Curtin Sarawak’s accounting programmes get MIA recognition

Miri – 21 March 2011 – Accounting programmes offered at Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) are now recognised by the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA).

This is in recognition of the programmes’ quality and curriculum and the fact that they meet international standards as well as industry needs. Furthermore, the programmes are deemed to be guided by a well-defined mission, meet the overall objectives of accounting education, and possess the faculty, leadership and resources necessary to maintain quality in the foreseeable future.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting), Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting & Finance), Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting & Entrepreneurship) and Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting and Marketing) programmes at Curtin Sarawak are now eligible to sit MIA’s Qualifying Examinations and, on completion, will qualify as Chartered Accountants (Malaysia).

Through its Qualifying Examination, MIA provides an avenue for membership admission for those who do not currently possess a qualification recognised under Part I and Part II of the First Schedule to the Malaysian Accountants Act 1967.  Therefore, those who possess a qualification relating to accounting, business and finance recognised by the Public Services Department (JPA) or other qualifications approved by the MIA Council are eligible to sit for the examination.

Eleanor Shim, MIA’s Sarawak Regional Manager, will visit Curtin Sarawak next month to meet undergraduate accounting students of the university’s School of Business and brief them on MIA, the accountancy profession and the significance of MIA recognition. She will also conduct one-to-one counselling sessions with the students and lecturers from the School of Business.

This latest recognition follows recognition of all of Curtin Sarawak’s programmes by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and Public Services Department (JPA), and accreditation of its accounting programmes by CPA Australia, Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia (ICAA), Chartered Institute of Management Accountants UK (CIMA), Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, UK (ACCA) and the Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA).

Chan Kwok Mow, accounting lecturer and school focal point for accountancy accreditation and professional development, expressed satisfaction that the accounting programmes offered at Curtin Sarawak are now widely recognised by the international and local accountancy bodies.

“The employability of our accounting graduates also speak favourably of their acceptance by industry,” he added.

MIA is a statutory body established under the Accountants Act, 1967 to regulate and develop the accountancy profession in Malaysia. To date, it has over 25,000 members.

Its responsibilities include education and quality assurance as well as enforcement, which are carried out to ensure that the credibility of the profession is maintained and that public interest is continuously upheld. In addition, it monitors international and local accounting trends and developments, and consults regularly with the government and regulatory bodies.

In Malaysia, the word ‘accountant’ is protected as provided for under the provisions of the Act which states that no one can hold himself out or practise as an accountant unless he is registered as a member of MIA.

More information on MIA can be obtained on its website at www.mia.org.my. For more information on Curtin Sarawak, visit its website at www.curtin.edu.my.

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