Curtin Malaysia accounting and finance student among the world’s best in ACCA exam paper

Miri – 3 August 2021 – 19-year-old Albert Hii Hieng Jun, a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting and Finance and an ACCA Accelerate student of Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia), has done his university proud by ranking second in Malaysia and third in the world among students sitting the first of four papers in the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants’ (ACCA) recent Strategic Business Reporting (SBR) examination.

The SBR examination requires students to demonstrate their ability to makestrategic business reporting decisions. Building on their existing knowledge and skills, in SBR they need to link accounting issues to relevant concepts in practical situations, as well as demonstrate judgement and consider the perspective of different stakeholders such as investors in their answers. In addition to demonstrating a sound understanding of the specific technical knowledge relating to group financial statements, they are required to exercise professional and ethical judgement.

Hii, who is in the second year of his three-year course, said it was a rather tough journey as COVID-19 restrictions posed some difficulties in his preparation for the examination. Nevertheless, he was determined to succeed in the thought that the knowledge and experience gained would be immeasurable. The curriculum of his accounting and finance majors were also aligned with the examination’s emphasis such that he was well prepared for certain scenarios and questions posed in the paper.

According to Hii, the three-year Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting and Finance double major is very well structured and provides a sound foundation in accounting, auditing, taxation and relevant areas of business law and financial management, so that students are able to apply to knowledge across a range of accounting contexts.

“Studying the double major gives you a broad understanding of the structure and operations of financial markets, and you learn about accounting principles, investment evaluation, and how to fund activities,” Hii said.

“Such knowledge adequately prepares students for the SBR papers, and the additional skills like critical thinking and effective communication you gain in the course are very useful when taking the exam.”

He added that Curtin’s accounting degree is not only world-recognised, ranking in the top 200 in the world in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021, but also accredited by ACCA, allowing him to receive nine exemptions out of a total of 13 ACCA exams.

“This is a fast-track option that will enable me to become an ACCA affiliate with just four more papers to complete,” he said.

Dr. Jong Ling, Acting Head and Programme Coordinator of the Department of Accounting at Curtin Malaysia’s Faculty of Business, congratulated Albert on his achievement, saying, “We are very proud to see Albert perform so brilliantly in his first paper. He has put in a lot of time and effort to pass with flying colours and moreover, ranking so highly in Malaysia and the world. I am sure he will continue to do well in the other papers, as well as accomplish remarkable success in future. Success will not lower its standard to us. We must raise our standard to success.”

Meanwhile, Dean of the Faculty of Business, Professor Andreas Zins, said, “It was great to hear from ACCA Maritime South East Asia Manager for Business Development, Peter Gabriel, that Albert had scored exceptionally well in his first paper, and had not only passed but also achieved the second highest scores in Malaysia and third highest in the world. That is testimony to the quality and strengths of our Bachelor of Commerce courses and the calibre of our students.”

In his message of congratulations to Professor Zins and the Faculty of Business on Hii’s achievement, Gabriel said, “We hope that this will encourage future students of Curtin Malaysia to take up professional qualifications. Albert is a living testimonial that this is doable even while they still in their degree study.”

Curtin’s Bachelor of Commerce is unique in that students have a choice of undertaking a single major in accounting or finance, or double majors in a wide range of business disciplines including banking, entrepreneurship, management, human resource management, marketing and public relations. With the double majors, they will not only complete two majors in the same duration as a single major, but will also broaden their areas of expertise and career opportunities.

Albert Hii Hieng Jun, ranked second in Malaysia and third in the world.