Talk on accountancy by Datuk Oh Chong Peng

Date: 31 October 2013

Datuk Oh Chong Peng was the distinguished speaker on accountancy as a career at the UTAR Career Talk Series organised by UTAR's Department of Consultancy and Commercialisation and held at the Sg Long campus on 31 October 2013. Datuk Oh is also a UTAR Council member. The Career Talk Series aim to inspire students through the views and valuable sharing of information by accomplished entrepreneurs and professionals.

Datuk Oh is a veteran in the accounting field with credentials that include being a current fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, a member of Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA) and the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA) and the recipient of the MICPA Anugerah Presiden 2013.

In addressing the students, Datuk Oh emphasised on the values of diligence and humility acquired from his humble beginning in the early days, Datuk Oh said, "I started as an office boy, but it was good training. I did not regret a single minute of it". He elaborated to the students that it is good to get experience first and it is alright to start from the bottom as there is much more to learn this way.

In addition to addressing various questions from the enthusiastic students during the Q & A session, Datuk Oh also advised the students that it is alright to be a Jack of all trades but they need to be a master of one. It is good for students to start thinking of specialisation in a particular area.  

Also present at the Talk were UTAR Vice President (R &D and Commercialisation) Prof Ir Dr Lee Sze Wei and the Faculty of Accountancy and Management Deputy Dean (Academic Development and Undergraduate Programmes) Ng Kean Kok.

Datuk Oh enlightened the students on the challenges they might face and how to cope with them.  "Accounting is not just about the technical knowledge. It is your soft skills that will help you to survive," said Datuk Oh who then stressed on the importance of social skills and time management to build a successful career.