After three years in the science stream in secondary school, Tang Yi Chian realised that the way she approached problems was better suited to accounting.
Science had challenged her to think flexibly, especially in mathematics and physics. Accounting, however, offered a clearer structure, with rules and processes she could follow. That difference helped her make the switch.
Tang Yi Chian, a Bachelor of Accounting (Honours) student from INTI International University, receives the National Accounting Student Excellence Award (NASEA) 2025 during the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA) International Accountants Conference 2026.
Today, the Bachelor of Accounting (Honours) student from INTI International University has been recognised as one of Malaysia’s outstanding accounting students, receiving the National Accounting Student Excellence Award (NASEA) 2025 from the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA).
“I realised I wasn’t very good at problem-solving in math and physics with flexible thinking, but better at questions with clear and fixed rules,” she explained. “Accounting required one to follow certain rules to solve, so it was a better fit for me.”
Although her father worked as an accountant and had introduced her to the profession, Yi Chian said her parents never pressured her to follow a particular path. The decision to switch streams was ultimately her own.
Accounting, she said, aligned better with her strengths and gave her a field where she could continue learning and growing, with her father’s support along the way.
“I can consult him about any academic or career issues I may have in the future,” she said.
The transition was not easy. Joining INTI as a Bachelor of Accounting student meant learning an entirely new discipline from the ground up, while studying alongside peers who already had some accounting background.
Over time, what first felt like a disadvantage became a source of motivation. As an avid fan of detective novels and dramas, Yi Chian began to see similarities between accounting and the process of solving a case.
“It starts with finding the problem, analysing clues, collecting evidence, and drawing the conclusion, which equals an audit report in accounting terms,” she said.
That perspective deepened her interest in accounting. Throughout her studies, Yi Chian developed a stronger appreciation for the role accountants play in helping organisations make informed decisions.
“The role of accountants now is more on analysing and communicating the information that financial statements show to the managers and giving advice and suggestions adaptable in a changing environment to help the company be better and able to survive,” she said.
For Yi Chian, this role is becoming even more important as technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation continue to reshape industries. She believes accountants must continue evolving with the times.
Once a science-stream student in secondary school, Tang Yi Chian switched to accounting after recognising that the field better matched the way she approached problems.
Her own growth as an accounting student led to national recognition when she received the NASEA 2025 award at the MIA International Accountants Conference in June 2026.
“I was surprised,” she shared. “As I know that I still have a lot to improve on, especially for the interview. I am also very happy and grateful that INTI nominated me as a candidate for this award. It gave me the opportunity to learn new knowledge as well as meet other people in the field.”
Behind the achievement were years of discipline and careful time management. Like many university students, Yi Chian had to balance assignments, tests, and examinations with personal commitments.
One of her biggest lessons was learning how to balance productivity with rest. She developed a strategy of setting achievable daily goals and rewarding herself with downtime once those goals were completed, while recognising that the same method may not work for everyone.
Tang Yi Chian hopes to build a career in audit or tax while pursuing professional qualifications such as ACCA or CPA.
“Students should discover what works best for them in university. This process will help us learn about ourselves and can benefit our careers,” she advised.
Yi Chian credits her success to the support of her lecturers, classmates, and family, whose advice, encouragement, kindness, and guidance helped her throughout her studies.
Looking ahead, she hopes to build a career in either auditing or tax, two areas she finds meaningful because of their role in strengthening transparency, accountability, and trust. She also plans to pursue professional qualifications such as ACCA or CPA while gaining industry experience, with aspirations of eventually stepping into leadership roles within the profession.
If she were to summarise her journey in three words, they would be: learn, practise, and experience.