This Wednesday, I took on a new role at work: leading the ‘Quiz of the Day.’ The topic? Tax deductibility on company trips for employees.

This was a bit out of the ordinary for me, as I’m usually the one doing the talking. But, Kam Shi Zhen (Bryan) and Yong Chun Gan handle the sharing to colleagues this time around.

It turned out to be a fantastic experience and a great way to unite our team although Bryan and Ycgan are nervous.

You might be curious why an accountant would take on such a task. The reason is simple: public speaking skills are vital in our field.

As accountants, we often need to demystify financial concepts for others, whether in meetings, with clients, or when collaborating with colleagues who aren’t as familiar with accounting.

This quiz did more than just entertain us. It challenged our team to delve into technical topics, find answers without resorting to quick internet searches, and then communicate these answers clearly and confidently.

It was a practical exercise in understanding and explaining, rather than just copying and pasting from a computer or phone.

For accountants, it’s crucial to be adept at more than just crunching numbers. We need to be hashtag#storytellers who can bring those numbers to life.

I’m eager to continue developing these skills and to participate in more activities like this in the future!