JOINT NEWS RELEASE - Accountants set record in book donation for needy kids

SINGAPORE, 7 November 2013 – Some 3,000 accountants and finance professionals have joined hands to secure a place in the Singapore Book of Records for the most number of people donating books at one location for underprivileged children.

To celebrate International Accountants Day this year, members of the profession donated thousands of books as a way to invest in the future of children through education and benefit those from less fortunate backgrounds.

The Book Donation Drive is one of the main activities in the International Accountants Day 2013 celebrations, which is believed to be the largest gathering of accounting and finance professionals in Singapore.

Guest of Honour Mrs Josephine Teo, Senior Minister of State for Finance and Transport, led the profession to donate books for charity and help raise awareness of the work of various charities.

International Accountants Day, now into its second year in Singapore, is co-organised by CPA Australia, Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants and Singapore Accountancy Commission.

“International Accountants Day aims to let members of the accounting profession celebrate the significant contributions they make to business and offer a platform to give back to the community. We are very grateful for the support of the entire profession – from regulator, accounting firms, professional bodies, corporates to education institutions – who have put aside all traditional rivalries to come together for this event for the profession,” said Melvin Yong, Singapore General Manager, CPA Australia.

“As the national accountancy body, ISCA is pleased to collaborate with CPA Australia and SAC in organising this fun and purposeful event that celebrates the ties that bind the accounting community and the spirit of giving. We hope that, through the combined efforts of different segments of the accounting community; this event would help spread some festive cheer and uplift the spirits of all our beneficiaries,” said Lee Fook Chiew, Chief Executive Officer, Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants.

“SAC is happy that this International Accountants Day is turning to be a signature event for the Accountancy Sector. It will add vibrancy to the sector and increase the profile of our accountants who are putting in much effort to give back to our society. It is heartening to see the entire profession rallying together for one common cause,” said Uantchern Loh, Chief Executive, Singapore Accountancy Commission.

Also supporting the event were other prominent personalities such as Michael Lim, Chairman, Singapore Accountancy Commission, and Kenneth Yap, Chief Executive, ACRA, as well as top executives from the Big 4 and mid-tier accounting firms and the local universities.

International Accountants Day, also known as Accountant’s Day or International Accounting Day, has been celebrated in other parts of the world on 10 November each year.

Its history dates back to this day in 1494 when Luca Pacioli, widely considered the father of modern accounting, published his seminal book Summa, where he described in great detail the Venetian method of accounting or what is today known as double-entry accounting.

This year’s International Accountants Day event in Singapore, themed “Count on Me”, featured live musical bands by accountants, mass entertainment and a host of fund raising activities for charities in a carnival-like atmosphere.

Various accounting firms also engaged in friendly competition through games such as tug-of-war and frisbee throwing.

More than 14 charities participated to create awareness of their work, sign up volunteers, or sell various products to raise funds.

####

Media Contacts

Sheryl Koh

Assistant Marketing Communications Manager

CPA Australia

DID: +65 6671 6529

Mobile: +65 98217891

Email: sheryl.koh@cpaaustralia.com.au

Jennifer Toh

Deputy Director, Corporate Communications

Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants

DID: +65 6597 5502

Mobile: +65 9877 6027

Email: jennifer.toh@isca.org.sg

Masie Ng-Dimopoulos

Director, Community Building

Singapore Accountancy Commission

DID: +65 6325 0516

Mobile: +65 9832 2596

Email: masie_ng@sac.gov.sg

About CPA Australia

CPA Australia is one of the world’s largest accounting bodies with more than 144,000 members working in 127 countries. Our vision is to be the world’s best member service organisation.

CPA Australia advances its members’ interests through a focus on education and knowledge exchange, the development of professional networks, advocacy in relation to policy, standards and regulation and the promotion of the value of CPA Australia members to employers, government, regulators and the public. The CPA Australia designation denotes strategic business leadership and is recognised and valued throughout the world.

www.cpaaustralia.com.au

About Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants

Formerly the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Singapore, 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.

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 Qualification Programme (Singapore QP) and the Designated Entity to confer the Chartered Accountant of Singapore - CA (Singapore) - designation. There are currently over 27,000 ISCA members making their stride in businesses across industries in Singapore and around the world.

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

About Singapore Accountancy Commission

The SAC serves to develop and nurture the accountancy sector in transforming Singapore into a leading global accountancy hub for the Asia Pacific region.

As an advocate, SAC collaborates with local and international communities to promote accountancy talent development, professional qualifications, research and thought leadership.