INTHEBLACK May 2025 - Magazine - Page 34
MEMBER PROFILE
“I believe strongly in the accounting profession working to serve the public interest
and the crucial role it plays in building trust in our financial markets. For me, it’s a
way of giving back, contributing and sharing my experiences and knowledge.”
external IT audits, information security,
and IT risk, governance and regulatory
compliance.
A CURIOUS MIND
Growing up in Malaysia, Phan was
a fan of the sci-fi show Star Trek, plus
Big Blue Marble, a children’s TV program
that championed global diversity while
exploring the lives and cultures of kids
around the world.
She credits the shows with giving her
a wider view of the world and its possibilities,
as well as a sense of curiosity that proved
invaluable later in life. Phan says her
“questioning mind” has always been
an asset as an auditor. “I won’t take things
at face value.”
After graduating from university and
joining what would become PwC Malaysia
following the merger of Price Waterhouse
and Coopers & Lybrand, Phan first made
her mark in business advisory services.
“I had the opportunity to be involved with
a few business turnaround receivership
projects. This experience gave me insight
into how business operations are managed,
dealing across the spectrum of the business
from HR, finance, treasury, marketing,
logistics, manufacturing, costing and
inventory management, to name a few.”
Phan says this early turnaround
experience fast-tracked her auditing skills
as it allowed her to get her “hands dirty”
and understand businesses from the ground
up. “That gave me some insight as
to how business operations are managed,
rather than just auditing the organisation’s
financial statements.”
Later, she set up PwC Malaysia’s IT risk
assurance practice, utilising her Bachelor
of Economics in Accounting and Computer
Science from Monash University in
Melbourne. “I enjoyed working with
clients in managing their technology risk,
understanding their business strategy and
processes, and advising them on their IT
governance framework, including the right
level of controls in managing their risks.”
In addition to her audit portfolio, Phan
also relished the chance to grow an important
arm of PwC Malaysia’s business. “For me,
it wasn’t just about my passion and interest
in auditing, but also making the practice
work and developing a business opportunity
as well.”
GIVING BACK
Phan retired in 2022 after serving almost
20 years as a PwC Malaysia partner,
but she always intended to stay engaged
in the accounting and business sectors.
She is excited to contribute through
her IFAC board and audit committee
appointments, in which she can pass
on her IT risk-management, governance
and compliance knowledge at a time when
technology advances are occurring at a
rapid rate. Phan believes her public practice
experience in the field of IT risk assurance
and advisory “will be of great relevance
in view of digital innovation for the
accounting profession,” at a time when
greater technology use has exacerbated risks.
ONE PIECE OF ADVICE
“Have an open mind to learn, innovate and
upskill at your own pace in your area of interest.
Share and learn experiences from each other
in the profession.”
34 INTHEBLACK May 2025
