Member story: Dominic Siu, Group Chief Financial Officer at MTQ Corporation

1. Please provide a brief overview of your career to date.

I have worked for my current employer, MTQ Corporation Limited, for over six years and I look after all aspects of finance, risk and accounting. Prior to this role I have worked in a number of different companies in both Singapore and Hong Kong including PSA International Pte Limited and Jardine Matheson Group. However, I started my finance career in audit with KPMG in London. My career journey took me to Asia within four years of qualifying and I have remained in the region ever since.

Although my roles have been concentrated in finance and not treasury departments I have benefited greatly from the knowledge and work experience developed while I have worked in treasury. My corporate treasury experiences have mostly been in financial and risk management which I find much more interesting than financial reporting! The corporate treasury role is closer to the front line operations as it deal with the actual cash movement and risks associated. Having such exposure has greatly enhanced my career.

2. You attended the regional group meeting in Singapore in September, what did you most enjoy about the evening?

The event was the first ACT event I have attended in Singapore since I relocated here in 2000 although I have participated in other events that the ACT has been involved in, such as the 2016 GTR event. One of the greatest benefits to these events is that they provide an opportunity to network and connected with other members in the region. I look forward to the next Singapore event, and am delighted that Agnes Favillier, the ACT’s Vice President, is spearheading the Singapore regional group.

3. What do you think the key issues are for those working in treasury in Singapore?

Singapore has long been established as a preferred location for Regional Treasury Centre for MNC’s covering the Asia Pacific Region. All the major financial institutions are represented here. The infrastructure and regulatory environment are well developed together with attractive tax concessions for treasury operations. For those who are involved in treasury operations in this region, the greatest challenge is to get familiar with the different regulatory regimes.

4. What member benefits do you use most?

I am too far away from London to enjoy the face-to-face meetings that take place there but I’m looking forward to the new events we will have here in Singapore. However, I do use the website, especially the webinars, and The Treasurer magazine, which I find an interesting read.

5. What advice would you give to anyone thinking of taking ACT qualifications?

Treasury provides a very practical and useful skill set to develop for any finance professionals. When taking the qualifications there is a lot to learn and therefore you must have the commitment to get through all the content and exams. But it is a worthwhile journey and the qualification is well respected.

6. What has been your most memorable work moment?

Perhaps being awarded the BEST CFO Award in 2014.

7. What is the best piece of advice you have been given?

Keep things simple. Not everyone understands complex structure and therefore if things are too complicated you end up getting less help to get things done.

8. What book are you reading at the moment?

I have just ordered “The Digital Photography Book” by Scott Kelby. I hope I get round to reading it and making proper use of my Canon SLR camera.

9. Who is your business hero?

Elon Musk. He shows great vision and to my mind is a pioneer of applying new technology.

10. What three places would you recommend to someone visiting Singapore?

The three places I would recommend are 1) Sentosa Island which is a nature sanctuary for the busy city state, 2) National Gallery Singapore for the art and the architecture and 3) a walk along the Singapore River (Sungei Singapura in Malay) to experience the old and new Singapore.