In this edition of our Alumni Spotlight, the CIRCLE team features alumni Partner Ho Wah Lee, who built a distinguished career at KPMG, playing a pivotal role in establishing new practices and expanding the firm’s footprint in Indonesia. Today, he continues to shape the corporate landscape as an Independent Director and board member across multiple companies. As we celebrate our 85th anniversary this year, Wah Lee reflects on his time with KPMG, and the enduring values that have shaped our journey and continue to guide us today.
Take us back to the beginning: when did you join KPMG, and what motivated you to choose the firm at that time?
Wah Lee: Prior to joining KPMG in 1988, I served for a decade with the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), including as a squadron engineer in the Singapore Navy, a systems manager at the Naval Logistics Computer Centre, and also establishing MINDEF’s computer audit function. After completing my bond following 10 years of service, I decided to transition into the private sector and gave up my pension. At that time, many of us did not have the luxury of choosing our employers, and I joined KPMG because it was the first company to respond to my application. KPMG offered me a Supervisor (or Assistant Manager) role in its Computer Audit Department, and I accepted the offer as I saw it as a valuable opportunity to step out of government service and gain exposure in the private sector.
Over your many years with KPMG, culminating as Partner and Head of Advisory, what were some of the defining roles, opportunities, or milestones that shaped your leadership and impact?
Wah Lee: We have many talented people in the KPMG network with diverse expertise and experience. Collectively, we have a tremendous powerhouse capable of helping clients navigate complexity and achieve their business objectives. As Head of Advisory, I was able to tap into these resources to assemble multi-disciplinary teams that delivered outcomes consistent with KPMG’s standards and reputation.
In 2000, I had the opportunity to establish the Forensic practice while concurrently serving as Head of Information Risk Management. One of our most iconic forensic engagements was the investigation at the National Kidney Foundation.
In the final three years before my retirement, I relocated to Jakarta to grow and expand the Advisory business in Indonesia. I am pleased to note that the practice has since matured and is now more than double its original size.
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Snippets from Wah Lee’s time in KPMG
Could you share more about your experiences since retiring from the firm, and how they have extended the leadership and perspective you developed at KPMG?
Wah Lee: I am very fortunate to have spent the majority of my working life with KPMG. The opportunity to work with a wide range of organisations and clients was invaluable. While the work was often challenging and at times exhausting, I thoroughly enjoyed both the engagements and the people I worked with. The experience I gained at KPMG has also enabled me to contribute meaningfully in my subsequent roles as a board member of various companies.
An appreciation message from former Managing Partner Ong Pang Thye, when Wah Lee retired from the firm
How do you think the broader business and advisory landscape has evolved since your time at KPMG, and what should professionals keep in mind to stay relevant in the years ahead?
Wah Lee: Today, the pace of change in the business environment is significantly faster. Companies must adapt quickly to evolving market conditions and rising customer expectations. The global business landscape has also become increasingly unpredictable, placing immense pressure on organisations and their service providers. As a result, clients are more demanding than ever. Our professionals must therefore be more technologically adept. Proficiency in spreadsheets and data analytics alone is no longer sufficient. To stay relevant, all professionals need to understand and harness AI to enhance productivity and the quality of their work.
As we celebrate KPMG’s 85th anniversary this year, what do you miss most about your time here? Is there a particular memory or tradition that still resonates strongly with you?
Wah Lee: Professionally, I miss the challenges of the work and the sense of fulfilment that came from meeting and exceeding client expectations. I also miss the camaraderie and teamwork within the firm.
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Wah Lee catching up with old friends at past KPMG alumni events
If you had to describe KPMG’s 85‑year legacy in just one word, what would it be and why?
Wah Lee: The one word is ‘stewardship’. As partners, we are stewards of the firm. We are entrusted with its future, and must both seize opportunities and create opportunities for the next generation of partners to lead the firm forward. It is our duty to grow the firm and ensure it is in a stronger position when we retire. As a retired partner, it is always heartening to witness the continued growth and achievements of the firm.
What do you think will be key for the firm in the next 85 years to ensure that we're never done striving to Be in Front?
Wah Lee: Two critical components underpin our ability to serve clients effectively: knowledge and experience. While knowledge management systems and platforms are now widely available, experience remains harder to institutionalise. If we can find better ways to share the collective experiences within the firm, our professionals will be far better equipped to help clients stay ahead of emerging trends and future challenges.
What are some nuggets of wisdom that you would give to the new generation of KPMG professionals?
Wah Lee: No single individual possesses all the knowledge and experience required to serve clients comprehensively. Therefore, KPMG professionals should actively build and nurture their own networks of expertise, drawing on the collective strength of the firm whenever the need arises.
