Audit Commission hosted “Work Experience Programme”
to help students explore career paths

On 18 August 2023, eight students of Form 4 to 6 from four secondary schools visited the Audit Commission (Audit) to take part in the “Work Experience Programme”, a career planning activity under the “Business-School Partnership Programme” (BSPP) of the Education Bureau to give secondary school students a hands-on experience in different types of jobs, and hence a deeper understanding in various industries and professions.  The experience was set to better equip students in navigating their way forward in further studies and career.

Audit, as a partner organisation of the BSPP, arranged this one-day event for participating students to get a taste of work in public auditing with one-on-one guidance from mentors, who were Audit staff of the Auditor and Examiner grades.  The packed day kicked off with a welcoming session, in which Acting Principal Auditor (Corporate Services Division), Mr Allan WONG, gave a warm greeting to the students.  Following a briefing on the work of Audit and an office tour came the highlight of the day – work experience activities with the mentors.

In the session, each student had a unique work experience specially arranged and led by his/her mentor.  Under the guidance of their respective mentors, the students took on separate mock audit investigations, starting from background research to identify a subject for examination, then worked their way through planning an investigation and finally reporting the potential findings.  “I was a bit nervous at first as I have no background in accounting or auditing.  My mentor has been really patient and walked me through the whole investigation process.  The experience has challenged me to think critically and holistically,” said one of the students.  “I do notice from the news that Audit examines the work of different Government departments, but I have never given much thought about how meticulous and thorough the ground work is! What I have learnt today will come in handy in planning school projects in the future,” said another student.

The mentors of the day found the programme beneficial to both the mentees and the mentors.  “We are more than happy to share with them our experience and knowledge, and reciprocally, they are an inspiration to us.  The mentees have asked very interesting questions that inspire us to approach investigation topics in a new light,” said the participating Auditors and Examiners.

Mr Ken LIANG, Acting Director of Audit, met the students at the closing session at the end of the event.  In addition to giving them a word of encouragement, he also asked them to share with their friends what they experienced in this activity, so that more young people could know about Audit.

Colleagues of Corporate Services Division hosted the briefing session

Students actively participated in the briefing session

Assistant Director of Audit, Mr PANG Kwok Sing, gave students
a briefing on the audit work

The mentors and mentees enjoyed lunch together

Under the guidance of their mentors, the mentees tried their hand in
research work for an audit investigation

A mentor guided her mentee through the workflow of an audit investigation

Acting Director of Audit, Mr Ken LIANG (front row, fourth from the left)
shared a photo moment with the mentors and mentees