A celebration of all things accountancy – that was the theme of this year’s National Accounting Quiz, the popular annual contest that tests secondary school students on their accountancy smarts. Held on 18 July and organised by Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s School of Business and Accountancy (in collaboration with the Association of Commerce Educators Singapore and the National Institute of Education), this year’s edition was special for another reason – to mark the 10th anniversary of the quiz, the polytechnic also hosted Singapore’s inaugural National Accounting Festival. With the support of leading public accountancy entities and government organisations – such as the Singapore Accountancy Commission – the twin events proved to be a hit with young participants.
Ground zero for the festival was Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s Convention Centre, which played host to 700 students from over 60 schools as well as 300 guests, staff members and educators. In his opening address, Mr Philip Lau, Director of the polytechnic’s School of Business and Accountancy, noted the strong response to the quiz and festival. “Each year, we look forward to bringing together students from secondary schools who’re very keen to find out more about the world of business and accountancy,” he said.
Mr Lau also noted the increasingly solid prospects for students. “These are exciting days for the accounting profession,” he explained. “Singapore’s vision to transform into a leading global accountancy hub for the Asia Pacific presents valuable opportunities for our young people. Together with other important developments like the introduction of the Singapore Qualification Programme [QP] in June and the launch of the Chartered Accountant of Singapore designation in July, it’s indeed timely that we’re gathered here today for the first National Accounting Festival, to celebrate the accountancy profession and the value it creates.”
Following the opening address, festival supporters had the chance to speak directly to students of Ngee Ann Polytechnic. But the undoubted highlight of the festival was the quiz itself. With the auditorium filled to near-capacity, student-teams got the chance to test their knowledge of accountancy concepts via a quiz show format.
These are exciting days for the accounting profession… it is indeed timely that we are gathered here today for the first National Accounting Festival, to celebrate the accountancy profession and the value it creates.
– Mr Philip Lau, Director, School of Business and Accountancy, Singapore Polytechnic
In the end, the contest came down to teams from Ngee Ann Secondary School and St Andrew’s Secondary School, with a final question to win it all. Fittingly, it was about the Singapore QP, a testament to how the programme has rooted itself in the national dialogue on accountancy.
When the dust cleared, it was Ngee Ann Secondary School that took the honours. But perhaps the real winner was accountancy in Singapore – with tertiary institutions reaching out to students in bold new ways and a newly-minted post-graduate programme to serve their professional aspirations, the future looks bright for the next generation of our accountancy talents! #
Our thanks to Mr Philip Lau, his team and the fantastic students of Ngee Ann Polytechnic. And congratulations to this year’s winners of the National Accounting Quiz: Ngee Ann Secondary School (champion), St Andrew’s Secondary School (first runner-up), St Gabriel’s Secondary School (second runner-up), Bendemeer Secondary School (third runner-up) and Hougang Secondary School (fourth runner-up).
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