ACCA launches GBS certification, signs pacts with MDEC and TalentCorp

• TalentCorp to sponsor 100 undergrads for ACCA’s GBS Qualifications
• Pact with MDEC to encourage finance shared services in Malaysia

 
THE Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) has launched its Global Business Services (GBS) Qualifications, a suite of three qualifications which it claimed to be the first dedicated to finance and accounting in the shared services and GBS sector.
 
At the launch in Kuala Lumpur on June 14, ACCA also announced separate collaborations with Talent Corporation Malaysia (TalentCorp) and Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), both aimed at building the talent pipeline in the GBS sector.
 
The pact between ACCA and TalentCorp will see them collaborate to enhance awareness among undergraduates to pursue a career in the GBS sector, specifically in finance shared services.
 
The agreement includes financial sponsorship to be provided by TalentCorp to 100 Malaysian undergraduates from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) to study ACCA’s Certificate in GBS, and to also attend a two-day workshop.
 
Newly-minted TalentCorp chief executive officer Shareen Shariza Abdul Ghani (pic) said it was important to have young people join Malaysia’ GBS industry.
 
“With over 400 multinational and local companies establishing their GBS operations here, and an estimated 70,000 new jobs available in the GBS sector by 2020, there is no better time for our young talents to build a successful and rewarding career in Malaysia’s GBS industry,” she said at the launch.
 
In ACCA’s Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MDEC, both parties will join forces to promote Malaysia as the top destination for GBS, specifically for the finance and accounting function.
 
MDEC vice president Michael Warren said the GBS industry in Malaysia is on a trajectory for expansive growth, including in the finance and accounting services subsector.
 
“This strategic collaboration will ensure Malaysia’s feasibility and readiness to cater to an increased range of services under the GBS industry, and further solidify our position within the top three most globally preferred locations for GBS,” he said.
 
Warren said the collaboration would also help spread the word about finance shared services.
 
“The goal of this [collaboration] is to have professional accountants to not only learn about accounting and finance, but to also understand that they too can play a role in shared services.
 
“Thus, MDEC’s role in this collaboration is to give the ecosystem a push in finance shared services,” he told Digital News Asia (DNA) on the sidelines of the launch.
 
ACCA chief executive Helen Brand said the partnerships with MDEC and TalentCorp would help the growing financial services sector overcome its talent shortage.
 
“ACCA’s own research on the profession has shown that much more is being demanded of accountants in all sectors, including GBS,” she said.
 
“And separate research we’ve conducted with TalentCorp and MDEC has clearly shown that it is through proper talent management and ongoing investment in training and development that top-performing companies drive superior financial performance,” she declared.
 
ACCA’s GBS Qualifications are available at three levels:
 

• Certificate in Global Business Services: Includes an independently-assessed online course and covers all the basic knowledge and skills required by global shared services employees; and

• Diploma in Global Business Services: Includes the five modules of the above certificate, and ACCA syllabus-related financial and accounting management knowledge; and

• Advanced Diploma in Global Business Services: Places a greater focus on advanced financial management, management accounting and performance management, improving candidates' high-end professional skills.

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Outsourcing Malaysia, MDeC and TalentCorp in grad programme
 
MDeC to private sector: We’re not your training factory
 
 
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