Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Manh Thieu, Deputy Director of the Academy of Finance, delivers the opening speech. (Source: Academy of Finance)

Finance profession amidst a new wave of transformation

In his opening remarks, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Manh Thieu, Deputy Director of the Academy of Finance, emphasized that globalization, digital transformation, and the demand for sustainable development are profoundly impacting the job world.

He stated that technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and data analytics are reshaping the roles of finance and accounting personnel. This necessitates educational institutions to innovate their curricula to help students build more flexible career paths.

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Manh Thieu also highlighted that over 25 years of collaboration with ACCA, both parties have developed many training programs oriented towards international certification, organized specialized seminars, and strengthened business connections to help students access a modern professional environment.

This partnership is a prime example of the connection between educational institutions and international professional organizations, contributing to enhancing the quality of financial and accounting human resources in Vietnam.

Workers must adapt to technology

Ren Varma, Director of ACCA Southeast Asia, noted that the finance and accounting sectors are entering the most profound transformation in decades.

According to him, careers in finance and accounting may no longer follow a fixed path. Young people need to continuously develop their expertise, enhance their digital capabilities, and hone their career judgment to be ready to adapt to any changes.

He emphasized that although the future is more unpredictable than before, opportunities for learning, growth, and development remain open to those willing to acquire knowledge and maintain flexibility.

Ren Varma, Director of ACCA Southeast Asia, speaks at the event. (Source: Academy of Finance)

In his presentation, Dao Duc Anh Dung, Director of Audit and Assurance Services at Deloitte Vietnam, referenced the "Career Paths Reimagined" study involving over 325 ACCA members globally and 2,600 survey participants.

The results showed that 54% of participants are optimistic about their career paths in the next five to ten years. However, nearly half of the respondents held a neutral stance when assessing their readiness for the future job market, while 21% reported they were not fully prepared.

The ACCA study identified eight major drivers reshaping the finance and accounting professions, including technology, social expectations, demographics, climate change, regulatory requirements, and geopolitics. Among these, technology is seen as the most influential factor, with 51% of survey participants choosing it as the primary driver impacting future careers.

Dao Duc Anh Dung suggested that future finance careers will no longer follow a linear path as before.

Instead, workers need to continuously change their expertise, update skills, and adapt to new roles. According to the ACCA study, 56% of survey participants view continuous learning as a core factor for career development in the next five to ten years.

During the professional discussion, speakers repeatedly emphasized the importance of soft skills, critical thinking, and the ability to use technology.

Besides accounting knowledge, students are advised to enhance their data analysis capabilities, technology management, and multifunctional work abilities. Experts believe that the future workforce must effectively collaborate with technology rather than fear being replaced by it.