Vuong Phuong Thanh: BUV Alumna Makes Her Mark in Audit at KPMG Ireland
BUV Daily

Vuong Phuong Thanh: BUV Alumna Makes Her Mark in Audit at KPMG Ireland

Jul 04, 2025

Vuong Phuong Thanh: BUV Alumna Makes Her Mark in Audit at KPMG Ireland 10:22:03

Right from her first year at BUV, Vương Phương Thanh – a graduate of the Accounting & Finance programme – knew she wanted to build a career in global finance. With a strong interest in Economics and Accounting, she stayed focused throughout her three years of study and, after graduation, secured a role at KPMG Vietnam, one of the world’s Big Four auditing firms.

“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” This famous quote by Abraham Lincoln perfectly captures the journey of Phuong Thanh – an outstanding BUV alumna who dedicated her university years to diligently honing her mindset, knowledge, and practical skills, methodically preparing herself for a career in the professional finance sector. That perseverance laid a solid foundation for Thanh to quickly rise to the position of senior associate at KPMG Vietnam after just a few years of working. But her journey didn’t stop there – Thanh continued to reach beyond borders, pursuing a Master’s degree at Griffith College (Ireland) and has now embarked on a new chapter at KPMG in this beautiful country.

Sharpening skills, building resilience

From her first year at BUV, Thanh already had a clear sense of direction. She actively sought opportunities to learn, grow her skill set, and gain practical experience while still a student.

In BUV’s open and supportive environment, Thanh gradually developed the ability to think independently and approach problems with clarity and logic – both essential qualities in a field like Finance and Accounting. Beyond the classroom, she also benefited from extracurricular activities, student clubs, and industry talks, which allowed her to strengthen her soft skills and grow the confidence she would later bring into her career.

Phuong Thanh (second from the left) was an active participant in extracurricular activities during her time as a student.

Thanh also gained early workplace experience through internships. In her first year, she secured an internship in the Accounting Department at Sheraton Hotel, supported by BUV’s Career Services – from CV reviews to interview preparation. This early experience not only gave her a glimpse into the professional setting but also served as an important head start for her future career path.

Thanh consistently took the initiative to gain practical experience early on, steadily turning her career goals into reality.

“These early internships gave me – and many other BUV students – a real edge when applying for jobs later on. They showed employers we were ready – not just on paper, but in practice too,” Thanh shared.

Steadfast through challenges, growing with trust

Thanh began her journey at KPMG Vietnam as an intern in the Corporate Tax Services department. With eagerness to learn and steady effort, she gradually progressed through full-time roles – and was promoted to Senior in just about three years, a clear recognition of her professional growth and dedication.

Working at KPMG came with its share of pressure, especially during peak tax settlement periods. But it was that demanding pace that helped Thanh develop self-discipline, teamwork, time management, and work with accuracy and professionalism.

“It was the experience of working in a high-intensity environment like KPMG that helped me develop essential skills,” Thanh shared.

“One thing I’ve learnt is to stay proactive in communication – keep others updated and don’t hesitate to ask when something’s unclear. Most importantly, building trust and being dependable are what help you grow in any high-performing workplace,” Thanh shared with those who share her passion.

Reaching further: From local success to a global stage

Having built a solid career at KPMG Vietnam, Thanh set her sights on the next challenge. Carrying the can-do attitude she had nurtured during her time at BUV, she began preparing for postgraduate study abroad and sought out opportunities to grow in an international working environment.

Balancing a full-time job with scholarship application, Thanh earned impressive results: a full Master’s scholarship from a university in Hungary, along with two 50% offers from universities in the UK and Ireland – a well-deserved return for the effort she had consistently invested. She eventually chose Ireland, often known as Europe’s “Emerald Isle,” as the next step in her academic and career journey.

Through her persistent efforts, Thanh earned a scholarship to study in Ireland and graduated with a Distinction in the Master’s programme in Finance and Accounting at Griffith College Dublin.

It was also in Ireland that she took her next big step: Joining the Audit Department at KPMG Ireland. Switching focus and entering a new market meant adapting to the pace and expectations of European auditing – a challenge that tested not only her skills, but also her resilience and long-term commitment to growth. Guided by the belief that perseverance creates its own opportunities – and grounded in the knowledge and mindset she had built through years of learning and working in Vietnam – Thanh quickly adapted and continued to prove herself in a global setting.
Her journey shows that when you’re well-prepared, committed to lifelong learning, and open to new challenges, stepping onto the global stage isn’t just a dream – it’s entirely within reach.

Contributing to Sustainable Tourism and Heritage Preservation in VietnamRead more
BUV Students Gain Hands-on Innovation Experience with Entrepreneurs
BUV Daily

Oct 24, 2025

BUV Students Gain Hands-on Innovation Experience with Entrepreneurs

In Vietnam’s fast-growing startup scene, innovation has become the key to survival. At the British University Vietnam, students are building this crucial skill through Business Creativity & Innovation: Entrepreneurial Perspectives –  a course that brings entrepreneurs into the classroom to turn ideas into action. A New Perspective on Innovation and Management Vietnam is currently home […]

BUV Students Expand Impact at Global Start-up Competition
BUV Daily

Oct 23, 2025

BUV Students Expand Impact at Global Start-up Competition

From reducing food waste to promoting digital literacy, BUV students are proving that innovative youth can make a difference both locally and globally. Four BUV students recently showcased their creativity and purpose-driven thinking at the Global Start-up Design Thinking Hackathon Day 2025 in Seoul, South Korea. Hosted by the Virtual Convergence College and the Center […]

Contributing to Sustainable Tourism and Heritage Preservation in Vietnam
BUV Daily

Oct 21, 2025

Contributing to Sustainable Tourism and Heritage Preservation in Vietnam

British University Vietnam recently participated in the 7th International Conference on Tourism Development in Vietnam, held in Hue, under the theme “Tourism – Heritage – City – Creativity”. Representing BUV were faculty members and students who presented research with significant societal impact, particularly in the fields of sustainable tourism development and cultural heritage preservation. Dr. […]

BUV co-organises Insight360 Conference and presents research on sustainability and innovation
BUV Daily

Oct 21, 2025

BUV co-organises Insight360 Conference and presents research on sustainability and innovation

British University Vietnam joined leading institutions from across the region at the Insight360 Conference in Malaysia, presenting new research on sustainability, innovation and responsible business practices. British University Vietnam (BUV) has strengthened its academic engagement in sustainability and innovation by co-organising and contributing to the INSIGHT360: International Conflux on Business, Law and Sustainable Futures held […]

Earn a UK-Accredited MBA in Vietnam in Just 12 Months from a Top 43 Business School in Asia
BUV Daily

Oct 14, 2025

Earn a UK-Accredited MBA in Vietnam in Just 12 Months from a Top 43 Business School in Asia

Professionals can now accelerate their career growth with a UK-accredited MBA degree completed in just 12 months right in Vietnam, instead of the usual 18–24 months required by most programmes. The fast-track format allows learners to advance their careers sooner while maintaining work-life balance and professional connections. Dual benefits In an increasingly competitive job market, […]

Why BUV’s new Business Technology programme is the future of business education
BUV Daily

Oct 13, 2025

Why BUV’s new Business Technology programme is the future of business education

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the global economy, the question is no longer whether technology will transform business, but who will lead that transformation. BUV’s new programme, Business Technology, serves as a bridge for tech enthusiasts and business majors alike to master the language of both worlds, equipping them with the strategic insight and […]

New Agreement Paves a Seamless Master’s Pathway for BUV Graduates at City St George’s
BUV Daily

Oct 12, 2025

New Agreement Paves a Seamless Master’s Pathway for BUV Graduates at City St George’s

Strengthening Academic Partnerships in the UK As part of its expanding portfolio of international partnerships, British University Vietnam (BUV) has taken another significant step in connecting Vietnam with top-tier UK universities through a newly signed progression agreement with City St George’s, University of London. This agreement enables BUV future graduates from The Business School and […]

BUV Safeguards Community Benefits Against Misleading Communications
BUV Daily

Oct 09, 2025

BUV Safeguards Community Benefits Against Misleading Communications

As BUV attracts growing numbers of prospective students and job seekers interested in our programmes and career opportunities, some unauthorised individuals attempting to contact community members through various channels claiming to represent our University have been reported.  Despite previous warnings from relevant authorities and BUV about these activities, some community members have unfortunately been targeted […]

BUV Brings Two Centuries of Manchester Educational Excellence to Vietnam 
BUV Daily

Oct 09, 2025

BUV Brings Two Centuries of Manchester Educational Excellence to Vietnam 

The new programmes at BUV not only meet global trends but also provide Vietnamese students access to two centuries of academic heritage from Manchester – the cradle of Britain’s Industrial Revolution.   Contributing to the Government’s goal of making Vietnam a new transnational education destination in Southeast Asia, British University Vietnam (BUV) has identified extending tier […]

Vietnam’s first-ever MBA among Asia’s Top 43: BUV affirms its leading position
BUV Daily

Oct 09, 2025

Vietnam’s first-ever MBA among Asia’s Top 43: BUV affirms its leading position

This achievement marks an important milestone in enhancing the global standing of Vietnam’s higher education. In September 2025, the world’s leading education ranking organisation, QS (Quacquarelli Symonds), announced the QS Global MBA Rankings 2026, providing a comprehensive list of the best business schools to study an MBA in. For the first time, Vietnam has earned […]

DMCA.com Protection Status