ICAEW Malaysia

Over the past few weeks, we’ve been on a roll with ICAEW Chartered Accountants engaging students across various universities, sharing their career journeys and how the ICAEW qualification has helped them stay resilient, adaptable, and relevant in today’s fast-evolving business world.

From stories of grit and determination, to lessons on turning challenges into opportunities, or in embracing ESG and picking up new AI skills, the message was clear — there’s no such thing as a bad experience, only valuable lessons to grow from.

These inspiring professionals encouraged current ICAEW students to persevere, embrace every opportunity, and become the future-ready agents of change they are being groomed to be.

The ICAEW Malaysia Celebrating Excellence Awards returned in style this year - bringing together Malaysia’s top ICAEW students, leading employers, partners-in-learning, and distinguished business leaders for an evening dedicated to achievement, ambition, and the future of the profession.

The awards and prizes presented to the top students are made possible through a trust established by esteemed patrons - senior ICAEW members and renowned business leaders - with a shared vision to recognise excellence and inspire the next generation of chartered accountants to aim higher and lead stronger.

We were honoured to have Derek Blair, ICAEW President, Azlina Bulmer, Director of Internagtional, together with Elaine Hong, Regional Director, SEA and Shenola Gonzales, Head of Malaysia - present the awards to the outstanding students, celebrating not only academic success, but the dedication and perseverance behind every achievement.

One of the evening’s most special highlights was the presence of Tan Sri Dato' Hanafiah Hussain - Malaysia’s oldest chartered accountant - who at 102 years young, captivated the audience with his sharp wit, wisdom, and words of encouragement for both students and guests alike.

An inspiring evening filled with excellence, legacy, laughter, and a shared commitment to shaping the future of the profession.

We had the pleasure of welcoming ICAEW's President Derek Blair to Malaysia this past week, where he shared his refreshingly unconventional journey as a chartered accountant — from life in a multinational firm to building and leading his own practice.

Accompanied by Azlina Bulmer, ICAEW's Director of International, and Elaine Hong, Regional Director Southeast Asia, with Shenola Gonzales, Head of Malaysia - the sessions at Sunway TES and Universiti Malaya were packed with valuable insights on resilience, taking bold opportunities at the right time, and pushing forward even when the odds are stacked against you. A powerful reminder that career journeys are rarely linear — and sometimes the best paths are the unexpected ones.

And yes, it was equally inspiring to hear it all from a President who swapped the traditional suit for jeans and a leather jacket. Proof that leadership can be both authentic and relatable. 😄

Today, we celebrated a remarkable milestone - 50 years of ICAEW membership.

An afternoon filled with nostalgia, laughter, and plenty of “you haven’t changed a bit!” moments as old friends reunited after years apart. The camaraderie, stories, and memories shared reminded us that while careers may span decades, friendships built through the profession truly stand the test of time.

Hosted by ICAEW President Derek Blair during his visit to Malaysia, alongside Azlina Bulmer, Director of International, in collaboration with the ICAEW Members’ Society Malaysian Chapter.

Who says accountants only count numbers? Today, we counted 50 years of friendships, achievements, and unforgettable memories.

The RIFAR Challenge is officially launched!

Offering different tracks now for students to participate - Sprint and Marathon.

Join now at - https://www.sc.com.my/trac/rifar-challenge

Brought to you by Securities Commission Malaysia, ICAEW, Lembaga Urus Air Selangor, Selangor Maritime Gateway by Landasan Lumayan, and Jeffrey Sachs.

Missed the ICAEW Members’ Society Malaysian Chapter Buka Puasa Gathering recently?

An evening filled with hearty food, plenty of laughs, and great company - where old friends reconnected, new friendships were formed, and conversations flowed from the latest buzz to maybe even the next big career move.

Who knew breaking fast could also mean breaking into new opportunities?

Happy International Women's Day!

We celebrate the incredible women across the ICAEW community - our members, partners, stakeholders, and students - whose leadership, talent, and determination continue to shape the profession and drive impact across industries.

In honour of this special day, we spotlight an inspiring ICAEW Chartered Accountant who has been instrumental in guiding local start-ups onto the global stage, while passionately championing women in entrepreneurship.

Here’s to the women who lead, inspire, and open doors for the next generation.

https://www.malaysiasme.com.my/creating-ladders-how-shan-li-tay-is-reshaping-malaysias-startup-future/

Creating Ladders: How Shan Li Tay Is Reshaping Malaysia’s Startup Future - Malaysia SME® When Endeavor looks for entrepreneurs, it is not just searching for profitable businesses. It is searching for entrepreneurs who dream big, scale faster, and multiply their impact. At the helm of its Malaysian chapter is Shan Li Tay, Managing Director of Endeavor Malaysia, whose career has been shap...

We were privileged to host Ravi Abeywardana, ICAEW's Director of Sustainability, during his week-long visit to Malaysia - a series of insightful engagements focused on advancing the sustainability agenda across the profession and industry.

The visit began with an engaging session at Securities Commission Malaysia, where discussions centred on the evolving sustainability landscape and the critical role of the finance profession in driving responsible growth.

Ravi also recorded a special podcast conversation with Tan Sri Abdul Wahid Omar, former Chairman of Bursa Malaysia, exchanging perspectives on leadership, governance, and the growing importance of sustainability in capital markets.

The week concluded with an intimate panel session bringing together ICAEW Chartered Accountants for an open and candid dialogue in a small circle of members. It was a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas, share experiences, and strengthen the community of professionals championing sustainable business practices.

A truly meaningful week of conversations, connections, and collaboration — as we continue working together to shape a more sustainable future for the profession and the region.