Paul Chan CPA takes a holistic approach to business that allows him to give back to the profession and to those less privileged.
Q. What is the main thrust of your work?
In recent years, I have devoted over 80 per cent of my time and energy to serving the profession and the community of Hong Kong.
I have been actively serving the profession in various capacities since the early 1990s. One of the major tasks that I have embarked on for years is leading the negotiations under CEPA with the CICPA and Ministry of Finance in mainland China. It is an enormous task that requires great patience and dexterity, and I am happy to report that we have recently gained further mileage in the negotiations on the mutual examination paper exemptions, details of which are expected to be announced in June 2008.
I have also advocated the formulation of a separate set of financial reporting standards for SMEs, and have pains-takingly spearheaded this tremendous task until fruition. The simplified and user-friendly standard was published in 2005, and has benefited tens of thousands of SMEs in Hong Kong.
On the international front, I represent the HK profession on the small and medium practices committee of the International Federation of Accountants and the working group on SME accounting standards of the International Accounting Standard Board.
I have been an effective and well-respected ambassador of the profession in the international arena.
Apart from contributing in profession-related areas, I have also served on a number of government committees on issues relating to people's livelihood, including low-cost housing, transport, drug abuse and consumer protection. In September 2006, I was appointed chairman of the Legal Aid Service Council. These appointments have afforded me the chance to help the underprivileged in the community.
Q. What do you find challenging?
My answer to this question changes with time and circumstances. At the moment, my biggest challenge is to find the forum at which the great efforts that I put in will bring the maximum benefits to those whom I have a strong passion to serve.
Q. What do you find satisfying?
To raise the status of the Hong Kong accounting profession and qualifications, and to be able to help those in need. Oftentimes, the hard work and strenuous efforts behind the scene go unnoticed but when I get recognition and compliments from those few who do notice, it is truly gratifying.
Q. Could you tell us about your charity work?
I have a strong passion for helping young people the underprivileged. I have also helped charitable organisations improve their financial disciplines.
Fully subscribed to its missions and visions, I became a director and subsequently chairman of Breakthrough, a well-known Christian charitable organisation serving the young people of Hong Kong. I am now chairman of the Friends of Caritas, one of the largest and most established charitable organisations serving 'the last, the least and the lost'.
Reference: May 2008, volume 78:04. p. 16
