Securing investment for a start-up company is like match-making as both financing and investing parties are concerned about the accounting information of the company being financed. Investors regard accounting profits as a significant indicator for picking an ideal target company while the financing parties use them as a means to attract financing. Since such information is heavily imbued with human assessment and judgement, it harbours a cluster of grey zones that pose severe challenges to an accountants’ sense of judgement. However, the judgement of accountants should be exercised as art instead of trickery for attracting investment.

The golden era of globalisation and liberalisation came to an end with the 2008-2009 global financial crisis. Then, this year, the whole world suffered the COVID-19 pandemic. This outbreak has sped up the transformation of the global economy, and pushed it in a different direction. So, in this new context, what is the outlook for the Chinese economy?

Some eight months on from the initial outbreak of COVID-19, a clearer picture of the impact of the virus on China’s economy is now emerging. So where does the current picture stand and what are the prospects for recovery? Let’s take a closer look.