Sometimes life doesn’t give you many options. For me, growing up in a poor family meant I didn’t have the luxury of choosing my career path.

It was the 90s, and if you did not scored well academically but missed out on entering a local university, your options were either law or accountancy in local “learning centre.”

Why?

Because those were the fields that allowed you to work full-time and study part-time.

So, my journey with ACCA began, not because I had a grand passion for numbers, but simply because there was no other choice (tiada pilihan) (别无选择)

I was fortunate, though, the real stroke of luck came when I met my mentor, who was also my ex-boss Tony Seah at the time.

He sponsored my ACCA studies and exam fees. That sponsorship made all the difference in my life, allowing me to pursue my professional qualifications without financial burden.

This month, ACCA is celebrating its 88th anniversary, and I am proud to say I’ve witnessed this remarkable journey.

The institution has grown, just as I have, from those challenging days as a student balancing work and studies.

Looking back, I often reflect on how different things could have been.

But in the end, I didn’t just choose ACCA.

ACCA chose me, and for that, I am grateful.

From those humble beginnings, ACCA became the bridge that connected me to a fulfilling career.

I might have started with no choice, but today, I wouldn’t choose differently.

Thank you ACCA.