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1. You are currently doing both a degree and the ACCA Qualification. What prompted you to do both of these concurrently? 
I wanted a challenge so decided to pursue a professional qualification together with a degree so as to ensure a strong foothold in Accounting.  The ACCA qualification is flexible and can be done anytime enabling me to pursue my ACCA studies on a part time basis and to focus on each paper I have chosen to do. My goal is to be an ACCA prize winner and hence I have decided not to rush doing the ACCA qualification. I enjoy studying each module and doing my best for the exam.  Also pursuing ACCA has motivated me to do well in my degree too. I enjoy my ACCA studies and the materials provided for learning and studying ACCA is student friendly, helpful and effective.

2. You are very active in the ACCA/ICPAS Student Society (AISS). What is your role and what activities are there for students? 
I first joined AISS in 2010 holding the position of Secretary. Presently I am the Vice President. AISS is a students’ society by students for all FIA/ACCA students.  AISS has organized corporate visits to Deloitte, BDO and RSM Chio Lim and we look forward to organising many more such corporate visits for all FIA/ACCA students to give them a better understanding and insight to a career in Accounting. Also we have arranged career talks, seminars and workshops to help students get ready for their exams as well as to prepare them for the workforce.

FIA/ACCA students play hard too and hence AISS has recreational activities such as the AISS sports groups, comprising badminton, running, bowling, snooker and will look into possibly rollerblading and football.  Going forward, AISS plans to organise barbeques, social networking events and an upcoming dinner and dance event as well.
 
3. Can you share with other students some advice on how you study for your exams?
I believe consistency, conscientiousness and perseverance are essential to any form of success. It is crucial to know why you are pursuing a particular course and once you have made up your mind its important to channel all your energy and resources towards it otherwise you would be wasting your time and effort.  Therefore, adequate preparation is necessary such as reading up on material or chapters ahead of class and doing your homework before attending classes. This will help you understand a particular subject better and you won’t be lost in class when your lecturer is teaching a topic for the first time. It helps you to gain confidence and will keep you going throughout the course.  It would be good to source for other books and reference titles to better understand the content which is being brought forward to you. There is no substitute for hard work and rest assured it will pay off in due course.

4. How do you spend your free time? 
I like to help people and it is my nature to do so as well. I have been a tax e-filing volunteer for the last three years and this is my fourth year reaching out to the community once again. I am proud to have won two Outstanding Volunteer awards in 2009 and 2011 and a Commendation award in 2010. Running is also one of my passions and a great way to beat stress and have some time for one’s self. To showcase my passion, I helped to organise a first ever AISS run on 8 August 2010 held at Bedok Reservoir which was a success and thanks to my AISS 2010/2011 team.

5. What are you looking to do now that you have finished your studies? 
I am still pursuing my studies and hope to complete both my degree and the ACCA qualification within a period of two years.

6. Who do you admire and how has he/she inspired you? 
My late grandfather who always inspired me to do my best in everything I choose to pursue and also think positively and that what the mind perceives it can achieve.  Once you set your mind and heart to do something you must go all out to accomplish your goals and dreams. Reach for the stars and ultimately the person who wins is the person who thinks he can. Challenges and obstacles are a part of life and help to polish our competencies and make us stronger and push us further and higher. Anything is possible as long as you set your heart and mind to achieving it.
 
7. What motto do you live by?
Tough times don’t last: Tough people do.

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