ISCA and EY launch career mobility initiative for accountants in SEA

The programme reinforces Singapore’s role as a hub for accountancy excellence.

The Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) and Ernst & Young LLP (EY Singapore) have signed a three-year deal for the EY x ISCA SCAQ Career Mobility Programme.

Under the memorandum of understanding, this initiative is set to develop, retain, and globally position Southeast Asia’s accounting talents, reinforcing Singapore’s standing as a leading regional hub for accountancy excellence.

The global accounting industry is poised for continued growth, driven by digital transformation, sustainability reporting, and expanding cross-border trade. At the same time, the profession faces mounting talent pressures, with Singapore alone projected to require 6,000 to 7,000 additional accountants by 2025.

“Including the support toward local professionals pursuing the SCAQ, EY is investing an estimated $5m over the next five years to nurture talents in the profession,” said Liew Nam Soon, EY Asia East Deputy Regional Managing Partner, EY Asean Managing Partner, also Singapore and Brunei Managing Partner at Ernst & Young LLP.

The programme will specifically target high-potential university students from Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam to promote the Singapore Chartered Accountant Qualification.

Under the agreement, ISCA and EY Singapore will execute the programme to collectively foster accountancy talents from in Southeast Asia, in particular Thailand and Vietnam, promote it as an accountancy professional qualification of choice, and train accountancy talents and equip them with professional competences, amongst others.

Students who complete the SCAQ Foundation Programme and attain the ISCA Professional Business Accountant designation will be granted a guaranteed interview opportunity with EY Singapore. If offered full-time graduate positions, they will go on to complete the SCAQ Professional Programme and fulfil their Practical Experience with EY Singapore as an Accredited Training Organisation.

ISCA is targeting more than 7,000 candidates in 2025.