A Degree in Accounting & Finance from the Right University will Land you a High Paying Job
Do you know that, being finance and accountants will give you an opportunity at the competitive edge in employment? Accounting and finance has always been considered as the language and basic tool of working environment, that’s the reason accounting and finance may be the best route to a successful career. It has always concerned itself with determining how a working environment runs. But over the last two decades, the field of accounting and finance has been changing dramatically in response to such explosive trends as the Ai revolution, increased government regulations, frequent tax law changes, the globalization of business, and the on-going downsizing and restructuring of corporations.
In this increasingly complex and competitive working environment, accounting and finance skills are very much in demand and both of that has become a dynamic career. Thus, finance and accountants have shed their strong image to assume the more prestigious role of financial experts, system professionals, management consultants, budget analyst and others. The demand for accountants and finance appears to be growing and outstripping supply. Today’s working climate job opportunities is better than ever for finance and accounting.
The beauty of a career in accounting is that jobs abound as every company or industry in Malaysia needs qualified staff proficient in accounting. Graduates can work in industries like property, FMCG, retail, fashion, construction, trading, hotel, travel, restaurants, Food & Beverage, SMEs, entertainment, automotive, education, and more.
Presently, Malaysia has about 33,000 accountancy professionals in Malaysia, of which 28 per cent are registered chartered accountants. Malaysia needs 60,000 accountants by 2030. Accounting and finance is the one of the most diverse jobs because this job can offer you vacancies in many areas. For an example once you are qualified as an accountant, you can involve yourself and looking for jobs to be professionals and take up high level jobs around the world. Finance and accounting jobs is provides many opportunity as it does not only limit to one specific area or sectors but it is indeed needed everywhere, private sectors, public sectors and even government bodies needs people qualified with finance backgrounds.
While an accounting and finance degree from a top university gives the assurance of employment, in reality, enhanced professional qualification coupled with on-the job practical training equip young graduates with specialised skill sets that will increase employability significantly. Moreover, with international financial hubs like Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Dubai, London and New York attracting global talent, it means that accounting and finance provides global career opportunities like few other professions can. A degree that combines the best of both Accounting & Finance will open a wide variety of career opportunities for you.
You might also be interested in:
- Best Universities in Malaysia for Top Accounting & Finance Courses
- Best Accounting Degree Courses with ACCA Accelerated Programme at Top Universities in Malaysia
- Best Accounting Degree Courses with Exemptions from Top Professional Bodies in Malaysia
- Best Accounting Degree Courses Offered by Top Ranked Private Universities & Colleges in Malaysia
- Top Accountancy Universities in Malaysia
- Best Recommended Education Pathway to Become a Chartered Accountant in Malaysia
- Studying ACCA Professional Papers vs Accounting Degree in Malaysia
A Top Private University will Equip you with the Essential Skills for a Successful Career in Accounting & Finance
Kar Jun (Left), Accounting graduate from Asia Pacific University (APU)
A top private university in Malaysia will have higher standards of education and teaching to ensure students achieve acceptable levels of academic and technical skills in accounting and finance. Firms also want to hire accountants with nontechnical skills like communication, time management and attention to detail.
However, many students overlook the importance of soft skills and the English language that a university environment can impart to them during the 4 years of study.
It is important to remember that with any job, soft skills can help assist you in the workplace as well as more specialised, technical skills required to carry out specific job duties. The soft skills are basic, professional skill sets worth developing as you work through more specific accounting-based curriculum, and they may be helpful in improving workplace communication and helping to effectively lead a team of other employees.
As accounting practices focus more on advisory services and your clients experience increasingly complex and unique problems, all accountants must be equipped to navigate unexpected challenges. When something goes wrong, which staff members are the ones who complain and who are the ones that take action? The accountants who can think and act on their feet will be of most benefit to your clients, and will become indispensable to your firm.
Critical thinking, problem solving, team work, time management and written & oral communication skills are vital to your future success in your career in Financial Services. Top private universities have embedded into their modules and activities to ensure students acquire these skills before they graduate. In addition, with the advance of technology, many businesses have adopted computing software that makes job flow more efficient. Graduates who are able to combine technology into their daily work will be much sought after.
Which are the Best Private Universities in Malaysia to Study Accounting & Finance?
Chew Ling, Accounting & Finance at Taylor’s University
In order to succeed in the competitive field of accounting, students must choose the best universities in Malaysia to study. The best university doesn’t necessarily mean the most expensive. Students should choose the right university that fits them which has a good reputation for business programs, excellent facilities, top lecturers and an English-speaking student environment.
Top Accounting & Finance Private Universities in Malaysia for your tertiary education that you should consider are:
- University of Reading Malaysia (UoRM)
- University of Southampton Malaysia (UoSM)
- Heriot-Watt University Malaysia
- University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus
- Monash University
- Taylor’s University
- Asia Pacific University (APU)
- Sunway University
- University of Wollongong (UOW) Malaysia
- HELP University
What can you do with a degree in accounting and finance?
Gary, Accounting Graduate from University of Wollongong Malaysia (UOWM) KDU
Graduating with a degree in accounting and finance means you will have a multitude of diverse career options to pursue. Some typical careers that accounting can lead to include:
Chartered accountant
As a chartered accountant, you can work in almost any industry, meaning you could combine your career path with something of interest to you. You will give advice, audit accounts and offer accounting and financial support. You will typically focus on just one business and manage all of their financial needs. Being a chartered accountant means you will have lots of opportunities for career progression and have a high earning potential.
Forensic accountant
One of the most in-demand career options for accounting and finance graduates, forensic accountants focus solely on fraud, scams, embezzlement and identity theft. With most financial services now online, the threat of any of these happening has greatly increased. As a forensic accountant, you will produce audits of records to determine liability, fraud and valuation. You’ll need an investigative mindset and outstanding attention to detail to be successful, but you will have good career opportunities with the potential to earn high salaries that are typically enhanced with additional company perks.
Stockbroker
As a stockbroker, you will manage clients’ investments through buying and selling stocks, shares and other financial products with the aim of returning a profit. You will be acting as an intermediary between your clients and the stock exchange, charging a fee or working on commission. There are three types of services that stockbrokers offer:
- Advisory – you will advise on investments but will only act on the orders of the client
- Discretionary – you will manage all of your clients’ investments and make decisions on their behalf
- Execution only – engaging in investment activities only on request from clients
- Being a stockbroker offers a clear pathway from graduation, with the potential for increasingly higher salaries and bonuses for reaching specific targets.
Other careers with an accounting and finance degree:
- Financial analyst
- External auditor
- Personal financial advisor
- Investment banker
- Retail banker
A Growing Demand for Well Trained Accounting & Finance Professionals
Hui Ying, Diploma in Accounting Graduate from Asia Pacific University (APU)
Worldwide, the financial services sector records the highest earnings and drives a country’s economic growth. The Financial sector stands as one of the largest sectors in Malaysia with more than 300,000 people employed. This sector is made up by professionals in the Accounting, Banking, Economics, Finance, Insurance and Statistics and Taxation sub-sectors. An important industry for the country, it contributes up to 11 percent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The role of the financial sector is envisioned to continue growing to be a key driver and catalyst of Malaysia’s economic progression. This sector is projected to be more competitive, dynamic, inclusive, diversified, and integrated, with the ability to offer world class financial services, in terms of breadth, depth and quality to serve the needs of Malaysia.
In today’s ever-changing world, finance graduates are highly sought-after in a cross-section of industries which each offer a variety of job opportunities. Therefore, having a finance qualification can lead to a rewarding career. A fast-track career in finance depends on a good understanding of market movements and the diverse investment market.
As Malaysia’s economy progressively opens up and stabilises from the pandemic, roles within the Banking & Financial sector are rapidly evolving to keep pace with market and growth needs. Accordingly, demand for talent with cross-functional skill sets across finance and tech will rise rapidly as hiring activities increase. The ideal candidate would have experience in the audit, risk, or investment space as well as skills in data analytics and automation.
At the same time, there is also a growing awareness, especially among younger Malaysians, of tech-enabled financial tools such as digital wealth management platforms. As these tools and platforms become more prevalent, banks and financial institutions are progressively moving away from selling structured
products.
The key in succeeding in the banking & finance industry is choosing the right specialisation, and ensuring you find a career path that best match your abilities and interests. Therefore, having a finance qualification can lead to a rewarding career. A fast-track career in finance depends on a good understanding of market movements and the diverse investment market.
Skilled finance, banking & investment professionals are projected to remain in high demand in Malaysia’s accountancy & finance job market as employers grow their businesses and add more value for clients. Strong demand exists for qualified graduates in finance, banking & investment possessing critical thinking skills, innovative, interpersonal communication skills and a strong command of the English language