Phnom Penh-based CamEd Business School has one single over-arching goal – to produce top quality graduates for the Kingdom’s financial sector.

For almost 20 years, the institution has produced dynamic students with broad skills in accounting and finance who now helm the corporate sector, from banks to renowned accounting houses.

CamEd’s success comes from selecting the appropriate courses that suit current market demand and hiring the best educators to mould students with the right set of skills so they fit well into Cambodia’s robust and demanding financial sector.

A sector that supports growing businesses – be they small or medium-size enterprises or conglomerates.

The institution’s four-year Bachelor of Accounting and Finance (BA Hons) allows students to pursue the international Certificate in Accounting Technicians (CAT) qualification, and even continue on to the ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) qualification.

This is a course that helps groom young graduates for a professional career in the financial industry.

“We can say we are one of the best business schools in Cambodia that focuses on and provides training in accounting, finance and auditing.

“Our secret to becoming a premier institution offering quality financial education is due to international recognition from bodies such as the ACCA, CFA [Chartered Financial Analyst], ISO [International Organisation for Standardisation] and AUN [Asean University Network].

“Our academic staff comprises qualified international professors and lecturers. We use advanced educational technologies and systems. The quality of our students is recognised by international auditing companies such as PwC, KPMG, Deloitte and Ernst & Young,” said CamEd’s senior vice-president Sam Sokuntheary.

However, it is just not the courses offered that make CamEd one of Cambodia’s outstanding institutions.

Driven by a strong management team with a vision “to develop a community of accounting and finance professionals performing on a par with those in international financial centres, taking the initiative as leaders and upholding ethical standards” has made it a leader in the field.

Its core values are to provide high quality teaching, encourage lifelong learning and impart employable skills.

The BA+CAT qualification benchmarks international qualifications and complies with the requirements of the International Federation of Accountants, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, and the Cambodian National Qualification Framework.

At CamEd, students earn two certificates at the same time – a Bachelor of Accounting and Finance and a CAT – equipping them with the skills needed by employers and entrepreneurs.

“In promoting accounting and financial education in Cambodia, CamEd has always set out a clear vision and mission.

“Our long-term goal is to produce significant numbers of graduates in accounting and finance with skills and abilities equal to professionals in international financial centres.

“[And who also] meet the employment needs of local companies, financial institutions and other organisations in terms of quality accounting and finance professionals,” Sokuntheary said.

The BA curriculum prepares graduates to serve as accounting and finance professionals who can easily compete with those working at global companies.

For successful graduates, a wide range of well-paid jobs await, such as accountant, auditor, financial analyst, financial consultant, tax consultant, investment officer, loan officer, budget analyst, cost accountant, treasurer, risk management officer and financial accountant.

“Students graduate with knowledge, skills, adaptability, ethics and teamwork, which will help them to perform well at both national and international companies.

“Over 70 per cent of new hires by the ‘Big Four’ – PwC, KPMG, Deloitte and Ernst & Young – are CamEd graduates. CamEd graduates are highly sought after by leading banks and organisations, including the General Department of Taxation,” Sokuntheary said.

As demand for skilled accountants and financial advisors continues to grow in the banking and financial industries, a career option in accounting will certainly be rewarding for students who have an aptitude for numbers.