Alumni Stories Sam Fan and Bernard Li (PACC 2001): Former Classmates Excelling in Accounting Careers in the Greater Bay Area

Sam Fan and Bernard Li (PACC 2001): Former Classmates Excelling in Accounting Careers in the Greater Bay Area

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    Comrades in arms from school to work, Sam Fan (PACC 2001) and Bernard Li (PACC 2001) share the same vision of the future of accounting and the Greater Bay Area (GBA). The two friends, now partners at EY and PwC respectively, sow the seeds of their success back in their days at CUHK Business School.

    Sam and Bernard graduated in accounting in 2001 and launched their career pursuits at the coveted “Big Four” accounting firms in two different regions. Sam cut his teeth on taxation in Shenzhen from KPMG to EY, while Bernard worked his way up in Hong Kong, London, Macao and Zhuhai to oversee PwC’s auditing division in Macao and Zhuhai. The duo have overcome cultural, language and geographical hurdles to establish a professional presence across Hong Kong, Macao, and the Guangdong Province. The GBA becomes the springboard that catapultes them to top jobs in accounting.

     


    Sam (left) and Bernard (right) share their personal experiences in the GBA in a reunion after two decades

     

    Overcoming Inner Struggles

    Looking back, Sam admits that it was natural for him to choose to relocate to Shenzhen. “With a population size close to 100 million, the GBA boasts much more opportunities than Hong Kong. I only made a rational decision to go for it.” But the decision came at a price, as Sam’s personal life was compromised for the sake of commuting four hours between two places. “It was hard at first, but you would endure it knowing that it would afford you bigger chance in a better market,” says Sam, wearing a faint smile.

    Fast forward to the present, regional transit has become a lot more convenient in the GBA. Today, Sam’s commute times are largely shortened and Bernard’s work has taken him to as far as Zhongshan and Jiangmen thanks, in both cases, to the “one-hour living circle”. The GBA, therefore, is deemed by the duo as the ideal place for young people to shine. “There is a bigger stage if you just shake off qualms about possible obstacles and take that leap of faith.”

    Mutual Respect to Dismantle Barriers

    Having worked in various cities, Bernard emphaisises the importance of actively integrating into different workplace cultures. “Accounting is a people-oriented professional service. Throughout my years of experience, whether in Macao or Zhuhai, I always strive to integrate myself into the local culture, mindset, and team collaboration ,” Bernard shares. “In my capacity as the head of our Mainland office, I frequently consult experienced partners in Guangzhou and Shenzhen to gather insights into their approaches in various aspects, including work-life balance and practices. This helps foster team spirit and a sense of belonging, and enable us to take our professional services to the next level .”

     


    Sam and Bernard have high hopes for young individuals to actively embrace the local culture and explore the boundless possibilities within the GBA

    Bernard believes that apart from being proactive, one must also maintain an open mind in order to assimilate effectively. “My Mainland colleagues have diverse backgrounds and their own way of work. I can learn from them while sharing my experiences in Hong Kong. They are willing to take my advices for improvement.” According to him, cultural integration between Mainland China and Hong Kong should not involve a sense of superiority or inferiority. As long as communication is equal and two-way, a harmonious connection can naturally be achieved.

    Embracing the “Can-do” Spirit of CUHK

    The reunion of Sam and Bernard after two decades rekindles memories of their alma mater. Beyond fellow classmates and professors, their conversation centres also on the culture of CUHK. “CUHK alumni are sincere, hardworking, and grounded,” Sam comments. “Despite the challenges of being an accountant, the spirit of CUHK has instilled in me the value of hard work, allowing me to learn and grow in this industry. It has kept my passion burning strong.”

     


    Bernard (left) and Sam (right) attend the graduation ceremony of CUHK Business School in 2001

    Nothwithstanding the temporal differences, Bernard and Sam hope that the new-generation CUHK students pass on the “can-do” spirit. “Accounting students need not panic in the face of the AI wave, as AI cannot replace human expertise and adaptability. As regulations become more standardised, public confidence in the accounting industry is also rising. Therefore, young professionals who establish themselves in the GBA can expect promising opportunities in the field of accounting.”