Dr. Yau has been the associate head of HKU SPACE College of Business and Finance and joined Centennial College (a member of the University of Hong Kong Group) to teach accounting specialists. Apart from having a busy workload, he is passionate about writing and, since publishing his first Chinese-language reference book Practical Management Accounting in November 2011, has been continuously adding to his body of work. Up until March 2014, he had written or translated more than 20books, making him one of the most productive and respected authors focusing on the world of accounting.

EDUCATION MISSION

As one of the first group of instructors with the Vocational Training Council (VTC) in 1983, Dr. Yau was responsible for teaching accounting at the Morrison Hill Technical Institute (currently known as IVE Morrison Hill). He was then assigned to establish a business school at the Hong Kong Technical College (Chai Wan). In November 2011, the appointment as Dr. of accounting at Centennial College came with the mission to implement and co-ordinate the bachelor of professional accounting (honours) programme.

Before entering the field of education, Dr. Yau worked as a financial and management accountant in the textile, electronics and computer industries. As a result, he is an expert in applying business management tactics in his teaching, enabling students to understand how things get done in the real world. Dr. Yau has individually written numerous works such as Practical Management Accounting, 101 FAQs About Accounting and Learning Accounting Through 100 Q&As. He has also collaborated with Dr Li Wing-sun and Dr Steve Fong on the book Theories and Applications of Strategic Management in Accounting. His works have topped best-seller lists and, in September 2013, the HKICPA invited Dr. Yau to work with his former student Dr Ho Hoi-yin to publish PBE Paper II Management Accounting and Finance, the English-language reference book for professional examinations. This project allowed him to share his professional knowledge and achievements.

Chairing a professional accounting seminar with the Hong Kong KPMG ex-Tax Partner, Ms. Bolivia Cheung in February 2012.

OVERCOMING ADVERSITIES

In July 2006, Dr. Yau suffered a stroke when attending a banquet. Sent immediately to Queen Mary Hospital, he underwent a five-hour brain operation the following day. Fortunately, the surgery was successful, though his left side of his body was permanently paralysed. Even so, Dr. Yau has remained optimistic. Physical and occupational therapy, as well as acupuncture, have helped him to resume his work at HKU SPACE and gradually return to a half-day then a full-day schedule. This experience gave him an opportunity to reflect on his life and work, his family, religion and studies. As an orphan, early struggles made him put in extra effort to complete his university course and doctoral degree. His achievements perfectly reflect the spirit of Hong Kong in the 60s and 70s, seen now in his willingness to help people in need, concern for colleagues, and friendship built up through working in China. These should be Hong Kong’s core values, even if they sometimes seem to be lacking nowadays. This makes respect for and tolerance of others important themes of My Life at Work.

Together with a few authors, including The Honorable Kenneth Leung, Legislative Council member in the HKU SPACE new book (Accounting Wisdoms) launching ceremony in February 2013

Attending the HKU SPACE/ACCA Hong Kong Joint Professional Accounting Forum in February 2014.

CROWDFUNDING

With his years of work in education, Dr. Yau has countless former students in Hong Kong and overseas. Many of them have become renowned academics or instructors in the field of accounting. We would like to transform Dr. Yau touching story and sound advice into a book through a crowd funding initiative, so that his knowledge and views can be passed on to the next generation. We also hope that prospective accountants will be inspired by Dr. Yau’s story and find their own direction in life.

FUNDING ALLOCATION

All funding will be used for the tasks of editing, proofreading, typesetting, printing and transportation.