Talk by CPA Australia and KPMG Malaysia

CPA Australia and KPMG Malaysia in collaboration with UTAR's Accounting Society organized a talk entitled "Transitioning from University to Work - The Importance of Soft Skills to Land That Job!" at UTAR Sg Long Campus on 26 February 2014.

The main purpose of the talk was to create awareness among the students on the importance of soft skills throughout their working life. UTAR's Accounting Society was honored to have Chief Auditor of CPA Australia, Dr. AJ Purcell together with Audit Director of KPMG Malaysia, Mr.RubanKandasamy as the main speakers for the day.

The talk started with Dr. AJ Purcell sharing his career pathway since graduating with a degree in Economics. Throughout his sharing, he explained how he had applied soft skills in his life and career. Dr. Purcell even gave examples to the students on how they can maintain good practice of soft skills starting from their life as student.

Dr. Purcell equated the soft skills required in leadership with that of driving a car. "You have to collaboratewith your "passengers" (your team members) in getting an optimal solution for every problem or situation encountered. Even if a particular "passenger" doesn't work along, you have tofind a way for everyone to move on," he added.

He also encouraged students to be investigative and have astrong foundation in accounting which they are gaining through their tertiary education at UTAR. The real life example shared by Dr. Purcell showed how his investigative mind along with the networks he had built helped him in detecting fraud where a worker from a client's company was makingfraudulent transactions, tracing it back all the way tothe company's cash statements.

The ideas provided by Dr. Purcell and Mr. Ruban inspired the audience. Throughout the interactive session, they receivedmany questions from the audience who were keen to know more about topic discussed.