MIRI: The next generation of accountants is urged to look beyond traditional number-crunching, and position themselves as strategic leaders in an era of sustainability and digital disruption.
That was the central message at the CPA Undergraduate Business Conference 2025, hosted by Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) and CPA Australia, where student leaders, academics and industry experts gathered to explore the changing landscape of accounting and corporate governance.
Themed ‘Accounting for Impact: Pathways to Big 4 and Beyond in ESG, Sustainability and Digital Risk’, the one-day conference highlighted the profession’s evolving role in driving corporate responsibility and managing digital risks.
Dean of Curtin Malaysia’s Business Faculty, Professor Pauline Ho, and CPA Australia’s Malaysia Country Manager, Marieanne Morris, opened the event with a call for students to strengthen their professional foundations while embracing the realities of sustainability and rapid technological change.
The conference programme featured keynote speakers who offered a mix of career advice and industry foresight.
Deloitte Malaysia’s Audit and Assurance Partner, Mak Wai Kit, outlined how assurance services are adapting in an ESG-focused economy, while Shin Yang Corporation’s Chief Operating Officer, Bryan Chen King Yi, discussed sustainability-driven corporate governance and digital transformation across industries.
Discussions were moderated by Associate Dean of Industry Engagement, Yip Ka Yii, who emphasised the importance of bridging academic theory with real-world business practice.
The conference was largely student-led, with organising chair, Japji Kaur Sangha, working alongside CPA Australian Student Chapter’s President, Badrul Hafizy Sazaly, and faculty adviser, Dr Lynn Ling Yew Hua, to deliver what participants described as a highly engaging and future-focused programme.
Closing the event, Curtin Malaysia’s Pro Vice-Chancellor, President and Chief Executive, Professor Vincent Lee Chieng Chen, praised the organisers for creating a platform that prepares students for global opportunities.
He reminded participants that accountants are no longer confined to ledgers and spreadsheets but are increasingly recognised as strategic decision-makers.
“Technical skills must go hand-in-hand with adaptability, innovation and ethical responsibility if graduates are to succeed in a profession being reshaped by global challenges,” he said.
The success of the conference underscored Curtin Malaysia and CPA Australia’s shared commitment to equipping students with the knowledge, networks and confidence to thrive in a fast-changing professional landscape.
