Back to my roots

Sanjay Sidhu CA and Naemah Abd Rahim CA both began their careers abroad before returning to their native Malaysia to begin new chapters. Rachel Ingram hears how it compares with their European adventures and what they learnt along the way

For many finance professionals, the idea of working abroad is both exciting and daunting. New countries bring fresh opportunities but also cultural shifts, career pivots and personal growth that can shape a lifetime. For Sanjay Sidhu CA and Naemah Abd Rahim CA, two Malaysians whose careers spanned Europe, the UK and beyond, the journey home came after years of building expertise, navigating global industries and experiencing life far from Kuala Lumpur.

Here, they tell their stories in their own words and reveal the decisions that led them overseas, the lessons learned from living and working in different countries and how it feels to return to Malaysia at a time when its finance sector is changing fast.

Sanjay Sidhu CA, Executive Director and Partner, BDO Malaysia

‘Europe had clearer work-life boundaries; Malaysia blurs those lines’

I sometimes say I’ve lived three lives – one in Scotland, one across Europe and now one back home in Malaysia. I grew up here but didn’t work here until I was 42. I left at 18 to study, trained and built my career abroad for more than two decades before coming home. Returning was as big a cultural adjustment as moving to the Netherlands had been all those years earlier.

My path into accountancy was influenced by my father, a senior civil servant in finance. Like many parents, he guided me towards a stable profession. Early on, the choice was law or accountancy – accountancy won.

The University of Strathclyde, where Sidhu completed his degree

The University of Strathclyde, where Sidhu completed his degree

I heard Scotland was the place to go for serious accountancy training, and a Malaysian college had launched twinning degree programmes with Scottish universities. I did two years here before heading to Strathclyde in Glasgow for my final year. The goal was clear: qualify with ICAS, then build a career abroad.

I trained in Glasgow, then moved to EY in Aberdeen. Back then, the UK system required you to return home after qualifying. I had bought a house and planned to stay, but the five-year rule was strict. EY tried to keep me and offered me a choice: North America or Eastern Europe. I picked Warsaw for the adventure.

Poland in the late ’90s was transforming its financial system. Companies were moving from cash-based, tax-focused accounting into IFRS – it felt historic. We were expats from across Europe and the US, learning as we went. The plan was to be there for 18 months; I stayed five years. Warsaw was also where I moved into IT audit and qualified as a certified information systems auditor – something I might not have managed in the UK where competition for those roles was fierce.

Sanjay Sidhu CA, Executive Director and Partner, BDO Malaysia

‘Europe had clearer work-life boundaries; Malaysia blurs those lines’

I sometimes say I’ve lived three lives – one in Scotland, one across Europe and now one back home in Malaysia. I grew up here but didn’t work here until I was 42. I left at 18 to study, trained and built my career abroad for more than two decades before coming home. Returning was as big a cultural adjustment as moving to the Netherlands had been all those years earlier.

My path into accountancy was influenced by my father, a senior civil servant in finance. Like many parents, he guided me towards a stable profession. Early on, the choice was law or accountancy – accountancy won.

I heard Scotland was the place to go for serious accountancy training, and a Malaysian college had launched twinning degree programmes with Scottish universities. I did two years here before heading to Strathclyde in Glasgow for my final year. The goal was clear: qualify with ICAS, then build a career abroad.

I trained in Glasgow, then moved to EY in Aberdeen. Back then, the UK system required you to return home after qualifying. I had bought a house and planned to stay, but the five-year rule was strict. EY tried to keep me and offered me a choice: North America or Eastern Europe. I picked Warsaw for the adventure.

Poland in the late ’90s was transforming its financial system. Companies were moving from cash-based, tax-focused accounting into IFRS – it felt historic. We were expats from across Europe and the US, learning as we went. The plan was to be there for 18 months; I stayed five years. Warsaw was also where I moved into IT audit and qualified as a certified information systems auditor – something I might not have managed in the UK where competition for those roles was fierce.

Warsaw, where Sidhu worked for five years

Warsaw, where Sidhu worked for five years

Amsterdam, Sidhu’s home for 11 years

Amsterdam, Sidhu’s home for 11 years

Amsterdam docklands

Amsterdam docklands

The Lord Murugan statue and steps to Batu cave in Malaysia

The Lord Murugan statue and steps to Batu cave in Malaysia

Saloma Link across the Klang River in Kuala Lumpur

Saloma Link across the Klang River in Kuala Lumpur

Chinatown night market, Kuala Lumpur

Chinatown night market, Kuala Lumpur

By 2001, I was ready for a change and joined US multinationals, first in internal audit, then leading audit, investigations and compliance across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. That took me to Amsterdam for 11 years. I was constantly on planes: two weeks in Cairo, three in Moscow, a month in Nuremberg. My team was a mix of Bulgarians, Swedes, Spaniards, Brits and Czechs. We handled everything from fraud investigations to designing and monitoring anti-bribery programmes. It was demanding but fascinating work.

Homecoming

Shortly after my son was born, my wife – who had never lived outside Asia before joining me in the Netherlands – and I decided it was time to go home. Our parents were ageing, and we wanted our son to grow up around family, so in 2012, after 23 years away, I came back to Malaysia.

Rather than jump into a corporate role, I returned to public practice to learn the market and build connections. Thirteen years later, I’m a partner at BDO, leading forensic services and co-leading risk advisory and cybersecurity services. I also hold an Audit Licence and I’m a certified information systems auditor. Everything I picked up in Glasgow, Warsaw and Amsterdam feeds into what I do now.

Living across Scotland, Poland, the Netherlands and Malaysia, and regularly working in dozens of countries across Europe, the Middle East and Africa showed me how work culture shapes life. Europe had clearer work-life boundaries – work was work, evenings were family time, late-night emails were rare. Malaysia blurs those lines; calls at 10pm or emails at midnight are common. Attitudes towards compliance differ too. In Europe, companies spent on investigations to show ethics mattered. In parts of Asia, boards might write off losses rather than investigate. Understanding those motivations is crucial when working across borders.

Lifestyle-wise, south-east Asia is easy if you embrace it. English is widely spoken, cities like Kuala Lumpur are modern and connected, and the region is full of restaurants, events and weekend escapes. But like anywhere, it is what you make of it. I’ve always chosen to get out, meet people and learn – that’s how I ended up helping launch the ICAS network in Malaysia. Until recently, most members here didn’t even know each other. Now we’re building a community.

For any CA considering a move abroad, my advice would be to keep an open mind, stay long enough to truly experience the place and push yourself out of your comfort zone. It will make you a better professional and a more rounded person. Whether you come to south-east Asia or elsewhere, the experience will stay with you for life.

Naemah Abd Rahim CA, Finance Manager, Petronas

‘Kuala Lumpur has embraced every trend, from running to Pilates and pickleball’

I joke that my career started because my parents only recognised four professions: doctor, lawyer, engineer and accountant. For me, the last of those just clicked. I loved numbers and the structure of the discipline.

I grew up near Kuala Lumpur and did well in school. I received a full scholarship from Petronas, the Malaysian oil and gas company I now work for, which sponsored me through A-levels and then a degree in accounting and finance at City University in London. It gave me access to world-class education and opportunities I wouldn’t have dreamed of otherwise.

London was everything I hoped for: fast-paced, diverse and full of opportunities. There’s a saying, “If you’re tired of London, you’re tired of life,” and I believed it. Summers were spent interning with Petronas in Malaysia and later EY in London, where I joined the international tax services department. That internship led to a full-time offer and a training contract to complete my CA qualification.

Working in international tax at EY was intense but rewarding. We advised on cross-border transactions, transfer pricing and mergers. The learning curve was steep, but it gave me strong technical skills and a global perspective. After three and a half years, I completed my CA qualification. With my Petronas scholarship bond in mind, and a wedding ahead, I decided to return to Malaysia.

Square Mile, London

Square Mile, London

Kuala Lumpur traffic by night

I had a bond to serve, and my family was here. Petronas placed me in financial accounting, a big shift from tax advisory work. Suddenly I was on the other side of the table – EY was now advising me. I got exposure to financial reporting and the complexities of the upstream oil and gas sector. It was a steep but rewarding learning curve.

Over time, my role evolved. I started in international finance, then moved into domestic finance, focusing more on advising the business rather than preparing accounts. Every few years, I’ve rotated into something new, which keeps things fresh and helps me grow.

Culture exchange

Working in London versus Kuala Lumpur took adjustment. London offices were structured, fast-paced and task-focused. In Malaysia, working hours are longer but there’s a stronger emphasis on relationships. We tend to foster closer working relationships through regular team lunches, gatherings and social events, which help us collaborate more effectively. It’s a more relaxed pace in some ways, though the city’s traffic jams can test anyone’s patience.

Life in Kuala Lumpur is vibrant. Malaysians love food – weekends often revolve around night markets, dim sum brunches or exploring new cafes. I can never get enough of Indian roti canai (flatbread) or fresh seafood from coastal towns just a drive away.

Sport and fitness are popular, too. The city has embraced every trend – from running and hiking events to Pilates, and now, the growing popularity of pickleball [a racquet sport]. And with tropical weather year-round, beaches and islands are never far for a weekend escape.

Anyone considering a move abroad, should go ahead and take the leap. Working internationally pushed me out of my comfort zone, taught me adaptability and gave me perspectives I wouldn’t have gained otherwise. It shaped both my career and my personal growth.

Malaysia today is full of opportunities, especially in finance. Digitalisation, ESG [environment, social, governance] reporting, fintech and start-ups are transforming the landscape. Companies need skilled finance professionals with global perspectives. Come with an open mind, be ready to adapt and you’ll find it a welcoming, dynamic place to build a career – and a life.

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Back to my roots

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