Audit Commission supported students in exploring career orientation through hosting Work Experience Programme

Serving again as a participating organisation of the Education Bureau’s Business-School Partnership Programme, the Audit Commission (Audit) hosted a one-day Work Experience Programme on 3 July 2025 (Thursday) at its headquarters to provide 15 participating secondary school students with a window to learn more about the roles of Audit and public sector auditing, as a way to help them explore future career paths.

The various parts of the event were planned and arranged by the Corporate Services Division, while a number of Auditors of the Commission served as mentors to the students.  In addition to conducting group coaching and lecturing, the mentors also guided the students through mock audit tasks, a quiz, an office visit and a presentation session, which enabled them to gain better ideas on the work of Audit, the government structure and current affairs through different forms of learning.  After the fruitful day, the participating students responded positively on the programme, lauding it as a substantial and enriching learning opportunity.  The students were particularly impressed with the case study session, in which they were led by the mentors to progress along the workflow of audit tasks and put the freshly acquired knowledge and techniques into practice.

Prof. Nelson Lam, Director of Audit, highlighted the multifaceted nature of an auditor’s career.  To excel in the highly versatile and challenging work, an auditor should be armed with professional knowledge and an acute awareness of current affairs, as well as analytical, communication and cooperation skills.  In addition to these qualities, a government auditor should also have a strong commitment to society and a sense of mission. Wishing the students a fruitful experience, Prof. Lam encouraged them to share what they had gained and learnt from the event with their peers, family and friends, and tell the good stories of public sector auditing.  Lastly, he urged them to seize every opportunity along their academic journey, strive for continuous advancement, and give back to the society with their knowledge and skills in the future.

Yvonne Ho, Acting Deputy Director of Audit, was glad to see that the students had actively engaged in the work experience.  She also thanked them for voicing questions and opinion during the work experience and discussion sessions, which inspired the Audit staff to rethink and approach issues on people’s livelihood from fresh perspectives.  This occasion, in her opinion, had benefitted both the students and Audit staff.

In their first visit to the Audit office,
the students took a photo with the Audit staff at the reception area.

With the classic quote “You can always find a teacher in a company of three” (“三人行，必有我師焉”),
Prof. Nelson Lam, Director of Audit, encouraged exchanges between the students and their mentors on issues in public sector auditing.

Staff of the Corporate Services Division emceed the activities of the day and briefed the students on the history, responsibilities and staff development of Audit.

The students took time to study the Director of Audit’s Reports,
during which the mentors walked them through the methods and procedures of the audit work and report drafting work involved.

The students had an enjoyable learning time through fun games.

Under the guidance of their mentors,
the students read through the case studies carefully and had a brief taste of audit work.

In concluding the mock audit tasks,
the students took turns to present their findings and shared what they had learnt with their peers.

During the tour around the Audit office,
a Principal Auditor greeted and shared her insights with the students.

Yvonne Ho, Acting Deputy Director of Audit,
encourged the students to pursue their dreams and said she looked forward to the possibility of having them on board in the future.

The group took a photo to conclude the fulfilling day.