In today’s evolving corporate landscape, a new wave of professionals is shaping the future of business. Experts in fields like accounting, tax consultancy, human resources, and technology are driving operational efficiencies and ensuring companies stay compliant with increasingly complex regulations. These individuals form the backbone of modern industry, providing invaluable insight and strategic guidance to companies navigating global markets. Their expertise enables businesses to not only grow but also thrive in an era of rapid technological and economic change.
One such influential leader is Betty Gervasini, a Malaysian corporate professional, chartered accountant, tax consultant and a certified Lead Auditor of ISO27001. She has made significant contributions in the fields of human resources (HR), Software as a Service (SaaS) technology, and corporate consultancy across Asia. As the CEO and founder of HR Forte Systems, Betty has built a cloud-based HR payroll system serving markets across Asia and beyond. She is also a partner at Acclime Group, a leading corporate services provider in the region.
Betty's journey began in Malaysia, where she excelled academically in high school. In 1995, she continued her education at Metropolitan College, Malaysia, and then moved to Queen’s University Belfast in the UK. There, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting with honors in 1999. Betty’s academic excellence was recognized with a scholarship, awarded to her for ranking among the top 10 students during her first year.
Following her studies, Betty moved to Dublin, Ireland, where she started her professional career as a trainee auditor at Ernst & Young for some months before venturing her training at Lowry & Associates to have a better and overall audit perspective with mid sized clients. She balanced her work with part-time studies at the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland (ICAI), eventually earning her Chartered Accountant qualification in 2003 with first attempt. While at Lowry & Associates, Betty gained valuable audit experience, and though she was offered a partnership at the firm, she chose to follow her entrepreneurial instincts and return to Asia to pursue new opportunities.
Back in Malaysia, Betty briefly worked as Finance and Admin Manager at a Malaysian consulting firm, before accepting the role of Chief Financial Officer at a frozen food company in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It was in Vietnam where Betty’s entrepreneurial spirit truly took flight. In 2006, she founded Finex, a company providing corporate services to foreign investors and multinational businesses in Vietnam. Under her leadership, Finex quickly established itself as a reputable firm in the region, offering comprehensive services that helped global companies navigate the complexities of doing business in Vietnam.
For over a decade, Betty guided Finex through the challenges of the Vietnamese market, earning a reputation for excellence in corporate services. In 2019, her efforts were recognized when Finex received prestigious awards from APAC Business Headlines and CIO Advisor, acknowledging the firm’s contributions to the staffing, recruitment, and corporate consultancy sectors in the Asia-Pacific region.
In 2020, Finex was acquired by Acclime Group, a leading provider of corporate services in Asia. After the acquisition, Betty became a partner at Acclime, continuing to play a pivotal role in shaping the company’s strategies and expanding its reach across the region.
In addition to her role at Acclime, Betty founded HR Forte Systems in 2017. Initially designed as an internal HR solution, the company pivoted in 2020 to become a full-fledged SaaS provider. HR Forte now offers payroll services across multiple Asian countries, including Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong with plans to expand into Indonesia and India. The platform has revolutionized payroll management for multinational companies through its Octopro System, which consolidates payroll operations into a single, user-friendly interface, enabling clients to manage payroll across various countries with ease.
Betty’s impact in the corporate world has not gone unnoticed. In 2022, she was featured in the fifth edition of Britishpedia's List of Successful People in Malaysia, further solidifying her status as a prominent figure in the business community. Her expertise in tax consultancy also earned her an invitation from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland (ICAI) to contribute to their Tax Point magazine in February 2023. In this article, Betty shared her insights on Hong Kong and Singapore as tax havens, reaching an audience of over 30,000 ICAI members worldwide. The year 2024 marked a series of significant milestones in Betty’s illustrious career, showcasing her expertise, leadership, and commitment to excellence. Early in the year, she achieved her Certification as a Lead Auditor for ISO 27001, a globally recognized standard for information security management, demonstrating her deep understanding of risk management, governance, and compliance. Her exceptional performance in the rigorous examination reflected her meticulous attention to detail and mastery of the subject.
Betty’s achievements also gained recognition on a global platform. She was featured in Enterprise World magazine as one of the “Most Iconic Business Leaders to Watch in 2024,” a testament to her visionary leadership and impactful contributions to the corporate world.
Capping off an extraordinary year, Betty was honored with the prestigious Business Leadership Award at the CXO 2.0 event in Dubai. This accolade celebrated her ability to drive organizational growth, inspire teams, and navigate complex business landscapes with innovative strategies and unwavering determination.
From her early days as an accountant in Ireland to becoming a leader in the corporate services and HR technology sectors in Asia, Gervasini’s career is a testament to her adaptability, leadership, and entrepreneurial vision. As she continues to grow HR Forte Systems and contribute to Acclime’s success, she stands as a role model for aspiring professionals and entrepreneurs alike, demonstrating the impact that innovative thinking and a commitment to excellence can have on the global business stage.
Together, these milestones underscore Betty’s dedication to professional growth and her influential role as a trailblazer in the business world.
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