Two Year 4 students from the Department of Accountancy at City University of Hong Kong (CityU) will represent Hong Kong in a national competition for tax professionals after winning the local round last month.

Phoebe Yip Yan-yi (second right) and Ivan Chau Chun-hei (second left) were named the Champion and the 1st Runner-up, respectively, in the Hong Kong leg of the “EY's Young Tax Professional of the Year 2016”.

Phoebe and Ivan’s success was due to their excellence in understanding both the Hong Kong and international tax systems.

The event was organised by Ernst & Young (EY), one of the largest professional services organisations in Greater China.

The final will be held in Shanghai in April, and the winners will have the chance to participate in the international round of the competition.

In the local round, only 8 out of the 110 semi-finalists were selected for individual presentations. They had been selected from 10 different institutions in Hong Kong and Macau.

The EY competition is designed to identify students with a passion and talent for tax issues. The contest can enhance professional skills and develop careers, and presents an opportunity for participants to share experiences with people from a range of backgrounds and cultures.