Upon graduation, SMU School of Accountancy alumnus Josiah Fang joined Ernst & Young as an Audit Associate. For a year-and-a-half, he gained valuable overseas experiences through engagements such as IPO audits and International Financial Reporting Standards conversion projects in Myanmar. Having accumulated numerous overseas working stints during his university days, it came as no surprise when Mr Fang said yes to the opportunity to venture overseas early in his career, when he joined Crown Asia Pacific Holdings’ operations in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. He has since sought to expand his horizons beyond both physical and sectoral borders, deciding to move on to an MNC and making the switch to Management Accountant at Crown Asia Pacific Holdings in 2017.
Undeterred by his family’s preconceptions of Cambodia being less developed and unsafe, Mr Fang sought advice from his SMU lecturer, Associate Professor of Accounting (Education) Seow Poh Sun, whom he held in the highest regard. His desire to make the leap to Cambodia was reaffirmed when Associate Prof Seow advised that “overseas exposures are beneficial for your career development, and this opportunity will provide the base to develop strong business acumen”.