Champion and First Runner-Up at EY Young Tax Professional of the Year 2024 (Malaysia) competition

Congratulations to UTAR graduate Lam E Vaine and Bachelor of Accounting (Honours) student Joshua Yap Jan Chen for their outstanding achievements at the EY Young Tax Professional of the Year 2024 (Malaysia) competition, held on 20 August 2024 at M Resort & Hotel Kuala Lumpur.

Organised by Ernst & Young (EY) Malaysia in collaboration with LHDN Malaysia, this national round saw Lam and Yap competing against some of the best minds in the country to become the winners.

Lam won the Champion title and will represent Malaysia in the international finals of the EY Young Tax Professional of the Year competition. She will compete against winners from other economies for the title of “EY Young Tax Professional of the Year 2025.” Joshua Yap, on the other hand, secured the First Runner-up position. They were supervised by Ms Shubatra Shanmugaretnam and Ms Leong May Li respectively.

The award ceremony took place on 21 August 2024. Both winners received certificates, crystal plaques and cash prizes— RM8,000 for the Champion and RM6,000 for the First Runner-up. They were also offered a paid internship of at least eight weeks or a conditional employment offer in Tax Services with Ernst & Young Tax Consultants Sdn Bhd.

Lam proudly displaying her certificate and crystal plaque

Joshua Yap with his certificate

Lam enthused, “Winning this competition is an immense honour, and I am truly grateful for the opportunity to have come this far. The journey has been both challenging and rewarding, significantly boosting my confidence and reinforcing the belief that challenges should never stand in the way of reaching greater heights.”

She added, “I am incredibly grateful for the exposure and eye-opening experiences this journey has brought. My heartfelt thanks go to my family, lecturers, and peers who supported me along the way—I could not have achieved this without them. I am also excited to represent Malaysia on the global stage and showcase the talent and potential our country has to offer.”

Joshua Yap said, “I believe the process was the most valuable experience throughout the competition, and everyone who gave their all is a winner. The prize is simply a bonus.” He added, “I am grateful to my family and my lecturer for encouraging me to participate in the competition and giving me the chance to seize this rare opportunity before my university days come to an end.”

The EY Young Tax Professional of the Year 2024 competition sought to identify and support emerging talent in the tax field to enhance their professional skills and career development. It offered participants the chance to interact with peers from diverse backgrounds, showcasing the evolution of the tax profession and varied business practices across cultures.

The event also helped participants acquire leadership skills and build a professional network, providing a career-launching platform and insight into how a premier service organisation aids clients in achieving their goals. The international competition will be held in January 2025, featuring learning, team-building, and networking activities. Judging will occur in February 2025, with the top three winners announced at a ceremony in March 2025.

Lam (second from left) receiving her prizes

Joshua Yap (second from left) receiving his prizes

About EY

EY refers the global organisation and may refer to one or more of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which operates as an independent legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK-based company limited by guarantee, does not offer client services. EY’s mission is to build a better working world by generating long-term value for clients, people, and society, and fostering trust in capital markets. Leveraging data and technology, diverse EY teams across more than 150 economies provide assurance and support clients in growth, transformation, and operational excellence.