Last Friday, I witnessed something extraordinary.

One of my colleagues, Jenni, delivered a live piano performance during our Xmas and New Year Celebration in Knock Knock Cafe so flawless that I mistook it for music playing from a radio station.

While chatting with others, I only realized it was her performance when the hall erupted into applause after she finished her second song.

Stunned, I walked up to the stage to congratulate her and asked a question that had been on my mind ever since her fingers left the keys.

“Why pursue a career in auditing and taxation when you can play the piano so beautifully?”

Jenni smiled and gave me an answer that struck a chord deeper than any melody.

She explained that despite having achieved Grade 8—the highest level in piano certifications.

Becoming a professional musician or teacher wasn’t as easy as it looked. It required years of additional studies, a diploma, or even a degree.

And even then, success wasn’t guaranteed.

That moment reminded me of an old Chinese saying:

台上1分钟台下10年功 (1 minute on stage takes 10 years of hard work)

Jenni’s reply resonated because it mirrors the reality of our own profession.

Whether it’s auditing, taxation, or even piano performances—success isn’t built overnight.

It’s the product of countless hours of preparation, practice, and perseverance behind the scenes.

Jenni’s story is a reminder that success in any field—be it music or accounting—is never as effortless as it appears.

Behind every polished performance or perfectly reconciled audit file is a process filled with practice, sweat, and sacrifice.

As professionals, we may not always perform under the spotlight, but the work we do backstage is what sets the stage for success.

And who knows?

Maybe, like Jenni, we’re creating our own symphony—one spreadsheet at a time.