Accountants in Hong Kong are very much in demand. Their major job duties include financial accounting, auditing, legal support, tax consulting and etc., and they mainly serve for accounting firms, commercial institutions, government and other statutory bodies. The largest accounting firms in Hong Kong is called “Big Four” and their business scope covers worldwide.
Accountant
Duties
The main duties of accountant is to conceive financial plans and manage the company’s financial arrangements on the premise of the company’s overall interests. The main duties of accountant are as follow:
- Document daily financial transactions
- Prepare annual reports and financial reports
- Maintain accounting controls and financial security
- Organise and prepare tax payments
Working hours
About 48-70 hours a week, it requires work overtime during the peak seasons
Working environment
Work indoors
Personality
- Attention to details
- Patient
Promotion and Reference Salary
Accountant
Approximately $13,000 or above
Accountant manager
Approximately $44,000 or above
Chief Financial Officer
Approximately $70,000 or above
Note: The reference salary and the promotion salary may vary according to the company, experience and ability.
Entry requirements
- Required a bachelor degree in accounting, or equivalent, and a Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants Qualification Programme (CPA QP) to become an accountant
- For the people who do not have accounting bachelor degree, you can also get the qualification from other way to become an accountant, see from below:
- study Accredited Accounting Technician (AAT) Examination and get Professional Assessment (PA) and Professional Bridging Examination (PBE)
- then you can get the qualification of Certified Public Accountants Qualification Programme (CPA QP)
- Good command of spoken and written English and Chinese
- Require a basic computer skills, such as MS Excel
Example of related training and courses
Higher Diploma / Associate Degree
- College of International Education of Hong Kong Baptist University – Associate of Science (Professional Accountancy)
- Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education, Vocational Training Council - Higher Diploma in Professional Accountancy
- Hong Kong Management Association – Advanced Diploma in Professional Accounting Studies (DADAS) and Diploma in Professional Accounting Studies (DDAS)
Bachelor Degree
- University of Hong Kong – Bachelor of Business Administration (Accounting & Finance)
- City University of Hong Kong – Bachelor of Business Administration (Accountancy)
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong – Bachelor of Business Administration in Professional Accountancy
- The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong– Bachelor of Business Administration (Honours) in Professional Accountancy
Remarks
A variety of organisations or associations may provide relevant training classes or courses. If you are intending to pursue these courses, you are reminded to be cautious and collect in-depth information, in particular the tuition fees and qualification recognition upon completion of these courses.
Accounting Clerk
Duties
Accounting clerk is a beginner position and the minimum academic entry qualification and requirement is five passes. The main duties of accounting clerk are as follow:
- Provide accounting and clerical support
- Data entry and maintain accounting records and documents
- Organise data and process business transactions
Working hours
About 40-50 hours a week, required work overtime during the peak seasons
Working environment
Work in an office
Personality
- Good time management
- Attention to details
Promotion and Reference Salary
Accounting Clerk
Approximately $9,000 or above
Accounting Officer
Approximately $16,000 or above
Assistant Accountant
Approximately $18,000 or above
Note: The reference salary and the promotion salary may vary according to the company, experience and ability.
Entry requirements
- Level 2 or equivalent or above in the five subjects in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSEE), or equivalent; or
Level / Grade E or above in the five subjects in the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE), or equivalent
- London Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI)
- Good command of spoken and written English and Chinese
- Require a basic computer skill, such as MS Excel
Example of related training and courses
Higher Diploma / Associate Degree
- College of International Education of Hong Kong Baptist University – Associate of Science (Professional Accountancy)
- Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education, Vocational Training Council - Higher Diploma in Professional Accountancy
- Hong Kong Management Association – Advanced Diploma in Professional Accounting Studies (DADAS) and Diploma in Professional Accounting Studies (DDAS)
Remarks
A variety of organisations or associations may provide relevant training classes or courses. If you are intending to pursue these courses, you are reminded to be cautious and collect in-depth information, in particular the tuition fees and qualification recognition upon completion of these courses.
Auditor
Duties
Auditor is a third party independent of the company and their main duties are to examine and audit whether the financial report of the company is fair and true.
- Verify assets and liabilities
- Ensures all the documentary record complied with legal requirements and legislation
- Provide professional services to customers in writing or verbally
- Appraise internal control of audited entity is performed in complied with the prescribed procedures
Working hours
About 40-70 hours a week with irregular working hours
Working environment
Work in an office, site visit might be required to evaluate company’s assets and documents
Personality
- Attention to details
- Patient
Promotion and Reference Salary
Junior Auditor
Approximately $24,000 or above
Auditor Manager
Approximately $65,000 or above
Audit Supervisor
Approximately $82,000 or above
Note: The reference salary and the promotion salary may vary according to the company, experience and ability.
Entry requirements
- Require a relevant diploma or equivalent in accounting
- For the people who do not have accounting bachelor degree, you can also study some related programme to get the qualification:
- obtain an internationally recognised registered internal auditor (CIA) to become a registered auditor
- obtain the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants Qualification Programme (CPA QP) to become an auditor manager
- Require a basic computer skills, such as MS Excel
- Good command of spoken and written English and Chinese
Example of related training and courses
Higher Diploma / Associate Degree
- College of International Education of Hong Kong Baptist University – Associate Degree of Professional Accountancy
- Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education, Vocational Training Council - Higher Diploma in Professional Accountancy
- Hong Kong Management Association – Advanced Diploma in Professional Accounting Studies (DADAS) and Diploma in Professional Accounting Studies (DDAS)
Bachelor Degree
- University of Hong Kong – Bachelor of Business Administration (Accounting & Finance)
- City University of Hong Kong – Bachelor of Business Administration (Accountancy)
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong – Bachelor of Business Administration in Professional Accountancy
- The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong– Bachelor of Business Administration (Honours) in Professional Accountancy
- Hong Kong Metropolitan University - Bachelor of Business Administration with Honours in Professional Accounting
Remarks
A variety of organisations or associations may provide relevant training classes or courses. If you are intending to pursue these courses, you are reminded to be cautious and collect in-depth information, in particular the tuition fees and qualification recognition upon completion of these courses.