The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) hosted its highly anticipated summit, ACCA Orbit 2025, at the UPSA Auditorium, focusing on the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the accountancy profession.
The event, themed ‘AI and the Future of Work,’ brought together industry leaders, technology experts, and business professionals to discuss the evolving landscape of finance and the increasing significance of AI.
Colonel Nobel Carl Doe Dei-Alose, Chairperson of ACCA Ghana, opened the summit by stressing the importance for accountants to develop AI competencies, warning that those who fail to embrace this technological shift risk becoming obsolete in the industry. “We must prepare ourselves for this inevitable change,” he emphasized, pointing out that AI will become an integral part of financial functions moving forward.
The highlight of the event was a panel discussion titled ‘Will AI Take My Job?’ where industry leaders addressed concerns about automation potentially replacing human accountants. Panelists, including Mr. Akwasi Adu Boahene, CEO of Fidelity Securities, argued that AI will not eliminate jobs but rather enhance the role of accountants, shifting their focus from data processing to providing strategic business advice.
“Accountants will not just report numbers but will leverage data to drive business decisions,” said Mr. Adu Boahene. He further explained that while AI promises to increase accuracy and trust in financial output, there are risks associated with bias and improper governance. Proper oversight, he stressed, will be key to ensuring AI’s responsible use.
Madam Winifred Opoku-Baffour, Assistant Vice President at Absa Bank, echoed this sentiment, encouraging professionals to see AI as an enabler, not a threat. “AI will enhance efficiency, but it cannot replace the fundamental skills of accounting. It’s important to embrace it as a tool for improvement,” she added.
The summit also addressed the importance of upskilling and adapting to new technological trends. Mr. Norbert Dziwornu, Managing Partner at StartOA, urged attendees to leverage AI to enhance decision-making, emphasizing that AI-driven efficiencies must be balanced with ethical considerations.
As part of ACCA’s commitment to equipping professionals for the future, the summit also included a career fair offering training on digital skills, blockchain, cryptocurrency, and the gig economy. The event culminated in the recognition of 50 top-performing ACCA candidates for their outstanding achievements in various disciplines.
ACCA’s Vice Chairperson, Madam Gloria Boye Doku, reinforced the association’s ongoing efforts to ensure that finance professionals are prepared for the future. “AI is here to augment what we do, not replace us,” she concluded, highlighting ACCA’s role in guiding professionals through the rapidly changing financial landscape.
The summit provided a crucial platform for dialogue about AI’s impact on the accountancy profession and underscored the need for continuous learning, ethical decision-making, and enhanced analytical skills to navigate the future of finance.
