The Phnom Penh-based CamEd Business School has established a reputation for producing some of the country’s top accounting professionals.

Supported by experienced academic staff, along with sizable resources and facilities, the institute has managed to lay strong foundations and gain a high stature for financial and accounting studies - producing quality professionals for the robust domestic financial market.

Approximately 4,000 students currently enrolled are keen to carve out a prestigious career in the highly competitive financial and accounting fields, with most of its young graduates landing coveted jobs in both the public and corporate sectors.

CamEd provides one of the world’s most highly recognised courses – the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) – a qualification highly sought after by employers. They also conduct the Certificate in Accounting Technician (CAT), an equally distinguished course that imparts accounting skills.

“CamEd offers a comprehensive financial education – it offers a Bachelor’s degree along with the Certificate in Accounting and some ACCA syllabus as well,” Ratna Neou, head of ACCA Cambodia, told The Post.

According to the ACCA website, the Certified Chartered Accountant credential is currently held by 227,000 fully qualified members and 544,000 future members worldwide, with 265 affiliates and members currently from Cambodia.

“We [the ACCA body] conducted global research and found that 94 per cent of employers believe in the quality of ACCA and its strong recognition around the world,” Neou said.

ACCA equips students with vital skills such as management, course leadership, technology, auditing and critical thinking, as well as ethical and professional compliance, resulting in job security in auditing, banking or tax consultant firms, he added.

Having earned a reputation as a top ACCA learning provider in Cambodia, employers – specifically from the banking and accounting sectors – seek potential employees from CamEd.

Chea Limchhing, a former CamEd student who graduated in ACCA and CAT, currently a tax officer at the General Department of Taxation, said: “Even before I had graduated in ACCA, a few employers phoned me to offer interviews for highly paid jobs.

“When I applied for jobs at two of the ‘Big Four’ accounting firms in Cambodia, one of the two really appreciated my ACCA journey, and even offered me a job with no probation period despite not having prior work experience.”

Neou warned that the economic growth of the Kingdom, particularly growth in SMEs, is hindered by a lack of professional accountants.

“The market for accountants is significant as increased investments from China and many other countries are coming into Cambodia. With a rise in the demand for accountants, CamEd paves the way for successful students to enter the financial world,” he said.