RSM Partner & Industry Lead

Meet RSM Partner & Industry Lead – Not-for-Profit Practice, Uthaya Ponnusamy, a seasoned auditor whose journey into the not-for-profit sector opened doors to a new realm where she could apply her skills to support organisations dedicated to social causes. Embracing growth opportunities, Uthaya leads our Not-For-Profit Practice, gaining deeper insights into social challenges and continually enhancing her technical expertise in the dynamic social sector landscape of Singapore. In this special feature, she shares insights into her motivations, achievements, and future aspirations.


Share a brief overview of your professional background and how you first got involved in the Not-for-Profit Practice of our firm?

I have spent the majority of my professional life as an auditor. Although I recall auditing a charity at another firm, my true experience in this field began when I joined RSM in 2018. Prior to that, my clientele was mainly in the retail industry, which required me to quickly adapt and understand the nuances of auditing clients in the not-for-profit sector. Interestingly, I felt that working with retail clients kept fuelling my shopaholic tendencies, and it was time to curb that a bit.

I am fortunate to have received numerous growth opportunities from the senior partners at RSM. When my Head of Audit discussed the possibility of joining the Not-for-Profit Practice with me two years ago, I embraced the opportunity. I am blessed with the type of clientele we have at RSM, which continues to offer me opportunities to grow technically and gain a deeper understanding of the social sector in Singapore.

 

Driven by Purpose  

What motivates you to work in the Not-for-Profit Practice? 

The greatest lesson I’ve learned from serving not-for-profit clients is humility and a deep sense of gratitude for what I have. Our work exposes us to the social cases handled by family service centres, and reading about the challenges faced by the less privileged gives me a greater appreciation for what I have and a reminder to complain less.

Many of the board members I’ve worked with are professionals in their respective fields who also volunteer their time for causes they believe in. Family centre employees often share their daily experiences and challenges in reaching out to beneficiaries and their desire to help more people. The passion they demonstrate motivates me to do better in my area of work.

As you work with more clients in the same social space, you can share best practices that help them adopt newer and more effective methods. Recently, at a lunch event, a large charity we work with thanked my team and me for our timely advice that improved their processes. I felt very proud of my audit team.

 

Navigating the Dynamics of the Industry

Any specific skills and expertise you bring when working with not-for-profit organisations?

There are no specific skills or expertise that set one apart when working with not-for-profit organisations, but I believe listening is crucial, especially to non-verbal cues in meetings and discussions. Reading the room or the virtual space (this is where turning on videos is key) is very important. While there are active participants, reaching out to hear the thoughts of the silent participants is always enlightening and helps you understand the issues better. We have a saying in Tamil: 'A fully filled pot does not spill.' I always find it interesting to hear the thoughts of these silent participants.

Despite distractions, we need to focus on fully hearing the other party to completely understand the issues before providing a tailored solution. This demonstrates our commitment to better serving our clients.

 

Share notable achievements or projects you've been involved in within the Not-for-Profit Practice 

Together with my NPO vertical team, we successfully organised seminars for our clients in recent months. The clients' active participation and positive feedback fuel our desire to improve. These seminars also provided opportunities for our clients to network and share their issues with each other, creating a platform for Non-for-Profit Organisations to collaborate on common causes and reduce duplicate efforts.

What also heartens me is seeing the young leaders at our firm grow. Since joining the Practice, I have seen my managers become more confident when presenting to larger audiences and taking the initiative to network with participants at our various NPO events. These proud moments give greater meaning to my contributions within the vertical.

One challenge has been changing people’s mindset about working with Not-for-Profit clients, as some see such engagements as difficult. The intangible rewards from working on these engagements and with individuals who are passionate about bettering society make you want to be a better person and do better for everyone.
 

NPO vertical team

 

Looking Ahead to Newer Horizons

How do you stay updated on industry trends and changes in the not-for-profit sector, especially considering the evolving landscape? 

Engaging with clients and following various sector administrators on LinkedIn keeps me abreast of changes. Receiving updates on the latest industry issues from my colleagues in other business units during our monthly vertical meetings also helps me stay on top of changes in the sector. I serve on the audit committee of an NPO and being on the other side, rather than just a practitioner, helps me understand the challenges NPOs face. 

 

How do you envision contributing to the sector in the coming years? Share your aspirations for personal and professional development within the Not-for-Profit space. 

I aim to enhance our firm’s standing and build on our strengths in serving not-for-profit clients across various areas. Additionally, grooming our next set of leaders within this vertical is equally crucial. On a personal level, I also hope to dedicate time to volunteering for causes I deeply believe in.

Keen to explore our Not-for-Profit Practice and how we can help? Click here.