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 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 stocks rose in early trade today, tracking gains in the broader Asia-Pacific region.

In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) gained 0.2 per cent to 3,726.78 points after 69.3 million securities were transacted across the broader market.

In terms of companies to watch, we have Singapore Post after the firm said three of its senior management staff were terminated after they were found to be negligent in the handling of internal investigations over a whistleblower’s report. 

Elsewhere, from more on a cooler-than-expected US personal consumption expenditures index report out on Friday, to how US President-elect Donald Trump indicated that he favoured allowing TikTok to keep operating in the US for at least a little while – more international and corporate headlines remain in focus.

On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Chin Hui Leong, Co-founder, The Smart Investor.

Singapore stocks rose in early trade today, tracking gains in the broader Asia-Pacific region.
In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) gained 0.2 per cent to 3,726.78 points after 69.3 million securities were transacted across the broader market.
In terms of companies to watch, we have Singapore Post after the firm said three of its senior management staff were terminated after they were found to be negligent in the handling of internal investigations over a whistleblower&rsquo;s report.&nbsp;
Elsewhere, from more on a cooler-than-expected US personal consumption expenditures index report out on Friday, to how US President-elect Donald Trump indicated that he favoured allowing TikTok to keep operating in the US for at least a little while &ndash; more international and corporate headlines remain in focus.
On Market View, Money Matters&rsquo; finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Chin Hui Leong, Co-founder, The Smart Investor.

Market View: Cooler-than-expected US PCE numbers; Trump favouring letting TikTok operate in the US for at least a little while; SingPost terminates three senior management staff on handling of whistleblower report and more

Art is often celebrated as "a freedom of expression," a boundless medium through which individuals convey their thoughts, emotions, and perspectives.

But how free is this expression when government regulations intervene, potentially stifling artistic creativity? Can art truly thrive in an environment where it is subjected to oversight and control?

Consider the case of the Samsui mural.

The artwork, which depicted a Samsui woman - a historic icon of resilience - holding a cigarette, faced demands for alteration or removal, since it clashed with societal norms and regulatory concerns.

Does Singapore impose excessive constraints on artistic expression? And is there even a need to regulate art in the first place?

On The Hot Seat, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Ryan Su, OC Queen Street, The Ryan Foundation, and Michelle Lim, Assistant Professor, NTU School of Humanities.

Art is often celebrated as "a freedom of expression," a boundless medium through which individuals convey their thoughts, emotions, and perspectives.
But how free is this expression when government regulations intervene, potentially stifling artistic creativity? Can art truly thrive in an environment where it is subjected to oversight and control?
Consider the case of the Samsui mural.
The artwork, which depicted a Samsui woman - a historic icon of resilience - holding a cigarette, faced demands for alteration or removal, since it clashed with societal norms and regulatory concerns.
Does Singapore impose excessive constraints on artistic expression? And is there even a need to regulate art in the first place?
On The Hot Seat, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Ryan Su, OC Queen Street, The Ryan Foundation, and Michelle Lim, Assistant Professor, NTU School of Humanities.

The Hot Seat: Should the government regulate art?

Singapore stocks opened lower today, following another downbeat session on Wall Street as the US Federal Reserve’s hawkish pivot continued to weigh on sentiment.

In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) had fallen 0.5 per cent to 3,743.96 points after 30.8 million securities transacted across the broader market.

In terms of counters to watch, we have CapitaLand Investment and CapitaLand Ascott Trust. That’s after CapitaLand Investment sold stapled securities in CapitaLand Ascott Trust for S$162 million to an unrelated party.

Elsewhere, from more on Japanese inflation rising more than expected last month, to what to expect ahead of the release of US personal consumption expenditures tonight – more international headlines remain in focus. 

Also on deck – Beijing calling on AstraZeneca to expand its research and development investment in the city despite an ongoing probe against some of its executives.

Plus – a quick look at MayBank’s take on what to watch in 2025.

On Market View, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Eddy Loh, Chief Investment Officer, Maybank Group Wealth Management.

Singapore stocks opened lower today, following another downbeat session on Wall Street as the US Federal Reserve&rsquo;s hawkish pivot continued to weigh on sentiment.
In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) had fallen 0.5 per cent to 3,743.96 points after 30.8 million securities transacted across the broader market.
In terms of counters to watch, we have CapitaLand Investment and CapitaLand Ascott Trust. That&rsquo;s after CapitaLand Investment sold stapled securities in CapitaLand Ascott Trust for S$162 million to an unrelated party.
Elsewhere, from more on Japanese inflation rising more than expected last month, to what to expect ahead of the release of US personal consumption expenditures tonight &ndash; more international headlines remain in focus.&nbsp;
Also on deck &ndash; Beijing calling on AstraZeneca to expand its research and development investment in the city despite an ongoing probe against some of its executives.
Plus &ndash; a quick look at MayBank&rsquo;s take on what to watch in 2025.
On Market View, The Evening Runway&rsquo;s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Eddy Loh, Chief Investment Officer, Maybank Group Wealth Management.

Market View: Expectations ahead of US PCE numbers; Odds of US government shutdown; Earnings from FedEx, Nike; Beijing calls on AstraZeneca to expand R&D investment; Japan’s core inflation accelerated in November; CapitaLand Investment sells stapled securities in CapitaLand Ascott Trust and more 

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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