▲ Nexia Samduk / Ohheong Gwon

In South Korea, around 20,000 are estimated to work as accountants of which around 12,000 belong to accounting firms as of 2020. The five big shots in the field are Samil, KPMG, EY, Deloitte and Nexia Samduk and they are moving fast to meet ever changing business environment home and global. Among the big five, Nexia Samduk is proudly enjoying its status of the number 1 Asian accounting firm among members of the Nexia International and is famous for its unwavering principle 'transparency and fairness'. Nexia International is headquartered in London providing accounting and auditing services in 120 countries from 250 member firms.

Nestled in Jono District, Seoul, Samduk was established in 1976. As of 2021, around 900 staff members including 600 accountants of which 80% have more than 10 years of experience are working for Samduk. CEO Ohheong Gwon has 40 years of expertise especially in inheritance and gift tax and has achieved noteworthy reputation and contribution. Professional services of Samduk covers many areas including management, advisory and M&A in addition to accounting and auditing services. The sales of Samduk has grown yearly 30% which is remarkable and is ranked number 5 in terms of brand recognition in South Korea. 

Apart from CEO's role at Samduk, Gwon has served as the 39th and 40th president of the Korean Institute of Certified Public Accountants during which he introduced 'burden of proof' and 'proportionate liability'. Burden of proof in particular is received as one of his great feats as it makes the bank, not the accountant, responsible when it comes to damage suits on the auditors. He is also credited for systematizing 'compulsory auditing' on debt-driven corporations for transparent financial management.

"I think accounting and auditing is about transparency and the transparency is the essence of building and running a company or an organization. Like we take health check every now and then, companies and organizations must have financial health check every now and then. So it is account's job to carry on the check properly. This is not a matter of a company or an organization alone but a matter of us all if we are to create a sound society together" says Gwon.

Recently, Gwon has inaugurated as co-president of the W Vision Forum consisted of 20 male entrepreneurs who ardently support gender equality. <PowerKorea>

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