INTHEBLACK March 2025 - Magazine - Page 33
Lee believes that such misconceptions
include that younger accountants must give
up their personal life for their career and
that technology will soon replace the role
of auditors and other workers.
“These misconceptions deter people from
really looking at the positive sides of this
wonderful profession, which continues
to play a pivotal role in building trust
and confidence in the capital markets.”
To combat these challenges, Lee says
EY has been encouraging flexible work
arrangements for more than a decade,
with technological advances making such
work options more viable than ever since
the pandemic.
“That continues to benefit our people,”
he says.
The firm also views technology — such
as generative AI — as an opportunity,
not a threat. “AI can help make the
profession and the work that we do more
interesting and more engaging and, therefore,
we can attract some of the younger talent
who have a misconception about the
accounting profession.”
Lee notes that EY globally has committed
to investing more than US$1 billion to
develop assurance technology tools and
platforms that will help streamline and
deliver high-quality audits that respond
to the ever-growing expectations of
governments, regulators and standards bodies.
The firm has also rolled out EY SCALE,
a management associate program designed
to develop skillsets and accelerate the career
growth of aspiring talent in four distinct
career tracks: assurance, tax, strategy and
transactions, and consulting.
“We recognise the fact that younger
people nowadays like to be exposed to
multidisciplinary practices and knowledge,”
Lee says.
Add an EY Tech MBA and an EY Masters
in Sustainability, and it is clear that EY is not
resting on its laurels in the quest to recruit
and retain talent.
SUSTAINABILITY IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Part of Lee’s role is to work with
organisations to enhance decision-making
and navigate risks and opportunities arising
from climate change and sustainability issues.
Lee says the aim is to assist clients as they
formulate a multi-year sustainability roadmap
that includes sophisticated decarbonisation
plans. EY is also entrusted with the
crucial task of supporting businesses with
sustainability reporting and assurance.
A recent EY global survey of institutional
investors found that 99 per cent of
respondents agreed that environmental,
social and governance (ESG) disclosures
are an important part of their investment
decision-making. However, many cited a lack
of sustainability assurance as a barrier.
“This is an area where EY can really make
a difference,” Lee says.
Elsewhere, he is proud of his
CPA Australia divisional councillor role,
which serves as a bridge between the
CPA Australia board, members and the
broader organisation.
“It presents me with a platform to engage
with practitioners as well as with CPA
Australia members across all walks of life.”
A highlight of the role is regularly hosting
the Dinner Talk series for CPA Australia
members at which they can discuss topics
and trends of the day and connect with their
peers socially.
“The talks are a wonderful opportunity for
members to network with one another on
a regular basis and to broaden connections.”
THREE KEYS FOR THE FUTURE
As he looks to the future, Lee believes
accounting and finance leaders and
employees should keep three things in mind.
First, they should be adaptable as they
consider new technology options. Second,
they should seek to be “anti-fragile” in a way
that goes beyond mere resilience as they
respond to serious work and life stressors.
Third, they should “earn their right” to
success and advancement.
In the latter regard, Lee notes that younger
people, especially, often have ideas about
changing the world.
“I always encourage them to keep those
ideas coming forth, but they also need to
learn about having to earn their rights.
“This mantra also guides me,” Lee adds.
“I remind myself every day that rights are
not handed to you. They are earned.” ■
UPSKILL
with CPA Australia’s
Global Collaboration
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READ
an article about
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episode about
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