Aspire+ 2024 with KPMG: Experience that Inspires, Leadership that Drives

For Foong Mun Kong, KPMG is more than just a workplace. It’s a home where he has grown, learned, and built his career over the years. Spanning more than three decades, his story is one of hard work, resilience, and adaptability. When he first joined, he was fresh out of secondary school, applying to become an article student for the firm. Right from the start, Mun Kong learned firsthand what it took to juggle two demanding roles: working as a full-time employee during the day and completing his studies at night. He did this for three to four years – an effort that paid off when he not only excelled in his examinations but was offered the opportunity to work in New York City under KPMG.

“I was ready to move out of the firm when a partner sat me down and asked, ‘You haven’t been overseas, so why not give that a try first?” Mun Kong recalled.

What followed was an exciting and eye-opening time in the Big Apple, where he even considered settling down. However, he decided that returning to Malaysia aligned better with his life goals.

Here’s another surprising fact about Mun Kong: “I was a science student while in school! I knew nothing about credit and debit, so I struggled at the beginning of my audit career with KPMG.”

But as the saying goes, when you put your heart into something, it gets easier. “Accounting was alien to me, but if you’re good at numbers, it’s not something difficult to pick up,” shared Mun Kong.

A Journey of Growth and Resilience
In 2000, Mun Kong made another bold move – this time to a completely different industry. It was during the height of the dot-com craze, and he was eager to explore the technical side of business operations. The experience proved invaluable. It gave him a unique perspective on what it meant to be on the client side, working with consultants and advisors like those from KPMG.

This perspective became a powerful advantage when he eventually returned to the firm later that same year. It also made him realise that his heart has always been with KPMG. “I actually missed my role at KPMG! I enjoyed what I did – I really liked my job,” shared Mun Kong.

His passion for the work fueled his ambition. Within three years of rejoining KPMG, Foong was promoted to partner in the audit department. It was a career milestone that set the stage for even greater achievements, like his current role as Managing Partner. “Being a partner was already a big deal to me then. I didn’t think that I would lead the firm one day!” said Mun Kong.

Mun Kong credits much of his growth to his time working with former Managing Partner Datuk Johan Idris. “I’ve known Datuk Johan for a good 20 years. He’s not just a senior colleague but also a mentor and a friend,” shared Mun Kong.

Their working relationship has been a unique one. “We’ve always been close, even though Datuk Johan has a few more years of experience than me. I followed the same career pathway he did. Working for a friend is definitely different. You’re able to speak your mind, open up, and accept each other’s ideas. Of course, we’ve had our arguments – it’s only natural when you’re both leading the firm. But one thing we always remind ourselves – and the other partners at KPMG – is this: never let ego or power get to your head. Go through hardship together, so you can come out stronger.

As Mun Kong steps into Datuk Johan’s shoes as Managing Partner, he acknowledges the weight of the role. “I’m excited about what lies ahead and I also know that I’m in good hands. KPMG is a partnership of over 70 partners. Plus, while Datuk Johan will retire from his role as Managing Partner, he will remain as the firm’s first non-executive chairman.”

Adapting to Change, Leading with Purpose
Having spent 30 years at KPMG, Mun Kong has witnessed the firm’s evolution firsthand. He reflects on how things have changed since he first started: “When I joined in the 90s, audit firms like ours had a reputation for being rigid and structured. Today, KPMG has evolved. Leaders are listening more, the working environment is more conducive, and we no longer expect people to pour all their hours into work,” he said.

These changes, he believes, are necessary. “We always joke about our ‘old days’ and how different things were. But we remind ourselves that we’re leaving this firm to the next generation – the millennials – and they will lead the firm the way they see fit. Ultimately, we want to leave KPMG better than we found it. The future partners will determine that,” said Mun Kong

For this, he hopes that the next generation of talent joining KPMG will realise this about career growth: “I feel the ‘up or out’ culture stems from peer pressure. When your peers are promoted before you, you start to feel like you’re not good enough. But careers take time. A small blemish doesn’t define you – you can overcome it. At KPMG, we have senior leaders who were late bloomers, and now they’re thriving. Don’t be fixated on needing to do something by a certain time. Just remember that if something doesn’t suit you, there are other opportunities even within the firm,” said Mun Kong.

For Mun Kong the key to a sustainable career is adaptability. “The world keeps evolving, so you need to keep learning. When I look back at what I did before and compare it to now, it’s completely different! Younger graduates must prepare for this too. AI, digital tools, and even ESG - things are constantly changing. You need to upskill, reskill, read, learn, watch, observe, and listen.”

He reassures young graduates that KPMG offers a conducive working environment for exploration and growth. Being a multifunctional firm, there are various departments you can explore and opportunities to discover. “If someone tells us they want to leave, we ask, ‘What’s out there that you can’t do here?’ If you want to try something new, why not do it at KPMG? Keep an open mind, and you’ll be fine,” said Mun Kong.

As Mun Kong begins this next chapter as Managing Partner, his vision for KPMG is clear: to ensure the firm thrives, its people grow, and the next generation of leaders is ready to take the reins at Malaysia’s Most Preferred Employer for two consecutive years under the Graduan Brand Awards. With leaders like Mun Kong at the helm, KPMG continues to be a firm that not only adapts to change but leads it – proving that when you put your heart into it, everything truly falls into place. Mun Kong is ready to write the next chapter for KPMG – one defined by growth, collaboration, and innovation.

Tune into the full GRADUAN Go! Podcast, 'KPMG for Aspire+ 2024: Inside The Mind of Foong Mun Kong' available on our YouTube and Spotify.