When Jeremy Stobie began attending evening classes at Singapore Management University (SMU) in 2017, he had already spent close to two decades advising clients on complex tax matters. By day, he was a seasoned US tax specialist; by night, he was a student again, revisiting accounting standards he had not touched in years.
“I’d come home at 11pm after class, exhausted,” Jeremy recalls. “I had two young kids, and was building my practice. While it was tough, I realised how much I’d missed being a student.”
That balance between experience and reinvention would come to define his SMU Master of Professional Accounting (MPA) journey.
Learning to learn again
As a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the United States, Jeremy was already well-versed in the world of finance. Yet, he realised that the MPA programme would refresh his technical knowledge and expand his professional network, easing his transition to work and life in Singapore.
Having been out of school for nearly 20 years, Jeremy admits he had to relearn how to study—all while balancing the demands of work and family. But he found SMU’s interactive pedagogy both familiar and invigorating.
Through dynamic class discussions and practical casework, technical subjects came alive. What surprised Jeremy most was how quickly the lessons became applicable in real-world contexts. Concepts introduced in class were often used in client discussions just days later.
In one of his first modules, Associate Professor Themin Suwardy, then Dean of Postgraduate Professional Programmes, sparked something Jeremy continues to hold close to this day.
“The way he taught the class was inspirational; it reignited my curiosity to learn about accounting again,” says Jeremy, currently a Partner at PwC Singapore. “That’s when I knew I was in the right place.”
Finding community and confidence in a new country
When Jeremy relocated from the US to Singapore, he found himself navigating new professional norms and cultural nuances. While he continued specialising in US tax, he wanted to keep up with global standards as the US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) increasingly converged with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
Beyond that, he wanted to find a deeper grounding in his new environment.
Many of Jeremy’s closest friends today are his MPA classmates—professionals who, like him, balanced demanding jobs and personal commitments with the rigour of part-time study. Late-night study sessions, collaborative group projects, and shared breakthroughs forged lifelong bonds.
“We all supported each other; that sense of community was the most valuable part of the experience.”
A broadened perspective of accounting
Perhaps the greatest lesson for Jeremy was learning to recalibrate his thinking.
“In our profession, it’s easy to get caught up in compliance work, deliverables, and deadlines,” he says. “But the SMU MPA forces you to think beyond that. You start to see how accounting underpins transformation; how data, systems, and regulation influence bigger business decisions.”
Examining different accounting concepts and theories enabled him to communicate the value of his work. The programme also nurtured cultural fluency as he learned alongside peers from Indonesia, Thailand, China, and Serbia. Their diverse viewpoints shaped how he now approaches cross-border tax issues and client relations.
“The MPA wasn’t just professional development,” Jeremy says. “It helped me integrate, not just at work, but into Singapore as well.”
Giving back, moving forward
Six years after graduating, Jeremy’s connection to SMU remains strong. He mentors students from the Tax Society@SMU, sharing his knowledge and perspectives with aspiring tax professionals.
“I’ve gained so much from the MPA,” he says. “Giving back feels natural—whether it’s sharing advice, helping with recruitment, or maybe even teaching someday.”
For Jeremy, the true value of the MPA lies not in grades or accolades, but in the transformation it inspired.
“This programme takes you out of your day-to-day and forces you to think differently,” he says. “That’s what education should achieve.”
Further your career with the SMU Master of Professional Accounting (MPA)
As the accounting and finance landscape continues to evolve, professionals must stay ahead of changing standards and technologies.
Beyond offering an accelerated pathway to Chartered Accountant (CA) and Certified Public Accountant (CPA) qualification, the SMU Master of Professional Accounting (MPA) equips aspiring leaders with the knowledge and cross-border perspectives to thrive in a dynamic global economy.
Take the next step towards advancing your accounting career. Explore the SMU MPA today.
