INTHEBLACK February 2022 - Magazine - Page 65
Left to right: Lindy Heng CPA,
BW Group, Andrew Allemand
ASA, SV Partners and
Dhash AJ CPA, Finite Group.
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you like to fit into an organisation. Bear in mind that all
organisations are different and have varying opportunities,
and the type of work and clients to which you may be
exposed,” he says.
“I think CPAs are well equipped to adapt to any
organisation’s needs and have a unique ability to work
in any environment, big or small.”
Heng is an advocate for good mental health practices
at work and encourages others to prioritise it throughout
their working career.
“I think mental health is something that people ignore
when they are looking for a job, because they are focused
on the money and the career progression,” she says.
“I wouldn’t say the mid-tier is totally relaxed, but it’s not
as stressful as the Big Four, so that mental health aspect is
worth considering, and whether you are ready and willing
to take on the pressure.”
Heng also recommends asking yourself what kind of
culture you would prefer to work in.
“The Big Four, in my experience, is very individual as a
culture, but in mid-tier I have found that you work with
colleagues more and learn from each other,” she says.
“In Singapore, if you want more of a local touch with
Singaporean companies, then you may be suited to a midtier, but if you want the international exposure, then the
Big Four would be the right choice.”
BEST OF
BOTH
WORLDS
When Michelle Frey graduated
from university with an accounting
degree, she concedes that she
“didn’t know what [she] really
wanted to do”, and so she took
off travelling. By the time she
returned home and started job
hunting, she was older than most
graduates and lacked experience
in her field.
She started applying for jobs,
and although she hit many brick
walls, it didn’t stop her.
“I didn’t let all the rejections get
to me, I just kept going,” she says.
Eventually, Frey secured a spot
with a big-name company, and
her career progressed easily from
that point onwards, as she went
on to work for the likes of
Fonterra, Fosters, Lion Nathan,
Philip Morris and Cadbury
Schweppes.
“Once you have that big name
on your CV, it’s very easy to get
another job, because it opens a
lot of doors,” she says.
Melbourne-based Frey spent
20 years in high-profile corporate
roles, before buying a small public
practice, Hermann, five years ago.
“Public practice was never on
my radar, it’s just that it actually
turned out to be a very good
business to run,” she says.
“I love the flexibility, I can
do whatever I want, whenever
I want and, of course, you’ve still
got to be a leader, but I love the
fact that it’s mine.”
While Frey is enjoying building
the business and putting her
stamp on it, she is indebted
to the many years she spent
in corporate accounting.
“You need to experience a
company that constantly wants
to better itself, improve and to
try new things,” she says.
“It’s really about moving with
change, and one of the things
I learned from the big corporates
is that you have to change, you
have to adapt.”
If you’re determined to make it
in a large corporate, Frey says it’s
important to show initiative, as big
companies respond well to people
who are determined.
“Be persistent,” she says. “If
someone really wants something,
they will work out a way to get it.”
Most importantly of all, you need
a strong work ethic. “You have to
put in the hours, you’ve got to put
the effort in,” Frey says. “That is
what matters most.”
intheblack.com February 2022 65