Why 2 S’porean sisters, 13 years apart, entered same field & work in same firm as accounting professionals

What are the odds that two Singaporean sisters, with a 13-year age gap between them, end up working in the accounting and finance industry?

And what are the chances both work in the same company in Singapore?

If you were to ask Ong Ee Lyn, in her early 40s, and Ong Ee Lian, in her late 20s, siblings who are currently employed at CBRE Singapore, the odds are actually pretty good.

Both fell in love with the accounting trade after learning how practical it is, especially since they witnessed firsthand their parents running the family business and maintaining the books.

Besides enjoying the rigours of tracking numbers, they are also drawn to the flexibility that the accounting profession offers in this day and age, where white-collar jobs and the knowledge economy are thriving.

And they appreciate how it has changed the way they see the world.

How big sister got started

Elder sister Ee Lyn, who is the Asia-Pacific finance director at CBRE Singapore, remembers clearly that helping her father with his business gave her hands-on experience and early exposure to how operations and finances were managed.

“That experience made accounting feel practical and relevant rather than abstract,” she explained, adding that it also provided a sense of responsibility to do things right.

This also meant that her parents did not need to push her into the accounting field, since she knew what it entailed.

Accounting is the plumbing of any organisation, as the numbers tell their own stories once the gloss and narratives fall off, Ee Lyn said.

The elder sister explained: "At its core, accounting helps you understand how a business operates, assess whether an organisation is performing well, and what changes are needed to drive improvement."

"When you look beyond the numbers, they tell a story about the organisation’s strategy and the actions it has taken," she added.

And these days, accountants do not just engage in crunching numbers.

They have to work with business stakeholders, also known as business partnering, to understand the businesses and provide solutions that drive positive outcomes.

Accounting field opens doors to opportunities

The seriousness of the discipline and its functionality naturally provide practitioners with options.

With versatility, comes the opening of more doors that can lead to other opportunities.

Elaborating on how that is possible, Ee Lyn said: "I also like that accounting provides a strong foundation and keeps your options open. With this skill set, you’re not limited to one industry or career path."

"You can work across different sectors, take on a variety of roles, and even progress into leadership positions over time. Knowing that accounting offers both stability and a wide range of opportunities makes it an attractive career choice for me," she added.

Pointing the way forward for little sister

For younger sister Ee Lian, who is an assistant finance manager at CBRE Singapore, the steadfastness of her elder sister was a great source of inspiration and motivation to also embark on her journey in the accounting world.

“After graduating from secondary school, I found myself at a crossroads,” she admitted, adding that the “uncertainty felt overwhelming”.

However, her elder sister suggested that she “explore accounting and finance”, a field she was already in.

Ee Lian said, “Ee Lyn knew the versatility of the field — how it opens doors across industries and offers stability, growth, and meaningful career options. Because I had always enjoyed working with numbers in school, her suggestion resonated with me.”

The conviction that Ee Lian felt she was onto something meaningful was when she saw that accounting was not just about generating numbers in Excel sheets.

“That discovery gave me both confidence and a sense of purpose,” Ee Lian admitted.

It also helped that it was a thinking business with processes and clear outcomes.

Explaining why she made it a career, the younger sister said: “I was drawn to the clarity and structure of accounting — the way everything follows a logical flow and how, when you understand it, the pieces fall into place.’

“But what truly convinced me was realising that accounting is much more than numbers on a page. It’s about understanding information, spotting patterns, thinking analytically, and ultimately helping organisations make better decisions,” she added.

The path to become a Certified Practising Accountant (CPA) has also been challenging but rewarding for Ee Lian.

Ee Lian completed her CPA Program while juggling her CPA studies alongside her full-time job at CBRE, which supported her.

The firm, committed to professional development, consistently encourages and invests in the growth of its staff.

Even though Ee Lyn and Ee Lian ended up in the same company, the younger sibling said their career paths were not identical.

The younger sibling went into corporate accounting, whereas her elder sister started in audit, which is “often more intense”, according to Ee Lian.

But CBRE has been forthcoming with its support.

Ee Lian said her manager “understands the demands of CPA exams” and gave her the space to focus during the exam period.

She said: “Balancing both means having very little personal time — I have to stay disciplined, dedicating evenings after work and most weekends to studying and revising. It was exhausting at times, but also incredibly rewarding.”

Keeping work separate at home

While Ee Lyn and Ee Lian work in the same company, the siblings are quick to emphasise that they do not work directly with each other.

They are also mindful to keep work and personal life separate, such as by not bringing work back home, or not making it obvious that they are siblings at work.

This helps maintain the firewall between work and personal life, and preserve professionalism and confidentiality, while doing their jobs.

But the upside also cannot be understated.

Ee Lyn said having two accounting professionals who are siblings also means they can help their parents make financial decisions.

The downside?

“Family dinners sometimes come with mini finance discussions — but we try not to turn everything into an audit,” Ee Lyn quipped.

More about CPA Australia

Both Ee Lian and Ee Lyn are members of CPA Australia, one of the largest professional accounting bodies in the world that offers enrolment into the CPA Program, training, technical support and advocacy to its members.

If you’re interested in starting or advancing your career in the accounting and finance industry, becoming a CPA could help you stand out among your peers.

CPA Australia offers an extensive range of courses and webinars to grow your skillsets to further your professional and personal development.

Find out more about the benefits of joining CPA Australia and its programme here.

Top photo via CPA Australia

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