The Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) has introduced the Singapore Chartered Accountant Qualification (SCAQ) Career Mobility Programme (CMP) to create cross-border work opportunities for accountancy profession.
This includes exchanges and secondments, to foster cross-cultural learning and overseas work experience.
The CMP will commence with a pilot in Vietnam, with plans to extend to additional countries by the second quarter of 2025.
The initiative seeks to guide accountancy undergraduates to achieve the Chartered Accountant of Singapore designation, through educational pathways and supported work experience opportunities.
It is aimed at bolstering the profession and supporting regional business expansion.
ISCA’s collaboration with accredited training organisations (ATOs) and their international network will provide training, development, and recruitment support.
The latest initiative is anticipated to benefit accounting firms and Singapore businesses by incentivising students to pursue accountancy studies and qualifications such as the SCAQ.
This, in turn, will expand the professional accountancy talent pool available to support the global growth of Singapore businesses.
ISCA president Teo Ser Luck said: “The launch of the CMP is a significant step towards enhancing ISCA’s impact on the accountancy profession both in Singapore and beyond. Our intention for this programme is to primarily benefit both Singapore businesses who are looking to expand overseas, as well as to support our SCAQ candidates with avenues for overseas exposure and experience.
“Through this, we are not only helping to nurture well-rounded accounting professionals but also addressing the growing demand for skilled accountants in Singapore and the region.”
KPMG Vietnam and KPMG in Singapore are claimed to be the first ATOs to partner with ISCA’s CMP, offering eligible candidates from both offices overseas professional stints.
Launched at a memorandum-of-understanding signing ceremony in Ho Chi Minh City, the CMP aims to address manpower shortages and enhance the profession’s appeal in the region.
Agreements with Vietnamese universities is expected to establish pathways for the SCAQ programme.
ISCA has also inaugurated its Professional Services Centre in Ho Chi Minh City, the second such centre established by the institute.
The CMP and other initiatives by ISCA are designed to bridge the gap between graduates’ skills and employer expectations through education and practical training.
In February 2025, ISCA and SGX RegCo launched a joint initiative to offer training workshops that enhance sustainability reporting for Singapore-listed companies.
