Steven Chong to lead Quality Management transformation initiatives of the Firm, introduce new digital capabilities, while build on UHY’s unique strengths
The Malaysian office of UHY, an international accounting and consultancy network ranked 16th in the world, has appointed Steven Chong Hou Nian as the new Managing Partner of UHY Malaysia. With Steven’s appointment, UHY Malaysia will be led for the first time by a ‘home grown’ alumni, having been admitted to the ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, UK) and attained his approved company auditor license pursuant to the Companies Act with the Firm.
Amongst Steven’s contribution to the Malaysian accounting fraternity, he is a current Council Member of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA), the Chair of the MIA Digital Technology Implementation Committee, the founding Chair of the MIA Young Professionals Committee, and a member of the MIA Disciplinary Committee. He is a vocal champion of technology adoption amongst accountants in Malaysia and have been featured in various publications and conferences, speaking on accounting technology.
Steven comments; “With the advent of various disruptive technologies from artificial intelligence, machine learning, automation of accounting processes to big data and analytics, it is imperative that a Firm of UHY’s stature continue to embrace this change that has come before the profession. I am fully confident that the Firm will thrive and enjoy new success by capitalising on digitalisation, while ensure that our clients gain further value and achievements with new capabilities that technology enablement brings.”
A key priority for Steven will be to further strengthen UHY’s quality management practices, drive further consistency and risk management of the Firm’s assurance work, while lead the Firm in embracing the quality enhancement initiatives that are happening at the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) level. “Quality management, or rather quality control, is an area of practice that is dear to heart to me. Almost half my training in assurance work has been around the establishment and operations of quality control functions,” says Steven. “As a Firm of our size here in Malaysia, we owe it to our clients, the investing public and regulatory bodies that we continuously seek improvement upon ourselves on the quality front.”
“At the center of quality of course, would be the UHY talents who make it all happen. While we have always strived to become one of the best accounting firms to work for, our accolades attained throughout the years such as ‘HR Asia Best Companies to Work for in Asia’, the ‘Malaysian Institute of Human Resources Management SME Best Employer’ award speaks for itself, in terms of our commitment to recruiting, developing and shaping our professional talents.” “To take it a notch further, we are also encouraging our young talents to work diligently to qualify for the Firm’s fast track (to Partnership) program, with a view of helping the profession develop a younger pipeline of licensed professionals.”
“I am looking forward to working together with our clients, our national network Firms here in Malaysia, and UHY Partners as we strengthen our Firm quality management, while embrace the new opportunities created by digitalisation, as well as the challenges presented by the requirements of regulators and a rapidly evolving marketplace.”
Steven takes over as Managing Partner from Tan Tian Wooi, who retired from the post in mid April 2019.