Accountants urged to uphold ethics as AI reshapes profession – The Daily Star
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Global and regional leaders in the accounting profession have called for stronger ethical oversight, responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI), and robust sustainability reporting to reinforce trust and long-term value creation in financial governance.
The call was made at the inaugural session of the SAFA International Conference on converging ethical AI and sustainability reporting, organised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB) at Le Méridien Dhaka yesterday.
Speaking at the event, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said a substantial amount of money had been siphoned out of Bangladesh over the past 15 years, with a significant portion facilitated by the misuse of professional accounting expertise.
He added that financial records were intentionally distorted to conceal irregularities and mislead stakeholders. “These were not simple mistakes or technical lapses.”
Restoring trust in the financial system, he said, would require stronger accountability and collective vigilance, particularly from accountants and financial professionals.
Jean Bouquot, president of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), underscored the profession’s responsibility in advancing ethical leadership, sustainability and digital transformation.
He said sustainability-related risks are reshaping corporate reporting and urged wider adoption of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) standards.
On AI, Bouquot called for continuous digital upskilling, while emphasising that ethics remains the foundation of public trust.
Md Sajjad Hossain Bhuiyan, chairman of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), said AI and sustainability are becoming central to financial reporting.
“The FRC sees itself not only as a regulator but also as a partner in professional development and financial system credibility,” he also said, adding that collaboration between FRC and ICAB will further strengthen Bangladesh’s financial reporting ecosystem.
ICAB President NKA Mobin said the future of the accounting profession lies not only in technical innovation but in upholding values, ethical leadership and public trust.
He reaffirmed ICAB’s commitment to capacity building, urging accountants to lead transformation with integrity in an increasingly digital environment.
“We must prepare future accountants to navigate a digital world with strategic vision, competence, and integrity,” he said.
Former ICAB president Adeeb Hossain Khan said the convergence of ethical AI and sustainability reporting is reshaping the profession’s core responsibilities.
“Technology is no longer a support function, and sustainability is no longer a remote disclosure; they are now central to value creation,” he said.
Describing 2025 as a year of “contradictions and confusion”, Khan pointed to heavy investments in AI alongside limited returns and a scaling back of ESG (environmental, social, and governance) initiatives in some regions.
He also highlighted tensions between AI’s energy demands and sustainability goals, warning of risks related to bias and reduced transparency.
Khan warned of AI’s potential to introduce bias and diminish transparency in critical financial decisions.
“AI may be powerful, but it lacks accountability and ethics. That responsibility must remain human,” he said, adding that future accountants must exercise judgment to ensure technology strengthens trust and supports long-term value creation.
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This article was autogenerated from a news feed from CDO TIMES selected high quality news and research sources. There was no editorial review conducted beyond that by CDO TIMES staff. Need help with any of the topics in our articles? Schedule your free CDO TIMES Tech Navigator call today to stay ahead of the curve and gain insider advantages to propel your business!
is strictly prohibited and constitutes copyright infringement liable to legal action.
Global and regional leaders in the accounting profession have called for stronger ethical oversight, responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI), and robust sustainability reporting to reinforce trust and long-term value creation in financial governance.
The call was made at the inaugural session of the SAFA International Conference on converging ethical AI and sustainability reporting, organised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB) at Le Méridien Dhaka yesterday.
Speaking at the event, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said a substantial amount of money had been siphoned out of Bangladesh over the past 15 years, with a significant portion facilitated by the misuse of professional accounting expertise.
He added that financial records were intentionally distorted to conceal irregularities and mislead stakeholders. “These were not simple mistakes or technical lapses.”
Restoring trust in the financial system, he said, would require stronger accountability and collective vigilance, particularly from accountants and financial professionals.
Jean Bouquot, president of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), underscored the profession’s responsibility in advancing ethical leadership, sustainability and digital transformation.
He said sustainability-related risks are reshaping corporate reporting and urged wider adoption of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) standards.
On AI, Bouquot called for continuous digital upskilling, while emphasising that ethics remains the foundation of public trust.
Md Sajjad Hossain Bhuiyan, chairman of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), said AI and sustainability are becoming central to financial reporting.
“The FRC sees itself not only as a regulator but also as a partner in professional development and financial system credibility,” he also said, adding that collaboration between FRC and ICAB will further strengthen Bangladesh’s financial reporting ecosystem.
ICAB President NKA Mobin said the future of the accounting profession lies not only in technical innovation but in upholding values, ethical leadership and public trust.
He reaffirmed ICAB’s commitment to capacity building, urging accountants to lead transformation with integrity in an increasingly digital environment.
“We must prepare future accountants to navigate a digital world with strategic vision, competence, and integrity,” he said.
Former ICAB president Adeeb Hossain Khan said the convergence of ethical AI and sustainability reporting is reshaping the profession’s core responsibilities.
“Technology is no longer a support function, and sustainability is no longer a remote disclosure; they are now central to value creation,” he said.
Describing 2025 as a year of “contradictions and confusion”, Khan pointed to heavy investments in AI alongside limited returns and a scaling back of ESG (environmental, social, and governance) initiatives in some regions.
He also highlighted tensions between AI’s energy demands and sustainability goals, warning of risks related to bias and reduced transparency.
Khan warned of AI’s potential to introduce bias and diminish transparency in critical financial decisions.
“AI may be powerful, but it lacks accountability and ethics. That responsibility must remain human,” he said, adding that future accountants must exercise judgment to ensure technology strengthens trust and supports long-term value creation.
Copyright: Any unauthorized use or reproduction of The Daily Star content for commercial purposes
is strictly prohibited and constitutes copyright infringement liable to legal action.
source
This article was autogenerated from a news feed from CDO TIMES selected high quality news and research sources. There was no editorial review conducted beyond that by CDO TIMES staff. Need help with any of the topics in our articles? Schedule your free CDO TIMES Tech Navigator call today to stay ahead of the curve and gain insider advantages to propel your business!
