SG Cares to partner Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants to grow skills-based volunteerism in the accountancy profession

1. As part of the SG Cares movement, the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) will be partnering with the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) to further grow skills-based volunteerism in the accountancy profession. Skills-based volunteerism refers to leveraging one's profession skills and expertise to serve the community.

2. To mark the partnership, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by Mr Kon Yin Tong, President of ISCA, and Dr Ang Hak Seng, Deputy Secretary of MCCY. The ceremony was witnessed by Mr Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth & Second Minister for Law.

3. Mr Edwin Tong said, “Skills-based volunteerism is one of the important ways that we can help to build a more caring and inclusive home for all. The partnership between ISCA and SG Cares Office will further grow skills-based volunteerism and make a larger collective impact to the wider community. For example, imparting essential financial skills to vulnerable families can help them manage household budgets well, and serve their families' needs better. I commend ISCA for stepping up to support the SG Cares movement and would like to encourage more organisations to partner us in growing the culture of care in Singapore.”

4. With the MOU signing, ISCA will serve as a SG Cares' national-level intermediary to grow skills-based volunteerism within the accountancy sector. The SG Cares Office will work closely with ISCA through its network of SG Cares Volunteer Centres across the island to nurture a pool of regular skills-based volunteers from among the accountancy professionals to meet community needs.

5. The SG Cares Office will also support ISCA to identify and develop new partnerships in the accountancy and non-profit sectors to further grow the SG Cares movement and inculcate the values of active volunteerism and everyday acts of care in working adults. For example, ISCA members can contribute their skills by providing pro bono audit services and assistance with accounting and compliance matters to non-profit organisations, and share essential financial skills with vulnerable families.

6. Mr Kon Yin Tong said, “ISCA is pleased to partner with SG Cares in promoting skills-based volunteerism in the accountancy profession. With their breadth and depth of skills and expertise, our members are well equipped to make a difference by using their professional capabilities in service to the community.”

7. Dr Ang Hak Seng said, “The SG Cares movement encourages Singaporeans to give back to the community in any way they can. One avenue of giving is through skills-based volunteerism which plays a critical role in our culture of care. While the people sector is primarily equipped with skills to address cause-related issues, they require accountancy expertise to uphold strong governance and accountability. We want to encourage more professionals to step forward and contribute their skills to the people sector. This will strengthen the capabilities of the people sector and enable them to optimise their resources to effectively meet needs.”

8. Contributing back to the community has been at the heart of ISCA since its formation. In 2015, ISCA's charity arm, ISCA Cares was established to provide opportunities for ISCA members to mentor accountancy students from financially vulnerable families. In 2017, the ISCA Cares Mentoring Programme was launched. It is a year-long programme designed to provide ISCA Cares beneficiaries with access to experienced accounting and finance professionals. Through one-on-one mentoring sessions, mentees gain valuable advice on personal and professional development, and future career options. To date, 80 ISCA members have volunteered their time to this programme which benefited 125 student beneficiaries.

For media queries, please contact:

Sharizan Nakmin
Corporate Communications Division
Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth
Tel: 6977 9186
Email: sharizan_nakmin@mccy.gov.sg

About the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants

The Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) is the national accountancy body of Singapore. ISCA's vision is to be a world-class accountancy body of trusted professionals, contributing towards an innovative and sustainable economy. There are over 32,000 ISCA members making their stride in businesses across industries in Singapore and around the world.

Established in 1963, ISCA is an advocate of the interests of the profession. Possessing a Global Mindset, with Asian Insights, ISCA leverages its regional expertise, knowledge, and networks with diverse stakeholders to contribute towards Singapore's transformation into a global accountancy hub.

ISCA is the Designated Entity to confer the Chartered Accountant of Singapore – CA (Singapore) – designation.

ISCA is a member of Chartered Accountants Worldwide, a global family that brings together the members of leading institutes to create a community of over 1.8 million Chartered Accountants and students in more than 190 countries.

For more information, visit www.isca.org.sg.

About SG Cares

SG Cares is a national movement dedicated to building a more caring and inclusive home for all. The movement invites all who live in Singapore to put values into action through active volunteerism, ground-up efforts and everyday acts of care. It also aims to build capability across various sectors and organisations to grow opportunities for volunteering. By inspiring and supporting one another, we can show the world that we are a nation with a big heart.

Find out more: https://www.volunteer.gov.sg/

About SG Cares Volunteer Centres

Since November 2018, the appointment of community-based organisations as SG Cares Volunteer Centres (VCs) is a key initiative under the SG Cares movement. To date, there are 14 SG Cares VCs and they have engaged more than 10,000 volunteers, developed 400 volunteer leaders and served over 71,000 beneficiaries. The SG Cares VCs also brokered 175 partnerships involving regular volunteers to support those in need. This is part of the efforts to establish SG Cares VCs in all 24 towns across Singapore by March 2022.