By Dr Mohd Danial Afiq Khamar Tazilah
Tanjung Malim, 8 May 2025 – The campus of Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) came alive as it welcomed more than 150 accounting students and lecturers from public and private universities nationwide for the Accounting Students Conference (ASC) 2025, a premier annual event spearheaded by the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA).
UPSI is honoured and thrilled of hosting this conference since it is the first time of physical event conducted after the COVID-19 pandemic. Among other universities participated in this event are Universiti Selangor (UNISEL), Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), Universiti Sultan Azlan Shah (USAS), Management & Science University (MSU) and Asia Pacific University (APU).
With this year’s theme, “Future-Proofing Accountants: Skills and Strategies for a Tech-Savvy World,” ASC 2025 was more than just a gathering of minds — it was a convergence of vision, leadership, and innovation, aimed at shaping a new generation of tech-ready and ethically grounded accounting professionals.
The conference marked a strategic collaboration between MIA and UPSI’s Faculty of Management and Economics (FPE), with the event expertly organized by the UPSI Accounting Society (UPSIAS).
From the outset, the energy was focused on preparing future accountants for an evolving profession marked by automation, blockchain, AI, and digital transformation.
Gracing the opening ceremony were Director of the Membership Operations Division, MIA, Ms Ho Foong Chin.
Her presence reflected the high-level commitment to nurturing student potential and encouraging cross-institutional collaboration between the profession and academia.
The two-day event was packed with engaging content and dynamic speakers. A keynote titled “Financial Integrity in The Modern Age World” provided a high-level view of how disruptive technology is transforming financial ecosystems, integrity and governance.
The panels were Professor Dr David Asirvatham, Chairman of the MIA Digital Technology Implementation Committee and Mr Mohd Junaidy Ab Mutalib, Member of the MIA Ethics Standards Board.
Other key breakout rooms session included:
- The Adoption of Technology in Accounting & Auditing
With speaker by Mr Muhammad Fahim Aripin, Salihin Audit & Assurance Partner, this session discussed how accounting and auditing firms are integrating AI and automation into their core operations. - The Use of Technology in Fraud and Corruption Investigation
This session explored the digitalisation of investigations in fraud and corruption that shift toward continuous assurance. The speakers are Mr Mustakim Ilman Mustafa, Head of Internal Audit, UEM Edgenta Bhd and Mr Muhammad Zamani Othman, Deputy Officer of Investigation, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). - Accounting Challenges: The Impact of FinTech, Big Data and Blockchain
Delivered by Dr. Meera Eswaran from APU FinTech Academy, this academic dialogue addressed how technology is disrupting traditional banking and enabling real-time financial intelligence. - The Future of Accounting: Navigating Digital Transformation
This session discussed on the challenges and impact of digital transformation in accounting profession in future. It also focused on the readiness of the future accountants in embracing the digital transformation and the skills required.
The panels were CEO of Education Malaysia Global Services, Mr Novie Tajudin and Independent Board of Directors of Public Listed Companies, Mrs Emelia Matrahah.
ASC 2025 wasn’t just about lectures and panels — it was an immersive development platform. Students participated in many interactive activities such as group Case Study Competitions, Accounting Quest: Race to the Ledger, Kahoot! Sessions, Dinner Night and Professional Booth Exhibition.
These sessions emphasized teamwork, communication, critical thinking, and professional presentation — skills every modern accountant needs while building networking across universities and professional bodies in Malaysia.
A special thanks to our various sponsorships such as MIA, ACCA, CPA Australia, BDO, Salihin, Cheers, AutoCount, AuditSME, CIMA and student fees—the conference delivered value without compromise.
Every ringgit was allocated strategically, from expert honorariums, accommodation, prizes and meals to tech-enabled logistics and branding.
The core mission of ASC 2025 was clear which is to equip young accountants with technical fluency, ethical rigor, and leadership qualities.
Whether it was a discussion on AI or an anecdote on career resilience, the emphasis remained on balancing innovation with integrity.
“As future accountants, we are not just record-keepers—we are decision-makers, strategists, and changemakers in the digital economy,” said Conference Chairman and Senior Lecturer at UPSI, Dr. Mohd Danial Afiq Khamar Tazilah.
As the final applause echoed through the SITC Hall at UPSI, it was evident that ASC 2025 had planted seeds of ambition, resilience, and responsibility in every participant. More than a conference, it was a movement — one that bridges academia and industry, tradition and innovation, and students and the future they are ready to lead.