KPMG Cambodia welcomes their new Phnom Penh based Audit Partner

Can you introduce yourself? Why did you decide to come to KPMG Cambodia?

I started my career in 1999 with KPMG Los Angeles right after graduating from university. While in LA, I had the privilege of working on projects in the retail, the fast moving consumer goods and the media sectors, both private and listed.

In 2004, while on vacation in Cambodia, I was able to meet the leadership of KPMG Vietnam and Cambodia while they were attending regional training in Siem Reap. From those contacts, I was able to secure an international secondment to the Vietnam and Cambodia operations in October 2005, and was primarily based in Ho Chi Minh City.

During that time, I also held a portfolio of clients in Cambodia. It was also a good opportunity to visit my parents, who both retired in 2005 and moved back to Cambodia, which is part of the reason my transition feels so seamless. I was promoted to a partner in 2010 and now I am based full-time in our Phnom Penh office.

You have spent close to two decades with KPMG. Why have you stayed with the firm for such a long time?

You know what they say: “Your first love is your only love.” In more than two decades with the firm, obviously the opportunities and experiences with KPMG have helped me immensely from a professional standpoint, but it’s the people in this firm and the clients that we serve that truly keep me motivated and get me up out of bed each and every day, and keep me with the firm today.

Are there new sectors that KPMG Vietnam and Cambodia are focusing on?

Recently, as part of its ongoing multibillion-dollar investment programme, KPMG globally will invest more than $1.5 billion over the next three years specifically to focus on the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) change agenda. The ESG strategy is designed to support KPMG firms and clients in making a positive and sustainable difference. I am currently on the ESG Working Group for KPMG Vietnam and Cambodia and looking forward to assisting our clients with their change agenda.

What is your view on the Cambodian economy?

Cambodia has experienced strong economic growth over the last few decades. From sectors covering tourism, garment, construction, real estate and agriculture, the opportunities for business and continuous growth are immense.

Economic growth also drives changes to legislation and investment reforms. KPMG is well placed to assist our clients and key stakeholders to navigate these changes, and I am positive on Cambodia’s economic outlook and looking forward to participating in Cambodia’s continued growth story.

The Covid-19 pandemic has stifled the Kingdom’s remarkable economic growth. Are you confident Cambodia can register such growth again in the coming years?

Cambodia has done a good job balancing public safety issues with Covid-19 while continuously keeping the economy strong. Along with neighbouring countries like Thailand, Cambodia was one of the first countries to open their doors. The lifting of Covid-19 restrictions and Cambodia’s success with vaccinations can only boost both consumer and business confidence – helping to keep foreign direct investments flowing through to Cambodia.

On the professional front, how do you see the challenge of helping to lead one of the top audit, tax and advisory firms in this fast-paced Cambodian economy?

I was the partner-in-charge of people, performance and culture at KPMG from 2012-2019, where I was responsible to lead a team with the challenge of taking care of our most valuable assets of our firm – our talented people.

From those experiences, I know that by ensuring we have the right policies and practices in place for our people – and, more importantly, having the right values and demonstrating transparency of how we act and what we do – our more than 300 staff feel healthy, happy and safe.

 

Check out today’s Phnom Penh Post (Issue No. 3848, page 5) at: https://lnkd.in/gyyfzrz4