The accounting and professional services sector is at the centre of our conversation today. 

According to the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority, Singapore projects 6,000 to 7,000 new accounting jobs by 2025, adding on to the current workforce of over 100,000 employees. 

Globally, the Big Four accounting firms also went on hiring sprees of their own last year, with the companies already boasting over a million employees as of November 2022. 

But why did demand for professional services increase amid the volatile economic climate and as job cuts hit other industries such as investment banking? 

Has that boom fizzled yet with consulting firms announcing job cuts in the US this year? If not, what is the way ahead for the industry?

I sat down with Shariq Barmaky, CEO, Deloitte Singapore, to find out what Deloitte Singapore is seeing right now in terms of demand and what this means for the firm’s growth trajectory. 

The accounting and professional services sector is at the centre of our conversation today. 
According to the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority, Singapore projects 6,000 to 7,000 new accounting jobs by 2025, adding on to the current workforce of over 100,000 employees. 
Globally, the Big Four accounting firms also went on hiring sprees of their own last year, with the companies already boasting over a million employees as of November 2022. 
But why did demand for professional services increase amid the volatile economic climate and as job cuts hit other industries such as investment banking? 
Has that boom fizzled yet with consulting firms announcing job cuts in the US this year? If not, what is the way ahead for the industry?
I sat down with Shariq Barmaky, CEO, Deloitte Singapore, to find out what Deloitte Singapore is seeing right now in terms of demand and what this means for the firm’s growth trajectory.

Money Matters is your guide to navigating the day's most important topics, from politics and current affairs to wealth management and trending issues. Every evening, the team delivers insightful discussions on business news, market movements, and the latest in alternative assets. Whether navigating the political landscape, understanding the economy, or uncovering emerging investment opportunities, Money Matters keeps you informed and ahead of the curve. Tune in daily to Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian from 4 pm to 7 pm on MONEY FM 89.3.

Money Matters is your guide to navigating the day's most important topics, from politics and current affairs to wealth management and trending issues. Every evening, the team delivers insightful discussions on business news, market movements, and the latest in alternative assets. Whether navigating the political landscape, understanding the economy, or uncovering emerging investment opportunities, Money Matters keeps you informed and ahead of the curve. Tune in daily to Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian from 4 pm to 7 pm on MONEY FM 89.3.

Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

We speak with businesses, industry leaders, venture capitalists and startups on their assessment of the business environment they're in, and what the future holds for them.

We speak with businesses, industry leaders, venture capitalists and startups on their assessment of the business environment they're in, and what the future holds for them.

Under The Radar

MONEY FM 89.3 is Singapore’s first and only Business and Personal Finance station. MONEY FM is a 24-hour English talk format station featuring local and international business and financial news. We provide you with financial market and currency updates and insights from analysts, economists, policy makers, industry experts and business owners.

In the lighter hours, listen to discussions on social issues and features on topics that include health, education, arts and music.

MONEY FM 89.3 is Singapore&rsquo;s first and only Business and Personal Finance station. MONEY FM is a 24-hour English talk format station featuring local and international business and financial news. We provide you with financial market and currency updates and insights from analysts, economists, policy makers, industry experts and business owners.
In the lighter hours, listen to discussions on social issues and features on topics that include health, education, arts and music.

MONEY FM 89.3 is Singapore’s first and only Business and Personal Finance station.

MONEY FM 89.3

Your evening guide to the day's most important topics — navigate the key events in politics, business, markets, wealth management, and top investment opportunities. Keeps you informed and ahead of the curve, daily.

Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian (4pm - 7pm)

Under the Radar: Has the boom in professional services demand fizzled – Deloitte Singapore’s CEO on whether layoffs in the US are specific to the country; Plans to add 3,000 new employees in Singapore and double US$1b revenue over next five years in Southeast Asia; Priorities as new CEO

Singapore shares slid today as markets in Asia traded in both positive and negative territories.

The Straits Times Index was down 0.7% at 4,909.28 points at 11.44am Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$987.06M seen in the broader market.

In terms of counters to watch, we have Sheng Siong. The grocery store operator said in response to shareholder queries ahead of its AGM that it sees further room for margin improvement although the Iran conflict could exert “upward pressure on costs and prices”.

Elsewhere, from a low down of the latest slew of S-Reit earnings, to how investors are reacting to news that Lebanon and Israel extended their ceasefire for three weeks, more corporate and international headlines remained in focus. 

Also on deck, how Meta Platforms and Microsoft are planning cuts or announcing buyouts that could affect as many as 23,000 jobs, part of an effort to streamline operations and offset heavy spending on artificial intelligence.

On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Benjamin Goh, Head of Research and Investor Education, SIAS.

Singapore shares slid today as markets in Asia traded in both positive and negative territories.
The Straits Times Index was down 0.7% at 4,909.28 points at 11.44am Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$987.06M seen in the broader market.
In terms of counters to watch, we have Sheng Siong. The grocery store operator said in response to shareholder queries ahead of its AGM that it sees further room for margin improvement although the Iran conflict could exert &ldquo;upward pressure on costs and prices&rdquo;.
Elsewhere, from a low down of the latest slew of S-Reit earnings, to how investors are reacting to news that Lebanon and Israel extended their ceasefire for three weeks, more corporate and international headlines remained in focus.&nbsp;
Also on deck, how Meta Platforms and Microsoft are planning cuts or announcing buyouts that could affect as many as 23,000 jobs, part of an effort to streamline operations and offset heavy spending on artificial intelligence.
On Market View, Money Matters&rsquo; finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Benjamin Goh, Head of Research and Investor Education, SIAS.

Market View: Asian markets mixed as investors mull extension of ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel for three weeks; Fed, ECB, BoJ, BoE rate decisions due next week; Meta, Microsoft plan cuts, buyouts that may affect 23,000 jobs; S-Reit earnings in focus; ST Engineering, Sheng Siong, CapitaLand Investment to watch

Singapore’s hawker centres have long been seen as the city’s great equalizer, where a $5 meal still delivers comfort and cultural identity in one of the world’s most expensive cities. But new data suggests that this everyday institution is under mounting pressure.

A recent Blackbox Research SensingSG survey finds that 72% of Singaporeans believe hawker culture is now under threat. Meanwhile, 4 in 10 Singaporeans say they cannot maintain their current lifestyle without access to affordable hawker food.

What happens when something universally valued becomes economically fragile? And if the iconic $5 meal is no longer sustainable, what replaces it and who gets left out?

On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Glenn Wray, Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer at Blackbox Research, to find out more.

Singapore&rsquo;s hawker centres have long been seen as the city&rsquo;s great equalizer, where a $5 meal still delivers comfort and cultural identity in one of the world&rsquo;s most expensive cities. But new data suggests that this everyday institution is under mounting pressure.
A recent Blackbox Research SensingSG survey finds that 72% of Singaporeans believe hawker culture is now under threat. Meanwhile, 4 in 10 Singaporeans say they cannot maintain their current lifestyle without access to affordable hawker food.
What happens when something universally valued becomes economically fragile? And if the iconic $5 meal is no longer sustainable, what replaces it and who gets left out?
On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with&nbsp;Glenn Wray, Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer at Blackbox Research, to find out more.

The Big Story: 72% say hawker culture is under threat from energy shocks, but can Singapore save it?

Would you be okay with AI using your face to create content without you?

A major Chinese streaming platform is facing backlash over its new AI actor initiative, raising big questions about consent, creativity, and the future of human performance.

Plus, how far would you go to find out your favourite artist’s album release date?

Drake has hidden his next drop inside a 200-ton block of ice and fans are literally trying to break it open.

On What’s Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Alexandra Parada unpack AI actors and wild album marketing.

Would you be okay with AI using your face to create content without you?
A major Chinese streaming platform is facing backlash over its new AI actor initiative, raising big questions about consent, creativity, and the future of human performance.
Plus, how far would you go to find out your favourite artist&rsquo;s album release date?
Drake has hidden his next drop inside a 200-ton block of ice and fans are literally trying to break it open.
On What&rsquo;s Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Alexandra Parada unpack AI actors and wild album marketing.

Under the Radar: Has the boom in professional services demand fizzled – Deloitte Singapore’s CEO on whether layoffs in the US are specific to the country; Plans to add 3,000 new employees in Singapore and double US$1b revenue over next five years in Southeast Asia; Priorities as new CEO

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