Opportunities in Singapore
CPA Australia's reputation for its contribution to the accounting profession and the development of accounting education in Singapore is widely recognised.
Membership breakdown
The Singapore division is continually being challenged to provide leadership and graduate services to its members to enable them to keep up with developments and remain relevant in these changing times. CPA Australia also played an important role in the establishment of the local professional body, the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Singapore (ICPAS).
Member service
CPA Australia provides a range of benefits to its members to help them maintain their competitive advantage, enjoy broader career opportunities and greater financial rewards, as well as continued recognition as leaders in finance, accounting and business. Members enjoy life-long career support and resources to assist them at every stage of their career development.
Pathways to membership of your local body
Members who hold CPA status are eligible to become full members of the ICPAS. For more information about ICPAS's recognition of CPA Australia visit the CPA Australia website.
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) also recognises members who hold CPA status, with partial exemptions in the capital markets and financial advisory services examinations.
If you're interested in working as a practising accountant in Singapore visit the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) website.
Singapore's business environment
Singapore is a cosmopolitan city that provides a platform for the meeting of global talents, ideas, funds and business. The unique blend of competitive strengths makes Singapore the location of choice for global enterprises. Singapore's distinctive combination of core competencies and strategic business location offers a globally connected, pro-business environment that helps boost and sustain growth and success across a breadth of industries.
Employment opportunities
A growing number of global financial institutions have chosen Singapore as a base for their regional operations as they look to penetrate further the south-east Asia market.*
Employment trends and graduate programs
Fresh graduates who major in finance, accounting or business are recruited on a yearly basis. Most of the big 4 accounting firms conduct annual recruitment exercises for final year accounting students from overseas universities.
Recruitment for international graduates is usually done on an ad-hoc basis. However, most recruitment periods close in December.
Skills and specialities in demand
Hot jobs:
- regional internal auditor, including IT audit
- shared services accountant / manager
- regional tax adviser
- group accountant
- risk management executive / manager
- cost accounting including activity based accounting
- ERP finance systems specialists (e.g. SAP)
Hot skills:
- ERP / SAP implementations
- group reporting consolidations
- tax advisory
- financial modelling
- costing
- contract negotiation
- internal audit, including IT audit
- risk management
- IPO / listing experience role
Work permits
Foreign professionals, managers, executives, specialists or entrepreneurs who wish to work in Singapore should apply for a work pass. For more information on work and related passes can be found at the Ministry of Manpowers website.
More information
- read ICPAS recognition for CPA Australia members on the CPA Australia website
- visit the ACRA website
- find out more about work permits on the Ministry of Manpowers website
- view Useful websites on the CPA Australia website
- view Singapore's contact details on the CPA Australia website
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