Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/783519
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 8 FEBRUARY 2017 17 Events PKF welcomes additional new firm in China PKF International welcomed in 2017 a new member, Zhongxingcai Guanghua (ZG) Certified Public Accountants LLP, to its global net- work of independent firms. Several representatives attended the signing, which took place in Beijing on 22 December 2016, in- cluding Mr Gengchun Yao, chair- man at ZG; representatives from the Chinese Institute of Certified Public Accountants; Beijing Insti- tute of Certified Public Account- ants; Hebei Institute of Certificate Public Accountants; the chairman of China United Guanghua Holding Group; and John Sim, Amy Hui and Wingsee AuYeung from PKF. With PKF adding ZG to its global family, it now boasts over 400 of- fices operating in more than 150 countries across five regions. This new venture provides existing ZG clients access to PKF's global net- work for international expansion and existing PKF clients with full coverage across China to support their expansion plans. Based in Beijing, ZG has good ge- ographical coverage with branches in 32 cities, and is among the top 20 accounting firms in China. It has established strategic alliances with many well-known investment banks, brokerages and fund com- panies and offers its customers a variety of services, including Asset Assessment Service, Auditing & Advisory Services. Judicial Exper- tise, and Tax Advisory Service. The accountancy firm is also becoming known as an operational platform for securitisation of domestic capi- tal. Mr Gengchun Yao explained: "The partners are very excited to join the PKF family. This is an im- portant strategic move to show the growing support to our clients as they expand internationally." PKF's global family of legally inde- pendent firms specialise in provid- ing high quality audit, accounting, tax, and business advisory solutions to international and domestic or- ganisations in many sectors. John Sim, CEO of PKF, explained: "Finding the right audit firm in China is an important part of our strategy to becoming the leading global brand for independent ac- counting firms. It not only helps ZG put themselves on the global map but also gives PKF the coverage we need in China. We look forward to getting to know them better and to helping their clients implement the 'One Belt One Road' strategy of the Chinese Government across the PKF network." Sebastian Wohldorf, chairman of PKF International, concluded: "ZG joining PKF is a win-win for both parties. ZG is one of the fast- est growing accountancy firms in China, so we are delighted they have decided to join our family. They share the PKF values of pas- sion, teamwork, clarity, quality and integrity so I'm sure it will be a great step forward for both parties. John Sim, CEO of PKF, welcoming Gengchun Yao, Chairman at ZG to the PKF family CISI and IFS Malta strengthen ties on financial services jobs THE Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) announced the renewal of its agreement with IFS Malta as its accredited training provider (ATP) in Malta, promoting quali- fications, membership and sup- porting career progression in the global financial services jobs market. IFS Malta is now the exclusive training partner for the CISI in Malta. The two organisations have agreed to work more closely to- gether in the area of continuing professional development. This will include e-learning, joint we- binars and events. For the first time ever Malta featured in the CISI's top global exam performers this year, with George Corner ACSI receiving an award for joint top marks in the CISI Fundamentals of Financial Services qualification. Corner, who chose the self-study route for his exam, is an assistant fund manager for Hawkview Asset Management. He said: "Studying Fundamen- tals in Financial Services gave me a great platform for the start of my financial services career by detailing a general outline of the key concepts and asset classes within the industry. It provided an ideal base on which to sub- sequently develop my skills and knowledge in more specialised industry areas." Kevin Moore, Chartered MCSI and CISI Director of Global Busi- ness Development said: "We are extremely pleased to renew our partnership with ifs Malta, whom we know are truly committed to the delivery of top quality train- ing, as well as the development of high professional standards in the Maltese financial sector." IFS Malta President, Kenneth B Micallef said: "This renewed agreement with CISI is another important development for ifs Malta in its commitment to pro- vide high quality qualifications to professionals within the Mal- tese financial services sector. The provision of these globally recog- nised qualifications will definite- ly contribute to improving finan- cial services education in Malta." Concept Stadium presents custom CRM to IFSP members CONCEPT Stadium co-founder and director Jonathan Chetcuti pre- sented during the IFSP 2017 annual conference a demonstration on how members of the Institute of Finan- cial Services Practitioners (IFSP) can increase their interaction with the institute by means of a new online CRM platform. The IFSP in Malta trusted the Concept Stadium team to build this client relationship management sys- tem that allows the members and administrators to automate exist- ing processes, give more control to members over their own data, en- hance the user experience and cen- tralise various data sources. The new CRM system gives IFSP a more organised way of carrying out its various duties and certainly smoothens its operations, both from an administrative perspective as well as for its members. Features of the new CRM system include the centralisation of data by import- ing databases in one hub, the facil- ity to update databases with ease, an advanced search and filtering system that allows the administra- tors to query the users and their ac- tions, and an organised mailing list, amongst others. In addition, project management and event organisa- tion modules were also deployed. Giving a brief comment after the presentation, Chetcuti said "Com- panies and NGOs are nowadays ap- preciating the importance of organ- ising their data electronically. CRM systems have become one of the most valuable assets of any organi- sation, not only because they act as a repository of one's clients, but they also allow you to seize business op- portunities by keeping track of con- tacts and potential leads. "By keeping on top of your data, you can make clients feel under- stood, and that history with your organisation is key to building long- time relationships with them," he added. Simon Gatt, IFSP secretary general, said that "in an effort to streamline the institute's opera- tions, in order to better serve our members, we approached the Con- cept Stadium for the creation of a more centralised client relationship management system. We were very proud to present the new system to our members at the IFSP annual conference and it was very well re- ceived by our members". The IFSP conference took place on the 26th January at the Xara Lodge, Rabat with a guest list of over 200 fi- nancial services professionals. The topical issues discussed in- cluded the increased regulatory measures, the current political cli- mate and the technologies that promise to upend the certainties that have underpinned the market for decades. New website for MAPFRE MSV Life AS part of the company's recent rebranding exercise MAPFRE MSV Life has re- cently launched a new web- site strategically designed and built with the aim of engaging the customer through an ap- pealing and user-friendly de- sign which is easy to navigate and understand. The new website offers a modern design together with a variety of innovative features such as live chat, Life Insur- ance and Savings tools and a comprehensive amount of con- tent designed to make life in- surance, savings, investments and retirement products easier for the end user to understand. David G. Curmi, CEO of MAPFRE MSV Life explained: "the new portal supports the sustained growth and develop- ment of MAPFRE MSV Life as we seek to continue to support our customers whilst consoli- dating our leadership position in the market. It is one of sev- eral significant investments in digital transformation that will enable us to continue to provide a compelling and rel- evant customer value proposi- tion to our various customer segments". The new website can be ac- cessed at www.msvlife.com