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managing director, Hang Seng Bank, Hong Kong

Mok Wai-Kin joined Hang Seng Bank, the second largest listed bank in Hong Kong in terms of market value, as a trainee in 1966. He worked his way up the ranks to his current position of managing director. 'After joining the bank, I felt the need to continue studying. I wanted to pursue accountancy as it was relevant to financial services and it is a respected profession.

'I chose ACCA because it is a highly-respected international qualification, offering a depth of training which met my needs. It also offered wider career opportunities in all sectors. The skills the ACCA qualification gives you can benefit every type of organisation.'

Mok Wai-Kin made many close and lasting friendships with his fellow ACCA students: 'We all shared the goal of furthering our education. They were a very positive-minded group of students who were devoted to the profession. After overcoming many hardships together, we got to know each other well and remain good friends to this day.'

He believes Hang Seng Bank is an excellent employer, where he took advantage of the career development opportunities opened up to him after qualification: 'The ACCA qualification has no doubt enhanced my career. It is a mark of achievement that represents good professional training. Without it, I would not have been in a position to assume more responsibilities.'

At the start of his career, Mok Wai-Kin worked in retail banking before specialising in commercial finance. In 1981, he was appointed deputy head of the trade finance department. He transferred to the audit division in 1982 and was made head of the audit division in 1988.

'In 1991 I was promoted again to assistant general manager. My career really took off at this point, and in 1994 I became head of the retail banking division, with responsibility for the bank's personal banking business. I was then appointed general manager in 1996, a director of the bank in 1999 and managing director in 2000.'

Mok Wai-Kin looks forward to introducing his colleagues to the ACCA qualification: 'A finance professional needs to develop an understanding of real business issues, to look beyond the figures to the management perspective. It's commercial common-sense. With greater business exposure and an all round view of business issues, our judgement will be more objective. Accounting professionals can focus too much on risks and not enough on opportunities.

'We have a responsibility for business growth and should be able to identify development proposals and capitalise on opportunities. The ACCA qualification gives you all this and more.'