Emma Tang works in fund management accounting while devoting to promote education – and finding the meaning of life

Open mind

Emma Tang finds her life very fufilling. Not only is she a Fund Services Manager of a Luxembourg-based international fund administration company Alter Domus, where her job involves handling the fund accounting of investment banks and private equity funds; but she also devotes herself to education and is studying for a Master’s degree in philosophy.

For her undergraduate degree, Tang studied at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, where she majored in accounting. She says she chose the subject mainly because it was a natural choice from middle school to College period, instead of considering her future career. That all changed, though, when she had a taste of working life in an accountancy firm. “Before graduation, I did not have much idea on auditing field but I was inspired by a Big4 director, who encouraged me to just step in to explore. I knew I’d made a good choice.”

She ended up starting her career as an auditor at EY after graduation, and stayed there for five years, longer than many fresh graduates manage. “Once you’ve started your first job, dedicate to learn what you can as the first few years are prime time for learning,” she recalls. “Auditing gives you the chance to work with different clients and teams in a very short time. Not only you can build up your accounting knowledge but you can also establish relationships with clients, and build management skills through both handling the engagements and guiding coming junior staff. When you gain more experience, you will know what you can contribute to and will develop your own confidence.”

Tang started studying QP from enrolling in the QP early bird scheme before university graduation. She says that she particularly valued the programme for its comprehensive nature. “QP is covering both accounting technical knowledge and real world aspect. You can apply it on your practical jobs.”

After leaving EY, Tang started to explore further her career. She has continuously built her technical knowledge and client management skills when she worked as manager in a consulting firm with focusing on Finance & Accounting and Risk & Compliance areas.

“I can continue to apply and develop my fund knowledge, interpersonal and management skills when I am now at Alter Domus, team work is always important here as in CPA firms.”

Miss Emma Tang
Fund Services Manager, Alter Domus

Making a difference

In between of Tang’s past career time, she spent a year time working in dual roles - the Financial Controller and Secretary of the President’s Office, at an NGO, the Dharmasthiti Group, which provides educational services with the mission of promoting cultivation of human virtue and moral with Confucianism aspect. The organization is established by her mentor, Professor Fok Tou Hui, a former professor of philosophy and Buddhist studies at The Chinese University of Hong Kong. “I am honoured to meet Professor Fok who inspired my appreciation of the importance and value of cultural education. In addition, my capabilities and professional knowledge are applicable to work and I can devote to the community. It makes my knowledge and work more meaningful.”

Tang is now also studying for a Master’s degree in philosophy at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, after being inspired to delve deeper into the subject by Professor Fok, who advocated putting the theories of philosophy into practice in real life. Tang also involves in assistance of teaching for different education programmes and shares her experience in school sessions.

Tang has a busy schedule but she says it worths. “If you find something you really need to do, you won’t think about time – you’ll make time for it.”

Interview and reporting by Richard Lord