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China — ‘Sea turtles’ are possible solution in search for treasury/finance execs

24 November 2015

As multi-national companies in China grow their treasury and finance operations, finding the right talent has become critically important, said Nathan Li of Kelly Services Inc. (NASD: KELYA) North Asia. However, it’s not enough anymore for executives to be just a local expert or for multi-nationals to bring in foreign expats with knowledge from only abroad. Instead multi-nationals in China may rely on “sea turtles” — the nickname for Chinese nationals who have spent time working or studying abroad and then returned home.

Li, who serves as CFO and chief accounting officer for Kelly Services North Asia, made his remarks during the “13th annual conference on Cash, Treasury and Risk Management in China” organized by EuroFinance. 

Li also said the competition for top-tier finance professionals in China is keen. For multi-national firms seeking finance talent with experience abroad, providing suitable career advancement platforms and assistance in settling back down on China are key factors.