ACCA’s inaugural regional conference was hosted on Monday 25 March in Dubai which brought together ACCA’s senior members, employers and key stakeholders to discuss how technology and innovation is impacting finance in the Middle East.
On the day, discussions were focused on:
• The UAE innovation strategy
• Automating audit: the evolving role of accountants
• Unlocking value through tech transformation: Big Data, AI and analytical benchmarking
• Innovation in VAT
• Leveraging effective technology and software to drive financial performance
• Knowing your legal rights: securing your assets and protecting your data
The regional conference uncovered insights from leaders such as Joy Ajlouny, Co-Founder of Fetchr; Xavier Anglada, Managing Director – Accenture Digital, MENA and Turkey; the Audit innovation team from Deloitte Middle East; George Stoyanov, Transformation Advisory Partner, Grant Thornton UAE; Pierre Arman, Market Development Lead – Tax and Accounting, Thomson Reuters; Mansoor Sarwar, Director, Sage and Dino Wilkinson, Partner at Clyde & Co.
Speaking at the conference, Lindsay Degouve de Nuncques, Director for ACCA stated:
“The disruptive emergence of technology has been a global theme of discussion amongst industries and professionals for some time. In a bid to eradicate the myth and preconception of technology, we have been working on distilling the impact which technology will have for our members and wider commercial society, alongside aligning our approach to the regional innovation strategy which will see the UAE become the smartest in the world by 2030.
Increasingly, disruptive technology is playing a critical role in transforming finance capability. It is however, clearly evident to see that finance professionals remain at the core of tech transformation, therefore providing a strategic opportunity to unlock future value and growth.”