Why choose accountancy
Accountancy offers a competitive salary, leadership opportunities, and the flexibility to work in any industry.
Last updated 29 January 2026
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Trends in the accountancy sector
$4,200
Median gross monthly salary for first year associates (entry level for university graduates)
$13,500
Median gross monthly salary for first year directors (about 10 years' experience)
>10
Diverse pathways and opportunities
120,000
Persons employed in accountancy. About 20% were employed in accounting firms, contributing $3.5 billion to Singapore's annual GDP
Join a secure and rewarding career
Forget the old stereotypes. A career in accounting is modern, flexible, and puts you on a path to success. Here are the top reasons to choose a career in accounting:
Skills for the modern accountant
To do well in your accounting career, you'll need a mix of technical knowledge and soft skills.
Technical skills
Technology is making accountancy more rewarding by automating manual tasks. This frees you to focus on strategic work that helps to grow the business.
This gives you the opportunity to lead and advance your career with skills in:
Data analysis and interpretation
Artificial intelligence (AI)
Cloud computing
Robotics and automation
Soft skills
As a trusted business advisor, you'll work with many different persons. You will need strong soft skills, including:
Good communication
Adaptability to change
Ability to work with different stakeholders
Creative thinking
Find the right specialisation
You can specialise in areas that match your interests, from ensuring financial accuracy to fighting financial crime.
Core accountancy roles
These roles are the foundation of any successful business. You can work in a company’s finance department or for an accounting firm that serves many clients.
Core roles
Role | What you will do |
|---|---|
Financial accounting | Prepare financial statements and reports. |
Management accounting | Analyse financial data to help leaders make business decisions. |
Treasury | Manage a company's cash, investments, and financial risks. |
Audit and assurance | Check that financial records are accurate and follow regulations. |
Tax | Advise on tax legislation and help with tax planning and reporting. |
Mergers and acquisitions | Advise companies to join together or buy other companies. |
Enterprise risk management | Help a company identify and prepare for potential risks. |
Restructuring and insolvency | Advise companies that are in financial difficulty. |
Determine the value of a business or asset by analysing financial data and market information. | |
Financial forensics | Investigate financial crimes like fraud. |
Emerging accountancy roles
Go beyond traditional accounting and tackle new challenges for businesses. These roles will emerge over the next two to give years.
Emerging roles
Roles | What you will do |
|---|---|
Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) specialist | Check if a company is good for the planet by measuring its ESG impact. |
IT auditor or ethical hacker | Review and test if a company's technology is secure. |
Regional controller | Oversee a region's accounting activities, such as budgeting, compliance, and financial reporting. |
Citizen data scientist | Use data to find insights and help make business decisions. |
Finance data steward | Manage and protect the quality and use of financial data. |
Vendor relationship manager | Manage a company's relationship with its suppliers, including contracts and payments. |
Governance and risk lead | Help the company manage risks and follow rules. |
Finance automation lead | Use technology to improve and automate finance processes. |
Finance transformation lead | Lead projects to improve finance operations using technology. |
Tip: Use the Skills Framework for Accountancy to explore career pathways and check the skills needed for different roles.
Hear from our professionals
Get firsthand accounts and valuable insight into the dynamic and rewarding field of accountancy.
Mr Lee Bing Yi for Sustainability and Climate Change at PwC Singapore.
Discover how accountants make a positive impact on climate change through the work they do.
Mr Eric Choo, Deputy CEO at Dontia Holdings Pte Ltd and T32 Dental Centre Pte Ltd
Learn how Eric's early experiences as an auditor led to diverse career opportunities, even in healthcare.
Ms Belinda Teo, Assurance Partner at EY Singapore
Belinda shares how a career in accountancy can offer continuous growth and opportunities to contribute to the community.
Mr Mohamed Amanullah, Group CFO, Sysma Holdings Pte Ltd
Amanullah shares his experience as a CFO, where his former team successfully nursed a distressed civil engineering company back to solvency.
Ms Carissa Tan, Assurance and Audit, Deloitte Singapore
Carissa shares how a career in accountancy has provided her with an enriching global secondment experience at the Big Apple.
Start your accountancy journey
Whether you are a student or a graduate, you can find a course that is right for you.
Not sure how to start? Use the Find Your Pathway flowchart to identify which accountancy paths suit your qualifications. You can also check events and activities for aspiring accountants.
Local accountancy programmes
University courses
University | Course |
|---|---|
Nanyang Technological University (NTU) | |
National University of Singapore (NUS) | |
Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) | |
Singapore Management University (SMU) | |
Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) |
Polytechnic and ITE courses
Institution | Courses |
|---|---|
Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) | |
Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) | |
Singapore Polytechnic (SP) | |
Temasek Polytechnic (TP) | |
Institute of Technical Education (ITE) |
Singapore Chartered Accountant Qualification (SCAQ)
Earn an internationally recognised Chartered Accountant qualification. The SCAQ is the national qualification for Chartered Accountants in Singapore.