Keynote Speech by Dr Syed Harun Ailhabsyi, Senior Parlimentary Secretary for Education and National Development at the ACCtraordinary 2026

Mrs Chia-Tern Huey Min, Chief Executive of ACRA
Mr William Lim, Lead of the Accountancy and Financial Services Sector Coordination Team
Ms Tan Siew Kim, Director of the School of Business, Temasek Polytechnic
Industry partners, students and parents

A. Introduction

1.   A very good evening to everyone. It is my pleasure to be here today, and to see so many students and parents taking the time to learn more about accountancy. It is heartening that our education institutions, our public agencies and our professional bodies are working together to develop the next generation of accounting professionals.

2.   Today, you will have the opportunity to speak with leaders and professionals in the accountancy industry, as well as the lecturers and students from all five polytechnics. These interactions will give you a clearer picture of what accountancy offers as you plan your futures, and I am sure you will have a rewarding session.

3.   In a world that is increasingly digital and shaped by technological change, one thing becomes more important in our work and indeed in the work of accountants – and that is trust. Trust that the numbers are accurate. Trust that decisions are made responsibly. And trust that our workers have the domain expertise to use new tools effectively. At its core, the accountancy profession is about creating trust in an increasingly complex world.

 B. Accountants are critical for the economy

4.   Accountants are essential for our economy. Trusted professionals are relied upon to interpret financial data, ensure transparency and also provide sound guidance for important decisions – whether it is helping businesses understand their performance better, ensuring compliance with regulation or identifying risks before they escalate.

5.   Whether in times of economic growth, transition or even uncertainty, this profession will continue to be most important. And in a digital and AI-driven world, it becomes even more critical.

C. AI as a vehicle for accountants

6.   We are entering a new phase of technological transformation driven by artificial intelligence. In accounting, this is indeed a meaningful shift. AI is increasingly automating routine tasks, such as number-crunching, and accountants are now freed to focus on more engaging, high-impact work like analysing data, exercising judgement and advising on decisions.

7.   At the same time, we must also recognise the limitations of AI and what they mean for accountants and the accountancy profession. AI depends on the data it is trained on, and this data may be incomplete or even biased. AI does not necessarily understand context the way humans do. And most importantly, AI does not bear responsibility. That responsibility continues to remain with the professionals in the accountancy profession.

8.   The future of accountancy belongs to those who can harness AI effectively, those who know how to use it, question it and guide it effectively. And this is what you will be prepared for as part of your journey in your accountancy diploma and courses to come.

9.       Artificial intelligence can significantly enhance the work of accountants – but to fully realise these advantages, new capabilities are required. In particular, there is a growing demand for skills in data analytics, digital tools, and certainly the effective application of AI.

10.   This is an exciting time to enter the profession. As the profession evolves, accountants will need to develop a wider set of capabilities to keep pace with technological change and new areas of work. 

D. Refreshed Skills Framework for Accountancy

11.   And this is why I am pleased to announce the refreshed Skills Framework for Accountancy. This refresh will ensure that the framework continues to serve as a roadmap to the many career tracks in accountancy, and also outline how graduates like yourselves can build strong fundamentals and grow in their careers.

12.   Importantly, this refresh reflects how the profession is changing and is not stagnant. AI skills will be recognised as core skills across all accountancy career paths, emphasising the need to be equipped to thrive in an AI-driven world.

13.   Additionally, the framework has been expanded to include a new career track of sustainability reporting, to reflect the growing importance of the role accountants play even in this space. As businesses face rising pressures to tackle climate change, accountants are essential in driving sustainable practices, ensuring compliance and shaping future strategies for this area of the industry. As this is still an emerging field, there is real room for you to make your mark. Accountants are not just applying existing standards, but have more space to actively shape how sustainability is measured, reported and governed.

14.   In these ways, the refreshed framework is a practical and forward-looking guide for you to identify potential career pathways, not just in accounting per se but also in the variety and gamut of opportunities in different industries as well, including the skills needed to thrive in these careers.

E.  Accountancy diploma programmes equip students with skills needed in their careers

15.   Knowing what skills are required is important but the next step is to acquire these skills.

16.   Our education institutions play a critical role in this. Across all polytechnics, accountancy programmes have been updated to equip students with skills highly sought after by employers. Through feedback and partnerships with accounting entities, some of whom are represented here today, our IHLs have incorporated cutting-edge skills ranging from Generative AI, data analytics to sustainability reporting into their curriculum.

 17.   Beyond the classroom, there will also be robust internship programmes that ensure you gain real-world experience and develop workplace-ready skills. So if you are thinking about accountancy as just merely numbers, think again. The opportunities, the diversity of what you will learn in the classroom, the opportunities in industry will really present themselves to you while you are in the courses that you hope to participate in.

18.   One example is Coreen, Coreen is a graduate from Singapore Polytechnic who completed her internship with Forvis Mazars. She worked with the Financial Services Audit team, where she also worked with clients in the insurance industry. Coreen displayed a positive attitude and was able to pick up audit knowledge and skills quickly to complete her assigned tasks. She eventually received a full-time offer following her good performance during her internship. Today, Coreen is enrolled in the Advanced Diploma in Accountancy at Ngee Ann Polytechnic and is interested in pursuing the Singapore Chartered Accountant Qualification to deepen her professional knowledge.

19.   The University Accelerated Pathway Programme was also introduced earlier this year in collaboration with NTU and SMU, allowing students in polytechnics to fast-track their degree studies and gain early exposure to university-level education. 

F.  Accountancy offers attractive employment for graduates

20.   With training in these skills, graduates of accountancy programmes will find a wide range of doors open to them. In the accountancy industry, young graduates may begin in areas such as audit, financial reporting, taxation and financial forensics.

21.   And the journey certainly does not stop there, the world is indeed your oyster. And over time, careers in accountancy offer attractive opportunities for progression. As you gain experience and develop your skills further, you will find yourself taking on greater scope and responsibility, leading teams and also overseeing major decisions.

22.   Allow me to share one more story, Soo Rui’s story. A graduate from Temasek Polytechnic’s Diploma in Accountancy and Finance, Soo Rui started her journey in accountancy with an internship at a public accounting practice in 2005. Upon graduation, she received a full-time offer from CA Trust PAC, now Nexia Singapore PAC. She has engaged in different projects throughout her career, including mergers and acquisitions, business and tax advisory work, as well as exposure to audit for companies of a variety of sizes, complexities, and geographical footprints. As the Managing Director today in her firm, she currently oversees the firm’s operations, and manages an audit portfolio comprising clients from both listed and non-listed companies. Her versatile background has broadened her professional experience and enabled her to contribute effectively across a diverse range of engagements beyond the accountancy background she started with.

23.   At the same time, demand for accountancy talent remains strong. The latest Accountancy Entities Survey conducted by ACRA showed that accounting entities continued to expand their workforce with over 1,500 career opportunities across key areas in 2024. And the possibilities extend beyond the accountancy industry itself.

24.   As accountancy develops transferable skills in financial literacy, business analysis and strategy, graduates can also pursue careers in other industries, from finance to technology, and even entrepreneurship and building their own businesses as well.

25.   These opportunities reflect both the breadth and depth of accountancy as a career, offering multiple entry points, diverse pathways and a continued demand for accountants. And perhaps most reassuringly, accountancy remains relevant and important in every phase of the economic cycle. Whether in times of growth, whether in times of transition, whether in times of uncertainty, every organisation – and I mean every organisation needs professionals who can interpret financial data, ensure transparency and provide sound guidance for decisions that matter most.

G. Conclusion

26.   The world you are entering will be shaped by rapid digitalisation and artificial intelligence. But even as the accountancy profession evolves, the need for trust, and for skilled professionals who uphold it, remains.

27.   If you are looking for a path where you can work with technology, build skills that are highly sought after and choose from a wide range of fulfilling careers, I do sincerely encourage you to consider accountancy and play a part in shaping not only your future, but the future of companies of the future, as well as the future of our country.

28.   So, I thank you for joining us today, having me at this very lovely event to encourage you to take on accountancy and I also wish you a most fulfilling and engaging session. Thank you.