Auditing Crypto Assets
TAKEAWAYS As of 11 February 2025, the number of financial institutions licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to provide Digital Payment Token services has surpassed 30, and it continues to grow. With Bitcoin reaching an all-time high, there is increasing demand to verify the existence and ownership of cryptocurrencies (crypto) in financial audits […]
No Ring, No Problem
TAKEAWAYS In decades past, the traditional role of women was in the home – as a full-time wife, mother and homemaker. This role has been evolving and in recent years, the trajectory has been to graduate from school, secure a stable job, get married, and start a family. But today, that narrative has shifted again. […]
Thank You For The Money
TAKEAWAYS Singapore’s Budget 2025 kept up with the expectations of many, allocating significant funding for social initiatives. This includes a S$250-million SG Gives matching grant to provide dollar-for-dollar matching for donations made through the Community Chest, President’s Challenge and the Collective for a Stronger Society. There is also a S$270-million top-up to the Tote Board’s […]
TECHNICAL HIGHLIGHTS
FINANCIAL REPORTING ISCA Issues FRG 5 Accounting For Refundable Investment Credit (RIC) To address the potential impact of BEPS 2.0, the RIC scheme was introduced in 2024 to encourage companies to make significant new or expanded investments in substantive economic activities in Singapore in key economic sectors and new growth areas. To aid entities in […]
Fraud Risk Management In The Public Sector
TAKEAWAYS Fraud is a persistent challenge in the public sector, draining valuable resources and undermining public trust. While fraud risk management is well understood in theory, effective detection and prevention remain complex in practice. Accountants, auditors, and financial professionals play a pivotal role in strengthening fraud risk controls, leveraging technology, and fostering a culture of […]
What’s The Deal With JS-SEZ?
TAKEAWAYS A landmark initiative designed to strengthen cross-border cooperation with the establishment of a one-stop centre to facilitate investments and businesses, the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) aims to create 20,000 skilled jobs and facilitate the expansion of 50 projects in the first five years, and 100 projects within the first decade. Spanning over 3,500 […]
Singapore: Least Corrupt Nation In Asia Pacific
Not only is Singapore a renowned global business centre and financial hub, it is also clean in the different ways that count, such as being ranked the least corrupt country in Asia Pacific, in Transparency International’s 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) report. This is the first time in 14 years that the city-state has come […]
ISCA Breakfast Talk: “The CFO Playbook 2025”
As the role of the CFO evolves beyond traditional financial management, success will belong to those who can navigate today’s complex business environment while driving innovation and maintaining financial discipline. At the ISCA Breakfast Talk on February 11, titled “The CFO Playbook 2025: Navigating the Future of Finance”, Alex Ramambason, Senior Director, Lancia Consult, highlighted […]
Best Cities In Asia Pacific
Which are the best cities in the region in which to live, work and play? The jury is out and, according to the inaugural Asia-Pacific’s Best Cities report, Singapore tops the list, followed by Tokyo, Japan; Seoul, South Korea; Hong Kong; and Beijing, China, rounding off the first five. The report was launched in Singapore […]
Get The Most Out Of A Diverse Board
TAKEAWAYS Whether it’s providing essential oversight or representing stakeholder interests, a firm’s board of directors wields significant power in determining how an organisation is governed. Boards are generally seen as detached from the daily operations or research activities of a firm. However, in recent years, many boards have become more involved in a company’s technology […]