In the 55th Certified Public Accountant Examination (KICPA) in 2020, the Catholic University of Korea resulted in the highest number of passing students, with it being 9 students. We met with CUK alumnus Yoon Hyung-jin, who passed the examination with the third highest score in the country.

The third-ranked accountant to start his career in a global company

Alumni Yoon Hyung-jin received the honor of passing the accountant examination by recording the third highest score in the country. What studying routine did he have when he was in college? “Without anything special, I tried to maintain a regular pattern so I could study for a long time. On weekdays, I woke up at a set time, ate breakfast, drank a cup of coffee, and started studying. On the weekends, I studied relatively simply, mainly reviewing the materials. And I got enough rest.”

EY Hanyoung is a large global company that is one of the four largest accounting firms in Korea. What was the process of employment like? And as a newbie accountant, what did he mainly focus on? “Based on the advice from the professors who said that attitude is key in finding employment, I focused on getting along with people and maintaining a positive attitude. As I start working, I plan to quickly adapt to the community and try hard to harmonize with the team.”

Since becoming an accountant requires a rigorous study process, one needs a strong determination. How did he first decide to become an accountant? “When I was a freshman majoring in International Studies, I took Professor Ahn Seong-yoon’s course by chance, Principles of Accounting, and fell in love with the simple and clear laws of accounting and logical thinking. As I became interested in the major, I naturally came to know about CPA. And like Newton’s apple, I was drawn to the dream of becoming an accountant.”

Yoon used to be part of the choir when he was in college. “I remember being enthusiastic about being in a choir in my college days. It was a valuable experience for me to sing in front of people on stage with the members. The process of practicing was difficult, but the feeling of being in harmony with the members on stage and the exhilaration of being applauded by the audience felt priceless.”

The Power of a Routine Life - A must for a Long Process of Preparation for the Examination

Accountant (tax accountant) is one of the top professions in the field of humanities. For that reason, there are numerous juniors who want to follow Yoon’s path. We asked Yoon, who is successfully leading the way, for advice for juniors. “Because the exam preparation period to become an accountant is very long, you must first think of it as a long-term battle and a protracted war. That is why I think it's very important to lead a routine life. A routine life suppresses repulsion against studying and has a good effect on health. And as a closed and repetitive life continues, you sometimes encounter an emotional crisis. At that time, mental health is as important as physical health. So I believe it's crucial to take a rest when you feel tired instead of pushing yourself. I hope that you will enjoy the honor of passing the exam by leading a regular study routine with a firm determination.”

Yoon, a man of routine who successfully took the first step as an accountant in a global company, already had plans for the next. “I aim to become a talent who stands out among countless accountants. The world is changing at a rapid pace. So I will strive to quickly adapt to any changes by gaining knowledge in various fields without being content with the status quo with my certifications and accounting skills in hand. To this end, I’ll try not to be afraid to take on challenges in fields I have never been interested in or am unfamiliar with.”