ISCA Cares Aims to Raise S$1 Million to Help Disadvantaged Youths

• ISCA sets up charity to champion giving by the accountancy profession

Singapore, 12 November, 2015 - The national accountancy body, Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA), has established ISCA Cares, a charity dedicated to serving the community. Mooted in celebration of SG50, which marks Singapore’s fifty years of independence and growth as a nation, ISCA Cares aims to raise S$1 million in its first year of establishment to help disadvantaged youths by subsidising their tuition fees and basic living expenses.

ISCA Cares was announced by ISCA Advisor Mr Teo Ser Luck at the Singapore Accountancy Convention Networking Dinner this evening. The networking dinner was attended by more than 600 local and international delegates from the accountancy profession.

ISCA Cares aims to build a compassionate and caring accountancy community that actively contributes towards the betterment of society. To achieve this, ISCA Cares seeks to promote strong social conscience and a spirit of inclusivity in the accountancy community. 

ISCA Cares supports two charitable causes:

1. Education: To provide disadvantaged Singapore youths with academic potential access to quality accountancy education through financial and non-financial assistance.
2. Community: To harness the knowledge, skills and expertise of the accountancy community, for community development projects through collaborative programmes with partners.

ISCA Cares Education Programme

Subsidises Tuition Fees and Basic Living Expenses

Targeted to start in 2016, the ISCA Cares Education Programme is the immediate focus of ISCA Cares. The programme provides disadvantaged Singapore youths with access to a quality education in accountancy.

Disadvantaged youths face challenges in securing a quality tertiary education if their basic needs are not met. Currently, there are government financial assistance schemes available to help needy students when pursuing their studies. ISCA Cares aims to complement these existing schemes by addressing their tuition fees and basic living expenses.

 Under the programme, donors’ contributions will go towards subsidising the tuition fees and basic living expenses of beneficiaries who have been admitted to, or are pursuing accountancy diplomas and degree courses in local polytechnics and universities. Beneficiaries’ family gross monthly household income should fall below S$2,500 to meet the eligibility criteria.

Internship and Mentorship Opportunities

Beneficiaries will also benefit from internship and mentorship opportunities provided by corporate and individual donors. The internships will enable beneficiaries to build relevant work skills and experience to enhance their employability. Mentorship opportunities will be offered by ISCA members who will share their expertise and experience and serve as role models for these youths.

 To kickstart the education programme under ISCA Cares, ISCA will contribute an initial seed fund of about S$100,000.

The charity is governed by a Board of Directors from diverse professional backgrounds, which is chaired by Mrs Lim Hwee Hua, Director of Tembusu Partners Pte Ltd.

Commenting on the establishment of ISCA Cares, Mrs Lim Hwee Hua, Chairman of ISCA Cares, said, “The ISCA Cares Education Programme is bringing the local accountancy community together to help deserving individuals gain access to an accountancy education. This will go a long way in enabling them to build a career in the profession and contribute to Singapore’s growth.”

 Mr Lee Fook Chiew, Chief Executive Officer of ISCA, said, “With ISCA Cares, we are rallying the accountancy community to contribute their talents and resources towards serving the underserved in society. For the first time, there is a dedicated channel for accountants to give back collectively as a profession and contribute towards building a more inclusive society.”

 For information on how to make a donation, please visit http://isca.org.sg/isca-cares.

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 For media queries, please contact:

Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA)

Eileen Khoo, Communications Executive

HP: 9221 9820

Email: eileen.khoo@isca.org.sg

Betsy Tan, Communications Manager

HP: 9641 6920  

Email: betsy.tan@isca.org.sg

About the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants

The Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) is the national accountancy body of Singapore. ISCA’s vision is to be a globally recognised professional accountancy body, bringing value to our members, the profession and wider community.

There are over 29,000 ISCA members making their stride in businesses across industries in Singapore and around the world.

Established in 1963, ISCA is an advocate of the interests of the profession. Possessing a Global Mindset, with Asian Insights, ISCA leverages its regional expertise, knowledge, and networks with diverse stakeholders to contribute towards Singapore’s transformation into a global accountancy hub.

ISCA is the Administrator of the Singapore QP and the Designated Entity to confer the Chartered Accountant of Singapore - CA (Singapore) - designation.

ISCA is an Associate of Chartered Accountants Worldwide – supporting, developing and promoting over 325,000 Chartered Accountants in more than 180 countries around the world.

For more information, visit www.isca.org.sg.

About ISCA Cares 

ISCA Cares is a charity set up in 2015 by the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) as part of Singapore's Jubilee celebration of her 50th anniversary of independence.

ISCA Cares envisions a compassionate and caring accountancy community that actively contributes towards the betterment of society. Its mission is to encourage open-heartedness by promoting strong social conscience and a spirit of inclusivity in the accountancy community.

ISCA Cares supports two charitable causes:

Education: To provide disadvantaged Singapore youths with academic potential access to quality accountancy education through financial and non-financial assistance.

Community: To harness the knowledge, skills and expertise of the accountancy community, for community development projects through collaborative programmes with partners.

For more information, visit http://isca.org.sg/isca-cares/