Choosing what matters, and seeing it through

Charlotte Foong (Diploma in Accountancy & Finance, Class of 2026) shares how intentional focus and quiet consistency shaped her into a well-rounded achiever, culminating in the Ngee Ann Kongsi Award for All-Round Achievement.

For a long time, I believed success meant saying yes to every opportunity.

Competitions, leadership roles, projects. I wanted to experience everything. But over time, I realised that constantly doing more did not always mean I was doing what mattered most.

That mindset shifted when my Personal Mentor shared a quote by David Allen: “You can do anything, but not everything.” It stayed with me. I began to see achievement not as taking on more, but as having the discipline to focus on what creates the greatest impact.

During my time in NYP’s Diploma in Accountancy & Finance, I was fortunate to be offered many opportunities. From serving as Vice‑President of the Service Learning Group, to going on community service and leadership programmes in Chiang Mai, Bintan, and the Philippines, and organising initiatives such as Walk for Rice, each experience helped me grow in different ways. They taught me how to lead, collaborate, and think beyond myself.

More importantly, they taught me how to prioritise. Instead of trying to do everything, I learned to focus on areas where I could contribute meaningfully and grow deeply. 

Leadership became less about being present everywhere, and more about showing up consistently, making thoughtful decisions, and supporting others in ways that create lasting value.

This approach also shaped my professional development. During my internship with the Ministry of Finance’s Accountant‑General’s Department, I worked on a system transformation project to modernise financial processes across government agencies. The experience required more than technical accounting knowledge. I had to understand existing workflows, identify user pain points, and consider how systems affect people at scale. It showed me that accounting is not just about numbers, but about improving how organisations function.

I also reflected on the role of technology in the profession. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into financial systems, I believe human judgement remains essential. While technology can automate analysis and forecasting, interpreting financial information and making strategic decisions requires accountability, context and trust.

I have received offers from NUS, NTU and SMU to study accountancy, and I look forward to continuing this journey at university. My goal is to deepen my understanding of how financial systems can drive meaningful change, whether in public service or the private sector.