Overview of CamEd Business School

Overview

Other name: CamEd Institute
Type: Private Institute of Higher Education
Established: 2000
Academic affiliations: – Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), US
– Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), UK
– CFA University Affiliate Program, US
– QS Star Rating System, UK
– ASEAN University Network (AUN), Thailand
– Harvard Microeconomics of Competitiveness Network, US
Chairman: Dr. Prum Virak
Rector: Mr. Casey Barnett
Academic staff: 60
Tutor/Mentor: 500+
BA Undergraduates (Current): 2,173
BA Postgraduates (Graduate): 3,240
MSc Undergraduate (Current): 945
MSc Postgraduates (Graduate): 2
ACCA (Current): 162
ACCA (Graduate): 368
CAT (Current): 110
CAT (Graduate): 1,175

CamEd Business School (/ˈkæm.ɛd/), also known as CamEd Institute, is a leading higher education institution based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, specializing in accounting, finance, and business education. Established to meet international professional standards, CamEd is recognized as a key source of talent for major audit firms, banks, investment companies, and the Cambodian General Department of Taxation.

Vision

To develop a community of business professionals performing on par with those in international business centers, taking initiatives as leaders, and upholding ethical standards.

Mission

CamEd Business School is committed to providing innovative, industry-oriented business education and research to develop ethical, internationally recognized professionals who create a positive impact on the sustainable economic development of Cambodia.

CamEd collaborates closely with the Accounting and Auditing Regulator (ACAR) and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) to deliver internationally recognized qualifications. Its curriculum is aligned with international standards, including those of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) and the CFA Institute.

Courses are taught in English and emphasize International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), IFRS for Small and Medium-sized Entities (IFRS for SMEs), and International Standards on Auditing (ISAs). CamEd graduates are widely respected for their professional competence and ethical standards, contributing significantly to Cambodia’s accounting, finance, and business sectors.

History

After the end of the Cambodian civil war in 1998, there was an urgent need to build business skills to develop the Cambodian economy. CamEd was established in the year 2000 as a professional training organization for international companies and organizations. In 2003 CamEd began teaching for the ACCA global accounting qualifications. This coincided with the passage of a new law on accounting that was issued in the year 2003 which required professional licensure for accounting and auditing services. In 2010, CamEd was accredited as an institute of higher education with degree granting powers. In the same year, CamEd received a gold quality rating, the highest level of quality approval from the ACCA global. CamEd remains the only institute or university in Cambodia with quality recognition from the ACCA.

Based in Phnom Penh, CamEd is Cambodia’s leading institute of higher education in the fields of accounting and finance. More than 50% of the annual recruits of the big four audit firms in Cambodia (PwC, Deloitte, KPMG, and EY) are students or graduates of CamEd.

Academic Programs

CamEd offers a four-year Bachelor of Accounting and Finance degree, integrated with professional qualifications such as the Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) and pathways toward ACCA certification. The curriculum emphasizes international standards, including IFRS, IFRS for SMEs, and ISAs, reflecting the frameworks of the IFAC and CFA.

In addition, CamEd offers Master of Science in Accounting and Finance combined with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (MSc + ACCA). CamEd also provides other professional certifications, including ACCA, CAT, Diploma in Advanced Cambodian Tax, Diploma in Cambodian Tax, Diploma in Cambodian Business Law, and Diploma in IFRS for SMEs.

Accreditations and Recognition

CamEd Institute was officially recognized as an institute of higher education by Sub-decree No. 74 អនក្រ.បក, signed by the Prime Minister on 23 July 2010. The institution is fully accredited by the Accreditation Committee of Cambodia (ACC), with the second cycle of institutional accreditation valid until 2028.

CamEd’s Bachelor of Accounting and Finance program has received full accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), valid through 2032. Furthermore, CamEd holds Platinum status as an ACCA Approved Learning Partner and has earned a 4-star rating in the QS Stars Rating. The institution’s programs are aligned with the CFA Institute, meet ASEAN University Network Quality Assurance (AUN-QA) standards, and the school is ISO 9001:2015 certified. Additionally, its English courses are endorsed by NEAS Australia.

These accreditations and recognitions highlight CamEd Business School’s dedication to providing high-quality education and its alignment with international standards in business and accounting education.

Library and Resources

The CamEd Business Library provides comprehensive resources designed to support both students and faculty. CamEd Business Library’s mission is to deliver high-quality materials in accounting, finance, and business, fostering an inclusive learning environment while promoting information literacy and research. The CamEd Business Library also assists in the pursuit of international qualifications and ethical leadership.

CamEd Business Library offers access to a wide range of databases, e-books, scholarly journals, and research guides. These digital resources are available both on-campus and off-campus, ensuring that all members of the CamEd community can benefit.

CamEd Business Library’s vision is to be a leading academic library that empowers the CamEd community through exceptional service and innovative resources. We aim to act as a hub for knowledge creation and excellence in business education, contributing to the development of skilled professionals in the global marketplace.

Additionally, CamEd students can check out laptops and headsets for use within the campus. The CamEd Business Library operating hours are daily from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM, with extended hours until 11:00 PM during exam periods.

Curriculum

The Bachelor of Accounting and Finance curriculum is managed by the CamEd Curriculum Committee. For the ACCA and CAT programs offered by CamEd, the curriculum is independently set by the ACCA. The Bachelor of Accounting and Finance curriculum is developed based on outcomes-based education principles, with expected learning outcomes established through a review of stakeholder needs. These stakeholders include employers, alumni, the Accounting and Auditing Regulator, the Kampuchea Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Auditors, and the General Department of Taxation.

The program adheres to the curriculum requirements of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), supplemented with additional courses to produce well-rounded professionals. Some IFAC requirements are fulfilled by incorporating elements of the ACCA professional exam syllabuses. For certain program courses, students sit for examinations independently written and marked by the ACCA in the UK.

Student Employment

CamEd has achieved notable success in placing its graduates with leading international companies in Cambodia. Graduates of CamEd significantly outnumber those of other universities employed by major accounting firms. An independent graduate tracer study found that 41% of 2024 graduates were employed by Big 6 international firms. Typical positions held by Bachelor of Accounting and Finance graduates include auditor, tax accountant, tax consultant, internal auditor, and finance officer.

Student Clubs

At CamEd, student clubs and co-curricular activities are encouraged and supported to align with program learning outcomes. Student clubs are provided with matching funds, financing, and administrative support from Career Service and Student Advising (CSSA) Department. To ensure equal opportunities for leadership, CamEd student clubs are structured to ensure that all students have the opportunity to take on leadership roles and contribute to decision-making. There are 24 official active student clubs including CamEd Student Government (CSG), CamEd Artistic Club (C.Artistic), CamEd Audit Club (CAC), CamEd Banking & Finance Club (CBFIs), CamEd Business Journalism Club (CBJC), CamEd Business Law (CBLC), CamEd Chinese Club (CCHC), CamEd Community Club (CCC), CamEd CyberSecurity Club (CCSC), CamEd Entrepreneur Club (CEC), CamEd Experiential Learning Club (CELC), CamEd Fencing Club (CFC), CamEd International Business Club (CIBC), CamEd Investment Club (CIC), CamEd Jiu Jitsu Club (CJJC), CamEd Leadership Club (CLC), CamEd Luxury Brand Management Club (CLBMC), CamEd Media Club (CMC), CamEd Public Speaking & Debate Club (CPSDC), CamEd Research Club (CRC), CamEd Risk Management Club (CRMC), CamEd Sport Management Club (CSMC), CamEd Sustainable Development Club (CSDC), and CamEd Tax Club (CTC).

Sports

CamEd believes that participation in student sports is a powerful way to develop teamwork, competitiveness, physical health, leadership, and the ability to perform under pressure. In Cambodia, CamEd has been a pioneer in promoting women’s sports, ensuring that men’s and women’s sports are equally represented.

Each year, CamEd hosts a variety of tournaments within the institute for both male and female students, such as the Athletics Championship, Futsal Tournament, and Basketball Tournament. Beyond internal competitions, CamEd also sends its student athletes to compete in national events such as the National Championships and the University Games.

In 2024, CamEd ranked 2nd among all universities in Cambodia for the highest number of medals earned at the University Games, with a total of 45 medals — 19 Gold, 10 Silver, and 16 Bronze. Our students competed in a wide range of sports including Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Sepak Takraw, Badminton, Table Tennis, Athletics, Swimming, Karate, Taekwondo WT, Taekwondo ITF, Petanque, and Fencing.

Beyond these achievements, CamEd students have also represented Cambodia in prestigious regional and international competitions, including events in ASEAN countries and even the United States.

People

CamEd is governed by a Board of Trustees consisting of five members: Dr. Virak Prum, PhD (Chairman), President Casey Barnett, MBA, FCCA, CFA, Dr. Maria Isabelita Manzon-Cabrera, CPA, ACPA, MDE, Dr. Darith Phat, PhD, and Dr. Kenneth Paul Charman, PhD, assisted by Mr. Mean Udam, ACCA, MSc (Secretary to the Board of Trustees). The Board is supported by a number of committees, including the Nominations Committee, Audit Committee, Research Committee, and Curriculum Committee.

Management is led by President Casey Barnett, MBA, FCCA, CFA, a US citizen with an MBA from Columbia Business School. The President heads an executive committee composed of Mrs. Sam Sokuntheary, Senior Vice President, Mr. Keat Marath, Senior Vice President and CFO, Dr. Sok Uttara, Vice President for Internal Quality Assurance and Internal Audit, Mr. Yem Bunthorn, Vice President for the Learning Support Center, and Mrs. Chea Socheata, Vice President for Career Services and Student Advising.

CamEd employs approximately 60 academic staff and around 120 support staff. The academic team is diverse, with faculty members from countries including the US, UK, Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Canada, France, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Italy, Malaysia, Netherlands, Nigeria, Philippines, Singapore, Slovakia, and South Africa. Of the academic staff, 41% hold a PhD. They are supported by more than 500 tutors and teaching assistants, further enhancing the institution’s educational capacity.