For many, a career at KPMG is just the beginning of a much longer journey. Be it leading organisations or steering finance functions, the experiences gained at the firm often leave a lasting imprint. As KPMG in Singapore celebrates 85 years, alumni Chong Kee Hiong, Yiong Yim Ming, Judy Ng and Jonathan Jong share, in their own words, the opportunities, mentorship and moments that helped shape their professional paths, and the lessons they continue to carry with them long after their time at the firm.
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- Chong Kee Hiong
- Yiong Yim Ming
- Judy Ng
- Jonathan Jong
My time at KPMG prepared me well for the demands of the working world. In those early years fresh out of school, what mattered most were the learning opportunities that helped build a foundation for future challenges. We were very much like sponges, absorbing lessons from every experience.
One of the most valuable aspects was the opportunity to build strong networks and connections. Through working with clients across a wide range of industries, including banks, insurance, as well as manufacturing and trading companies, and engaging with people at different levels of seniority, I gained broad perspectives that have stayed with me over time. Audit work also sharpened my analytical thinking in both business and finance.
Beyond work, the KPMG Recreation Club and inter-firm games fostered strong friendships and camaraderie. Many of these friendships have endured over the years – in fact, KPMG was where I met my better half! I have also had the opportunity to engage KPMG as a client in different capacities.
I appreciate the role KPMG played in my professional development. It was the place where my career began, where I made friendships, polished my social skills and built my professional foundations.
What stands out most about my time at KPMG was the steep learning curve right out of school. It felt like my career was turbocharged overnight – surviving peak season fuelled by coffee, adrenaline and pure teamwork. The hours were long (and yes, the office basically became my first home), but that was also what made it memorable. There’s something about battling deadlines, late-night reviews and hearing “just one more comment” at 11pm together that creates friendships and memories you can’t quite replicate anywhere else.
Interesting fact: I once had a California Fitness membership – not for the gym, but so we could take a proper shower before heading back for round two after dinner. Strangely enough, the toughest days were also some of the most enjoyable. Looking back, that’s probably the funny thing about being young in the workforce – you somehow get through the chaos together, and years later, end up remembering it fondly.
What I took away most from my time at KPMG was a growth mindset and the adaptability to navigate fast-changing situations while working with people from diverse backgrounds and personalities. “Learning to swim in deep waters” is probably the best way to describe how KPMG built my foundation. I had the opportunity to work across a broad range of assignments and interact with clients at different levels. Over time, you become more confident stepping into unfamiliar situations, more comfortable taking on new challenges, more courageous in admitting mistakes, and more curious about continuous learning.
KPMG taught me the fundamentals – to think fast, stay calm under pressure and always find a way forward. More importantly, it shaped the way I think and work today: to think critically, communicate with confidence, and approach every opportunity with integrity and professionalism. These are values I continue to carry with me beyond the firm. I will always look back on my KPMG journey with appreciation and pride, and remain grateful for the opportunities, mentorship, friendships and memories that have left a lasting impact on me.
"Solid Foundation at KPMG” was what propelled my interest in financial services. My first interaction at KPMG was meeting KPMG Staff Partner Michael Ng, who welcomed me as one of the 16 inaugural KPMG in Singapore scholars. This early experience set the stage for my journey, and I'm deeply grateful to Michael and to KPMG for supporting my studies and living expenses.
The internship opportunities during every vacation were invaluable. I had the chance to rotate across various areas, including audit, tax, corporate finance, insolvency and even bookkeeping. I enjoyed the days of working on physical ledgers, coding the chart of accounts and balancing monthly statements. I even recall our first computer was a MacBook, which felt incredibly advanced then! I truly felt like a 'white piece of paper’, absorbing every experience. My seniors and managers at KPMG were a big part of why I chose to spend my vacations working there, and later continued with the firm after graduation. There was never a boring day, and thanks to the large financial services clientele of KPMG, I learned about full banks, wholesale banks, merchant banks, insurance, reinsurance, captives and the integral role of financial services.
If there was one skill I valued most from my time at KPMG, it was the art of discussing long-form report observations with clients. Learning to provide balanced insights that are appreciated and do not place clients in a negative light has stayed with me over time. I never fully realised how those precious experiences laid such a robust foundation for the years to come. As I moved on from KPMG as an audit supervisor and into the world of our clients, sitting on the other side of the table, that foundation has truly made a difference in accelerating my growth journey.
Congratulations to KPMG in Singapore on 85 distinguished years! Here's wishing the firm continued success and many more years ahead supporting future generations in the world of finance.
As a civil engineer by training, I was not the typical Advisory hire. Yet my nearly ten years at KPMG became the foundation of my leadership journey.
KPMG gave me opportunities to advise on major projects, infrastructure, enterprise risk management, sustainability and assurance, exposing me to diverse industries, complex challenges, and exceptional leaders.
The breadth of experiences challenged me to look beyond individual disciplines and appreciate how strategy, risk, governance and performance come together to drive organisational success. Most valuable was the opportunity to participate in board-level discussions, where I gained firsthand insight into how strategic decisions are made, risks are weighed, and long-term value is created.
These experiences broadened my perspective beyond technical problem-solving and helped me develop the business acumen and leadership skills needed for executive roles. The mentors, colleagues and clients I worked with challenged me to think differently, communicate effectively, and continually push beyond my comfort zone.
Today, as Group Chief Sustainability & Risk Officer at ComfortDelGro, I continue to draw upon the lessons, relationships and values that KPMG instilled in me. It was more than a workplace – it was the foundation that prepared me for the C-suite and gave me an enduring appreciation of how boards balance risk, strategy and long-term value creation.
