Two guests at the course launch won an Ipod Touch each. With them are (from left) Prof Mahendhiran Nair, Prof Ferdinand A Gul and Ernst & Young Partner Mr Ong Chee Wai.
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The School of Business launched its foremost course, the Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) at Monash University Sunway Campus recently.
The degree, which allows a student to immediately specialise from the first year, is aimed at outstanding students who are set on a career in Accounting. The inter-disciplinary focus will also suit students who are thinking of a career in banking, insurance and other financial institutions.
School of Business’ Discipline Head of Accounting and Finance Professor Ferdinand A. Gul said that a graduate with this degree would have endless opportunities in the field of accounting and finance as they would have both a solid comprehension of accounting theories and applications in the wider field of commerce and business.
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The teaching starts with a one to two hour lecture, followed by tutorials or seminars which raise questions to challenge the students to look at issues in an inter-disciplinary way and beyond that,” he explained when asked by a parent whether the course would develop the thinking and reasoning skills of students.
“This is where the quality of lecturers is important,” he said.
Head of School Professor Mahendhiran Nair said Monash University decided to introduce the course at the Sunway campus as many Malaysian and regional students who met the higher Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) entry requirements studied the course in Monash University’s Clayton campus.
“We decided to offer this course so that students in the region could obtain a high quality education in the accounting field for a reasonable cost,” he said.
Guest speaker, Ernst & Young Partner, Mr Ong Chee Wai, who delivered a talk on “A Career in Professional Accountancy” said accounting graduates who joined firms typically went into one of four fields – assurance, tax, advisory or transactions.
The nature of the job in these fields, he said, were different and may require different skill sets, however, an accounting degree would definitely put an individual in good stead to enter any of these fields.
“Accounting today is no longer just about numbers. In today's business world, accountants need to be business advisers too. Often accountants are the ones whom business leaders turn to for help to solve business challenges and issues,” he said.
Accounting graduates, he added, were in great and constant demand locally and regionally.
“Every year, you will find there is keen competition amongst employers to hire and retain accounting graduates. It is also important to note that employers will always seek top quality candidates who can demonstrate academic excellence as well as outstanding critical thinking and communication skills," Mr Ong said.
Prof Gul concluded that graduates of this course would be in demand in countries like Hong Kong, where there is a severe shortage of accounting professionals with state-of-the-art skills, as well as in Singapore and China.
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