Mei Ling Tse is the Financial Controller at Vigor Group Limited. Outside of work, Mei Ling is the Treasurer for WiFA and Suits for Success. During her 2021 WiFA Spotlight Series Interview, she discussed her motivations, advice to her younger self, and much more.
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself
I am a native of Hong Kong. Living in a competitive world-class financial center like Hong Kong, to me, I decided to study accounting as it is a profession with job security and opportunities.
I began my career at an international audit firm. Life in auditing was difficult, and one day I decided to take a career break and did a solo trip to the other part of the world for a few months. After the self-discovery travel, I found that accounting is suitable as my lifelong career. Soon after, I switched to work in the commercial field, and began to use my accounting expertise meaningfully by participating in volunteer work and taking up roles in charitable organizations. As the treasurer of WiFA since 2020, I have enjoyed the work and networking with women in finance.
2. Think back to when you were starting out your career. What advice would you give your younger self?
Accounting is the language of business that can make you an accountant, a business advisor or a successful business owner. My advice for my younger self – keep learning. Facing the fast-changing and increasingly complex world, you should be more proactive about learning new things and acquiring new skills, particularly those beyond our scope. It is not only for your career development, but also about exploring possibilities for life.
3. What will be your 2021 mantra to keep you motivated, either professional or personally?
Keep the faith and stay hopeful. View adversity as an opportunity rather than a challenge. Crises and threats always provide great opportunities for us to explore and help us find a bright and right direction.
4. Aside from work, what are your other passions?
As a nature lover, I care about the sustainability of our planet. I realized that plastic pollution is a real serious issue beyond the imagination of urbanites. The unconscious convenience in our daily life comes at a huge cost to the environment. We need to do more for our world.
I put my beliefs into daily practice and try to inspire others by actions. I pursue a natural and minimalist lifestyle. Besides recycling and upcycling, I volunteer to participate in diving to clean up the seabed garbage, beaches and trail cleaning activities, and I even bring my own reusable cup for marathons. I am also working with a green tech startup as a volunteer financial advisor to promote conscious living to the community. I believe everyone’s small acts can make a big difference to the world and our environment.
