Values First: What It Really Takes to Build a Career in Practice. Soo Rui Chua, Singapore

Why It Matters

The talk underscores that firms’ long-term quality and client trust hinge on mentorship-driven development, ethical culture and hiring for attitude—factors that directly affect risk management and talent pipelines in professional services. Investing in these areas can reduce errors, preserve client relationships and strengthen succession planning.

Summary

Soo Rui Chua recounts a 20-year ascent from audit associate to managing director at Nexia Singapore, crediting mentorship—particularly from ACCA member Paul Tan—for building her technical skills, confidence, and leadership approach. She emphasizes that attitude, ethics and honesty outweigh technical prowess when recruiting, and that trust is essential because partners cannot oversee every engagement. Chua replicates her mentor’s approach by involving junior staff in client meetings, sharing her mistakes, and mentoring polytechnic students to cultivate future talent. Her story links personal development, people management and professional integrity as pillars of a sustainable accounting practice.

Original Description

In this video, Soo Rui shares her own career story and the lens she brings to developing talent within her firm: a belief that integrity, honesty, and strong professional values are the foundations everything else is built on. As a Partner at Nexia Singapore, Soo Rui Chua has seen what separates good practitioners from great ones — and it isn't just technical skill.

She reflects on what she looks for when nurturing the next generation, and why mentorship — done thoughtfully — is one of the most powerful investments a practice can make.  

Learn more: https://stories.accaglobal.com/smp-talent-management-toolkit/index.html