Liang Xia (Michelle)
Nationality: Chinese
MSc Course: MSc International Accounting and Finance
Graduation year: 2016
Published in 2025
“Bayes was the perfect fit for me”
“I have always been more inclined towards hands-on learning rather than studying purely theoretical research, and Bayes offered me a balance of both.”
Liang Xia (Michelle) is talking about what attracted her to the MSc International Accounting and Finance at Bayes Business School. This highly practical course blends academic theory with real-world applications which equips students with the transferable skills needed for strategic decision making in the fields of finance and accounting.
With strong links to industry, the MSc is a member of the CFA University Affiliation Program, and successful completion allows exemption from the exams of CIMA, ACCA and ICAEW.
For Michelle, there were additional factors which influenced her choice of university.
“Cass, as it was known when I studied there, had a very good reputation and an impressive employment rate. I was also attracted by its prime location – being just a stone’s throw away from the top global financial firms was an incredible advantage. Not only for real-world learning but for potential employment opportunities after graduation. As it turned out, Bayes truly delivered, providing students with a wealth of industry visits and learning opportunities.”
Michelle’s interest in accounting and finance was first stimulated while still at school.
“I was a huge fan of the film The Big Short and the TV series Billions. That was when I realised that even seemingly well-functioning companies, or widely accepted market trends, aren’t always as sound as they appear. It made me appreciate the importance of independent thinking and staying rational. I hoped that through my studies, I could develop the ability to think critically, remain objective, and make well-grounded judgments.”
Learning through real-world application
“The programme was made up of many memorable modules. One that really stood out was Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) taught by Professor Scott Moeller, whose hands-on experience was second to none. He didn’t teach via textbooks - every concept he taught was explained through a real-life M&A case, making the learning experience incredibly engaging. I had never seen technical knowledge come to life so vividly before.”
“Another unforgettable module was International Finance Reporting Standards (IFRS), which gives you the knowledge and skills needed to apply complex reporting standards to companies operating globally. The professor had a way of making us understand the logic behind every accounting standard. Those rules were no longer just something to be memorised - they started making sense in a practical context, shedding light on the real-world challenges they were designed to address. For the first time, accounting felt less like ‘rote learning’ and more like truly understanding the 'why' behind the 'what'.”
Putting learning into action
Today, Michelle is the Executive Director of G-Talent Consulting and Founder of Z-Academy, which mainly focus on customer insights and strategy consulting.
“We are a strategy consulting firm built for brands that don’t just want to catch up, but define what’s next. We specialise in turning subtle user insights into strategic clarity, helping our clients unlock new growth with precision and originality.”
“Much of the way we think as a company – the strategic clarity, the ability to synthesise complexity, the instinct to question – has its roots in my time at Bayes. It was there I learned not just the frameworks but how to think beyond them – to explore the intersections of markets, behaviours and ideas.”
“Bayes understands the power of networking”
“From day one of my time at the business school, the faculty emphasised the importance of networking – a lesson that has proven to be incredibly useful in my career. It sharpened my ability to connect with the right people, identify business opportunities and tap into valuable resources. Looking back, it wasn’t just the coursework that mattered, but the mindset and skills I developed along the way.”
Another major emphasis at Bayes is career development and taking full advantage of the support on offer from the Careers Team.
“During induction week, I participated in numerous workshops they had organised. Later, they provided tremendous support at every stage - whether it was refining my CV, preparing for mock interviews, or understanding how assessment centres operated. In fact, it was the invaluable and generous help I received from the Careers Service, which laid the foundation for me to help build the Bayes China Alumni Network.”
After graduating, Michelle returned to China and over the last decade she has been instrumental in creating an active alumni network in the country.
“I want to foster a strong alumni culture that extends beyond just one cohort, creating long-term value and support for future graduates.”
In her volunteer role as Alumni Ambassador in Beijing, Michelle has helped to organise numerous events, workshops and opportunities for Bayes alumni to connect. She has also helped to successfully grow Bayes social presence in the region.
“I noticed the growing popularity of WeChat public accounts in China, and I worked with the school to establish the Cass Alumni WeChat account in 2018. Today we have more than 3,000 followers.”
“An experience that changed me”
“Before coming to Bayes, I was more focused on my individual success and had a clear goal of becoming a senior auditor. But during my time at the business school, I was genuinely inspired by the spirit of mutual support and shared growth within the community. That mindset stayed with me, not just in my work with the alumni network, but by actively encouraging colleagues to get involved in public-interest projects.
For example, over the past two years, we have launched a non-profit initiative – Insights into Women's Career Development in China: Trends and Prospects for 2024 and a Case Study Report. The study covered nearly 6,000 respondents and included interviews with business leaders and government experts.
Some of our findings have been compiled into policy recommendations, in the hope that they might help drive meaningful change. It was my experience at Bayes that sparked this way of thinking and gave me the inspiration to turn ideas into action.”
Michelle’s advice for someone thinking of following in her footsteps and taking a master’s at Bayes?
“Make the most of the countless opportunities that Bayes offers. And after you graduate, become a member of the alumni network – it truly is a goldmine of opportunity.”