Programme
Day 02
9:00am
CS3A: CAREER PATHS REIMAGINED: NAVIGATING THE FUTURE OF THE FINANCE PROFESSION
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Synopsis
The era of the linear career is coming to an end. By 2035, finance professionals are expected to navigate careers that are more flexible, personalised, and skills-driven than ever before. ACCA’s global research reveals a significant shift away from traditional career ladders towards dynamic career paths shaped by technology, changing workforce expectations, and evolving professional roles. This session explores how emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation are redefining finance roles, reducing traditional entry-level pathways, and accelerating the demand for new technical, digital, and interpersonal skills. It will also examine why attributes like curiosity, agility, and adaptability are becoming as critical as qualifications and experience.
Moderator
Pulkit Abrol
Director for Asia Pacific, ACCA
Panellists
Ahmad Qadri
Deputy Chair, ACCA Malaysia Advisory Committee and Partner, Assurance, Ernst & Young
Hildah Hamzah
Deputy Chief Executive Officer & Chief Operating Officer, GXBank
CS3B: GOVERNING AI IN AUDIT: BALANCING INNOVATION, RISK AND PROFESSIONAL JUDGEMENT
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Synopsis
As artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics become increasingly embedded in audit processes, professional judgement and strong governance frameworks are critical to managing emerging risks related to reliability, bias, transparency and ethical use. This session examines how auditors, managers and firm leaders exercise effective oversight of AI-enabled tools to ensure accountability and maintain professional scepticism in an increasingly automated environment, enhancing audit quality and public trust as AI usage surges globally.
Moderator
Simon Tay Pit Eu
Executive Director, Professional Practices and Technical, Malaysian Institute of Accountants
Panellists
Chari TVT
Chairman of Audit Committee, Linknet and Audit Committee, UEM Sunrise
Daryl Walsh
Audit Director, KPMG
Logan Palanisamy
Director, IT Audit & Policy, AskAdvice Technology Sdn. Bhd
Vishy Narayanan
Chief Digital & Information Officer, PwC Asia Pacific
CS3C: COMMUNICATING SHARIAH AUDIT: BRIDGING TECHNICAL ASSURANCE AND STAKEHOLDER TRUST
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Synopsis
Shariah audit plays a critical role in safeguarding the integrity of Islamic financial institutions, yet its technical nature often limits broader stakeholder understanding. This session examines how institutions can bridge the “trust gap” by translating complex Shariah audit findings into clear, credible and transparent narratives. It explores how stronger communication of Shariah assurance can reinforce governance, strengthen stakeholder confidence and elevate the visibility of the Shariah Audit function as a key pillar of ethical oversight and institutional integrity.
Moderator
Prof. Dr Zurina Shafii
Professor, Faculty of Economics and Muamalat, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia
Panellists
Muhammad Syarizal Abdul Rahim
Partner, Assurance, Ernst & Young PLT
10:15am
NETWORKING BREAK & POCKET TALK @ EXHIBITION HALL
11:00am
CS4A: IMPLEMENTING AI IN FINANCE: NAVIGATING COMPLEXITY ACROSS ENTITIES AND JURISDICTIONS
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Synopsis
Managing accounting processes across multiple jurisdictions remains a persistent challenge for finance functions, ranging from growing enterprises to large multinational organisations. While AI offers the potential to streamline and integrate these complex requirements, implementation is rarely straightforward. Drawing on cross-jurisdictional experiences, this discussion examines what succeeds and what fails when deploying AI across diverse entities. It also explores how finance professionals in shared service centres, regional hubs, and controllership functions must evolve to lead effectively in increasingly complex, multi-entity environments.
Moderator
Cheah Chun How
Group Managing Director, High Pines Training & Consultancy Sdn Bhd
Panellists
Muhammad Syarizal Abdul Rahim
Partner, Assurance, Ernst & Young PLT
CS4B: FIRST-CYCLE SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING UNDER NSRF: LESSONS, CHALLENGES AND THE ROAD AHEAD
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Synopsis
With the introduction of Malaysia’s National Sustainability Reporting Framework (NSRF), Group 1 PLCs have completed their first cycle of mandatory sustainability reporting aligned with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) S1 and S2, marking a shift from voluntary ESG disclosures to regulated, decision-useful reporting. This panel brings together Group 1 PLCs and regulators to share first-hand experiences, implementation challenges and lessons learned, offering insights for companies and the accounting profession supporting subsequent reporting cycles.
Moderator
Rasmimi Ramli
Executive Director, Sustainability, Digital Economy and Services, Malaysian Institute of Accountants
Panellists
Azizan Abd Aziz
Chief Financial Officer, Bursa Malaysia Berhad
Dr. Hema Surendranathan, Director
Sustainability & Climate Change, Grant Thornton Malaysia
Patrick Viljoen
Sustainability Leader, CPA Australia
Saravanan Desigamanie
Head, Group Sustainability, KPJ Healthcare Bhd
CS4C: DECODING YOUR BODY’S SIGNALS: THE MEDICAL RISKS OF MODERN WORK REALITIES
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Synopsis
Modern professional life places sustained pressure on both mind and body. Long hours, sedentary routines, chronic stress and poor sleep often mask early warning signs of hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. This session explores how workplace culture and high-pressure environments intersect with medical risk, highlighting key health indicators to monitor and practical strategies for balancing performance, professional effectiveness and well-being in demanding work environments.
Moderator
Dr. Madiha Fuad
Founder & CEO, PlusVibes
Panellists
Dr. Chua Sook Ning
Founder, Relate Malaysia
Dr. Mugilan Sundarajoo
Consultant Cardiologist, Northern Heart Hospital Penang
12:15pm
LUNCH BREAK | NETWORKING & POCKET TALK @ EXHIBITION HALL
2:15pm
Plenary 3: TRUST UNDER THREAT: GOVERNING DIGITAL FINANCIAL CRIME IN THE NEW AML LANDSCAPE
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Synopsis
As the digital economy accelerates, threats such as phishing, ransomware, identity theft and online scams are evolving into major predicate offences generating illicit financial flows. This session examines how digitally enabled crimes are reshaping the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) risk landscape and increasing regulatory expectations. To navigate this environment, boards and senior management must strengthen oversight of AML and financial crime frameworks, while reinforcing the critical role of finance and accounting leaders in safeguarding financial integrity and strengthening organisational trust.
Moderator
Tehmina Kaoosji
Independent Broadcast Journalist, Partner & Communications Director, The Big Picture (TBP) Communications
Panellists
Martin Lim
Chairman, Ingenique Solutions Pte Ltd
SAC Marvin Tan Seng Kian
Senior Assistance Commissioner, Commercial Crime Investigation Department, Royal Malaysia Police
3:30pm
SPECIAL ADDRESS
3:45pm
NATIONAL ACCOUNTING STUDENT EXCELLENCE AWARD (NASEA)
4:15pm
NETWORKING BREAK & POCKET TALK @ EXHIBITION HALL
5:00pm
PLENARY 4: SPECIAL APPEARANCE - Stay tuned for more info
6:00pm
LUCKY DRAW (FOR PHYSICAL DELEGATES ONLY)
6:15pm
CONFERENCE ENDS
CS: Concurrent Session
DISCLAIMER: The Conference Organiser reserves the right to amend the programme in the best interest of the Conference. For more information on the speakers, please visit miaconference.mia.org.my
