MICPA x CAANZ Accounting Quiz Champions

In the 26th year of the MICPA x CA ANZ Accountancy Week, held at Universiti Putra Malaysia, our students (Liew Jun Yuen, Farah Shahizan, and Ain Sofea) formed a team and emerged as Champions for the Accounting Quiz category (Degree level).

The competition was highly competitive: In Round 1, over 32 teams from 15 universities (UM, UPM, Victoria etc) participated. The preliminary round tested a wide range of knowledge across financial accounting, auditing, and tax, alongside general knowledge questions. Our team performed strongly and progressed to the finals as one of the top four universities. In Round 2, the final round, the level of intensity increased significantly. The remaining four teams competed not only on accuracy but also on speed, as participants had to be the first to respond via the buzzer. The final was closely contested, with Monash tied in score with another team, requiring a tiebreaker round. Despite the pressure, our students demonstrated remarkable composure and ultimately secured the Championship.

The event concluded with a closing address by Datuk Umar Swift, The Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA) Council Member and CA ANZ Regional Councillor. A Monash alumnus, he shared inspiring insights on how today’s accountants are creating value in an increasingly dynamic business environment.

The students have shared thoughtful reflections on their experience, highlighting both the competitiveness of the event and the value of being well-rounded beyond technical accounting knowledge. They also expressed sincere appreciation for MUM learning environment (our active learning works!) and the support from the School of Business/Department of Accounting, which contributed to their confidence and performance.

“Although the level of competition was high, I am really grateful to be able to participate in the quiz which brought together students from different universities. It was interesting getting to know the university experience of students from different schools. Most importantly, I had a lot of fun making precious memories with my coursemates, especially in my final semester. A sincere thanks to MICPA-CAANZ and UPM Accounting Club for hosting the event. “ -- Liew Jun Yuen

“The general knowledge questions were quite unexpected, and they made me realise that I still have a lot to learn outside my field. Overall, the experience showed me the importance of being well-rounded, not just in accounting but in understanding different areas as well. Entering a competition alongside students from other universities was a daunting yet rewarding experience, especially during both the preliminary and final rounds. Despite my initial nervousness, I was fortunate to have a supportive team, and I am proud to call them my friends. Our group leader, Jun Yuen, consistently reassured us and reminded us to enjoy the process, while Ain kept everyone’s spirits up.” – Farah Shahizan

“This competition was a meaningful and eye-opening experience for me. The quiz tested both my accounting knowledge and general awareness, reinforcing what I have learned throughout my studies. Advancing as one of only four universities into the final round felt especially rewarding. It became increasingly exciting when we tied with another team in the final round, and even more intense when we tied a second time. As someone experiencing this for the very first time, this round taught me the importance of trusting myself and having confidence in my knowledge, especially in fast-paced situations like this. The win would not have been possible without our leader, Jun Yuen, who guided us throughout and continuously reassured us to enjoy the experience rather than focus on the outcome, as well as Farah, whose calm, cheerful, and supportive presence helped us stay grounded throughout the competition. I couldn’t have asked for better teammates.” –Ain Sofea

“We couldn't have achieved this milestone if it was not for the lecturers & tutors from Monash University. When we were answering the quiz, we were reminded of the knowledge that was taught to us in tutorials, taking us to the final round. Beyond that, the active learning environment in Monash gave us the confidence to perform well and express ourselves during the Finals. Again, a sincere thanks to the academic staff in the Accounting Department which nurtured us into the students we are today. We are confident that the knowledge bestowed upon us will serve us well as we prepare to step into the workforce.”—The team collectively