When I first stepped into the Ministry of Finance’s (MoF) “High-level Finance and Accounting Talent Quality Improvement Project (Young and Middle-aged Talent Cultivation – CPA Class)” (國家財政部「高層次財會人才素質提升工程（中青年人才培養 - 註冊會計師班）」) three years ago, I knew I was entering an elite programme. What I did not anticipate was how profoundly it would reshape my understanding of the accounting profession – its role in national development, its mission in supporting Chinese enterprises to go global, and trajectory for the future.
As the Third Cohort of the Young and Middle-aged Class came to an end at the graduation ceremony in early December 2025, I felt privileged to stand alongside our counterparts from across the Chinese Mainland and reflected on what this journey means for Hong Kong, for our profession, and for the next generation of accountants.
A milestone for Hong Kong’s accounting profession
A group of 10 Hong Kong representatives, including Past President Roy Leung, fellow Council members Frank Lam, Michael Li, Parco Wu, and myself, alongside five dedicated HKICPA members, joined 35 accountants from across the Chinese Mainland in an intensive multi-year programme that integrated theoretical learning, practical exposure, innovation exercises, and national development insights.
This was a landmark demonstrating the nation’s recognition of Hong Kong’s accounting profession as an essential partner in its long-term vision for high-level talent development.
Our participation also reflected Hong Kong’s unique strength, as we stand at the intersection of international standards, global marketsand national development. This programme further strengthened our ability to serve the nation’s high-standard opening-up (高水平對外開放) and its “Going Global” strategy.
Learning across cities, sectors, and perspectives
From Shanghai to Beijing, Xiamen to other Mainland cities, we engaged with policymakers, academics, industry leaders, and innovators. Each city revealed a different facet of China’s economic transformation and the evolving role of accountants in enabling high-quality, sustainable growth. We debated emerging accounting issues, presented policy analyses, and engaged in rigorous case competitions. These experiences sharpened not only our professional judgement but also our strategic thinking. These skills are increasingly vital in a complex, rapidly digitizing economy.
Strengthening our national identity and global responsibility as accounting professionals
One of the most valuable outcomes for me was developing a richer understanding of the nation’s financial governance philosophy and how accounting standards serve broader strategic aims. The programme emphasized not only technical excellence but also the importance of contributing to the improvement of the international accounting governance system while serving national development goals. As Hong Kong CPAs, we often act as interpreters between global practice and local innovation. This journey reinforced that our role is proactive. We are not only contributors, connectors, and catalysts but also pioneers in helping Chinese professional services “go global” and in introducing international experience into the nation’s development.
Deep integration, two-way exchange
While we learned much from our Chinese Mainland peers, the programme was equally a platform to share Hong Kong’s strengths, which include our internationally recognized financial reporting system, robust capital market ecosystem, commitment to ethics and professional independence, and long-standing experience in cross-border operations.
Many classmates from across Chinese Mainland expressed interest in how Hong Kong integrates international frameworks, including sustainability reporting and governance standards. These exchanges revealed strong appetite for jointly enhancing international service capabilities and collaborating to support the global expansion of Chinese enterprises.
The programme has, in effect, seeded a cross-boundary professional network that will continue to grow and continue to strengthen engagement between Hong Kong and Mainland accounting professionals.
A personal reflection
As this year marks the 20th anniversary of the MoF’s talent initiative, it is evident why the programme has become such a critical pillar in cultivating leaders with technical depth, strategic vision and international competitiveness.
For Hong Kong’s profession, our involvement signals our continued integration into national development, our commitment to elevating the quality of talent, and our readiness to contribute to the nation’s high-quality economic development.
As a Council member of the Institute, I hope more Hong Kong CPAs will join future cohorts. Beyond being a learning opportunity, it is a platform to broaden perspectives, deepen national understanding, and shape the profession’s future. Completing this three-year journey has strengthened my conviction that the future of Hong Kong’s accounting profession lies in greater openness, stronger collaboration between the Mainland and the international community, and an active role in national advancement.
We stand at a pivotal moment. Our profession must transform into a professional force that connects domestic and international spheres, and promotes two-way openness within the narrative of national development.
