24 Feb 2025
On 24 February 2025, the International Business School Suzhou (IBSS) at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) at IBSS, to establish pathways for students in China to pursue the Singapore Chartered Accountant Qualification (SCAQ). The newly-formed partnership marks the ISCA’s first partnership with a university in China since the establishment of its inaugural representative office in Nanjing in November 2024.
Professor Jorg Bley, Dean of IBSS
Mr Tan Wei Luo, Divisional Director for Qualification, Market & Growth at ISCA
The MOU was signed by Mr Tan Wei Luo, Divisional Director for Qualification, Market & Growth at ISCA, and Professor Jorg Bley, Dean of IBSS. The signing ceremony was witnessed by leaders from the Suzhou Industrial Park, representatives from ISCA and XJTLU, guests from the accounting and business sectors in China and Singapore, as well as the inaugural batch of 20 student scholarship recipients from IBSS.
Under the partnership, eligible undergraduate accounting students from International Business School Suzhou (IBSS) at XJTLU will enjoy exemptions for selected subjects under the Foundation Programme (FP) of the SCAQ. Upon completion of the FP, students will be conferred the Professional Business Accountant (PBA) title, which is the first step in their journey towards becoming a Chartered Accountant of Singapore. The exemptions provide XJTLU accounting students with an accelerated pathway towards a career in professional accountancy, and helps to further foster interest in accountancy as a study of choice in China. In addition, ISCA will award 20 scholarships amongst the top 5% of students annually, which will cover the fees of the FP.
The Scholarship - winning students
The collaboration between ISCA and XJTLU will be the first stage of a deeper and longer-term partnership between both institutions. Accounting students from IBSS will be connected with companies in China such as Tencent, DBS China, PwC China and the Singapore Nanjing Eco Hi-tech Island (SNECO), who have been recognised as an Accredited Training Organisations (ATO) of ISCA. The network of ATOs in China is expected to grow over the next few years.Professor Jorg Bley, Dean of IBSS, said: “We are immensely proud that our BA Accounting programme has become the first in China to receive accreditation from ISCA. This milestone not only underscores the global recognition of our programme's academic rigor and quality but also reflects our commitment to nurturing future-ready accounting professionals who meet international standards. At IBSS, we strive to bridge East and West by providing our students with world-class education and opportunities to excel in a competitive global landscape. The cooperation with ISCA is a testament to our dedication to innovation, excellence, and the continuous pursuit of delivering value to our students and the broader business community.”
Ms Claire Qian, ISCA Chapter Chairperson for Shanghai
The ISCA PS Centre is poised to amplify the demand for professional services and accounting expertise. Hence, our partnership with XJTLU marks a pivotal first step in our strategy designed to nurture and grow a robust pipeline of accounting professionals. This collaboration is essential in addressing the growing needs of the business ecosystem in China.” said Ms Claire Qian, ISCA Chapter Chairperson for Shanghai.
Suzhou Industrial Park Finance and Audit Bureau, commented, "This initiative will further deepen cooperation and exchanges between China and Singapore in the field of professional services such as accounting. It will help build a talent pool with specialised skills and an international perspective, enriching the connotation of China-Singapore cooperation and contributing to the vision of building an open, innovative, world-class high-tech industrial park."
Since its inception, IBSS has consistently adhered to the philosophy of delivering high-quality international business education. IBSS Accounting programme has achieved international leading standards in curriculum design, teaching quality, and talent cultivation. The programme has received multiple international professional accreditations, and this collaboration with ISCA will further enhance its global competitiveness, opening up broader career development opportunities for students.
24 Feb 2025