Accountants from around the world are coming together this week to discuss the challenges that face the industry and their solutions.
The 21st World Congress of Accountants (WCOA) takes place in Mumbai from 18–21 November just days after the board of directors meeting of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (the Association) is held in Dubai from 15–17 November.
The WCOA invited senior members of accounting firms and associations from across the world to discuss key issues such as the role of accounting in enabling sustainability, the growing importance of digital technologies, global trends in the profession, strengthening public financial management, and making sure the profession is future-ready.
Australian representatives at the international event will include CPA Australia president and chair Merran Kelsall, CPA Australia CEO Andrew Hunter and CA ANZ president Kate Boorer.
Ms Kelsall will be a panellist for the first session on “Accountancy Profession: trusted partner in sustainability and society.”
She will be joined by Gabriela Figueirdo Dias, the chair of the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants; Julie Linn Tiegland, managing partner, Europe, Middle East, India, and Africa at EY; and Atul Kumar Gupta, board member of the International Federation of Accountants, and past president of both IFAC and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI).
Before leaving for Mumbai, Ms Kelsall said CPA Australia recognised the risk of climate change and the importance of the accounting profession playing its part.
“Sustainability is a major focus for CPA Australia,” she said. “We believe that we deliver value to our members and to society across three dimensions.”
“Firstly, through our advocacy work, secondly through our member value proposition and lastly through our own response and adaptation as an organisation.”
“CPA Australia is committed to working with governments, regulators and other professional bodies to advocate for policies that address environmental risks.”
On the second day of the conference CA ANZ president Kate Boorer will be speaking as a panellist on the discussion of “Professional and investment opportunities in Australasia and ASEAN.”
Joining Ms Boorer will be CPA Australia CEO Andrew Hunter along with SV Padmanabhan, past chairman of the Singapore chapter of ICAI; Sandeep Agarwal, chairman of the Malaysia chapter of ICAI; and Samir Mehta, chairman of the Australia chapter of ICAI.
The board of directors meeting of the association which represents the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) also takes place this week.
The meeting plans will discuss preparing the profession for future challenges while serving the public interest and developing trust, said the association.
It also said that it would convene leaders of the profession and public life based in the US, UK, Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa, as well as North and South Asia.
The association said the conference would cover the importance of delivering trust and integrity in ESG standards as well as expanding the global opportunities for the chartered global management accountant designation (CGMA) and CPA licence.
“We are here to discuss the critical role the accounting and finance profession will play in helping entrepreneurs, businesses, governments, and society navigate the risks and opportunities this presents,” said chair of the Association Anoop Mehta.
“We will also be sharing wisdom and updating our global community on AICPA and CIMA’s work to drive innovation in the profession, embrace technology, develop new skills, reinforce professional standards, attract new talent and serve the public interest.”
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