Thirty-seven of Malaysia’s brightest young professionals were honoured this month for their exceptional performance in the globally benchmarked ACA qualification, marking another milestone in the country’s rise as a producer of world-class accounting talent.
Held annually by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), the Celebrating Excellence 2025 event recognised the top Malaysian scorers in the ACA (Associate Chartered Accountant) examinations — but more than academic success, it celebrated their global readiness.
“The ACA qualification doesn’t just prepare students for exams,” said ShenolaGonzales, Head of ICAEW Malaysia. “It equips them to thrive in a fast-changing, globalised world.”
Shenola Gonzales, Head of ICAEW Malaysia making opening remarks at Celebrating Excellence 2025.
ACA: A launchpad to global Leadership
The ACA has long been regarded as one of the world’s most rigorous accounting qualifications — combining academic mastery with professional training. For Malaysian achievers, it has become a launchpad to international careers across industries such as tech, consulting, ESG, and corporate strategy.
Many prize-winners are already working with global firms — PwC, Deloitte, EY, KPMG, Sunway Berhad — in cross-border roles that demand both analytical precision and ethical leadership.
“At ICAEW, we empower talent not just to succeed, but to grow wherever opportunity takes them,” Gonzales added.
Celebrating talent, investing in Malaysia’s future
Awards were presented across all levels of the ACA programme. Students who earned the highest global scores at the Advanced and Professional Levels were recognised with 24k gold-plated medals, cash prizes, and certificates — thanks to ICAEW’s Patrons, who include respected industry leaders and senior ICAEW members.
Advanced Level highlights:
Hanafiah Hussain Prize (Case Study): Leong Kher Huey, Tan Yi Xuan, See Yin Yin
Azlan Zainol Prize (Corporate Reporting): Lau Wye Ling, Low Kian Huat, Siti Sarah Binti Ahmad Lutpi
Ali Abdul Kadir Prize (Strategic Business Management): Sammi Wong Jing Lam, Queenie Chan Xin Yi
Professional level highlights included:
Fariszudin Bin Noorakhirludin Alam and Joyce Lee Ying Ying — multiple award recipients across Financial Management, Audit & Assurance, and Tax Compliance
Siti Sarah Binti Ahmad Lutpi — dual winner for both Corporate Reporting and Taxation
This year’s cohort included full-time students and trainees working at ICAEW’s Authorised Training Employers (ATEs), gaining hands-on experience while pursuing their exams.
(From left) Mok Chew Yin – representing Gan Ah Tee, Putri Qistina Natasya Binti Nooryusazli and Adelaide Ting Yii Xuen.
A network of mentorship and ethics
One of the distinctive features of ICAEW is its strong ecosystem — linking training employers, academic partners, and a global alumni network. The Malaysian Chapter of the ICAEW Members’ Society plays a key role in mentoring young accountants and promoting lifelong learning.
“The collaboration between ICAEW and our ATEs ensures our students gain much more than technical expertise,” Gonzales said. “They’re trained to lead — with resilience, adaptability and ethics.”
Beyond numbers: building values-driven leaders
The ceremony ended on a reflective note, with Gonzales quoting poet Maya Angelou: “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
This, she said, encapsulates ICAEW’s vision: not just to create high performers, but professionals grounded in values — ready to navigate uncertainty and lead through change.
Patrons of the ICAEW trust (From Left), Narendra Jasani, Abdul Wahid Omar, Mohd. Faiz Asmi, Ali Abdul Kadir, Bingley Sim, Adziny Azlan (daughter of the late Azlan Zainol), Mok Chew Yin (representing Gan Ah Tee), Hanafiah Hussain
