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RSM Singapore Partner Helen See reflects on a three-decade career shaped by NP, the firm and her commitment to opening doors for the next generation.


Helen (3^rd row from front) with NP Accountancy students at RSM, where they gained insights into the accountancy profession during a learning journey in May 2026.

When Helen See graduated from Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) in 1990, she did not expect the firm she joined soon after to become the place where she would build her entire career.

More than three decades later, the School of Business & Accountancy (BA) alumna is now a Partner at RSM Singapore. She has also remained closely connected to NP, helping students understand accountancy not as an abstract career path, but as work shaped by judgement, adaptability and real client needs.

Helen’s path into accountancy began with a practical choice. She enrolled in NP’s Diploma in Accountancy, a course that aligned with her strengths and circumstances at the time. After graduating with merit and receiving the Stone Forest Book Prize, she joined RSM and pursued her Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) qualification part-time, balancing work and study before becoming a Chartered Accountant in 1996.

Over the years, Helen has grown with RSM Singapore and the profession, while continuing to support the next generation of talent. She has contributed to NP in many ways, from speaking at forums and supporting internships to hosting learning journeys, curating real-world case study assessments and providing curriculum feedback. In many ways, she has become a bridge between NP and the firm.

Through RSM’s internship programmes and learning journeys, NP students gain exposure to areas such as audit, GST and transfer pricing. They also get to speak with current interns, ask questions and see how professional services work beyond the classroom.

Helen has also worked with NP lecturers on practical case studies, giving students the chance to apply what they have learnt to real business scenarios. These experiences help them see that accountancy is not only about technical knowledge, but also judgement, problem-solving and working with clients across industries.

For Helen, this kind of exposure matters. “Academic learning gives students a foundation, but industry experience helps them see how that knowledge is used. It also gives them a clearer sense of the pace, expectations and responsibilities of the profession,” she reflects.

She believes students benefit from hearing directly from practitioners, especially when they are still forming their views of what a career in accountancy could look like. These conversations may begin with internships or job scopes, but often go further, touching on attitude, adaptability and the willingness to keep learning.

A good mentee, she believes, is not expected to have everything figured out. What matters most is openness, initiative and the ability to adapt. For mentors, the role requires patience, trust and a willingness to understand each student’s background and aspirations.

This is where industry partners can make a difference. By creating opportunities for students to observe, practise and interact with professionals, firms can help them build confidence before they enter the workforce. At the same time, these touchpoints allow organisations to better understand the next generation of talent.

For RSM Singapore, the connection has also opened pathways for students who later return as interns or full-time hires. Helen does not see alumni engagement as a short-term recruitment exercise, rather she recognises its long-term value in identifying talent, building trust and strengthening the profession’s pipeline.

What keeps her involved is the satisfaction of seeing students grow, from interns learning to navigate their first professional environment to young colleagues who become more independent, solve problems with confidence and eventually support others in turn.

That sense of continuity has kept Helen connected to NP year after year.

Calling NP Alumni and Industry Partners   Like Helen, you can make a difference by helping students better understand the world of work. If you are an NP alumnus or industry partner and are keen to mentor, host learning journeys, offer internships or support student development in other ways, we invite you to connect with us at Career_Services@np.edu.sg.