The Luckin Coffee accounting fraud breaking out early this year shows how new business models, like “Internet+Retail”, significantly increase the challenge for audit quality in the Big Data era. The more I researched Luckin’s case, the more I realized that it is crucial to equip myself with advanced skills in data analysis to adapt to the fast-evolving business world, which motivates me to apply for the Master of Accounting programme at [University Name].

During my undergraduate study, I acquired fundamental knowledge in accounting and management, and opened my eyes to a broader business world. Apart from financial accounting focusing on the accounting cycle and financial statements, I also learned management accounting about the use of accounting information in decision-making, planning, and control. Financial Statement Analysis is one of my favorite courses because I did a lot of case studies on profitability analysis and financial performance evaluation for large companies including Amazon, Walmart, and so on. Using financial reports and industry research information, I provided practical advice to improve cost management and operating efficiency. Realizing the importance of data analysis from this course, I took initiative to learn advanced software packages including Access, Stata and SPSS, and significantly improved my performance of dealing with more complicated financial data. In addition to the coursework, I also studied ACCA independently in my spare time and enhanced my appreciation of accounting from a comparative perspective.

My solid understand of accounting enables me to apply theory to practical extracurricular activities and use accounting as an essential tool. In an American exchange program, we needed to complete a business plan for a virtual catering social enterprise, and I conducted the part of making budget and preparing income statement as the only accounting major student in the team. Given limited set-up capital, I allocated costs and set prices to activities in the value chain referring to the real data collected by visiting local farms and supermarkets. Based on my estimation and industry research, I predicted profits over the next three years and made a budget, which facilitated the company to make an appropriate production and operation plan. In brief, the use of accounting information and data analysis facilitated decision making and firm development. By connecting accounting to the real business world, I further felt the charm of accounting as a language in the business world.

After having a wide scope of studies in accounting, I found myself particularly interested in auditing field as its linking financial accounting with management. Thus, I chose to serve as an audit intern in accounting firms to know more about the industry. During my internship at Deloitte, besides completing the bank confirmations and cash account workbooks, I actively shouldered the responsibility of performing the recalculation of fixed assets depreciation and analyzing changes in administration expenses, which are within the first-year auditor’s scope of responsibilities. Challenging as this additional work was, I managed to finish it and organize the results in the workpapers in 5 days. The handling of various accounts made me have a better understanding of the big picture of the overall audit procedures. When participating in an IPO audit project in BDO China LLP, I conducted the walk-through test that tracked the process of logistics orders. Deeply getting into the client’s operation process, I was able to identify potential risks, evaluate the effectiveness of internal control, and propose improvement suggestions from the management perspective. Through these two audit engagements, I truly felt the professional growth I could get as an auditor, which further strengthened my determination to pursue a career in public accounting.

Upon graduation, I wish to start my career in Deloitte’s audit team. During work, I plan to have an in-depth understanding of the clients’ accounting information system and think about how to better integrate it with the whole operation process to facilitate the use of accounting information in decision making. Attracted by the operation process and financial management of a corporate client in the biomedical industry during my internship, I plan to go to a biomedical company after 5-8 years as a Financial Business Partner and improve operating efficiency with the help of financial analysis. My ultimate goal is to become the CFO and make my company financially healthier so that the R&D team can focus on researching better medicine for hard targets, such as COVID-19.

In order to do further study and achieve my career goals, I choose to apply for the [University Name] Master of Accounting programme for its strong academic and career surpport. I’d love to take Accounting Data and Analytics to upgrade my analytical skills, and Auditing and Corporate Services to satisfy my specific academic interest in audit. Prof. Derrald STICE’s research regarding auditing and analyst forecast is right on my academic , as the topic of my thesis is The Relationship Between Audit Quality and Analyst Earnings Forecast Accuracy, so I’d love to learn from him in person. [University Name]’s excellent career development and networks can empower students in the talent markets in both Hong Kong and the Mainland China. Moreover, I appreciate the internship opportunities and [University Name]’s partnerships with corporates, which give me chances to communicate with professionals of my targeted industry and gain insights into the situations and development of the industry. I believe that my study at [University Name] will be an important steppingstone to an ideal career .