Bernard Foong, ACCA Affiliate

Support legal work across private client, mental capacity and family law matters, while overseeing finance and operational functions of the firm. Finance & Practice Management: • Cashflow forecasting and financial planning for the firm • Billing management, invoicing and receivables monitoring • GST compliance and tax filing • Audit coordination and financial reporting Legal Support & Case Exposure: • Assisted in drafting originating applications and affidavits for divorce, mental capacity and deputyship matters • Assisted probate filings and supported the drafting of wills • Assisted with eLitigation filings and court document submissions • Exposure to matters involving Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), probate and family law Business Development & Operations • File opening, closing and client onboarding procedures • Client follow-ups and administrative coordination • Managed matter administration using Clio practice management software • General office and operational management Conveyancing: • Assisted with property transfers and transmissions (Private property and HDB) • Assisted with HDB resale conveyancing transactions • Conducted title searches and due diligence for property transactions (INLIS, STARS) • Prepared conveyancing documentation and supported completion processes (AFS, TAD, T, SCT)

Supported the firm’s legal and finance functions while gaining practical exposure to private client and family law matters. Legal Exposure: • Assisted in drafting affidavits for divorce, deputyship and mental capacity matters • Prepared probate filings and supported drafting of wills • Assisted with eLitigation filings • Exposure to Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), probate and family proceedings Finance & Administration: • Cashflow forecasting and financial management • Billing preparation, invoicing and receivables tracking • Tax filing and audit preparation Operations & Client Management: • File opening and closing procedures • Client follow-ups and administrative coordination • Office operations support Conveyancing Support: • Assisted with property transfers and transmissions (private property and HDB) • Assisted with HDB resale conveyancing transactions • Conducted title searches and conveyancing due diligence

Completed a legal internship with exposure primarily to mental capacity and deputyship matters. Responsibilities included: • Assisting with basic legal drafting • Exposure to matters involving probate, wills, family law and Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) • Supporting administrative processes including file opening, file closing and client follow-ups

Advised professionals, entrepreneurs and families on wealth planning and asset protection strategies, with particular exposure to complex family and cross-border situations. Client engagements frequently involved discussions around estate planning, succession considerations and asset coordination across jurisdictions. Also advised a second-generation family business owner on succession planning, including discussions around family office structures and intergenerational wealth governance. Worked alongside lawyers, corporate trustees and other professional advisers where client matters involved wills, trusts, business succession or international family structures. Areas of Advisory: • Estate and succession planning considerations • Wealth preservation strategies for families and business owners • Cross-border asset coordination for internationally mobile families • Business continuity and shareholder protection • Intergenerational wealth governance discussions Awards & Recognition: • Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) – Top 5% globally • Top 10 advisor in the company Community Engagement: • Bizlink Centre Singapore Ltd (NCSS member)

Advised professionals, entrepreneurs and families on wealth planning strategies, with client discussions frequently involving estate planning, business continuity and succession considerations. Worked alongside lawyers and corporate trustees where client matters involved wills, trusts or family wealth planning. Achieved international recognition through Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) and Court of the Table (COT). Areas of Advisory: • Wealth planning and wealth protection strategies • Investment and retirement planning discussions • Estate planning considerations for families • Business continuity and shareholder protection planning • Risk management strategies for professionals and entrepreneurs Awards & Recognition: • Court of the Table (COT) • Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) • Top 10 Investment Advisor – iFAST × IPP • Chairman Round Table – Top 30 advisers in firm • Producers Club – Top 100 advisers in firm Professional Development: • Certified Financial Planner (CFP) • IBF Qualified (IBFQ) • Associate Specialist in Estate Planning (ASEP) • Associate Estate Planning Practitioner (AEPP) • Decipher Trusts • Estate Planning and Trusts Relating to Real Estate • Business Value Protection Trust • Managing International Trade Financing Risks (SMU) • Strategic Conflict Management for Professionals – Singapore Mediation Centre Community Engagement: • Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund • Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE) • SUN-DAC (NCSS affiliate) • Bizlink Centre Singapore Ltd Featured in: • The Straits Times – 28 March 2018 • Lianhe Zaobao – 23 January 2020

Expanded advisory practice serving professionals and families on financial planning strategies including retirement planning, investment planning and risk protection. Also developed deeper exposure to estate planning discussions when advising families and business owners on long-term wealth protection. Areas of Advisory: • Financial planning and protection strategies • Retirement planning discussions • Investment portfolio discussions • Estate planning awareness for families • Risk management planning Awards & Recognition: • Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) – Top 5% globally • Producers Club – Top 100 advisers in firm Professional Development • Associate Estate Planning Practitioner (AEPP) • Estate Planning and Trusts Relating to Real Estate • Business Value Protection Trust • Strategic Conflict Management for Professionals – Singapore Mediation Centre

Started advisory career focused on helping individuals and families build financial security through structured financial planning. Responsibilities included financial needs analysis, protection planning and investment discussions while introducing estate planning concepts as part of holistic financial advice. Areas of Advisory • Financial needs analysis and protection planning • Investment discussions and portfolio allocation • Retirement planning awareness • Introduction to estate planning concepts Professional Development: • Associate Estate Planning Practitioner (AEPP) • Decipher Trusts • Estate Planning and Trusts Relating to Real Estate • Business Value Protection Trust • Managing International Trade Financing Risks (SMU)

Advised individuals and families on financial planning and protection strategies, helping clients identify financial goals and develop structured financial plans. Areas of discussion frequently included: • Life insurance and disability protection planning • Retirement income planning • Investment planning discussions • Education funding planning • Basic estate planning awareness This role provided the early foundation for a career in wealth advisory and long-term financial planning.

Founded and operated a startup focused on asset-light platform service, undertaking responsibilities across the full spectrum of business operations including business development, product development, regulatory considerations and technology implementation. This entrepreneurial venture provided first-hand exposure to the challenges of building a business from the ground up, including strategy development, operations management and regulatory compliance. Although the business was eventually wound down, the experience provided valuable lessons in entrepreneurship, risk-taking and resilience, which later influenced my approach to advisory work and working with business owners.

Managed a portfolio of SME financing transactions, supporting business owners in accessing working capital and growth funding solutions. Responsibilities included credit assessment, portfolio monitoring and operational oversight across finance, collections and business operations. Key contributions included: • Increased portfolio revenue significantly while expanding total funding transaction value to approximately AU$10 million • Developed and implemented a structured collections and debt recovery framework, reducing bad debt levels by 67% • Oversaw operational functions including finance, human resources and lending operations • Led and coordinated a small team of three staff members This role provided early exposure to SME financing, credit risk management and business operations, which later informed my work advising entrepreneurs and business owners.

Worked within a family investment office managing a portfolio of private equity investments focused on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Responsibilities included financial analysis, portfolio monitoring and supporting investment decision-making across multiple businesses. Key responsibilities and contributions included: • Monitored performance and profitability of a $15 million private equity investment portfolio • Conducted financial analysis including balance sheet review, profitability analysis and variance analysis • Assisted in due diligence and investment evaluation for potential SME opportunities • Participated in the turnaround of a distressed SME, helping secure $200,000 in working capital financing to stabilise operations This role provided early exposure to private investments, SME operations and financial restructuring, forming the foundation for later work with entrepreneurs and business owners.

Supported the Group finance team in managing accounts payable processes across regional operations. Responsibilities included payroll processing, staff claims administration, vendor payments and telegraphic transfers for both local and overseas employees. Also assisted the Chief Financial Officer on a special project involving an internal review of the finance operations of a Chinese subsidiary.

Supported the project team in daily site inspections for piling works and structural construction, assisting engineers and project managers in monitoring construction progress. Responsibilities included preparing weekly construction progress reports for senior management and coordinating with contractors on site operations. Also assisted in planning the sequencing of piling works in coordination with site engineers and piling contractors. Recognised by the Executive Director for demonstrating a strong learning attitude, commitment and ability to take on responsibilities independently.

Supported the audit team in conducting interim audit procedures for several multinational shipping companies. Responsibilities included assisting with audit documentation, collation and reviewing accounting records to support audit fieldwork. Gained early exposure to the maritime industry and vessel leasing structures, including the financing arrangements commonly used by shipping companies. Received positive evaluation from supervisors for demonstrating strong initiative, independence and a willingness to learn.

LEGAL FOUNDATION & PRACTICE Critical Thinking & Legal Interpretation Legal Writing & IT Essentials Ethical Legal Practice and Client Care Legal Methods & Singapore Legal System PUBLIC LAW Constitutional and Administrative Law BUSINESS & PRIVATE LAW Law of Business Organisation Contract and Civil Litigation DISPUTE RESOLUTION Torts, Litigation and Evidence INTERDISCIPLINARY Introduction to Forensics Development of Social Work & Social Services

Company Law | Contract Law | Employment Law | Dispute Resolution | Family Law | Intellectual Property Law | Legal Writing | Tort Law |

Accountant in Business | Corporate and Business Law | Governance, Risk and Ethics Financial Accounting | Financial Reporting | Corporate Reporting Management Accounting | Performance Management | Advanced Performance Management Financial Management | Business Analysis | Advanced Financial Management Taxation