Expanding Our Global Footprint

Expedition Log: Act 1

ISCA’s heightened global visibility and expanded international presence is pivotal for elevating the professional standing of our members.

Our collaborations with professional bodies across diverse markets and engagement with regional and international accountancy organisations inspire ISCA and our members with fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and best practices. In this increasingly globalised business landscape, our international presence supports members as they explore career or business opportunities beyond Singapore.

In 2023, we embarked on our internationalisation journey and set up overseas chapters, establishing networks in key markets to provide support, information and networking opportunities for our overseas members. To date, 12 chapters have been set up, chaired by:

overseas chapters

We connected and met up with members who are based in 12 overseas cities, sought feedback and new ideas to support their professional journey.

overseas member engagement
webinar
Webinar for Overseas Members - Be Prepared for your Quality Assurance Review (Singapore’s Experience)

ISCA hosted its first overseas webinar on 31 July 2023, successfully bringing together 300 international professionals hailing from 12 diverse Asian countries. The event was supported by our Overseas Chapter Chairs - Mr Ernest Yoong (Vietnam), Ms Jill A. Santos (Philippines), Mr Ken Lai (Malaysia), Ms Kristin Kim (South Korea), and Mr Ee Sin Tan (Hong Kong).

audit seminar
Audit Exemption Seminar in Johor Bahru

ISCA held its first in-person seminar in Johor Bahru on 30 October 2023, to share Singapore’s experience in navigating the audit exemption threshold. ISCA Malaysia Chapter Chairperson Mr Ken Lai gave an opening address, followed by sharings from ISCA CEO Ms Fann Kor and ISCA Public Accounting Practice Committee members Mr Rick Chan and Mr Alan Chang.

Christmas Gatherings

Our ISCA Chapter Chairs organised Christmas gatherings for members in their respective countries, with festive parties held in Sydney, Beijing, Manila, Seoul, Jakarta, Shenzhen, Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Vietnam in November and December.

xmas
During 2023, we established Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with regional and international bodies to strengthen our collaboration and heighten our international visibility.
Tripartite MOU with Chongqing Institute of Certified Public Accountants (CQICPA) and Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)
tripartite

ISCA signed a tripartite MOU with the ICAEW and CQICPA on 20 March 2023. Under the MOU, the Institutes will enable new membership pathways and facilitate the exchange of knowledge and best practices, while exploring opportunities in research, training support and business missions.

MOU with Kampuchea Institute of CPAs and Auditors (KICPAA)
kicpaa

SCA signed an MOU with KICPAA on 10 May 2023, to advance the development of the accountancy profession in Cambodia and Singapore. Under the MOU, ISCA and KICPAA will enhance collaboration through joint initiatives such as membership pathways, training programmes, knowledge exchange, and nurturing of the accountancy talent pipeline through exchange opportunities for youths in Cambodia and Singapore.

MOU to support professional services firms in Singapore and China
sg china

On 9 October 2023, ISCA, the Administrative Committee of Jiangsu Nanjing Eco Hi-tech Island Economic Development Zone (Administrative Committee) and Sino-Singapore Nanjing Eco Hi-tech Island Development Co Ltd signed an MOU to support the business development of accountancy firms in China and Singapore through business missions and knowledge exchange.

Membership Recognition Agreement (MRA) with CPA Australia
mra

On 28 September 2023, ISCA inked a Membership Recognition Agreement (MRA) with CPA Australia, enabling eligible CA (Singapore) members to obtain the CPA Australia designation upon fulfilling professional and educational requirements, and vice versa. This is another step in increasing the global recognition of ISCA and the CA (Singapore) designation.

Kampuchea Institute of CPAs and Auditors (KICPAA) and Accounting and Auditing Regulator (ACAR)

Cambodia’s ACAR and KICPAA visited ISCA House on 19 April 2023 as part of their study visit to Singapore.

acar
Delegation from Nanjing

ISCA welcomed the Mayor of Nanjing Jianye District, Mr Jiang Chen, and the Director of Jiangsu Nanjing Eco Hi-tech Island Economic Development Zone, Mr Yao Sheng Qiang, on 17 August 2023.

nanjing
Institut Akuntan Publik Indonesia (IAPI)

IAPI and its member firms visited ISCA house on 15 August 2023.

indonesia
Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) Singapore Chapter

ICAI’s Singapore Chapter, including ICAI President CA. Aniket S. Talati and Vice President CA. Ranjeet K. Agarwal, visited ISCA House on 14 June 2023.

icai
Sescon-SP

The Brazilian company Sescon-SP delegates visited ISCA House as part of their business study mission to Singapore on 11 September 2023.

sp
Japanese Institute of Certified Public Accountants (JICPA)

ISCA hosted young members from the Japanese Institute of Certified Public Accountants (JICPA) on 1 December 2023.

jicpa
CPA Australia

ISCA hosted Professor Dale Pinto, President and Chair of the Board of CPA Australia on 15 January 2023.

aus
Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA)

ISCA welcomed PICPA on 3 October 2023, represented by Mr Randy Blanza, PICPA President, and Dr. Abner Ty, CPA, International Affairs Committee Chair.

ph
Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP)

Representatives from ICAP and High Commissioner of Pakistan to Singapore Ms. Rukhsana Afzaal visited ISCA on 19 March 2023.

pakistan
Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)

ICAEW, including ICAEW President Mr Mark Rhys, made a courtesy call on 6 November 2023.

en

As a member body of Asean Federation of Accountants (AFA), Chartered Accountants Worldwide (CAW), the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) and the Jeju Group, ISCA attended the following meetings in 2023:

  • AFA Council Meetings in Laos in April and Thailand in November
  • Jeju Group inaugural AGM held in South Korea in May
  • CAW Board & CEO Meeting and Marketing Directors Meeting held in Austria in November
  • IFAC Council Meeting held in Austria in November

 

groupings

As a testament of ISCA’s growing global prominence, several ISCA representatives were invited to speak at international events or be part of international committees.

ifac

Prof Chan Yoke Kai represented ISCA at the IFAC International Panel on Accountancy Education (IPAE) and introduced the ISCA Sustainability Professional Certifications.

afa

Mr Lee Eng Kian represented ISCA as a speaker at AFAIASB- ACCA webinar, ASEAN Outreach on Proposal to Update the IFRS for SMEs Accounting Standard.

women leadership

Ms Vivienne Chiang represented ISCA at Jeju Group Women Leadership Webinar.

standards

Mr Kang Wai Geat, ISCA Divisional Director (Professional Standards) was appointed as Vice-Chairperson of AFA Working Committee 1 – Adoption and Implementation of International Standards.

hk

Mr Tan Ee Sin, ISCA Hong Kong Chapter Chair and EY Hong Kong and Macau Climate Change and Sustainability Services Partner, represented ISCA as a panellist at the 1st IFAC Sustainability Summit – Asia Pacific.

guangzhou

Ms Lynn Chen, ISCA Guangzhou Chapter Chairperson, represented the Institute at the first World Chinese Accountants Consortium Limited Allies Dinner in Hong Kong.