Ethics: How much does it worth?

In recent years, the role of accountants has evolved due to digitalisation and other disruptions. However, ethics remained as an important emphasis for accountants as they need to make value judgement and safeguard public interests. The International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants ("IESBA") constantly updating the Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants to ensure that the Code remains relevant to current economic environment. In Malaysia, the Malaysian Institute of Accountants ("MIA") has issued similar code of ethics known as MIA By-Laws (On Professional Ethics, Conduct and Practice) to govern the ethical conduct of accountants in Malaysia.

Since young, we are instilled with moral education to do the right things and be accountable for our actions. I believe that all students will know what's the ideal answer for Moral Studies examinations although we might not  be practicing them in reality. Notwithstanding that, how many of us would actually do the right thing if we were put into a conflict of interests in workplace? Is it worthwhile to uphold our ethical conduct? I never thought of the answers for these questions until I faced one few months ago.

Four months back, I resigned from my first job as an auditor to return back to my hometown as an accountant in a public listed company. Everything seemed fine at first, albeit few months of losses and high gearing level of the company. After settling down for more than a month, I went for holiday in Japan for a week. It was a great trip solely planned by myself and I certainly enjoyed my first autumn experience there. When I returned from my trip, I started to notice something fishy about my new company. The losses turned into profits for all subsidiaries within a week. Did they increased their sales rapidly? I wondered.

Fortunately, my accounts executives trusted me and voluntarily disclose some of the wrong doings done by them as instructed by the Chief Executive Officer ("CEO"). I was appalled by the way they manipulated the accounting figures. What should I do when the CEO, CFO and the account staffs colluded to cook the books? I consulted a few friends and ex-colleagues for their opinion and I received diverse feedback from them. Some thought that I should leave my company whereas others mentioned that it is a norm for commercial clients to do so. I ended up in a dilemma and I had to decide my next move. After due consideration, I left my company and joined my present organisation. 

But..at what costs? 

I officially ruined my CV by leaving my new job within 2 months. In addition, I have to leave my hometown again to start afresh in urban city. Everything was a mess. Everyone advised me to remove my two months experience in my previous company from my CV as they do not mean anything to recruiters and interviewers. True enough, no one contacted me ever since I updated my CV with the two-months experience in my previous company. Is it wrong to be honest in my CV? 

Sometimes, I wonder whether it is wrong to do the right thing. I admit that I was too desperate for a change after the incident and landed myself with a mundane job. Hopefully, 2018 will treat me better and provide me with better opportunities. 

My forsaken haven

Dear blog,

You used to be a place I visit frequently. A comfortable zone for me to voice out my opinion, to vent my frustrations, to share my happiness and to remind myself of my failures. Now, everything seems estranged....

                           I stopped visiting you every now and then

                              You are not being updated at least once a month

                                     Broken links are not updated 

                                          And, my friends stopped writing as well...

Everything changes. Things are no longer the same as they were before. What caused such drastic change, I pondered. There is only one main reason that came to my mind - work! Undeniably, the amount of time and commitment we spent in coping with our new stage of life has indirectly forced us to set aside some hobbies, be it blogging, gaming or reading. Weekends became my favourite time to sleep late, have a nice meal and enjoy doing nothing because the work loads in the week days can be overwhelming at times.

Somehow, people tend to get busy over the years. Some of us are obsessed in climbing the corporate ladder whilst others are occupied with their own start-ups or business. The competitive environment in current year has forced many young working adults to work longer working hours without significant increase in salaries. Weakening of local currency and spike in living costs further add salt to the wound. Gradually, I have neglected the little things in life that makes me happy as well.

Hence, I am writing to you once again to remind myself that certain things are worthy of my time. I should not procrastinate my plans without any reason nor giving up my hobbies easily. Life is not just about work. :) Perhaps I can start off by updating my upcoming US trip. Hopefully, I can be disciplined enough to keep you updated more than once a year.

Yours sincerely,

--c3r0--

Goodbye 2014

A few more minutes to go before it marks the end of 2014 and the beginning of a new year. I believe that most of my friends are busy celebrating or countdown for a new year. Yet, I'm sitting down in front of computer updating my silly blog. Sounds so sad, right?

Anyway, 2014 has been quite a hectic yet meaningful year. My job seems to get from bad to worse along the year. The daunting task in dealing with clients is constantly tormenting my mind and soul. Expectations from managers also getting higher and higher, sometimes rather ridiculous and unreasonable. I begin to wonder whether I should slow down and give myself a break once a while. Oh well, I guess that's why I took leave to spend my weekend at home.

Looking forward into 2015, I think it's about time for me to make decisions! Not some random resolutions that can be carried forward easily but serious planning for my future career and development. Although I have been working for about 2 years now, my future seems to be so bleak and full of uncertainties. I don't even know what to do after I obtain my ACCA membership one year later.

Hence, I shall set my new year resolutions as follows:

 - Update CV and search for dream job occasionally

 - Decide where should I settle down in the foreseeable future. (Duh, I always have dilemma on this issue)

 - To purchase a house after having an answer for the point above.

 - Spend quality time with family and friends

Happy New Year! Sweet dreams and all the best!

Little milestone

It's been one and half year since I started working. There were ups and downs as well as invaluable lessons learnt throughout my working experience. So, I think maybe it is time to pause and take a step back to look at what I have done and achieved thus far.

Referring to the post I have written one year ago, I had set a few targets after being inspired by the book written by Robert Kiyosaki. The targets seems rather vague back then. However, I did managed meet some of the targets set. For instance, I have only 1.5 years more to achieve my target of being an ACCA member. Additionally, the nature of my job has enhanced my communication skills with clients and given me a broader exposure to the financial world.

My investment portfolio? My attempt to open a unit trust account for high risk investment failed terribly. The investment bank rejected my application after assessing my risk appetite although I have emphasised that I have read the prospectus and understood the nature of fund which I wished to invest! I'm very frustrated when I try to recall this incident. Enough said, I still managed to set aside some funds for rainy days and get a few dividend yielding shares. I hope I am able to expand my portfolio continuously. However, the dividends I gotten so far are so immaterial and it prompted me to wonder whether investing in shares is the best option to build up my wealth. :/

On the other hand, my personal financial statements look healthier than I expected. Hehe... At least I managed to get a net asset position after taking into consideration of my car loan to parents. ;) Overall, it seems that Phase 1 of my financial targets has been substantially achieved! Next year or so will be the crucial year for me as I will be in the transitioning stage to Phase 2 of my financial target. Change is always difficult without strong determination and courage. I certainly wish that I could take the leap of faith when the time is right...

p/s: Happy birthday Singapore!!