Editor's note: In today’s A Day in the Life, Paulus Chau, Director – Hong Kong and Emerging Markets at AICPA & CIMA shares with FutureCFO audiences how hiking inspires his life and work as well as his passion for helping accounting and finance professionals to further develop their skills.
FutureCFO: What does a typical day look like for you?
Paulus Chau (PC): I would describe my typical working day at AICPA & CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, as filled with excitement, satisfaction and gratitude.
We have two big focus areas. The first one is to attract new generations to management accounting and finance, including sharing the benefits for the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) designation to accelerate careers.
The second is to help accounting and finance professionals to reskill and upskill throughout their careers and to be always in a position to support their organisations in grasping new opportunities.
We encourage them to follow the “learn, unlearn, relearn” model—a cycle of gaining and applying knowledge, discarding out-of-date information, and gaining new information that builds and updates on previous knowledge.
We also regularly engage with employers, governments, and stakeholders to promote the value that accounting and finance profession brings to organisations, economies, and society as a whole.
I like to think of hiking as a metaphor for work and life—that despite the challenges, changes, and difficulties you face, you can overcome them and look forward to a brighter future if you have the determination, resilience, and a positive mindset.
FutureCFO: What excites you the most when you work with CFOs and finance functions?
PC: The accounting and finance profession is rapidly transforming into a more diverse, dynamic, and strategic role within organisations.
To better understand our members and candidates’ needs in the North Asisa region, we frequently work with CFOs and engage with accounting and finance professionals.
By doing so, we gain valuable insights into their requirements. So we're able to provide them with tailor-made continuing professional development programmes and events.
Accounting and finance teams have a pivotal role in driving sustainable success and supporting executives in making informed business decisions and I am excited about the part that we play in enabling them to succeed.
FutureCFO: Can you share an experience which was key to your professional growth?
PC: Having studied marketing, I spent most of my career in business development and management. While I’m not a qualified accountant, I’ve learnt a lot from them over the years, notably about how to best apply my knowledge, business skills, and experience to develop AICPA & CIMA’s business and operations for Hong Kong and emerging markets.
I’ve also completed a dual master’s degree program in MBA and MSc in Information System Management in my early career.
As I’m in the education sector now and focus on providing learning and qualifications to individuals within the profession, I fully appreciate the importance of learning, education, and qualifications for people from all walks of life.
FutureCFO: Is there anything outside work—such as a travel experience, a book, participation in a sport event or any volunteering experience—that serves as an important inspiration to your work or life? Can you tell us more about it?
PC: Outside of work, I love hiking. Since 2006, I’ve participated as a walker or supporter in the Oxfam Trailwalker, a global fundraising event to help tackle poverty and inequality.
In Hong Kong, participants complete a 100-kilometre hike in 48 hours that requires good orientation skills, fitness, and endurance.
I like to think of hiking as a metaphor for work and life—that despite the challenges, changes, and difficulties you face, you can overcome them and look forward to a brighter future if you have the determination, resilience, and a positive mindset.
