By Sidhesh Ramkrishna Menon, Master of Science in Accounting (Data & Analytics) alumnus, Class of 2019
Charting my path towards the future of accounting
After graduating from Mumbai University, I began my career in the fast-paced world of auditing, spending over three years in the field. The long hours spent on spreadsheets and reconciling numbers exposed me to the realities of modern accounting: growing data volumes, repetitive manual tasks, and increased expectations for faster, more insightful reporting.
Between balancing ledgers and closing audits, I realised the profession was evolving. To stay relevant, I needed to move beyond traditional accounting, and embrace analytics, automation, and data-driven thinking.
This led me to the SMU Master of Science in Accounting (Data & Analytics) programme. Its blend of analytics, programming, and business application felt like the perfect bridge between my experience and aspirations.
With my sister being an SMU alumna, I trust SMU’s dynamic, industry-relevant learning environment. Joining the inaugural batch felt like stepping confidently into the future of accounting.
The SMU experience: Learning to think beyond numbers
The MSA programme quickly became more than an academic pursuit; it transformed how I think.
Over three semesters, I developed expertise across four pillars: data transformation, analysis, visualisation, and management. I learned to structure and prepare data, extract insights through analytical models, and communicate findings to support strategic decisions.
SMU also taught me to think critically, collaborate effectively, and approach challenges from a business perspective. The fast-paced, practical curriculum mirrored real-world problems, training me to think analytically and turn complexity into clarity.
Applying theory to practice
What made SMU truly special was how the programme seamlessly translated to practice.
My internship at LUXASIA gave me hands-on experience in applying classroom concepts to automate processes and build dashboards to inform business decisions.
The capstone project was also a defining milestone. Working overseas with my classmates, we partnered with a client to identify operational inefficiencies and recommend data-driven improvements.
Seeing a project move from analysis to tangible impact brought together everything I had learned and gave me a firsthand experience of how digital transformation unfolds in practice.
Career impact: From learning to leadership
Today, as an Assistant Manager at Deloitte Singapore, I work at the intersection of technology and transformation within the Southeast Asia Tax & Legal function. Every project I lead, from streamlining tax processes to designing digital solutions, draws on the analytical foundation and problem-solving mindset I developed at SMU.
The MSA programme shaped my journey from an auditor to a digital transformation professional, and continues to guide how I approach innovation and leadership today.
Reflections on the transformative MSA journey
Looking back, the SMU MSA was more than a degree; it was a turning point. It transformed my curiosity about technology into capability, my accounting background into a platform for innovation, and my career aspirations into a purpose-driven path.
Beyond skills, it nurtured a growth mindset and the confidence to build a career across data, technology, and business transformation.
Explore how the SMU Master of Science in Accounting (Data & Analytics) (MSA) can transform your potential into impact and purpose.
