Alumni Stories & Achievements

SOA Alumni have taken many varied paths

They have continued to pursue their interests with the same fervour and zeal characteristic of an SMU graduate. It is important that this is promoted and celebrated. We hope to share their moments of inspiration and what keeps them seeking a better self. Check out our newsletters for more feature stories on our alumni.

It Changed My Life: Singaporean made honorary MBE fights hate crimes and extremists

We are delighted share the many international recognitions given to Shereen Firdaus Aziz-Williams (Bachelor of Accountancy, Class of 2005). She was in July 2017 made an Honorary Member of the Order of British Empire (MBE), and in 2018 named an Influential Leader by AACSB International, and in the same year appointed as the Chief Executive to the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales, UK. Shereen is a torchbearer for social issues ranging from violence against women to cultural integration problems to terrorism. Her work has earned her a host of community awards and a lot of respect from policymakers and community members in Wales.

Driving Environmental Impact

As part of Climate Week NYC 2022, Genevieve Soh (Bachelor of Accountancy and Business Management, Class of 2013), Head of Platforms & Ecosystems at Climate Impact X (CIX), sat down with Nasdaq to share about why she got involved in the carbon markets, how technology has influenced her role at CIX, and her advice for those who are keen to make a fight against climate change a career.

Image source: LinkedIn

Finding Our Place In An AI World

Benjamin Lee (Bachelor of Accountancy, Class of 2016), spoke on the topic of “Balancing the Scales: Finding our place in an AI world” at the TEDx Singapore Management University 2022: UN:Charted held in May. As an Accountancy graduate, Benjamin discussed how he progressed into his current space of a blend of both Accounting and Analytics as well as what that entails for a world surrounded by intelligent systems.

Exploring a Successful Career in Internal Audit

Having embarked on a career in internal auditing upon graduation, Olivia Loke (Bachelor of Accountancy, Class of 2014) is part of the Global Internal Audit team at Colliers. Outside of her job, she found time to serve as the Chairperson of Young Professionals Working Group at the Institute of Internal Auditors Singapore (IIAS), to advocate for the interests ofthe internal audit community in Singapore. In a blog feature, Olivia shares her journey and insights on what one can expect with a career in internal audit.

Life As A Chief Strategy Officer

Celebrating her new role as Chief Strategy Officer at Tidal Migrations, Krystle Khoo (Bachelor of Accountancy and Business Management, Class of 2011), told of her experience when joining the firm in 2020, with a 4 months old in tow, pandemic lockdowns, and moving three times across the US. Krystle shared about carving her own path in Tidal amidst the challenges.

Image source: LinkedIn

Chartered Star 2022

Tan Cihui (Bachelor of Accountancy, Class of 2012) who was selected as the Chartered Star 2022 for ISCA, represented  Singapore at the 2022 One Young World (OYW) Summit for Chartered Accountants Worldwide held in UK. She joined delegates from around the world to debate on key issues the world faces, share ideas and experiences, and work together to formulate and share innovative solutions. Watch her interview video at OYW 2022.

Image source: LinkedIn

Making A Difference to Those in Need

Decked in casual shorts and t-shirts, Sheriel Chia (Bachelor of Accountancy, Class of 2016) often spends her weekends carting groceries around Bukit Merah in a food distribution drive that she had initiated in her neighbourhood.

Image source: LinkedIn

When One Career Peak Is Not Enough

Darren Ong (Bachelor of Accountancy and Business Management, Class of 2015) is constantly on the look out for his next challenge. Darren left a promising career in investment banking to join the tech start-up Gojek in Indonesia. In an interview for SMU Blog, Darren shared his experience acclimatizing to the new environment, playing a leading role in Gojek’s US$18bn merger with Tokopedia, the largest-ever in Southeast Asia, in May 2021, and being involved in preparations behind the highly anticipated IPO by GoTo Group which was launched successfully in April 2022.

​​​​​​​The Fearless Pursuit of Fulfilment

Joanna Chung (Bachelor of Accountancy and Business Management, Class of 2016) is one who embraces challenges with open arms, and her sense of adventure has opened doors to unique opportunities. She shared in ISCA Journal's March 2021 issue on taking up a role in PwC's Myanmar office, subsequently joining a Singapore healthtech startup after returning home, and and the role models in her life that have shaped her values and attitude towards life and female empowerment. “In life, you don’t have to ‘chiong’ (rush) so fast,..., It’s worth trying new things...", Joanna explained.

Business Design to Solve New Problems

Ng Minzhen (Bachelor of Accountancy, Class of 2014) switched from being a management consultant to doing business design. Minzhen shared in an interview article on her work as Business Designer who provides her clients an 'outside-in' perspective based on customer research and design thinking to approach business challenges.

Image source: LinkedIn

Resolute About Giving Back

Belinda Teo (Bachelor of Accountancy, Class of 2010), Assurance Senior Manager at Ernst and Young, admitted with a laugh that auditors indeed work long hours in an ISCA Journal feature article. However, the mother of two finds that volunteer work allows her to put a pause on work, and provides her with a respite from office demands. Belinda believes that the rewards of giving back can come from all corners.

Innovation and Taking Charge

Bonnie Wong (Bachelor of Accountancy & Bachelor of Business Management, Class of 2011) shared in interview with The Peak on bringing changes to how her family business, Creative Eateries, operated to move it forward, and balancing her father’s instincts for business opportunities, which grew the company to 34 restaurants in Singapore, with her sensibilities as an accountant.

Read more

Service in Tax Administration

Eileen Tay Qingyun, (Bachelor of Business Management & Bachelor of Accountancy, Class of 2010, and MSc in Accounting (Data Analytics), Class of 2022) recipient of the IRAS Postgraduate Scholarship, shared in a feature about her decade long service at IRAS. One of her most notable achievements was seeing through the project that simplified tax-filing for taxpayers.

Image source: LinkedIn

Keeping to a Dedicated Passion

Sim Chin Ta (Bachelor of Accountancy & Bachelor of Business Management, Class of 2010) is currently Managing Director with PwC Deals Advisory but never fails to set aside time to pursue his love for salsa despite his busy schedule. His passion for salsa was cultivated during his days with SMU and he shared in an interview his reflection of what dance has to do with his work, and you may just be surprised how related they can be.

Image source: LinkedIn

Scoring a Goal for Women's Football in Singapore

Puah Jing Wen (Bachelor of Accountancy, Class of 2016) envisions a day when women's football will be regarded on par with its male counterpart. As the co-founder of‘Soccer Girl Goals’, Jing Wen aims to promote women’s football in Asia through storytelling, social media, and collaborations with fans, athletes, and supportive brands.

Image source: LinkedIn

"Surfing" the Learning Curve and Scoring at SCAQ Exam

Neo Yi Ren (Bachelor of Accountancy, Class of 2019) came up tops for the Financial Reporting paper at the December 2019 Singapore Chartered Accountant Qualification (SCAQ) examination. Our students caught up with Yi Ren and he shared how his academic background and knowledge gained from his 2nd Major in Accounting Data & Analytics helped him to strike a balance between work and SCAQ. 

Yi Ren has also emerged Top Scorer for the Taxation (Professional) module at the SCAQ Exams in December 2020.

Top Achiever in Singapore at ICAEW 2023 Exams 

Congratulations to Christel Choo (Bachelor of Accountancy, Class of 2020), who clinched the Top Achiever Award in Singapore at the ACA Advanced Level 2023 exams, presented by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).

Image source: LinkedIn

Top Scorer at ICAEW 2021 Exams

Chan Hui Dhar (Bachelor of Accountancy, Class of 2019), Senior Associate at PwC Singapore, clinched the National Top Scorer for the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) Tax Compliance paper at the September 2021 sitting.

Top Scorers at ICAEW 2020 Exams

Proud to share that we have two alumni who have emerged Top Scorers at the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) August 2020 exams.

Tevin Chew (Bachelor of Accountancy, Class of 2020) Highest Achievement in Corporate Reporting  (Advanced Level Exam)
Gu Zhouyi (Master of Professional Accounting, Class of 2018) Higher Achievements in Financial Management (Professional Level Exam)

First Undergraduate from Singapore to achieve top global scorer position at ICAEW 2019 Exams

Sylvia Stephanie Zhao Chan (Bachelor of Accountancy, Class of 2019) was named the joint global top scorer for the ICAEW's Financial Accounting and Reporting (Professional Level) paper at the March 2019 examinations. Sylvia was the first undergraduate student in Singapore to top the ICAEW worldwide leader board in the internationally recognised qualification. She is also the second person in Singapore to win a global prize.

Global Top Scorer at CMA 2020 Exams

Kendrick Low (Bachelor of Accountancy, Class of 2021) received the Priscilla S. Payne Student Performance Award for his outstanding top score  among the candidates who took the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) exams globally (by the Institute of Management Accountants) during the Sep-Oct 2020 testing window. The award is presented to the top performing student candidate from around the world who took both CMA Part 1 and Part 2 within the same testing window.