  A lively Q&A session entailed with some thought-provoking questions, insight, suggestions and feedback shared.

The event concluded with a presentation of Appreciation Awards to each organisation for their commitment and support as ATOs.  The certificates were presented in batches by MICPA Council Members, Mr Poon Yew Hoe, Datin Hajjah Fadzillah Saad and Mr Peter Lim, as well as the MICPA CEO.  The participants were feted to a delicious lunch spread to mingle and network with one another and with MICPA and CAANZ representatives over lively conversation. 

NOTE TO EDITOR:
 
About The Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA)

The Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA) was incorporated in 1958 and is the only Malaysian body which conducts a professional accountancy examination recognised under the Accountants Act 1967.  
 
MICPA has collaborated with Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (then known as Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia) since 2009 to offer the MICPA-CAANZ Programme – a joint professional programme which awards its graduates with a dual membership and the use of two titles – Certified Public Accountant, Malaysia and Chartered Accountant, Australia & New Zealand.
 
MICPA is governed by a Council of 30 elected members and has close to 3,200 members and over 800 registered candidates.  For more information, visit www.micpa.com.my

Source : The Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: 
Name : Eileen Grace Lee
Senior Marketing Manager
Tel : + (603) 2698 9622
Fax : + (603) 2698 9403
Email : eileen.mktg@micpa.com.my

--BERNAMA