Andy shares his experience of living and working in Hong Kong, his tips for things to see and do in the area and how you can connect with the local ICAS community.
Andy Xie CA
What’s your day job?
I'm Partner, Strategy and Transactions at EY.
How long have you lived in Hong Kong?
Nearly 6 years.
Where was home for you before?
London.
Where did you train as a CA?
Bristol and London, UK.
What was it about Hong Kong that made you want to come here?
I was born and raised in China before higher education, so Hong Kong was an easy option for me, combing both my roots and international/UK experience.
Which part of Hong Kong do you call home?
The east side of the Hong Kong island.
What’s the one thing I shouldn’t miss if visiting the area?
Dim sum!
I’m new to the area, can you recommend somewhere for:
A business lunch:
Duddell’s.
An evening out:
Mid-levels.
A weekend getaway:
Tai O.
Describe the local professional community in three words.
International, diversified, high - standard.
What are the best things about living and working in Hong Kong?
Hong Kong is a mix of everything, both western and eastern. The culture and environment are international but at the same time, it serves as a gateway to China as well as for Chinese to go overseas.
What are the biggest challenges?
The weather, which is hot and humid at the same time.
What advice would you give to another CA considering an opportunity in Hong Kong?
It's a once in a lifetime experience with significant potential for both financial accumulation (low tax), career development (tagging along on Asia’s high growth) and personal experience (the unique culture).
What made you decide to get involved and become an ICAS Ambassador?
I was nominated for ICAS’ ‘100 CAs under 30’ showcase back then when I was qualified with EY in London. I always enjoy ICAS events for social networking and some focus-group activities as well in the UK. When I relocated back to Hong Kong in 2019, I wanted to keep that connection with ICAS, especially the local engagement and networking with fellow members.
What have been the biggest takeaways for you personally and professionally?
I was an international student who went through ICAS training and qualification, working at multinational corporations (like EY, Morgan Stanley, BDO). So it’s been great to represent ICAS as one of the ‘new generation’ that brings up the diversified background and combines it with international experience.
