TAKEAWAYS
In 2012, I had a pivotal career opportunity – relocating with Microsoft from Singapore to Australia, to manage a larger portfolio and engage with top stakeholders. Despite the personal risks of moving my family, the professional growth and new challenges warranted this significant step in my career journey.
During my early years in Australia, I was focused on the financial dynamics essential for business success as I led the Financial Planning & Analysis and Commercial Finance teams. I partnered with business leaders and built financial strategies that allowed us to demonstrate financial performance while investing in technology and cloud infrastructures and resources. I navigated organisational changes to land the right skill sets and people resources to grow the business. These experiences sharpened my analytical skills, deepened my understanding of the financial impact on teams, and provided valuable insights into the Australian market and workplace practices.
In working through these business opportunities, I gained insights into the local requirements and policies that are crucial for ensuring workplace safety, fostering trust, and maintaining secure business practices. As with other businesses, engaging the right experts and appreciating the regulatory requirements of industry, business and government bodies are critical.
I lead a diverse and experienced team in Australia. In the early years, when new technology was making its way into accountancy, we worked together to foster innovations in finance through automation, machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI). These initiatives kept the team inspired and motivated throughout the change process as they played a part in envisioning what the future of the finance profession would look like.
Unlike in Singapore where there could be some form of support at home (for example, parents, in-laws or domestic helpers), in Australia, many employees tend to have to fully shoulder their own domestic responsibilities. As such, I often emphasise, to the team, the need to balance work and family life.
We have a team culture where key tasks are completed within the work hours and, while we enjoy some flexibility at work, it is never at the expense of crucial deadlines. This delicate balance has honed my empathetic leadership, affirming that work-life balance is deeply personal.
In 2019, my move from finance to sales strategy, operations and now strategic partnerships marked a significant career transition. I shifted gears from finance to the business side of things, and had to build new skills. My financial acumen gave me a strong understanding of business and sales trends, and what matters for partner profitability, which in turn helped build trust with our stakeholders. I embraced humility in this new role as I worked towards earning stakeholder confidence, which led to pivotal sales culture projects and business changes. Driving change in the Australian business required me to develop new professional connections and relationships. Transparent communications, stakeholder alignment and driving continuous improvements while staying adaptable were key to driving successful business outcomes.
Australia’s professional culture is mature, regulated and innovation-driven, as evidenced by the 2024-2025 Budget. Having the right experts from within the team or externally is important to ensure regulatory compliance. Business success hinges on strong stakeholder relationships, adaptability, and embracing innovation. Building up meaningful professional ties and strategic partnerships through joint win-win goals, transparent communication and alignment are critical success factors.
Tan Hui Cheng, CA (Singapore), is Strategic Partner Lead, Global Advisory & SI, Asia, Microsoft; and Chairperson, ISCA Australia Chapter.
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