MSC ACCOUNTANCY

Why This Mid-Careerist Embarked on the MSc Accountancy Programme

Why This Mid-Careerist Embarked on the MSc Accountancy Programme:
“I’m under no illusion that what I’ve learnt in the past will last me a lifetime.”

William Leow is currently enrolled in the Master of Science in Accountancy (MSc Accountancy) programme at Nanyang Business School (NBS). For the past 14 years, William has thrived as an asset-based financier in multiple international banks. He specialises in the shipping and offshore industry, managing million-dollar projects and honing his skills in business development, deal structuring, financial modelling, portfolio management, and risk management.

However, the changing landscape of the global maritime industry and the onset of COVID-19 spurred William to upskill and open himself to other possibilities. Here, he shares his thoughts on lifelong learning for the new normal.

Entering a Post-Pandemic Future

William is a keen learner. More than 10 years ago, he had obtained a master’s degree in maritime studies. Embarking on another master’s degree is not an entirely new journey for him.

“For a while, I had already been thinking of going back to school as a form of investment in my career and personal development,” he says. “I’m someone who likes to learn to keep progressing.”

Meanwhile, the industry that William is in has been undergoing huge changes – many international shipping banks have been retreating from Singapore or withdrawing from lending to the sector altogether, creating a lot of uncertainties. For example, one of the banks he worked for decided to close its Singapore branch entirely.

Soon after, COVID-19 happened. “All this made me act faster,” he says.

As companies continue to grapple with such instability, William hopes to explore new roles, where he can leverage his previous experience, industry network, as well as the skills acquired from the master’s in accounting programme.

Learning as a Lifelong Process

“I’m under no illusion that what I’ve learnt in the past will last me a lifetime,” says William. “For example, many things have changed since the time I took my first master’s degree in maritime studies.”

William believes that it is important to keep reskilling or run the risk of obsolescence in an ever-changing world. “We shouldn’t fear failure or challenges. Instead, we should fear staying stagnant,” he says.

Since the pandemic, this fact has also become a lot more apparent: None of us are absolutely sure about anything when it comes to the future, making it crucial to innovate and transform.

“We’re fortunate in Singapore,” William adds. “The government is encouraging lifelong learning and has put in place various measures to support it.”

He explains: “You can teach an old dog new tricks! I see my older friends and ex-colleagues embracing lifelong learning, and I’m really encouraged by them.”

Enjoying the MSc Accountancy Experience

Prior to enrolling for his new degree, William was deciding between NBS’ MBA and MSc Accountancy programmes.

“In the end, I chose MSc Accountancy because I see value in a degree that is both specialised and versatile at the same time,” he says. “Nanyang Business School became a natural choice given its track record, academic rigour and strong reputation.”

The programme is thorough, William adds, yet structured in a way that is easy for someone without an accountancy background to keep pace with it.

He has enjoyed core courses such as Data Analytics for Accounting and Forensic Accounting and Digital Forensics, which are extremely relevant today as Fintech continues to burgeon. “But it’s actually difficult to pinpoint my favourite course, since most of them have greatly enriched me,” he says.

“Given how accounting is central to every business, having a deep understanding of it will be useful,” William concludes. “In fact, I wish I had signed up for the master’s degree in accounting much earlier!”

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