A New Era for Accountancy: From Transactional to Strategic
According to the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), AI is transforming how accountants perform tasks across all levels. Routine work is being automated, paving the way for accountants to take on more strategic, advisory, and oversight-focused roles.
The ACCA AI Monitor report reveals that:
- AI is enabling faster, more efficient task execution
- Finance professionals will need to define desired outcomes from AI systems
- There will be a growing need to ensure compliance with professional and local standards
- Human judgement and oversight will remain central to trust and governance
Four Key Trends Driven by AI in Accounting
The report identifies four transformative trends shaping the future of the profession:
- Decline in routine processing tasks due to automation
- Growth in strategic and advisory responsibilities
- Evolution of mid-tier roles to include more decision-making and client interaction
- Emergence of new hybrid roles that bridge accounting, technology, and strategy
Malaysia’s Accountants Urged to Embrace Agility and Continuous Learning
Andrew Lim, Interim Portfolio Head for ACCA Maritime South-East Asia, affirmed that accountants in Malaysia are well placed to embrace these changes.
“Accountants in Malaysia have consistently embraced new technologies with intelligence and agility. AI is the next frontier – a powerful tool that can elevate the profession’s strategic value to businesses and society,” Lim said.
He added that embracing uncertainty, strengthening judgement skills, and continuous adaptation will ensure Malaysian accountants remain highly relevant—even as some tasks become automated.
Adoption in Malaysia Still Early, But Momentum is Building
While only a minority of finance teams in Malaysia have adopted AI tools so far, cloud technology adoption and growing investments are expected to accelerate implementation across the sector.
The ACCA also notes that its updated Qualification syllabus now includes emerging topics such as technology and sustainability, better preparing future professionals for AI-enabled roles.
Although widescale adoption may take time, the momentum is clear: AI is not replacing accountants—it’s reshaping their purpose.
