Xia Xiao Yan (Grace)
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Xia Xiao Yan (Grace) |
Deputy General Manager, Legend Group Limited, China
Xia Xiao Yan (Grace) has over 15 years' experience in finance. As deputy general manager of Legend Group Limited, her job requires regular travel between Beijing and Hong Kong. Combining that with being and a mum can be a tricky business.
"I have really strong negotiating and planning skills and I can deal with people at all levels. These skills are a real boost to my home life as well as at work," she says.
In 1988, Grace started her accountancy career in a property management company, moving into practice in 1994. After a two-year stint as an auditor, Grace became finance and accounting manager at Legend Group Limited.
She was admitted to membership in 1999 and is convinced that achieving her ACCA qualification helped her career. "Businesses require finance professionals who can demonstrate expertise beyond purely numbers. Obtaining the ACCA qualification has given me a broad-based knowledge which is vital for success in business."
She continues: "I was promoted to deputy treasurer in 1999 and chief financial officer in 2000, before finally becoming deputy general manager in 2001."
ACCA's international reputation makes Grace "feel proud to belong to ACCA's global family," and she believes the accession of China to WTO in 2001 offers immense opportunities for the finance profession. "Finance professionals have varied responsibilities and need to undertake professional training and development in order to keep up-to-date. ACCA offers life-long learning opportunities, unlike many other qualifications, which enriches my career and ensures I keep my skills up-to-date," she says.