At PwC, we are invested in growing our people’s international experience through our global network. Sim Harng Yi, our Manager from our Financial Services Tax practice shares his experience at PwC Hong Kong during an unlikely time when COVID-19 took place in the midst of his secondment there.
“When I first started with PwC, I had the opportunity to work on international engagements where experts across different territories from around the PwC global network worked closely alongside each other.
Being able to collaborate with colleagues and clients across different time zones and diverse cultures sparked my interest in wanting to experience working outside of Singapore. In January 2019, after being with the firm for 3 years, I was offered the opportunity to go on a secondment at PwC Hong Kong and I said yes without a doubt.
My time in Hong Kong was fruitful. I had to pick up a new set of tax laws and regulations. In addition, I had to adapt to an unfamiliar culture with a foreign language. Earlier this year, when COVID-19 unravelled globally, we had to adapt to new office and health measures and work from home predominantly. Initially, this caused some disruption to our projects. After days of trial and error, we established some routines such as scheduling recurring virtual meetings which helped us stay connected and updated on the progress of our work.
Even though I was in Hong Kong, my colleagues and leaders from Singapore reached out to me when COVID-19 happened with thoughtful messages asking if I was okay and to holla if I needed anything. Their care and concern warmed my heart and made me treasure my relationships with them even more.
Looking back, having the additional knowledge on Hong Kong’s tax laws has given me an edge where I can now better advise clients from both territories - Singapore and Hong Kong - given that cross-border transactions are becoming more prevalent in today’s context.
The collaborative and caring spirit I witnessed is something I truly appreciate in PwC.
My advice to all students is to stay adaptable and resilient in the ever changing environment. Admittedly, unlearning and relearning are not always straight forward, but from my personal experience, adapting to change is necessary- whether moving to a new country or keeping up with digital trends to remain relevant. Don’t give up! The journey may be challenging but it will be all worthwhile as you gain new perspectives and skills.
Sim Harng Yi
Financial Services Tax
