Building Resilience: A FinBiz2030 Podcast: Recent Episodes
Chartered Accountants Worldwide
Thousands of people from over a hundred countries have participated in the FinBiz2030 Building Resilience Webinar Series. We’ve taken some of the inspiring stories told by young leaders from around the world in these webinars, and created the Building Resilience Podcast. Each short episode, contains a single story from one of the webinar contributors. Join us to learn about how they are providing global leadership through taking local action. And find out how you can help create a sustainable future and meet the greatest challenges of the 21st Century. FinBiz2030 is a joint initiative between One Young World and Chartered Accountants Worldwide. Our aim is to establish an active and engaged finance and business community globally that is dedicated to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
Episode 3 of Chartered Accountants Global Update is out, and it's a packed one. Host Olivia brings listeners a mix of AI, sustainability, and events worth marking in the diary.
First up is a call to action. Chartered Accountants Worldwide, alongside its network of member institutes and research firm Ipsos, has launched Wave 2 of its global study on AI and the future of the profession. It builds on Wave 1 and digs into how traditional AI, generative AI, and now agentic AI are reshaping the roles, skills, and expectations of chartered accountants everywhere. The survey takes about fifteen minutes, responses stay confidential, and the results will shape how institutes support members through this next wave of change, from training and standards to the tools firms invest in. If you haven't taken part yet, the link is available through your institute or on the Chartered Accountants Worldwide website.
From AI, the episode turns to sustainability. The CA Sustainability Community, run by Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, continues its practical, webinar based series, with the next session on 22 September. The focus stays grounded in how to demonstrate sustainability risks and opportunities to boards, clients, and investors, making it a low effort way to stay current.
Looking further ahead, two flagship events land this October. The ICAS Sustainability Summit 2026 takes place on Wednesday 7 October at Dovecot Studios in Edinburgh, with a hybrid option to join online. Expect a keynote from Fiona Watson of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, plus a panel featuring voices from Transition Finance Scotland, GSK, Swire Pacific, and more, all exploring how sustainability translates into commercial value.
Just over a week later, on Friday 16 October, the ICAEW Annual Conference 2026 takes over the InterContinental London at The O2. Mathematician and broadcaster Professor Hannah Fry headlines, exploring how AI and emerging technology are reshaping business and society. The day also includes specialist afternoon tracks across practice, industry, and policy, plus up to eight hours of CPD. Tickets are 295 pounds, with full details available through ICAEW.
Three things to act on this episode: add your voice to the AI global study, get sustainability savvy with the CA Sustainability Community, and pencil in Edinburgh and London for October. Links to everything covered are available at charteredaccountantsworldwide.com.
Season two continues with an episode that swings from a friendly run through the City of London to a genuine warning about AI governance, then zooms out to the pressures facing the profession worldwide.
It opens on the Standard Chartered Great City Race, where twenty ICAEW colleagues joined more than five thousand runners for the annual five kilometre event through London. The real story wasn't the running, though. Afterwards, Sarah Prescott, who chairs the CAW taskforce for wellbeing, equality, diversity and inclusion, organised a joint social with runners from Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, turning a race into a chance to build relationships across the network. CAW even sponsored a trophy for the fastest team. CA ANZ took it home this year, helped by an individual time of sixteen minutes thirty.
From there, the tone sharpens. ICAEW has published six safeguards every organisation should build into an AI agent deployment, and the underlying message is blunt: most AI failures trace back to the organisation, not the model. The list covers limiting an agent's access to only what it needs, sandboxing before going live, naming a human owner for every agent, keeping backups the agent can't reach, building in a kill switch, and having a clear escalation plan. That last point carries real weight. EU breaches can mean fines of up to thirty five million euros, or seven per cent of global turnover, and recent research found that none of the leading AI models currently meet an acceptable bar for compliance with EU AI and privacy law. This isn't a job to hand off to IT. It's a leadership responsibility.
The episode closes with a global scan from ICAEW's mid-year review, and the picture is a profession under pressure from every direction at once. Tariff uncertainty is now a finance problem in North America. Talent shortages are constraining Chinese firms expanding overseas. Europe's sustainability reporting timeline has slipped again, even as a harmonised EU framework moves toward a possible 2027 launch. Australia is pushing ahead with mandatory climate disclosures, and Southeast Asia is focused on building its next generation of finance professionals.
Three stories, three different scales. But the thread holds: relationships, governance and global awareness are all doing more work than usual right now.
Season 2 kicks off with three stories that, on the surface, look unrelated: an event about industrial revolutions, a piece on carers, and one on school leavers. But they all circle the same idea, so here's the post.
Chartered Accountants Global Update returns for season two, and the opening episode makes the case that the profession is quietly redefining what "value" even means.
The first thread comes from an upcoming CAW Network USA session, Beyond Accounting: The Coming of the 5th Industrial Revolution. The pitch is that the Fourth Industrial Revolution was about efficiency, digitising data, automating the grunt work, cutting cost. The Fifth builds on that but changes the scorecard. Environmental impact, human wellbeing and income inequality move from footnote to headline, and stakeholder capitalism starts to matter as much as shareholder return. There's a sharper edge to it too: the same firms driving the AI and data centre boom are now bumping into real energy constraints, which makes energy security a live issue for finance teams, not just engineers.
The second thread is closer to home. Unpaid carers are one of the fastest growing groups in the UK's working age population, and research from the Institute for Employment Studies shows they're less likely to be in paid work, and less likely to work full-time, than everyone else. That's not a lack of willingness to work, it's workplaces not flexing around what caring actually requires. Becoming a carer-friendly employer isn't one big policy change. It's usable flexibility, managers who can have the conversation well, and a culture where people don't feel they need to hide it.
The third thread is about who gets in the door in the first place. Figures from Progress Together show around 90% of senior finance and accountancy roles go to people from higher socioeconomic backgrounds, and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds earn on average £17,500 less, the largest pay gap of any UK sector. BDO's response has been a school leavers scheme, an entry route that skips the traditional university path, because as its Head of Audit for Scotland puts it, this isn't goodwill, it's talent strategy. Ninety percent of senior roles coming from one slice of society means firms are all fighting over the same narrow pool.
Three different stories, one underlying question: how widely does the profession define value, in its strategy, in its people, and in who it lets in.
Fifty episodes in, we pause to look back at the very best of season one: the people, the numbers, and the stories that defined a year in the life of the world's Chartered Accountancy community.
We revisit Catriona Jennings, the Chartered Accountant turned Olympian and record-holding ultra-runner; Manuel Rodriguez, building an agricultural microeconomy in Mozambique that supports tens of thousands of farmers; Liswaniso Namatama in Lusaka, who gave us the defining quote of the season, "Audit is a human business"; Lem Chin Kok in Singapore, whose career runs from commercial crime policing to an AI-first technology firm; and Khethiwe Sibanyoni
in South Africa, applying audit discipline to the fight against gender-based violence.
We also count the season by the numbers: two new member institutes welcomed, a community of more than two million members and students across 190+ countries, a tenth birthday for Chartered Accountants Worldwide, and confirmation from Edelman that Chartered Accountants are the third most trusted profession on Earth.
Then there are the headlines that shaped the year: AI adoption running at more than 70% across the profession, sustainability reporting and the UK's 2027 carbon border adjustment rollout, the tax traps hiding inside summer remote working, and research showing Chartered Accountants to be curious, creative, and altruistic.
And finally, note one to the accounts. Because trust depends on transparency, we disclose exactly how this podcast has been made, and introduce Olivia, your new host for season two.
Every story real. Every statistic checked. Every episode signed off by humans.
Season two starts next week. Everything mentioned is linked in the show notes at charteredaccountantsworldwide.com.
Trust, Technology and the Questions Every Business Should Be Asking Right Now
Three stories crossed our desk this month, and although they look unrelated at first glance, they all circle back to the same question: as technology and global ways of working accelerate, what actually earns trust?
Governance will define the winners of the AI era
In a recent piece for Chartered Accountants Worldwide, Fauzia Safdar Khan, Senior Director for Sustainability and Climate at Crowe Pakistan, makes a case worth sitting with. Most conversations about AI focus on speed and competitive advantage. Her argument is that neither determines whether AI creates lasting value. Governance does.
This is especially true in sustainability, where stakeholders have moved past accepting pledges and now expect evidence, backed by reliable data and clear oversight. AI can help process that evidence, but the technology itself is far from weightless. It runs on physical infrastructure: data centres, semiconductors, water and electricity, all of which carry their own environmental cost. Fauzia calls this one of the defining paradoxes of the next decade, and her answer isn't to slow adoption down. It's to govern it properly, using frameworks such as ISO 42001 the same way financial controls have long supported reporting.
Her conclusion lands squarely in familiar territory for Chartered Accountants: the organisations that succeed won't be the ones with the most advanced technology. They'll be the ones people trust most.
Have your say in our global AI study
Chartered Accountants Worldwide, working with our member institutes and Ipsos, has launched the second wave of a global study into how AI is reshaping the profession. Wave one gave us an initial picture. Wave two tracks how perspectives are shifting across traditional AI, generative AI and agentic AI.
It takes about fifteen minutes to complete, every response is confidential, and results are only ever published in anonymised, aggregated form. The findings will directly shape strategy and leadership decisions across the global profession, so the accuracy of that picture depends on members taking part.
Click here to launch the survey
The hidden risks of remote working across borders
A special edition of Difference Makers Discuss, recorded for our UAE community, tackled a scenario that plays out in offices everywhere: an employee asks to work from another country for a few weeks, and someone says yes without thinking it through. Host Carla Wilson was joined by international tax specialist Hugo van Zyl and HR leader Sarah Brooks to unpack what that yes can actually cost.
The biggest misconception is that a visa decides tax status. It doesn't. Countries count days differently, and a UAE employment contract earning no personal income tax at home doesn't mean the income stays tax free abroad, particularly if part of the salary is recharged to a branch in the country the employee is working from.
Then there's permanent establishment risk, where a business itself becomes taxable in another country. The usual trigger isn't a laptop in a hotel room. It's a senior person who habitually signs contracts on behalf of the employer while abroad, and the consequences can extend well past a single tax bill.
The advice from both speakers was consistent: treat remote working as a governed exception, not a casual perk. Put a written policy in place, document approvals properly, and don't run the decision on WhatsApp.
Governance is the thread running through all three stories this month. Whether it's AI, sustainability data or a request to work abroad for a few weeks, the organisations that come out ahead are the ones that can explain their decisions, not just make them quickly.
Hear the full conversation on all three topics in Episode 49 of Chartered Accountants Global Update, available now.
AI and the future of the profession: Have your say in Wave 2
Chartered Accountants Worldwide, together with our member institutes and Ipsos, has launched the second wave of our global research study into how AI is reshaping the Chartered Accountancy profession. We need your input to make it count.
What the study covers
Building on Wave 1, this survey tracks how member perspectives are shifting across three areas of AI adoption: traditional AI, generative AI and agentic AI. The findings will shape strategy and leadership decisions across the global profession.
Why it matters
Your experience on the ground is what makes this research useful. It helps Chartered Accountants Worldwide and our member institutes build a coordinated, evidence based response to AI, rather than a guess.
Take part
The survey takes about 15 minutes. All responses are confidential and reported only in anonymised, aggregated form.
Is your business ready for the summer remote working rush?
International remote working is on the rise — and so are the risks. Here is what finance and HR professionals need to know before they approve the next cross-border request.
Every summer, the same requests land on desks across the globe. An employee wants to work remotely from another country for a few weeks. It feels low-risk. The contract stays the same, the salary does not change, and in the UAE, there is no personal income tax to worry about anyway. So organisations say yes — often without asking the questions that matter most.
That instinct to be flexible is understandable. But the compliance picture is significantly more complex than most employers realise, and the consequences of getting it wrong can be costly and difficult to unwind.
Episode 47 of the Chartered Accountants Global Update explores this in depth. Here are the key points.
The UAE tax-free assumption does not travel
One of the most persistent misconceptions in international remote working is that an employee's UAE tax-free status protects them wherever they choose to work. It does not. The moment an employee begins exercising their employment in another jurisdiction, that country's rules begin to apply.
Most countries will not tax a short-term visitor. But once an employee crosses the threshold set out in the relevant double tax treaty — typically 183 days within a rolling 12-month period — the host country acquires the right to tax their income. The calculation is not always straightforward: some treaties count from the date of arrival, others from the date of departure, and some are tied to a specific national tax year. An employee who has worked across borders over several consecutive summers may already be closer to the threshold than anyone realises.
There is also the recoups rule: if the employee works from a related entity of the business in the host country, and that entity picks up any portion of the salary cost, the 183-day protection falls away entirely. Tax liability can begin from day one.
Permanent establishment: the business-level risk
Beyond the individual's tax position, there is a significant risk at the organisational level: permanent establishment (PE). This is the point at which a business is deemed to have a taxable presence in another country — and it can be triggered without anyone intending it.
The fixed-premises test is rarely the issue for remote workers. The more common trigger is the dependent agent test: if an employee habitually enters into, or negotiates the terms of, contracts on behalf of their employer while located in another jurisdiction, that is enough to constitute a PE.
The employees most likely to be doing this are senior ones — the very people organisations are keenest to accommodate. Once a PE is triggered, the business must register in that jurisdiction, file for income tax, account for payroll obligations including social security, and potentially register for VAT. In markets with strict exchange control regimes, such as South Africa and India, there are further regulatory layers on top.
Tax specialists working in this area are clear: this is a board-level decision, not an HR process. The risks accumulate over time, and by the time they surface they are considerably harder to resolve.
What good governance looks like
Organisations that want to manage this risk properly should start with three things.
First, know where your people are. Finance, HR, and payroll teams need a clear, current picture of who is working outside their home jurisdiction, in which country, and for how long. Visa records help, but they are not the complete picture.
Second, take professional advice before approving arrangements. The applicable tax treaty, the PE risk, and the individual's residency position all need to be assessed at a senior level — not retrospectively, once the employee is already mid-stay.
Third, review your broader risk management. Professional indemnity cover, medical aid obligations, and insurance policies may all have territorial exclusions. Some jurisdictions are excluded entirely from standard professional cover. It is worth verifying before the employee boards the plane.
If your organisation already has people working abroad without a proper framework, the priority is to understand the current exposure and take advice on how to address it. In some cases, that may mean restructuring arrangements or temporarily recalling employees. It is manageable — but it requires action.
The latest episode of the Chartered Accountants Global Update brings together three topics that are generating serious conversation across the global finance profession: the compliance risks hidden inside cross-border remote working, the growing threat of AI-enabled fraud, and the talent opportunity that social mobility represents. Here is a quick overview of what we covered.
Remote working across borders: more complex than it looks
Flexible and hybrid working arrangements have become the norm for many organisations. But when employees work across jurisdictions, that flexibility can quietly create significant legal and regulatory exposure. Cross-border remote working can trigger unintended permanent establishment risk, payroll complications, employee residency issues, and broader governance challenges.
The problem is often not deliberate. Businesses approve remote arrangements without fully mapping the implications, and by the time the complexity becomes visible, it can be costly to unwind. The solution lies in proactive governance: clear policies, structured approval processes, and close collaboration between HR, finance and tax teams. Flexibility and compliance are not mutually exclusive, but getting both right requires deliberate planning.
AI-enabled fraud: same playbook, much bigger scale
Artificial intelligence is transforming how businesses operate. It is also transforming how criminals operate. Deepfake technology now allows fraudsters to clone voices and generate convincing video content from minimal source material, and the tools to do so are increasingly accessible and low-cost.
What makes this threat particularly important to understand is that the underlying fraud is not new. Impersonation, false urgency, manipulation of trust: these are the same mechanisms that have always underpinned financial crime. AI has simply made them faster, more scalable and harder to detect. For finance professionals, the response is clear: strengthen verification processes, invest in internal controls, and maintain the kind of professional scepticism that treats even seemingly authentic requests as worth double-checking.
Social mobility: a strategic response to the talent gap
Skills shortages continue to constrain growth across the profession. Yet the talent pool being drawn from remains narrow. Around 90% of senior roles in accountancy are held by individuals from higher socioeconomic backgrounds, a figure that points not to a shortage of talent, but to a shortage of access.
Forward-thinking firms are already responding: building school-leaver programmes, creating accessible entry routes alongside traditional graduate pathways, and embedding social mobility into their culture rather than treating it as a box-ticking exercise. The broader argument is compelling. Addressing the diversity of the talent pipeline is not just an inclusion priority; it is a practical and strategic response to one of the sector's most persistent challenges.
We are excited to unveil the newly redesigned Chartered Accountants Worldwide website – a modern digital platform created to better connect, inform and inspire our global community of Chartered Accountants.
Designed around the needs of today's profession, the new site offers easier navigation, richer content and improved access to thought leadership, insights and resources from across our worldwide network. Whether you are interested in AI and technology, sustainability, ethics and trust, diversity and inclusion, wellbeing or leadership, the new platform makes it easier than ever to explore the issues shaping the future of our profession. Chartered Accountants Worldwide now represents more than 2 million members and students across 190+ countries through 16 leading Chartered Accountancy institutes, creating a truly global hub for knowledge-sharing and collaboration.
Introducing: “We Are” Chartered Accountants Worldwide animated video
At the heart of the new website is our refreshed "We Are Chartered Accountants Worldwide" animated video. This is more than a new look. It reflects who we are as a global community of Difference Makers; showcasing the profession’s world-class qualification, the fact that we are trusted professionals who create value, build confidence, uphold ethical standards, drive positive change, and bring a strategic perspective to organisations, communities and economies around the world.
Featured insight: An empowered profession – AI and the future of accountancy
One of the first featured articles on the new site explores one of the most important topics facing our profession today: artificial intelligence.
An Empowered Profession: AI and the Future of Accountancy argues that AI should not be viewed as a threat to Chartered Accountants, but as an opportunity. As routine and rules-based activities become increasingly automated, the value of professional judgement, ethics, governance, critical thinking and trust will become even more important. The article highlights how Chartered Accountants are uniquely positioned to act as trusted advisers between technology and the people who rely on it.
The article also emphasises the growing importance of skills such as systems thinking, problem-solving, adaptability and continuous learning. As AI transforms business and society, Chartered Accountants have an opportunity to lead that transformation while maintaining the trust and integrity on which economies depend.
Six Chartered Accountants. Six remarkable stories.
Season 4 of Chartered Accountants Worldwide's flagship webinar series brought together six remarkable people from across the globe. An Olympian and world record holder. A social enterprise pioneer in rural Mozambique. A tech founder who built for students without fast internet or expensive laptops. A networking expert who once found networking sleazy. And a community builder who turned a pandemic coffee meetup into something much bigger.
Different careers, different continents, different fields. But one idea runs through all of them: the profession is fundamentally a human business.
Liswaniso Namatama, a Chartered Accountant from Zambia, makes that case plainly. Auditing, he says, is not about ticking boxes. It's about understanding people, organisations, and the world around you. Manuel Rodrigues took that same foundation into rural Mozambique, building a network of tens of thousands of smallholder farmers into a genuine micro-economy. The key to keeping it alive when donor funding dried up? Commercial discipline. Nick Riemer used his CA qualification to win investor confidence not with a tech background, but with sound financial principles and early profitability.
Caitríona Jennings, who trained at PwC and ran for Ireland at the 2012 Olympics, talks about the mindset that links elite sport and a career in finance: risk awareness, resilience, and the ability to pick yourself up. Kingsley Aikins reframes networking as a process built on giving rather than getting. And Aster Thackeray's advice to younger members is simply this: keep your other interests alive. Every skill compounds.
All six episodes of Difference Makers Discuss Season 4 are now available to watch and listen on demand at charteredaccountantsworldwide.com, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Connecting people, and why AI is an opportunity not a threat
In the Season 4 finale of Difference Makers Discuss, Aster Thackery joins host Sinead Donovan to explore what it means when connecting people is your greatest professional skill. Her story spans trade promotion, the Italian Trade Agency, and building a 2,000-strong community in southeast London from scratch.
We also dig into a new position paper from Chartered Accountants Ireland on AI and the profession. The argument is clear: as AI takes on routine tasks, the demand for trusted, qualified professionals only grows — and the skills that matter most, critical thinking, judgement, and the ability to keep learning, are the ones AI cannot replicate.
Why Good Work Isn’t Enough Anymore
There’s a familiar piece of career advice many professionals still hear: keep your head down, work hard, and your efforts will speak for themselves.
According to networking expert Kingsley Aikins, that advice is badly outdated.
In a recent discussion featured by Chartered Accountants Worldwide, Aikins argues that “good work does not speak — people do.” In today’s professional world, visibility matters just as much as competence. If colleagues, clients, and decision-makers do not understand the value you bring, opportunities can easily pass you by.
That does not mean becoming loud or self-promotional. In fact, one of the most interesting insights from Aikins is that introverts often make excellent networkers. Why? Because strong networking is less about talking and more about listening, asking thoughtful questions, and building genuine relationships.
The message is especially relevant in professions like accounting, where technical expertise is often prioritised above all else. Hard skills may get you through the door, but communication, relationships, and emotional intelligence are what help careers progress over time.
The wider update also highlighted another important shift happening within the profession: greater openness around workplace wellbeing. Research from ICAS explored women’s experiences around menstruation, menopause, and miscarriage — topics historically overlooked in many workplaces despite affecting countless professionals throughout their careers. Bringing these conversations into the open is an important step toward building more supportive and inclusive environments.
Finally, with exam season underway for many students, the concept of “flow state” was explored as a practical way to improve revision. Rather than forcing endless hours of study, flow comes from focused, distraction-free work at the right level of challenge. When achieved, studying becomes more productive — and significantly less draining.
Taken together, the themes are connected by one idea: professional success is no longer just about technical performance. Relationships, wellbeing, communication, and sustainable ways of working are becoming equally important parts of a successful career.
Three Big Themes Shaping the Future of Business and FinanceThe latest episode of the Chartered Accountants Global Update explores three stories that highlight how the role of finance professionals is evolving in a rapidly changing world.
The Power of Human Connection
One of the standout conversations in Episode 41 features entity["people","Aster Thackeray"], Chair of the CA ANZ UK Regional Council and a professional whose career demonstrates that success in business is about far more than technical expertise.
From helping international companies invest in Italy through the Italian Trade Agency to building a thriving community initiative in Greenwich during the pandemic, Aster’s story shows how relationship-building, cultural awareness, and community engagement can become powerful professional assets.
Her message is clear: technical qualifications open doors, but the ability to connect people creates lasting impact.
Is GDP Still Measuring Real Progress?
The episode also examines growing criticism of GDP as the world’s dominant measure of economic success.
While GDP captures economic activity, it often ignores environmental damage, inequality, and social wellbeing. Alternative frameworks such as the Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI), the Human Development Index (HDI), and Doughnut Economics are gaining attention as organisations and governments search for more sustainable ways to measure progress.
For finance professionals, this debate is increasingly important as sustainability reporting and ESG metrics become central to decision-making.
Electric Vehicles and the Road to Net Zero
The final story focuses on how businesses are using electric vehicles (EVs) to reduce emissions and support net zero strategies.
Although challenges remain — including charging infrastructure, upfront investment costs, and operational logistics — many organisations see fleet electrification as a practical and measurable step toward reducing Scope 1 emissions.
For finance and sustainability teams, success depends on balancing environmental goals with operational realities and long-term financial planning.
Looking Ahead
Episode 41 highlights a common theme across all three stories: the future of business will require professionals who can combine technical expertise with strategic thinking, sustainability awareness, and strong human relationships.
As the role of chartered accountants continues to evolve, these conversations offer valuable insight into the skills and ideas shaping the profession’s future.
Rethinking the Chartered Accountancy Career PathWhat does a Chartered Accountancy career really look like today? If you still picture a linear path through audit firms and finance departments, the latest episode of the Chartered Accountants Global Update offers a refreshing challenge to that assumption.
Episode 40 highlights the story of Aster Thackery, a Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand member whose career has crossed industries, countries, and cultures. From promoting international investment with the Italian Trade Agency to building a thriving community network in southeast London, Aster’s journey shows how adaptable and globally relevant the profession has become.
One of the most compelling themes from the episode is the importance of cultural awareness in modern professional life. Aster reflects on the differences between New Zealand and Italian business culture, emphasising how understanding communication styles and workplace expectations can strengthen international relationships. Her recommendation of The Culture Map by Erin Meyer reinforces a growing reality for professionals today: technical expertise alone is no longer enough.
The episode also explores leadership beyond the workplace. After moving to Greenwich and knowing very few people locally, Aster created a simple coffee meetup for parents that has since grown into a community of more than 2,000 members. Her experience highlights the value of initiative, connection, and creating spaces where others can thrive.
Alongside Aster’s story, the episode introduces two important professional resources. Chartered Accountants Worldwide has launched a new UAE Institute Network Directory to improve collaboration and communication across institutes in the region. Meanwhile, Cherryl Cooper of Grant Thornton UK shares insights on inclusive communication and why equity, diversity, and inclusion should be viewed as central to ethical professional conduct — not separate from it.
Together, these stories point to a profession that is evolving rapidly: more international, more people-focused, and increasingly shaped by communication, adaptability, and community leadership.
Episode 40 serves as a reminder that the Chartered Accountancy qualification can open doors far beyond traditional expectations — often in ways people never initially planned for.
Episode 39: Auditing is a human business, Lessons from Zambia’s Liswaniso Namatama
When people think about auditing, they often picture spreadsheets, ticking boxes, and endless calculations. But for Liswaniso Namatama, auditing is about something much bigger: people, relationships, and creating positive change.
In a recent conversation on Difference Makers Discuss, Liswaniso shared how his journey in accountancy has shaped both his professional career and his mission to support communities in Zambia.
Based in Lusaka, Liswaniso trained through the Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants and now works as an assistant manager at a local audit firm. Over six years in auditing, he has developed a passion for understanding how businesses operate across industries, from NGOs to manufacturing and mining.
But what stood out most was his perspective on the human side of auditing.
“Audit is about understanding businesses, assessing risks, professional judgment, and helping organizations improve how they operate.”
While AI and automation are transforming the profession, Liswaniso believes human interaction remains at the heart of effective auditing. Building trust with clients, interpreting risks, and communicating findings clearly are skills technology cannot replace.
His story also highlights the wider impact of the accountancy profession. After attending the One Young World Summit, Liswaniso connected with fellow young leaders who inspired him to take action in his own community. Together with other Chartered Accountants, he became involved in a foundation focused on mentoring young people and supporting underserved communities through outreach programs.
For Liswaniso, accountancy has become more than a career, it is a platform for leadership and social impact.
His advice to aspiring accountants is simple:
“Accounting is extremely amazing.”
And judging by the passion and purpose behind his work, it is hard to disagree
Why Modern Accountants Are Redefining Impact
In a profession often associated with precision, compliance, and technical expertise, a new narrative is emerging—one where chartered accountants are stepping beyond the numbers to create meaningful, human-centered impact.
Two recent stories from the global accounting community highlight this shift.
First, the idea that auditing is fundamentally a human business challenges the growing assumption that automation will dominate the profession. While technology continues to transform workflows, it cannot replace the nuanced judgment, empathy, and contextual understanding that skilled auditors bring. True audit quality comes not just from verifying figures, but from deeply understanding how organizations operate and helping them build trust and transparency.
This perspective is especially relevant in an era of AI-driven tools. Rather than diminishing the role of accountants, automation is amplifying the importance of distinctly human skills—critical thinking, ethical judgment, and relationship-building.
The second story explores how accountants are increasingly aligning profit with purpose. Traditionally seen as opposing forces, this mindset reframes them as mutually reinforcing. When financial strategy is used intentionally, it can drive real social outcomes—from improving public infrastructure to supporting mental health initiatives and expanding access to essential services.
What stands out is the practicality of this approach. Purpose is not treated as an abstract ideal but as something measurable, testable, and scalable. Whether it’s investing in employee reskilling or designing tools that improve access to public services, the common thread is using financial expertise to deliver tangible value.
Together, these stories point to a broader evolution within the profession. Today’s accountants are not just technical experts—they are advisors, innovators, and change-makers. They are asking bigger questions: How can our work build trust? How can it serve communities? How can financial decisions create lasting impact?
The takeaway is clear: the future of accounting lies at the intersection of technical excellence and human insight. Those who embrace both will not only stay relevant—they will lead.
Global Update Episode 37: Purpose, Connection, and the Future of Finance
The latest episode of the Chartered Accountants Global Update brings together three powerful themes shaping the profession today: purpose-driven impact, global community, and the urgent need for evolution.
First, a standout story from Mozambique highlights how chartered accountancy can transform lives at scale. Manuel Rodrigues, co-founder of EDP Mozambique, has helped build a thriving agricultural “micro-economy” supporting tens of thousands of farmers. By combining financial expertise with a systems-thinking approach, his work is improving food security, generating income, and strengthening entire communities. It’s a compelling reminder that accountancy skills can extend far beyond traditional roles.
Next, attention turns to the upcoming ICAI UK Annual Conference in London. With hundreds of senior finance professionals expected—from major global organisations to leading banks and advisory firms—the event promises rich discussion on topics like AI, ESG, mergers and acquisitions, and cross-border investment. It’s a key moment for connection, insight, and professional development within the Indian chartered accountancy community in the UK.
Finally, the episode tackles a critical challenge facing finance teams: adapt or risk falling behind. As technology, ESG expectations, and workforce dynamics rapidly evolve, finance professionals must expand beyond technical expertise. Embracing AI, developing strategic insight, and adopting a broader “multi-capital” mindset are no longer optional—they’re essential for staying relevant. The role of the CFO itself is shifting toward a more holistic “Chief Value Officer,” balancing financial performance with wider organisational impact.
Taken together, these stories point to a profession in transition—one where purpose, adaptability, and global collaboration are becoming defining traits.
A Profession in Motion: Three Stories Shaping Chartered Accountancy
The latest Chartered Accountants Global Update highlights how the profession is evolving in powerful ways.
First, Manuel Rodrigues shows what’s possible when financial expertise meets purpose. His organisation in Mozambique has built a self-sustaining micro-economy supporting thousands of farmers—proving that accountancy can drive real social impact.
Second, Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanisms (CBAM) are set to reshape global trade. With complex reporting and the UK rollout coming in 2027, the message is simple: start preparing now—or risk falling behind.
Finally, Accountancy Ireland has gone digital, reflecting a broader shift toward faster, more accessible, and sustainable content.
🔍 The takeaway
From rural development to climate regulation and digital transformation, Chartered Accountants are no longer just reporting on change—they’re helping lead it.
The latest update from Chartered Accountants Worldwide highlights just how dynamic and far-reaching the profession has become — from global expansion to inspiring personal achievements and major technical developments.
Expanding the Global Community
A major milestone has been reached with the addition of the Botswana Institute of Chartered Accountants (BICA) as the network’s 17th member institute. This marks a significant step in strengthening representation across Africa and reinforces the organisation’s global footprint, now spanning over 190 countries and more than two million professionals and students.
Leaders including Ainslie van Onselen and Oaitse Gabadirwe emphasised the importance of collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and maintaining high professional standards — all essential for shaping the future of the profession.
Where Finance Meets Elite Performance
The upcoming “Difference Makers Discuss” webinar shines a spotlight on Caitriona Jennings, whose career uniquely blends high-performance finance and elite sport.
From her work in aviation finance to representing Ireland at the 2012 London Olympics, Jennings exemplifies resilience and ambition. Her record-breaking 100-mile ultramarathon achievement in 2025 adds another extraordinary dimension to her story.
This session promises valuable insights into mindset, perseverance, and what it takes to succeed in demanding environments — lessons that resonate far beyond sport or finance.
Preparing for Major Reporting Changes
For practitioners, significant changes are on the horizon. Updates to FRS 102 and FRS 105 — coming into effect from January 2026 — represent the most substantial overhaul in over a decade.
Key developments include:
- A new five-step revenue recognition model
- Major changes to lease accounting, aligning more closely with IFRS 16
- Broader amendments impacting multiple areas of financial reporting
To support professionals, Chartered Accountants Ireland has introduced a Certificate in FRS 102, designed to provide practical, implementation-focused expertise.
Looking Ahead
This latest update reflects a profession that is evolving on every front — geographically, professionally, and technically. Whether it’s welcoming new global voices, learning from extraordinary individuals, or preparing for regulatory change, one thing is clear: staying informed and adaptable has never been more important.
AI, Ultra-Running, and the Future of Your Career
What do artificial intelligence, elite endurance sport, and chartered accountancy have in common? More than you might think.
In the latest update from Chartered Accountants Worldwide, a clear theme emerges: the future belongs to those who embrace challenge, stay adaptable, and keep learning.
A standout example comes from Caitríona Jennings—a Chartered Accountant, Olympian, and world-record-holding ultra-runner. Her story is a powerful reminder that professional discipline and personal ambition don’t compete—they reinforce each other. The same mindset that drives success in a demanding career can fuel extraordinary achievements outside of it.
But alongside inspiring stories, there’s a more urgent conversation unfolding: the impact of AI on the profession.
AI isn’t just another technological shift—it’s redefining what it means to be a finance professional. The role of Chartered Accountants is moving beyond processing information to interpreting it, guiding decisions, and shaping strategy. As highlighted in this issue, those who lean into AI and develop new skills will position themselves as true business navigators.
The message is clear: standing still is not an option. Continuous learning, strong data practices, and an understanding of emerging areas like ESG will define the next generation of finance teams.
As one contributor puts it, the challenge isn’t whether AI will change your career—it’s what you’ll do about it over the next 12 months.
So whether you’re inspired by world records or rethinking your professional path, one idea stands out: the future isn’t something to wait for—it’s something to actively build.
If you want, I can tailor this for a specific audience (students, senior professionals, LinkedIn tone, etc.) or make it punchier/longer.
Innovation, AI, and Leadership: Three Stories Shaping the Future of Accountancy
The accounting profession is evolving rapidly — driven by technology, new leadership approaches, and professionals willing to rethink how things are done. In the latest Chartered Accountants Global Update, three standout stories illustrate how the profession is adapting and moving forward.
Rethinking Audit with Practical Innovation
Christiaan Coetzee, CEO and co-founder of Audit Toolbar and overall winner of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants Top 35 Under 35 award, is tackling one of audit’s most persistent challenges: efficiency.
Rather than building a completely new platform, Coetzee and his team focused on where auditors already spend most of their time — Excel. By developing tools that work directly within spreadsheets, Audit Toolbar helps firms streamline their workflows without forcing them to learn entirely new systems.
The impact has been significant. The company estimates that its software saves the equivalent of 650 years of work across Africa each year, giving smaller firms new opportunities to compete more effectively.
Beyond the technology, Coetzee’s story also highlights a powerful mindset shift — challenging the habit of “self-rejecting” opportunities before they’re even pursued.
AI as a Career Multiplier
While much of the discussion around AI focuses on job disruption, Nick Reimer offers a different perspective.
After qualifying as a chartered accountant, Reimer co-founded Invigilator, an AI-powered platform that enables secure online assessments. The platform is now used by over 100 academic institutions in South Africa and has grown to 850,000 active users, attracting $11 million in funding to support international expansion.
Reimer argues that AI will not replace finance professionals — it will amplify their value. Professionals who understand both financial expertise and how to apply AI tools will be better positioned to interpret complex data and guide decision-making.
Leading Teams Through Change
Technology isn’t the only force reshaping the profession. Leadership during uncertainty is becoming just as critical.
A recent Women in Finance webinar hosted by Chartered Accountants Worldwide Network USA explored how leaders can support teams through constant change. Speakers including Linda Nel, Shingi Gwindingwi, and Nancy Chakabuda shared insights on building resilient teams.
Their message was clear: leadership in uncertain times is less about having all the answers and more about creating an environment where teams can adapt together. Transparent communication, trust, and psychological safety play a crucial role in helping organizations navigate change successfully.
A Profession in Motion
Across these stories, a common theme emerges: the future of accountancy belongs to professionals who innovate, embrace technology, and lead with intention.
Whether building tools that level the playing field, using AI to unlock new capabilities, or guiding teams through transformation, today’s chartered accountants are helping shape what the profession will become next.
Rebuilding Trust and Shaping the Future in Accounting
Episode 32 of the Chartered Accountants Global Update highlights how chartered accountants continue to drive positive change across the profession.
One standout story features Sitali Chiuyu, part of the Young Difference Makers series. After moving from engineering into audit, Sitali now works in the public sector strengthening governance and accountability. He emphasises how education, governance, and technology are interconnected, and how strong internal audit helps ensure public resources reach the people and services they are meant to support. He also highlights the need for responsible AI in public services, stressing transparency, bias testing, and human oversight.
The episode also looks ahead to the CA ANZ UK Conference on 21 March in London, where professionals will explore topics such as AI, sustainability reporting, taxation, and ethics under the theme “Shaping Tomorrow: Accounting for Impact, Innovation and Relevance.”
Finally, Season 4 of the “Difference Makers Discuss” webinar series launches on 19 March, featuring global speakers sharing insights on AI, leadership, social impact, and the future of audit.
Together, these stories highlight a profession that continues to evolve while making a meaningful impact on society.
Apprenticeships, wellness, and career pathways
In the latest Chartered Accountants Global Update, three very different stories come together around one powerful idea: small, deliberate choices can shape both our careers and our wellbeing.
The first is the inspiring journey of Jaspreet Rayat, who qualified as a chartered accountant through an apprenticeship rather than a traditional university route. With no professional role models to guide her, Jaspreet built her own pathway through research, networking and persistence, supported by ICAEW. Today, she is passionate about making alternative entry routes into the profession more visible for young people who may not realise these opportunities exist.
Her story was shaped in part by attending One Young World, where a message from Bob Geldof stood out: “grit makes the pearl.” It is a reminder that progress does not depend on perfect conditions, but on consistent effort.
The episode then turns to a topic many professionals can relate to during the darker months – the winter blues. Conditions such as Seasonal Affective Disorder affect a significant number of people, with guidance and awareness supported by organisations such as the Health Service Executive. Simple habits – daylight exposure, movement, connection and sleep routines – can make a genuine difference.
Finally, the update explores the four “happy hormones” – serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin and endorphins – and how everyday actions like small goal-setting, exercise and social connection can actively support them.
Together, these stories from Chartered Accountants Worldwide show that whether you are building a career or protecting your wellbeing, it is the small, practical steps taken consistently that create lasting change.
Ethics, Carbon Policy, and Sustainability Reporting
One of the most powerful reminders in Episode 30 of the Chartered Accountants Global Update is that professional skills don’t stop at financial reporting — they can help solve some of society’s most urgent challenges.
The episode opens with the story of Khethiwe Sibanyoni, a young South African aspiring chartered accountant and social impact activist tackling gender-based violence by applying the discipline of audit to community programmes. Her work is built around three pillars — detection, prevention and correction — supported by data, controls, budgets and outcome metrics. Through a youth-led foundation linked to thirteen shelters in Gauteng, she focuses on psychosocial care, education and economic empowerment, while designing programmes that can endure beyond any single leader. Her message to business is simple and powerful: define social impact with the same precision you bring to profit. The full profile appears on the Chartered Accountants Worldwide website.
The episode then turns to a fast-approaching regulatory challenge: Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanisms. Chartered Accountants Ireland and The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland are hosting a webinar to help practitioners understand how the European Union regime is working in practice and what businesses should be doing now — particularly ahead of the United Kingdom introducing its own mechanism in 2027. For organisations importing high-carbon goods such as steel, cement or fertilisers, supply chain impacts, reporting requirements and cost modelling are becoming unavoidable priorities.
The final feature highlights a new Sustainability Snapshot from the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants, aimed squarely at boards and executive teams working on transition planning. The guidance places strong emphasis on meaningful stakeholder engagement, measurable and time-bound targets, and governance structures that embed just transition principles. As sustainability claims face the same scrutiny as financial statements, the message is clear: credibility, accountability and transparency matter more than ever.
Across all three stories, Episode 30 delivers a consistent message — the rigour of the accountancy profession is not just a tool for the boardroom, but a practical force for social impact, climate action and long-term organisational resilience.
Young Leadership, Global Collaboration, and the Mindset that Matters
In the latest episode of Chartered Accountants Global Update, we explore how chartered accountants across the world are shaping change — in their communities, their organisations and their own careers
Our first story features chartered accountant and risk professional Rebecca Casey, whose career journey shows that young professionals don’t need to wait for permission to lead. From AI governance and data integrity to practical action on sustainability, Rebecca demonstrates how professional skills can be applied to real-world challenges. Her message is simple but powerful: choose one problem, apply your expertise and start making an impact.
We also share highlights from our recent CAW Connects overseas representatives’ meeting, where leaders from member institutes came together to strengthen collaboration and identify priorities for 2026 and beyond. These conversations reinforced the value of working as a connected global community.
Finally, we turn to insights from our latest Resilience Report, developed with the Resilience Institute, which explores how adopting a growth mindset can help professionals respond more effectively to challenge, change and uncertainty.
Together, these stories reflect the purpose of Chartered Accountants Worldwide — supporting a resilient, connected profession that serves the public interest.
How Chartered Accountants Are Shaping the Future of Trust, Technology and Sustainability
The latest Chartered Accountants Global Update highlights how the profession is rapidly evolving — and why today’s accountants need more than technical excellence alone.
One inspiring example is the journey of Saad Bin Asim Zubairi from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan. From an early love of mathematics to representing the profession on a global stage, Saad shows how curiosity, empathy and technology can combine to create real impact. At a recent international summit, he demonstrated how generative AI can support the UN’s education goals — without writing a single line of code. His message is clear: accountants who embrace new tools and ethical leadership can play a powerful role beyond traditional reporting.
Alongside individual stories, the profession itself is responding to growing demands. The ICAEW’s new Sustainability Assurance Certificate addresses one of the most urgent skills gaps in accounting today — providing credible assurance over non-financial and sustainability information. As sustainability reporting becomes mandatory in many regions, the need for trusted professionals to combat greenwashing and ensure data quality has never been greater.
This shift is reinforced by a recent Chartered Accountants Worldwide webinar on sustainability reporting, which explored how concepts such as double and dynamic materiality are reshaping how organisations explain long-term value. Sustainability is no longer an optional add-on — it is becoming central to business strategy and accountability.
Together, these stories highlight a simple truth: the future chartered accountant must be technologically aware, sustainability-literate and socially conscious — while continuing to uphold the profession’s core commitment to trust, integrity and quality.
A Growing Global Community: Purpose, People, and Connection
Chartered Accountants Worldwide is marking an exciting milestone as we celebrate the continued growth and impact of our global profession. In our latest update, we share three powerful stories that highlight what makes our community thrive: expansion, purpose-driven careers, and the strength of human connection.
First, we are proud to welcome the Institute of Chartered Accountants Nepal as our 16th member institute. Joining during CAW’s 10th anniversary year, this landmark expansion means we now represent 1.8 million members and students across more than 190 countries. Nepal’s inclusion strengthens our presence in South Asia and brings valuable new perspectives to our shared work in advancing trust, purpose, and impact across the profession.
We also shine a spotlight on Sophie Sweeney, lecturer at the University of Galway and member of Chartered Accountants Ireland, whose journey exemplifies the human side of accountancy. From becoming a mother as a teenager to qualifying as a chartered accountant and moving into education, Sophie’s story is one of resilience, clarity, and values-led decision-making. Her work reminds us that accounting is not just about numbers, but about understanding stories, choices, and consequences—and using our skills to create meaningful change.
Finally, we explore why networking matters more than ever in today’s digital and remote-working world. Drawing on insights from Networking Matters: The Power of Human Connection by Kingsley Aikins, we’re reminded that careers are shaped not only by what we do, but by the relationships we build. Strong networks help amplify good work, open doors, and create lasting professional impact.
Together, these stories reflect what Chartered Accountants Worldwide stands for: a connected global profession that leads with integrity, purpose, and people at its heart.
Shaping the Future of the Accountancy Profession in 2026
As we move further into 2026, the accountancy profession is evolving well beyond traditional financial reporting. Today’s chartered accountants are being called upon to play broader roles—as strategic advisors, global leaders, and trusted voices on issues that matter to society.
One major shift is the growing importance of sustainability reporting. Financial statements alone no longer tell the full story of how organizations create long-term value. Investors, regulators, employees, and customers increasingly expect transparency around environmental and social impact. Sustainability disclosures, when done well, complement financial reporting and help organizations communicate risk, resilience, and purpose in a credible way.
Equally important is the future pipeline of talent. Global initiatives like the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants Global Talent Programme 2026 highlight how the profession is opening its doors to diverse backgrounds and skill sets. By exposing students from any discipline to real-world business challenges, leadership development, and cross-cultural collaboration, the profession is investing in agile, globally minded leaders for tomorrow.
Finally, as technology and automation continue to reshape technical work, human skills are becoming the true differentiator. Empathy, adaptability, critical thinking, and ethical judgment are no longer “soft skills”—they are essential leadership capabilities. These qualities enable chartered accountants to lead teams, build trust, and navigate uncertainty with confidence.
Together, these developments point to a profession that is dynamic, relevant, and deeply connected to the needs of business and society. Chartered accountants are not just keeping pace with change—they are helping to lead it.
Sustainability in Action: How Chartered Accountants Are Driving Real Change
Sustainability is no longer a “nice to have” — it is a business imperative. Across the Chartered Accountants Worldwide community, professionals and firms are embedding sustainability into strategy, governance and everyday decision-making to create long-term value.
From practice to industry, the impact is clear. UK-based accountancy firm Kreston Reeves demonstrates how sustainability can be embedded at the core of a business. As a B Corp certified firm, it integrates ESG principles into its culture, governance and client services, supporting organisations to navigate regulatory expectations and build more resilient, responsible operations.
Thought leadership also plays a vital role. Moneeza Butt, Partner at KPMG Pakistan, highlights the importance of meaningful stakeholder engagement and transparent ESG reporting. Drawing on global frameworks such as GRI, TCFD and the new IFRS sustainability standards, she emphasises that authentic ESG practices drive trust, innovation and long-term success.
Sustainability impact is not limited to traditional accounting roles. Cayley Haig CA shows how accounting skills can shape ethical industries, applying her forensic background to support fair wages, reduce textile waste and address modern slavery risks in the fashion sector.
Together, these stories underline a powerful truth: Chartered Accountants are uniquely placed to lead the transition to a more sustainable future — through insight, integrity and action.
Welcoming 2026: Building Skills, Strengthening Trust, Shaping the Future
As we step into 2026, it’s a time to reflect on progress and look ahead with optimism. Chartered Accountants continue to play a vital role in strengthening economies, building trust, and supporting sustainable growth across the globe. Being part of this global community means staying connected, learning continuously, and engaging with ideas that shape the future of the profession.
The year ahead offers exciting opportunities to grow and connect. From thought-provoking webinars focused on developing critical human skills for future-ready teams, to major international gatherings such as the World Forum of Accountants 2026, professionals can gain insight into emerging trends, technology, sustainability, and leadership. There are also networking and celebratory events, including the Chartered Accountants Ireland Annual Dinner, bringing together leaders and peers to share experiences and inspiration.
As we move forward, staying engaged with learning, collaboration, and innovation will be key to sustaining excellence and impact. Here’s to a healthy, successful, and connected year ahead for the global accountancy community.
A Decade of Building Trust: Celebrating 10 Years of Chartered Accountants Worldwide
This year marks a significant milestone for Chartered Accountants Worldwide: ten years of bringing the global accountancy profession together under a shared commitment to trust, integrity, and excellence.
What began as an ambitious idea a decade ago has grown into a truly global community, representing more than 1.8 million members and students across over 190 countries. Fifteen leading chartered accountancy institutes now work side by side, collaborating across continents to speak with one voice on the issues that matter most to business, government, and society.
While the scale of this network is impressive, the real story lies beyond the numbers. The tenth-anniversary film released to mark the occasion highlights the people behind the profession — chartered accountants at every career stage, in every corner of the world, united by a commitment to doing the right thing, even when it’s not the easiest option.
Over the past decade, the global environment has been anything but stable. Financial shocks, geopolitical change, a global pandemic, and rapid advances in technology have all tested institutions and markets. In times like these, trust becomes essential. Chartered accountants play a critical role in sustaining that trust, providing reliable information, independent judgement, and assurance that underpins sound decision-making.
The impact of the profession reaches far beyond financial statements. Across the Chartered Accountants Worldwide network, members are supporting sustainable businesses, strengthening governance, advancing sustainability reporting, and helping public and not-for-profit organisations make the most of limited resources. Collectively, this work delivers real and lasting value to economies and communities.
As Chartered Accountants Worldwide looks ahead to its next decade, the focus remains firmly on the future. Technology, sustainability, and rising expectations around transparency will continue to reshape the profession. Through global insight, collaboration, and advocacy, the organisation is committed to helping members and students not just adapt to change, but lead it.
The tenth-anniversary film is both a celebration and a statement of intent — a reminder of what has been achieved together, and a signal of the ambition that lies ahead. Here’s to ten years of building trust, and to many more to come.
Leadership Continuity and Global Connections: What’s Ahead for Chartered Accountants Worldwide
Chartered Accountants Worldwide (CAW) has announced an important milestone in its global leadership: Ainslie van Onselen has been reappointed as Chair for a further two-year term. The unanimous support of the CAW Board reflects strong confidence in her continued leadership and the progress made during her first term.
Ainslie made history in 2023 as the first woman—and the first representative from Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ)—to take on the role. As CEO of CA ANZ since 2020, she has championed ethics, inclusion, digital transformation, and public-interest advocacy. Her renewed term promises continued momentum in sustainability leadership and in inspiring the next generation of Chartered Accountants.
Alongside this leadership news, CAW members can look forward to three major events on the horizon for 2026:
- World Forum of Accountants (WOFA 2.0) – Hosted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants India from 30 January to 1 February 2026 in Greater Noida, this global gathering explores the theme “Nation Building to Global Collaboration: Strengthening Trust, Enabling Growth.” The event will spotlight ESG, digital transformation, and the evolving role of CAs in shaping global progress.
- Chartered Accountants Ireland Annual Dinner – Returning in 2026, this flagship event brings together leaders and rising talent from across Ireland. Dates are still to be announced, but it remains a highlight for networking and celebrating the profession.
- Sydney Burns Event – Hosted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants Scotland, this lively celebration blends Scottish culture with professional connection. Held at Dockside Group overlooking Sydney Harbour, the evening features traditional Scottish fare, the iconic Address to the Haggis, live music, and energetic ceilidh dancing.
Together, these events showcase the strength, diversity, and global reach of the Chartered Accountant community. For more details, visit charteredaccountantsworldwide.com.
How CA Institutes Are Equipping Accountants for the Age of Generative AI
Across the global accounting profession, one theme is becoming impossible to ignore: generative AI is no longer a future consideration—it’s a present-day competency. With more than 70% of chartered accountants already using AI tools in their work and 76% looking to integrate them further, professional bodies are stepping up to support their members in building confidence, capability, and ethical awareness in this rapidly evolving space.
Two recent initiatives highlight this shift: the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) with its new GenAI Accelerator Programme, and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) with its AI Fluency Playbook. Both aim to help accountants navigate generative AI—but each takes a distinct approach.
ICAEW’s GenAI Accelerator Programme
Launched in late summer 2025, ICAEW’s programme offers a structured, progressive learning path built around eight e-learning courses, each with modular content, video tutorials, interactive elements, and practical resources.
The curriculum ranges from foundational AI concepts to highly targeted applications including financial operations, compliance, governance, and strategic finance. Members earn digital badges as they progress and can accumulate up to eight hours of verifiable CPD. The programme was developed with GenFinance.AI, underscoring a focus on real-world finance use cases rather than theory alone.
Importantly, ICAEW has opened a limited number of discounted slots for members of other Chartered Accountants Worldwide bodies, extending access beyond its home base.
CA ANZ’s AI Fluency Playbook
Released in August 2025, CA ANZ’s Playbook serves as a practical, ongoing reference guide rather than a formal course. It features real case studies of firms using AI today, prompt templates, ethical guidance, and governance frameworks.
It also integrates with CA ANZ’s existing learning ecosystem, including its Certificate in AI Fluency, a six-week programme launched earlier in 2025. With capability assessments and AI-readiness tools, members can benchmark themselves and plan their development strategically.
Two Models, One Message
While the formats differ—ICAEW’s structured courses and digital badges versus CA ANZ’s flexible playbook and capability assessments—both initiatives send a unified message: AI literacy is now essential for professional relevance. They emphasize practical application, ethical awareness, and adaptability at a time when AI tools evolve faster than traditional training cycles.
The result is a growing global ecosystem of support for chartered accountants who want to confidently, responsibly, and strategically integrate generative AI into their work.
As the profession has done with spreadsheets, ERP systems, and cloud platforms, those who engage early with AI will be positioned at the forefront of the next chapter in accounting.
In the newest episode of Chartered Accountants Global Update, we explore one of the most important topics facing the profession today: how chartered accountants can thrive—mentally, emotionally, and physically—in an increasingly demanding world.
This episode dives into highlights from the latest Difference Makers Discuss Live conversation with Brad Hook and Declan Scott, co-authors of the groundbreaking global resilience and well-being report for Chartered Accountants Worldwide.
Whether you’re newly qualified or have decades of experience, this is an essential listen.
The Surprising Strengths of Chartered Accountants
The global report uncovered something many people overlook: chartered accountants are, on the whole, curious, creative, and altruistic. As Brad Hook notes, finance professionals aren’t always recognised for these qualities—but they shine through clearly in the data.
The challenge?
We often fail to apply that same kindness and curiosity inward. The pressure to perform, deliver, and multitask can overshadow the strengths that make us exceptional.
A Profession in Transition
The accounting world has evolved dramatically. Today’s chartered accountant may work in practice, industry, technology, sustainability, entrepreneurship—you name it.
With this abundance of opportunity comes new pressures. This episode is a timely reminder that high performance is not about doing everything at once, but about doing the right things with clarity, rhythm, and intention.
Continue the Journey
Chartered Accountants Worldwide has created a dedicated well-being hub with practical tools and guidance to support members across the globe. A follow-up survey arrives in Q1 2026 to measure progress—and your participation will help shape future interventions.
If you think ethics standards and well-being research sound dry, think again. The latest episode of Chartered Accountants Global Update packs the punch of a TED Talk, the immediacy of a news briefing, and the heart of a conversation we all need right now.
This episode delivers two powerful stories that hit at the core of the profession in 2025: how we build trust in a world of AI and climate claims, and how we rebuild ourselves in a culture that rewards burnout.
1. Ethics Isn’t Boring — It’s a Superpower
In conversation with Sinead Donovan, Carla Vijian of the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants proves that ethics is anything but abstract.
Her career spans Malaysia, New Zealand, Sydney, London, and now New York — but it’s her audit mindset that ties it all together. When the rest of us read headlines, Carla sees the incentives, the assumptions, the risks and the unseen forces that really shape global events.
Whether it’s the Northern Lights carbon-capture project or debt-for-policy swaps, she highlights the same truth: without strong ethics standards, big innovations become big question marks.
And when it comes to AI? Carla puts it sharply:
We don’t trust AI — we use it. Just like we don’t trust an Excel formula without checking it.
Her “Three C’s” for future accountants — Curiosity, Courage, Consistency — are worth printing out and sticking on a wall.
2. The Resilience Revolution Is Here
The second half of the episode previews an essential follow-up discussion with Brad Hook and Declan Scott — and it couldn’t come at a better time.
CAW’s research earlier this year showed Chartered Accountants are kind, curious, creative… and exhausted.
We’re multitasking ourselves into hypervigilance.
Our boundaries between work and life have dissolved.
And sleep? For many, it’s a crisis hiding in plain sight.
One statistic hits hard:
Adults can stay focused for just 47 seconds before getting distracted.
Brad and Declan dig into why this is happening — and more importantly, what we can do about it. Their solutions aren’t corporate wellness clichés. They’re evidence-based habits that change how teams work:
- Monotasking to restore deep focus
- Friday Flow zones for creativity and long-term thinking
- Sleep as a leadership skill
- Presence as a quiet superpower in a noisy world
It’s practical. It’s human. It’s uncomfortably honest.
Why You Should Listen
This episode captures something rare: the crossroads the profession is standing at — between innovation and integrity, between high performance and human sustainability.
It’s not fear-mongering. It’s not fluffy inspiration.
It’s truth, told by people who care deeply about the work we do and the world we shape.
Leading the Future of Finance: How Accountants Are Embracing AI with Confidence
The future of finance is here — and it’s powered by generative AI. Across the profession, Chartered Accountants are discovering how artificial intelligence is transforming everything from financial operations and tax compliance to corporate governance and strategic decision-making.
This month, three major initiatives from the Chartered Accountants Worldwide (CAW) network highlight how finance professionals can take charge of this transformation — building new skills, driving innovation, and leading with confidence in an AI-powered world.
🚀 Transform Your Career with the ICAEW GenAI Accelerator Programme
The ICAEW GenAI Accelerator Programme is a first-of-its-kind initiative designed to equip finance professionals with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to lead in the age of AI.
Through modular, practical courses, participants explore real-world applications of generative AI in accounting and finance — from automating processes to enhancing insight generation. The programme also tackles the ethical and regulatory considerations of AI use, ensuring participants are ready to implement these tools responsibly.
Special offer: As a valued member of the CAW community, you can access exclusive discounts when enrolling in the programme.
👉 Find out more and register today → ICAEW GenAI Accelerator Programme
💡 Lead with Confidence: The CA ANZ AI Fluency Playbook
Artificial intelligence isn’t just changing the profession — it’s redefining it. To help Chartered Accountants not just adapt, but lead, CA ANZ has launched the AI Fluency Playbook — a hands-on guide to building confidence and capability in the use of generative AI.
Inside the playbook, you’ll find:
- Real-world case studies of AI in action across client engagement, reporting, and workflow optimisation
- Toolkits and prompt guides to help you get started with GenAI tools
- Ethical frameworks to manage bias, privacy, and transparency
- Governance and risk best practices
- Learning pathways including micro-courses, readiness assessments, and an official Certificate in AI Fluency
With over 70% of Chartered Accountants already experimenting with AI tools and 76% eager to expand their use, this playbook arrives at the perfect time.
👉 Read more and download → CA ANZ Launches AI Fluency Playbook
🎙️ “AI Will Take Your Job to a Whole New Level” — A Conversation with Nicola Ellam
AI isn’t coming for your job — it’s taking it to a whole new level.
That’s the message from Nicola Ellam, who joins host Sinead Donovan, past president of Chartered Accountants Ireland, for the latest episode of Difference Makers Discuss. Broadcasting on November 6th at 12 noon and 1800 GMT, this conversation dives into one of the most ambitious technology transformations in professional services.
Ellam’s insights are a must-hear for any finance professional looking to understand how AI can elevate their role, expand their impact, and shape the next generation of accounting.
👉 Register for the event → Difference Makers Discuss - “AI Will Take Your Job to a Whole New Level”
The Bottom Line
From practical training and ethical guidance to inspiring conversations, the Chartered Accountants network is helping members future-proof their careers and lead in an AI-enabled world.
This isn’t about keeping up — it’s about leading with insight, integrity, and innovation.
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This week’s Chartered Accountants Global Update is packed with two things every modern professional needs: forward-looking climate for talent and leadership (we’re heading to Munich for One Young World 2025) — and a deeply human, practical conversation about neurodiversity at work from Difference Makers Discuss with Mark Scully.
One Young World Summit — Munich, 3–6 November 2025
Chartered Accountants Worldwide is once again sending a stellar delegation to One Young World — where more than 2,000 young leaders from 190+ countries convene to exchange ideas, build networks and spark action.
Munich — a global hub for innovation, technology and research — is the perfect stage for those conversations. CAW’s delegates this year bring real-world projects and fresh perspectives, including:
- Laura Mason (UK) — public-service innovation
- Sophie Sweeney (Ireland) — integrating sustainable development into professional education
- Saad Bin Asim Zubairi (Bahrain) — ethical applications of AI
- Jaspreet Rayat (UK) — social mobility and inclusion
- Rebecca Casey — governance and diverse leadership
- Christiaan Coetzee (South Africa) — transforming audit workflows globally
- Sitali Chiuyu (Zambia) — entrepreneurship and inclusion
- Khethiwe Sibanyoni (South Africa) — gender-based violence activist and Deloitte audit trainee
Follow the delegation and live updates via #CharteredStar on social — we’ll be sharing reflections, insights and moments from Munich as the summit unfolds.
Difference Makers Discuss — Episode 3: Mark Scully on neurodiversity, courage and compassion
If you only listen to one episode this month, make it this one. Shinayd Donovan’s conversation with Mark Scully is an honest, practical, and hopeful guide to building workplaces where neurodivergent people — and everyone — can thrive.
Mark’s story in brief
Mark’s CV reads like success: qualified at KPMG, rose to tax director. But behind the outward success was repeated struggle: excellent academic performance, yet an inability to decode the unwritten social rules of the workplace. He masked, over-worked, said “yes” to everything — until burnout forced him to pause and seek support.
A counsellor later asked the life-changing question: “Has anyone ever mentioned autism to you?” After assessment, Mark was diagnosed autistic in 2021. That diagnosis gave him a framework to understand his experience and to start changing how he worked — compassionately and deliberately.
What changed — and the important lesson
Through coaching, Mark learned to:
- Say no constructively instead of overcommitting
- Communicate real expectations, rather than assuming others share them
- Use strategies that played to his strengths
The result was tangible: performance ratings improved (from repeated middling results to top ratings). Mark made many of these changes before disclosing his diagnosis — and when he finally told his boss, the response was simple and powerful: “What adjustments do you need?” Mark replied, “You’ve already put them in place. I just asked for what I needed.”
This underlines a vital point: adjustments that enable neurodivergent people to thrive often benefit everyone.
Practical takeaways for leaders and managers
Mark’s conversation is full of hands-on advice. Key actions for firms and leaders:
- Shift from process-focused to person-centered, outcome-focused management. Ask: Is there a different way of working that suits how this person thinks and still achieves the outcome?
This week's episode of Chartered Accountants Global Update is all about saying yes — to opportunity, to change, and to leading the way forward.
We meet Ken Croarkin, a Chartered Accountant whose journey from Glasgow to New York proves that the qualification really is a global passport. Then, we explore how Chartered Accountants Worldwide are putting sustainability front and centre with the launch of the brand-new Sustainability Hub.
A Career Built on Saying Yes
When Ken Croarkin first heard about accountancy, it was almost by accident. Yet, decades later, he’s a partner at EisnerAmper in New York and a Council member at ICAS. His career story, shared with Sinead Donovan on Difference Makers Discuss, is a masterclass in the power of saying “yes” — even when the opportunity seems daunting.
From early work with insurance clients (not his first choice) to a “temporary” assignment in the US that became a 27-year adventure, Ken’s path is proof that flexibility and curiosity pay off. His message to fellow accountants? Don’t underestimate the reach of your qualification. It can take you places you never imagined.
Ken also offers a fresh take on technology. He sees AI as a partner, not a threat, freeing auditors to focus on judgment, insight, and what really matters. In his words, audit is anything but boring — it’s diverse, dynamic, and endlessly evolving.
Leading the Sustainability Charge
The episode then turns to another big theme: sustainability. Chartered Accountants Worldwide’s new Sustainability Hub is designed to help finance professionals become catalysts for change.
This isn’t just another collection of reports. It’s a practical, well-organised resource that covers everything from carbon footprint measurement and governance to SME-friendly green finance guides. Whether you’re advising clients or driving change within your own business, the Hub helps you turn sustainability from a buzzword into a strategy.
As experts like Karen McWilliams point out, sustainability reporting is fast becoming mainstream. For accountants, this is both a responsibility and an opportunity — to add strategic value, anticipate regulation, and help businesses thrive in a greener economy.
A Global Profession, A Global Impact
From Ken’s international journey to the profession’s leadership on sustainability, Episode 16 celebrates what it means to be a modern Chartered Accountant: a strategic advisor, change agent, and global citizen.
Explore the new Sustainability Hub at charteredaccountantsworldwide.com
, and catch the full Difference Makers Discuss series for more inspiring stories.
The latest episode of the Chartered Accountants Global Update takes us on a fascinating journey into the intersection of technology, forensic accounting, and innovation. In this week’s episode, host [insert host name if relevant] shines a spotlight on Lem Chin Kok, whose career path and insights are redefining what it means to be a modern accountant.
From Police Officer to AI Pioneer
Lem’s story is anything but typical. He began his career as a police officer in Singapore’s Commercial Crime Investigation squad, tackling fraud and forgery long before data analytics became part of the accounting toolkit. From there, he spent 23 years building KPMG Singapore’s forensic practice before stepping into his current role as CEO of an AI-first technology firm.
His journey—from manual typewriters to cutting-edge artificial intelligence—embodies the rapid transformation our profession has experienced over the past three decades.
The AI Breakthrough That Changed Everything
One of the episode’s most striking moments comes when Lem recounts a breakthrough during his time at KPMG. His team was struggling with the limitations of early AI models that required “labeled data” to detect fraud. Then, a newly joined colleague suggested trying an unsupervised machine learning model on millions of transactions.
The results were astonishing: out of tens of millions of entries, the model identified ten unusual transactions, nine of which were confirmed frauds already charged in court.
This moment was a turning point—not just for Lem, but for the way AI could be used to uncover financial misconduct. The success wasn’t just about the algorithm; it came from combining forensic accounting expertise with data science. As Lem explains, the real power of AI lies in being guided by human understanding of accounting systems, fraud behavior, and judgment.
Why Accountants Should Learn to “Speak Machine”
Lem’s perspective on AI is refreshingly balanced. He divides it into two broad categories:
- Predictive AI – tools that can detect anomalies or risks in ways no human could replicate, such as identifying patterns across hundreds of data dimensions.
- Generative AI – tools like ChatGPT that enhance productivity by handling repetitive and manual work, freeing accountants to focus on strategic, high-value tasks.
But perhaps Lem’s boldest idea is that accountants need to learn programming languages—not to become coders, but to communicate effectively with technology. “Programming is a language,” he says, “just like English or Mandarin.” It’s the key to harnessing AI in meaningful, profession-specific ways.
Building the Future of Forensic Accounting
Lem has also been a driving force behind Singapore’s Financial Forensic Accounting Qualification, the first applied learning program of its kind in the Asia-Pacific region. The qualification blends forensic accounting, digital forensics, and financial crime investigation, equipping accountants to tackle the evolving risks of a digital economy.
The “AI Twin”: A Glimpse of Tomorrow’s Workplace
Now, as CEO of Arts, Lem is developing an extraordinary concept: the AI twin. This virtual twin can replicate the workflows of entire teams—performing tasks, following policies, making cognitive decisions, and producing outputs.
For audit firms, the implications are huge. Imagine AI handling the administrative grind while professionals focus on judgment, relationships, and strategic value. Lem sees this as the next frontier—AI not just answering questions, but executing full workflows.
Key Takeaways
- AI won’t replace accountants—but accountants who use AI will replace those who don’t.
- Accounting knowledge + technology skills = the new professional advantage.
- We’re
In November 2025, the global spotlight will shine on Munich, Germany, as over 2,000 young leaders from more than 190 countries come together for the One Young World Summit—a global forum dedicated to driving social impact and sustainable change. Once again, Chartered Accountants Worldwide (CAW) will be at the heart of this global conversation, sending a diverse and inspiring delegation of young professionals who exemplify what it means to lead with purpose.
A Global Gathering for Change
From 3–6 November, delegates will participate in four transformative days of speeches, panels, and workshops—all centred on five urgent global challenges:
- Education Access
- Circular Economy
- Responsible Technology Development
- Anti-Hate Initiatives
- Peace and Security
Through dialogue, collaboration, and innovation, these emerging leaders will help shape global solutions to the issues that matter most.
Meet the Chartered Accountants Worldwide Delegation
The 2025 CAW delegation represents not only geographical diversity but also the incredible range of impact Chartered Accountants are making worldwide.
- Khethiwe Sibanyoni (South Africa) – Audit trainee at Deloitte and founder of Khethi’s Foundation, dedicated to supporting survivors of gender-based violence. Her work has earned national recognition and corporate partnership with Deloitte Africa.
- Christiaan Coetzee (South Africa) – Creator of The Audit Toolbar, an Excel-based solution revolutionizing audit workflows, used by over 300 firms globally. Winner of SAICA’s Top 35 Under 35 (2024).
- Sitali Chiuyu (Zambia) – Head of Internal Audit at Kapasa Makasa University and founder of a financial institution promoting entrepreneurship and financial inclusion.
- Rebecca Casey (Australia/New Zealand) – Senior Risk Manager with a decade of experience in risk culture and governance, representing CA ANZ.
- Jaspreet Rayat (England & Wales) – Chartered Accountant and Council Member of ICAEW, championing social mobility and leading the Student Council.
- Laura Mason (Scotland) – Finance and data specialist driving public sector innovation, renewable energy projects, and mental health tech initiatives.
- Sophie Sweeney (Ireland) – Lecturer and researcher at the University of Galway, and Chartered Star 2025, exploring fiscal citizenship and inclusive accounting education.
- Saad Bin Asim Zubairi (Pakistan) – Bahrain-based professional with nine years of Big Four experience, advocating for ethical AI and emerging technology governance.
Each delegate represents a new generation of accountants redefining the profession—not as mere number crunchers, but as ethical changemakers applying financial insight to solve real-world problems.
Beyond the Balance Sheet
At One Young World, the CAW delegation will not only engage with global peers but also challenge and collaborate with world leaders, returning home as ambassadors for change. They’ll bring back insights, networks, and renewed energy to strengthen their ongoing initiatives—whether that’s empowering communities, driving digital transformation, or advancing sustainability.
For Chartered Accountants Worldwide, participation in the summit is about more than attendance—it’s an investment in the future of ethical leadership. It’s a reminder that the skills accountants bring to the table—integrity, analytical thinking, and accountability—are exactly what the world needs in times of uncertainty and change.
Looking Ahead
As Munich once again welcomes the One Young World community, the message is clear: leadership grounded in ethics and collaboration can create global ripples of positive impact.
Follow the Chart
This episode of the Chartered Accountants Global Update gives our listeners a sneak peak at what lies ahead in Season 3 of Difference Makers Discuss, Chartered Accountants Worldwide’s flagship webinar series. Over six powerful conversations, chartered accountants from around the world share insights on AI, forensic accounting, neurodiversity, ethics, international careers, and resilience.
From groundbreaking fraud detection with AI to reimagining inclusivity in the workplace, and from navigating global opportunities to redefining ethics in a fast-changing world—these sessions challenge assumptions and spotlight practical strategies for thriving in the profession today.
In Episode 11 of Chartered Accountants Global Update, we dive into one of the most powerful forces reshaping the accounting profession today: artificial intelligence. But this isn’t about disruption—it’s about opportunity.
Discover how Chartered Accountants Worldwide are not only adapting to AI but actively leading its ethical and practical integration into our profession. From Australia and New Zealand’s groundbreaking AI Fluency Playbook to audit innovation in South Africa, and people-first strategies from Scotland’s Practice Conference, this episode is packed with real-world insights and actionable tools.
Plus, we unpack findings from the Edelman Trust Report, where Chartered Accountants rank among the most trusted professionals globally—solidifying our role as data guardians in the AI era.
Whether you’re in practice, industry, or just starting your CA journey, this episode will help you bridge human expertise with AI capability—ensuring you stay relevant, ethical, and trusted in a changing world.
In this powerful episode of the Chartered Accountants Global Update, we explore the growing reality of burnout in the accounting profession—and how Chartered Accountants worldwide are stepping up with practical, proactive solutions.
Hear from Vera Tan on recognising early burnout signs, discover why mono-tasking might be the key to smarter productivity with insights from Brad Hook, and learn how to press pause for better long-term performance.
Plus, we bring encouraging news from the Edelman DXI survey: Chartered Accountants are now among the most trusted professionals globally, standing strong in an age of AI and misinformation.
This episode is your essential briefing on how to stay well, stay focused, and stay trusted in a rapidly evolving world.
In Episode 9 of Chartered Accountants Global Update, we explore why, in an era of misinformation, institutional distrust, and AI disruption, Chartered Accountants are emerging as trusted leaders the world depends on.
New insights from Edelman DXI’s 2025 Trust Survey reveal that Chartered Accountants rank third globally for trust — behind only doctors and engineers — even as trust in the broader accountancy profession declines. What’s behind this trust gap, and what does it mean for the future of our profession?
We unpack the key findings, including why three in four businesses now rely on Chartered Accountants for data integrity, and how our role is expanding beyond compliance to ethical stewardship and strategic leadership in the digital age.
Plus, get a preview of the upcoming "Beyond Accounting: AI and Accountants 2025" event, where we’ll explore how to lead the AI transformation — not just adapt to it.
In Episode 8 of the Chartered Accountants Global Update, we spotlight one of the most urgent topics facing finance professionals today: carbon accounting and credible climate transition planning.
We break down Chartered Accountants Worldwide’s new Carbon Software Provider Guide – your essential resource for navigating the crowded carbon tech market, understanding Scope 1–3 emissions, and choosing the right methodology for your business or clients. From spend-based vs. activity-based approaches to global standards like the GHG Protocol, this guide is built to give accountants clarity and confidence.
Then, we preview “Driving Progress” – a must-attend event on September 18th hosted by ICAS as part of the Edinburgh Finance Festival. Hear how experts from Deloitte, SSE, and Royal London Group will tackle what makes a credible and investable transition plan in today's climate-aware capital markets.
Whether you're a sustainability beginner or looking to sharpen your advisory edge, this episode delivers the insights and tools to lead on climate accountability in your organisation or practice.
In Episode 7 of the Chartered Accountants Global Update, we take you from the historic Chartered Accountants' Hall in London to an AI-powered Think Tank in Sydney – showcasing how Chartered Accountants Worldwide is leading on the issues that matter most.
Discover how over 100 MBA students engaged in hands-on sustainability strategy workshops, hear about groundbreaking insights from the Global Future Leaders Think Tank on AI, and learn how young Chartered Accountants are making real-world impact in the Young Difference Makers podcast series.
Whether it's embedding the UN's Sustainable Development Goals into business or mapping AI-powered workflows for tomorrow’s finance teams, this episode is a celebration of ethical leadership, innovation, and global collaboration.
Tune in for powerful stories, actionable insights, and a compelling look at how the next generation of Chartered Accountants is shaping the future of our profession.
The latest episode of Chartered Accountants Global Update is live — and this one’s for every accountant wondering how artificial intelligence is reshaping the profession.
In this energetic episode, we explore how AI has gone from a sci-fi buzzword to a real, practical tool for accountants everywhere — and how Chartered Accountants Worldwide Network USA has led the charge with its groundbreaking Beyond Accounting webinar series.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- How “The AI Dilemma” laid the foundation with 7 principles for responsible tech use
- How real-world demos in AI and Accountants Get REAL brought AI tools to life
- What to expect from the grand finale coming up on September 10th, 2025
- Why AI isn’t replacing accountants — it’s making us better at what we do
Whether you’re just AI-curious or already integrating tools into your workflow, this episode gives you a roadmap to stay ahead of the curve — plus a few laughs and “aha” moments along the way.
Listen now, then dive into the AI & Technology Knowledge Hub and catch up on the previous webinars at charteredaccountantsworldwide.com.
In Episode 5 of the Chartered Accountants Global Update, we dive into the inspiring Global Connectedness Campaign, highlighting how young Chartered Accountants around the world are using their qualifications as passports to remarkable international adventures.
This innovative campaign is built around authentic storytelling, encouraging Chartered Accountants under 35, living and thriving abroad, to share personal, selfie-style video stories. These candid glimpses into the lives of young professionals illustrate how the CA designation opens doors globally, whether they're in Sydney, Toronto, Singapore, or beyond.
Authenticity is at the heart of the Global Connectedness Campaign, tapping into what resonates most with Gen Z and Gen Alpha audiences—real, unscripted narratives. These stories transcend traditional recruitment messages by demonstrating genuine experiences and adventures enabled by a Chartered Accountant's qualification.
Each story showcases not just career milestones but personal growth and the exciting, unexpected paths available to Chartered Accountants. From Sarah, who went from a small-town upbringing to a high-rise office in Dubai, to David, whose financial expertise is now driving sustainability projects in Costa Rica, these real-life accounts highlight the versatility and global relevance of the CA profession.
Beyond individual inspiration, the campaign underscores the strength and global connectivity symbolized by the Network Member Logo—a powerful emblem recognized across over 190 countries, representing our collective professional excellence and international relevance.
Are you a young Chartered Accountant with your own global story to share? Capture your adventure in a two-minute video, and become part of this global movement. For everyone else, join the conversation online, amplify these incredible journeys, and see how the CA designation truly means "Career Anywhere."
To get involved, contact Antje Derks at antje.derks@charteredaccountantsworldwide.com.
https://charteredaccountantsworldwide.com/global-connectedness-campaign/
In our latest episode of Chartered Accountants Global Update, we're pulling back the curtain on our inspiring Difference Makers initiative. Chartered Accountants are often seen as number-crunchers, but our community is doing so much more. They're making headlines, sparking real change, and positively impacting communities and businesses worldwide.
Join us as we explore how Chartered Accountants are leading conversations on critical global issues such as diversity and inclusion, mental health, digital disruption, and the climate emergency. Through engaging webinars and insightful podcast series—including our original Difference Makers Podcast and the innovative Beyond Accounting series from CAW Network USA—we're highlighting professionals who aren't just reporting on the world; they're actively reshaping it.
This episode also introduces our vibrant Young Difference Makers, who are proving that passion and innovation can transcend age and experience. These rising stars are addressing today's pressing challenges with fresh, creative solutions that inspire us all.
Find out how you can get involved, become inspired by powerful stories, and learn practical insights from Chartered Accountants who are genuinely making a difference.
Tune in, be inspired, and become part of this global movement.
In this energising third episode of the Chartered Accountants Worldwide Audio Newsletter, we explore the vital themes of resilience, work–life balance, and the emerging discipline of carbon accounting. Designed for busy professionals, this episode delivers practical tools and thought-provoking insights to help chartered accountants thrive in a complex, ever-evolving world.
In This Episode:
🔹 Monotasking for Clarity and Calm
Brad Hook of the Resilience Institute explains how single-tasking isn’t just a productivity tip—it’s neuroscience. Learn how monotasking activates your prefrontal cortex and boosts clarity, decision-making, and peace of mind.
🔹 Taking the First Step Toward Growth
Avoidance is a natural brain response to discomfort—but courage lies in small, intentional steps forward. Brad Hook shares how to build inner strength by leaning into discomfort and reframing procrastination.
🔹 Work–Life Balance Without the Burnout
Our featured article tackles early signs of burnout, boundary setting, and evidence-based techniques like time-blocking, mindfulness, and regular breaks. Discover how to protect your wellbeing while maintaining peak performance.
🔹 The Rise of Carbon Accounting
Fouzia Safdar, Director of Sustainability & Climate at Crowe Pakistan, shares her insights into how carbon accounting is shaping ESG strategies worldwide. Learn why it’s becoming an essential part of every accountant’s toolkit and how to start applying it in practice.
Key Takeaways:
- Resilience is a trainable skill—and the foundation of sustainable success.
- True balance comes from smart habits, not just time off.
- Carbon accounting is fast becoming a critical business function with global impact.
Explore More
Visit the Wellness Hub and Sustainability Hub on the Chartered Accountants Worldwide platform for more videos, articles, and tools to enhance your personal and professional growth.
https://www.charteredaccountantsworldwide.com
Hello and welcome back to the Chartered Accountants Worldwide audio newsletter! Whether you’re on your commute, grabbing a coffee break, or walking the dog, we’re glad you’re tuning in.
Today, we’re spotlighting a thoughtful series from our member institute, ICAS, all focused on ethics, professionalism, and the moral leadership that defines our profession. Let’s get into it.
Our first feature, entitled “Your Moral Compass Develops on the Job”, explores how ethical judgment isn’t something you’re born with—it grows through real-world experience.
ICAS interviewed senior members on what it means to do the right thing in high-pressure environments. Their message? Ethical leadership is learned—like riding a bike—through practice, reflection, and sometimes trial and error.
A survey of 710 members showed that across all experience levels—under 10 years, 10–30 years, and over 30 years—about two-thirds feel equipped to handle ethical dilemmas
Real wisdom, it turns out, comes from wrestling with tough calls and learning from them.
In the second article, “Being a Professional Means Operating to a Higher Standard”, ICAS reminds us that professional status is more than credentials—it’s a promise of integrity and consistency.
One powerful anecdote: a bus-conductor-turned-accountant choosing honesty every day—never pocketing stray change—reflects the mindset expected of all Chartered Accountants . The article makes a clear point: your reputation isn’t just built on what you do, but how you do it. A single lapse in ethics can undo years of credibility.
The third piece, entitled “Ethical Leadership Can Feel Uncomfortable — That’s No Reason Not to Act”, dives into the real discomfort that can come with standing up for what's right—especially when it's unpopular.
One ICAS non-executive director on a large board refused to ignore bribery—and instead went to court, resulting in a £1 million fine for the company. Other stories shared highlight resisting pressure to cover up variances or pay bribes. Choosing ethics can slow business, but it safeguards trust and long-term integrity. And they make a vital point: always escalate when you're backed by your firm—it makes the courageous step easier.
So let’s put this all together… Here’s the thread that connects these articles:
- Ethical judgement is developed—through practice, reflection, and real experience.
- Professionalism means consistently choosing the harder right over the easier wrong.
- Courage matters. Ethical leadership often feels uncomfortable—but acting matters more.
These principles form the backbone of our profession’s promise: to serve not just clients, but the public interest, with integrity and trust.
So, as Chartered Accountant what’s your call to action?
You could reflect on the decisions you’ve made lately: Where did ethics come into play?
Consider how you can lead by example—whether you're a seasoned CA or just starting out, your conduct shapes the profession’s reputation.
And finally, when in doubt—or pressure—lean on your colleagues and mentors. You’re not alone.
Want to dive deeper? Read each article on the website (links below in the show notes) and share your thoughts on LinkedIn or via email to our editorial team. Your insights help spark broader conversations across our global community.
That’s a wrap for Episode 2. Thank you for joining us and for being part of a profession built on values, courage, and professional excellence.
Until next time—stay principled, stay curious, and take care.
Article 1
https://charteredaccountantsworldwide.com/your-moral-compass-is-something-that-develops-on-the-job/
Article 2
https://charteredaccountantsworldwide.com/being-a-professional-means-operating-to-a-higher-standard/
Article 3
https:
In this first episode of Chartered Accountants Global Update, host Antje Derks brings you the latest news and insights from Chartered Accountants Worldwide.
What’s inside this episode:
- Event Highlights: Mark your calendar for two standout gatherings — the ICAEW Annual Conference 2025 in London, exploring how accountants can thrive through transformation in AI, leadership, and sustainability, and the ICAZ Winter School & Investment Conference 2025 in Canterbury, offering unique networking and investment opportunities.
- Mental Health & Wellbeing: Learn how caba is helping accountants beat burnout with free, confidential support, from counselling to financial advice.
- AI & the Profession: Dive into the key findings of a new report on AI transformation — why upskilling and proactive leadership are crucial for the future of the profession.
- Balancing Lives & Ledgers: Discover the impact of caregiving responsibilities on women in accountancy and how the profession must evolve to support inclusive career growth.
Whether you’re tuning in on your commute or catching up over coffee, stay connected with the ideas, events, and conversations that matter to our global community.
Greenwashing is the practice by companies of making misleading or unsubstantiated claims about products or activities in order to appear more environmentally friendly than they really are.
Greenwashing is reputationally dangerous and is unethical. It also presents multiple long-term risks to businesses and society. It weakens the efforts of those businesses actually working to improve their impact and create a better world. It misleads consumers looking to buy genuinely environmentally friendly products or to trade with environmentally minded companies. It risks eroding investor trust at a time when sustainable investment funds are gaining increased popularity. Greenwashing can damage a company’s valuation and it puts companies at risk of rebuke or investigation.
This podcast is taken from the FinBiz2030 webinar ‘Greenwashing’, produced by Chartered Accountants Worldwide.
In this episode we hear from Elena Margineanu, Ph.D.
Elena is a Lecturer at the Free International University of Moldova (ULIM), where she teaches an introductory course in environmental law for 2nd year students. Prior to this, Elena worked as an environmental impact assessment evaluator at the Solidarity Fund PL.
Greenwashing is the practice by companies of making misleading or unsubstantiated claims about products or activities in order to appear more environmentally friendly than they really are.
Greenwashing is reputationally dangerous and is unethical. It also presents multiple long-term risks to businesses and society. It weakens the efforts of those businesses actually working to improve their impact and create a better world. It misleads consumers looking to buy genuinely environmentally friendly products or to trade with environmentally minded companies. It risks eroding investor trust at a time when sustainable investment funds are gaining increased popularity. Greenwashing can damage a company’s valuation and it puts companies at risk of rebuke or investigation.
This podcast is taken from the FinBiz2030 webinar ‘Greenwashing’, produced by Chartered Accountants Worldwide.
In this episode, our host Daniel Thomas, Chief UK Business Correspondent for the Financial Times, moderates a round table discussion with all of the webinar guests.
Greenwashing is the practice by companies of making misleading or unsubstantiated claims about products or activities in order to appear more environmentally friendly than they really are.
Greenwashing is reputationally dangerous and is unethical. It also presents multiple long-term risks to businesses and society. It weakens the efforts of those businesses actually working to improve their impact and create a better world. It misleads consumers looking to buy genuinely environmentally friendly products or to trade with environmentally minded companies. It risks eroding investor trust at a time when sustainable investment funds are gaining increased popularity. Greenwashing can damage a company’s valuation and it puts companies at risk of rebuke or investigation.
This podcast is taken from the FinBiz2030 webinar ‘Greenwashing’, produced by Chartered Accountants Worldwide.
In this episode we hear from our host Daniel Thomas, Chief UK Business Correspondent for the Financial Times, from Michael Izza, CEO of ICAEW, Chairman, Chartered Accountants Worldwide and from Kate Robertson, Co-Founder, One Young World.
Greenwashing is the practice by companies of making misleading or unsubstantiated claims about products or activities in order to appear more environmentally friendly than they really are.
Greenwashing is reputationally dangerous and is unethical. It also presents multiple long-term risks to businesses and society. It weakens the efforts of those businesses actually working to improve their impact and create a better world. It misleads consumers looking to buy genuinely environmentally friendly products or to trade with environmentally minded companies. It risks eroding investor trust at a time when sustainable investment funds are gaining increased popularity. Greenwashing can damage a company’s valuation and it puts companies at risk of rebuke or investigation.
This podcast is taken from the FinBiz2030 webinar ‘Greenwashing’, produced by Chartered Accountants Worldwide.
In this episode we hear from Tsuyoshi (Yoshi) Domoto, sustainability consultant and advisor at GLIN Impact Capital, an ESG/Impact fund based in Japan.
Greenwashing is the practice by companies of making misleading or unsubstantiated claims about products or activities in order to appear more environmentally friendly than they really are.
Greenwashing is reputationally dangerous and is unethical. It also presents multiple long-term risks to businesses and society. It weakens the efforts of those businesses actually working to improve their impact and create a better world. It misleads consumers looking to buy genuinely environmentally friendly products or to trade with environmentally minded companies. It risks eroding investor trust at a time when sustainable investment funds are gaining increased popularity. Greenwashing can damage a company’s valuation and it puts companies at risk of rebuke or investigation.
This podcast is taken from the FinBiz2030 webinar ‘Greenwashing’, produced by Chartered Accountants Worldwide.
In this episode we hear from Emma Schuster
Emma Schuster is a climate risk analyst at non-profit shareholder activism organisation Just Share, which advocates for corporate South Africa to use its financial and social power to drive urgent action to combat climate change and reduce inequality.
Greenwashing is the practice by companies of making misleading or unsubstantiated claims about products or activities in order to appear more environmentally friendly than they really are.
Greenwashing is reputationally dangerous and is unethical. It also presents multiple long-term risks to businesses and society. It weakens the efforts of those businesses actually working to improve their impact and create a better world. It misleads consumers looking to buy genuinely environmentally friendly products or to trade with environmentally minded companies. It risks eroding investor trust at a time when sustainable investment funds are gaining increased popularity. Greenwashing can damage a company’s valuation and it puts companies at risk of rebuke or investigation.
This podcast is taken from the FinBiz2030 webinar ‘Greenwashing’, produced by Chartered Accountants Worldwide.
In this episode we hear from Aisling McCaffrey ACA.
Aisling is a Director in the Financial Services Consulting department of Grant Thornton specialising in Sustainability. Aisling has over 10 years’ experience in the Financial Services sector working with key clients across Europe on a range of projects covering business strategy, risk management and sustainability advisory.
This podcast is taken from the FinBiz2030 Recover Refocus Rebuild webinar hosted by Badai Yuda Pratama.
For nearly 2 years, lives all over the world have been ruled by the pandemic. It has challenged and changed the way we operate in business, restricted how we travel on a daily basis and ultimately impacted every inch of our personal lives. Where protection and resilience were key in 2020, 2021 has been the year in which recovery was thrust into the spotlight. Time at home allowed for a refocus, allowing us to think about what is most valued and how we can rebuild a greener, more sustainable future.
The role of finance and business in this global recovery is crucial. As societies regain their strength, as businesses learn to adapt and operate a hybrid working model and as life resumes with a new normal, we need trusted advisers more than ever. Will you be joining the change for a better future? Will you be a Difference Maker?
Join as we hear from leaders within Indonesia and beyond, who will provide a local and global perspective on the shared challenges facing us all.
This podcast is taken from the FinBiz2030 Recover Refocus Rebuild webinar hosted by Badai Yuda Pratama.
The guest speaker is Mutiara Hapsari, Coca Cola Europacific Partners, Head of Business Planning & Acct. Receivable Modern Trade, One Young World Ambassador
A finance professional with over 7 years of experience working in FMCG. Throughout the years, Mutiara has handled various financial aspects ranging from budgeting, improving working capital, developing pricing programs, building financial models based on customer value proposition to the development of machine learning in promotional analytics.
Her calling to woman’s empowerment has prompted her to co-lead the Female Warriors community in CCEP Indonesia. The role spans from connecting female employees across operations to organizing activities that inspire them in their workplace. Outside of work, education for the young generation has always been close to her heart which is reflected through her involvement in Yayasan Pemimpin Anak Bangsa, to teach underprivileged children in Jakarta.
This podcast is taken from the FinBiz2030 Recover Refocus Rebuild webinar hosted by Badai Yuda Pratama.
The guest speaker is Prakash Koirala, Founder, FINLIT Nepal, One Young World Ambassador
In 2017 Koirala set up Finlit Nepal to teach basic personal finance to low-income and vulnerable communities, helping to reduce poverty. Finlit Nepal works with governments, companies and neighbourhood groups to develop programs and policies to boost financial literacy and inclusion in the country’s financial system.
Koirala has been working in this space since 2009 and has won several awards and scholarships for his work including a fellowship from Harvard Kennedy School in 2017. He is a Western Union and One Young World Ambassador.
This podcast is taken from the FinBiz2030 Recover Refocus Rebuild webinar hosted by Badai Yuda Pratama.
The guest speaker is Bimo Agung Listyanu.
Bimo is a corporate activist, splitting his time between his corporate job at Danone and building a social enterprise called CarbonEthics.
Passionate in his beliefs around carbon ethics, Bimo has a background in energy exploration, with 6 years’ experience in FMCG commercial functions (Business Development, Trade Marketing, Key Account) and currently he is positioned in a Sustainability Investment role where he represents the global team in the Asia Pacific market.
In CarbonEthics, he leads the commercial transformation from NGO to become a social enterprise with the mission to protect the planet, improve the livelihood of the farmers, and create green jobs for young people.
As the world emerges from the pandemic, who will be trusted to support business recovery and to build the sustainable, resilient economies we need?
Chartered Accountants Worldwide partnered with Edelman research to understand the views of over 1,000 international business leaders and the role that they expect the finance and business profession to play in shaping the future.
The speakers consider what matters most now to business leaders as they recover and rebuild for the future? Key questions such as how we integrate sustainability into future business models, how we guard data integrity and how we tackle the misinformation crisis will all be under discussion.
This episode features an introduction from Dan Thomas, Chief UK Business Correspondent, Financial Timesand the Edelman report delivered by Penelope Mantzaris
As the world emerges from the pandemic, who will be trusted to support business recovery and to build the sustainable, resilient economies we need?
Chartered Accountants Worldwide partnered with Edelman research to understand the views of over 1,000 international business leaders and the role that they expect the finance and business profession to play in shaping the future.
This podcast features highlights of the Rebuilding Trust Event hosted by Chartered Accountants Worldwide and chaired by Dan Thomas, Chief UK Business Correspondent, Financial Times.
The speakers consider what matters most now to business leaders as they recover and rebuild for the future? Key questions such as how we integrate sustainability into future business models, how we guard data integrity and how we tackle the misinformation crisis will all be under discussion.
This episode features Freeman Nomvalo and Carolyn Colley.
More than nine out of ten Chartered Accountants and finance professionals believe accountants have an important role to play in climate change, and there is broad optimism within the profession about the measures agreed during the recent COP26 summit. However, confidence in political and business leaders to deliver on the necessary change is considerably lower, and it seems unlikely many organisations will achieve their net zero goals by 2030.
In this series of extracts from Chartered Accountants Worldwide's webinar "Making Cop26 Count", David Nussbaum examines the legacy of the Climate summit and how we should engage with its tenets in the future.
This episode is part one of a two-part roundtable discussion with David, Claire, Sarah, Weny-Yu and Mavis.
More than nine out of ten Chartered Accountants and finance professionals believe accountants have an important role to play in climate change, and there is broad optimism within the profession about the measures agreed during the recent COP26 summit. However, confidence in political and business leaders to deliver on the necessary change is considerably lower, and it seems unlikely many organisations will achieve their net zero goals by 2030.
In this series of extracts from Chartered Accountants Worldwide's webinar "Making Cop26 Count", David Nussbaum examines the legacy of the Climate summit and how we should engage with its tenets in the future.
This episode is part two of a two-part roundtable discussion with David, Claire, Sarah, Weny-Yu and Mavis.
More than nine out of ten Chartered Accountants and finance professionals believe accountants have an important role to play in climate change, and there is broad optimism within the profession about the measures agreed during the recent COP26 summit. However, confidence in political and business leaders to deliver on the necessary change is considerably lower, and it seems unlikely many organisations will achieve their net zero goals by 2030.
In this series of extracts from Chartered Accountants Worldwide's webinar "Making Cop26 Count", David Nussbaum examines the legacy of the Climate summit and how we should engage with its tenets in the future.
This episode features Mavis Mainu and Wen-Yu Weng.
Mavis joined Climate Analytics in September 2020 as Executive Assistant to the CEO, Bill Hare. In her role she provides organisational, conceptual and planning support to the CEO’s office.
Wen-Yu Weng (she/her) is a consultant and strategist in low carbon energy and infrastructure. She works across a wide range of commercial, economic, financial, technical and regulatory issues in energy, sustainability and climate change. Through her work, she engages with stakeholders across the entire ecosystem of energy and infrastructure: innovators, suppliers, developers, investors, consumers, international organizations, non-profits/civil society, and governments. Her project experience spans across renewable, low-carbon generation technologies, storage, green hydrogen, low carbon mobility and infrastructure, and systems/networks of the future.
More than nine out of ten Chartered Accountants and finance professionals believe accountants have an important role to play in climate change, and there is broad optimism within the profession about the measures agreed during the recent COP26 summit. However, confidence in political and business leaders to deliver on the necessary change is considerably lower, and it seems unlikely many organisations will achieve their net zero goals by 2030.
In this series of extracts from Chartered Accountants Worldwide's webinar "Making Cop26 Count", David Nussbaum examines the legacy of the Climate summit and how we should engage with its tenets in the future.
This episode features David talking to Claire Martin from Grant Thornton, who specialises in Sustainable Growth and Business Resilience.
David is the Senior Independent Director of Drax Group plc; a Board member of the Value Reporting Foundation where he chairs the Finance & Compensation Committee; a Board member of the International Budget Partnership; a member of the Ethical Investment Advisory Group of the Church of England; Chair of the Transparency International UK Advisory Council; a member of the Advisory Council of Blueprint for Better Business; and an independent Councillor on his local Parish Council. David was for five years the Chief Executive of The Elders, a group of independent global leaders – mainly former Presidents and UN Secretary Generals – founded by Nelson Mandela working together for peace and human rights, until October 2021.
Claire is a chartered accountant with several years of experience working with businesses and stakeholders, both public and private sector, as they seek to secure finance to unlock growth opportunities, or restructure to implement a sustainable business model for the longer-term outlook.
She has worked on projects across a number of sectors, with a particular focus on the financial services and energy sectors, and worked actively with several businesses with significant international reach.
Sarah is an experienced Chartered Accountant with a demonstrated history of working in the accounting industry. Skilled in Negotiation, Corporate Finance, Strategic Planning, Business Development, and Accounting. Strong accounting professional with a Bachelor of Business Management/Commerce focused in Accounting and Finance from The University of Queensland.
We'd like to introduce a new podcast from Chartered Accountants Worldwide. It's called "Difference Makers Podcast" and it's a series that celebrates the lives and work of people who have transformed communities, businesses, and the wider world, making a real difference in the lives of others. We call them “Difference Makers”. Oh, and by the way… they are all Chartered Accountants!
In this first episode we meet David Nussbaum, a true Difference Maker. Throughout his career he's fought corruption, battled climate change, and worked at the highest levels of industry and politics to make meaningful change in the world.
He qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Price Waterhouse, moved into venture capital with 3i, and then into manufacturing, becoming the Financial Director of Field Group plc
In 1997 David left the world of business and finance and joined Oxfam as FD and Deputy CEO and was later seconded to head up Oxfam’s operations in India. David went on to become Chair of Transparency International, the leading global anti-corruption organisation, CEO of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) UK, and now Chief Executive at The Elders. The Elders are an independent group of global leaders working together for peace, justice and human rights. They were founded by the late Nelson Mandela, and are currently chaired by Mary Robinson.
In each of these roles he used the knowledge, perspective, skills and capabilities that he gained from his background as a Chartered Accountant to make a difference. Whether that was through using his skills with numbers to improve logistics for aid operations, using numbers to help tell the story of corruption in countries around the world, using communication and interpersonal skills to help further the goal of persuading leaders to work with a greater sense of justice, ethics, and consideration for the good of all.
He ends by quoting Arch-bishop Desmond Tutu, who when asked why he was such an eternal optimist, replied: "I'm not an optimist, I am a prisoner of hope".
The Difference Makers Podcast is available on all good podcast apps.
In this episode, Professor Ndubuisi Ekekwe, a globally successful inventor, engineer, author, entrepreneur and Harvard Business Review contributor, speaks passionately about ‘Resilience, Sustainability and Entrepreneurship’.
Professor Ekekwe outlined the elements required to build capabilities and overcome challenges in our society as Knowledge, Entrepreneurial Capitalism, Capital, Land and Labour.
“When you have the capacity to create new knowledge you build a high level of reliance” says Professor Ekekwe. He highlights knowledge as the key to the resilience of nations. “Universities such as Harvard, MIT, John Hopkins, Princeton allow a nation to renew itself from one generation to the other” he says.
He also outlines the critical need for entrepreneurs or pioneers to translate ideas into products and services “because in the end, the only thing that can overcome the problems in society are products and services. If you do not have people with the capacity to transform ideas and knowledge into products and services, societies cannot even function."
"I want to challenge you…unless you build a nation of innovation we will not reach our promised land." says Professor Ekekwe.
In this episode, Girish Ananthanarayanan, COO of the education non-profit Peepul, talks about the importance of building trust for delivering good and effective leadership.
“Trust that your team has entrusted themselves with you, and trust that they are trying their best. Have high expectations of them, but also support them in their journey, which may look different from yours,” Girish says. “Nobody wakes up in the morning and says they’re going to be a horrible person who doesn’t get the job done: that’s not what happens… Trust is at the core of collaboration; trust is at the core of unlocking peak performance.”
Today’s leaders need to be self-aware and think about how their actions affect others. Leaders who reflect on their actions discover what areas they need to work on and improve. This isn’t always easy. “The toughest part of this is recognising that you could be a bull in a china shop; that you could be part of the problem and not part of the solution,” says Girish.
Leaders need to be vulnerable and open with the teams around them at times, Girish added. He acknowledged this gets harder as people rise through their careers, but that’s what makes it so important to preserve this approach.
“What happens to people as they reach senior positions – heads of state or heads of organisations – is that feedback loops get cut. They don’t have a way of knowing if they’re doing well from their team honestly, in a risk-free way. You need to ensure that you’ve got those feedback loops,” he said.
Leaders also have a duty to drive performance in their organisations, and it can be tricky to strike the right balance with promoting personal and professional development of the team. Leaders can overcome a tendency to micromanage by trusting the team, Girish says.
In this episode, Innandya Irawan, co-founder of CarbonEthics, talks about how important it is for leaders to “choose to be kind instead of to be right”. This calls for a level of self-awareness, so that leaders can have open discussions with their team.
“Try not to scold if they make mistakes but be honest with them and let them have ownership, not just accountability. Let them be part of a decision and it helps them to have more professional commitment,” she says.
The second quality that today’s leader needs is humility. “Leadership, for me, is not about a pay cheque, authority or recognition; it’s about the readiness to serve others,” says Innandya.
“It’s about equipping others with the right tools and strategies to help break down barriers and leading through example in this world we’re living in that’s vulnerable, uncertain, complex and ambiguous,”
When working with volunteers, her first question is always to ask how she can help them to develop and grow
Leaders should get to know the team on a personal level, understand their professional or personal goals. “As a leader in the NGO that I’m in or in the corporation, I’m presented with the opportunity to make an impact in someone’s life on a daily basis, and my aim is always to leave a positive footprint wherever I go. I think the ultimate test of great leaders is whether their people felt they were a better person than the first time that they came in to join the organisation. To do that, it means you’ve got to take a stand for their development as well.”
In this episde Hauwa Ojeifo. Mental Health Coach & founder of Nigeria’s first mental health helpline, speaks about how resilience is a muscle - the more you use it, the stronger it gets.
Hauwa recalls her time working in the finance industry. At the time, the culture in the industry was that stress was something that you should wear as a badge of honour. She felt that in order to progress she had to work long hours, weekends, and always be available. However, the stress of working too hard brought her to the edge of mental breakdown. Her firm did not offer her the support she needed and she took a decision to put her mental health first and quit her job.
Not protecting the mental health of employees robs the person of their potential to achieve but it also means that the company also misses out on the contribution that the employee could have made to it's development.
"Mental health needs to be a priority for everyone. Burnout is not a badge of honour." says Hauwa.
In this episode Monica Moisin, a lawyer and founder of the Cultural Intellectual Property Rights Initiative, talks about the importance of integrity and values.
Leadership isn’t just about accomplishments but about setting a path for others to follow. She says that: “Leadership is not only about getting things done, but it’s also about creating a vision for where we want to get. The vision is extremely important, being able to dream a bit more than we can reach… that’s always important. But there has to be balance: it cannot just be vision and dreaming; there has to be accountability.”
The purpose that a leader shows must be backed by a strong sense of integrity. Monica urges listeners to: “Find one mission of social impact that you invest in. We are here today all together to find a way to move forward: a system where the wellbeing of people is at the forefront; where profit is not the only measure of success.”
Today’s informed consumers are more likely to hold brands to account when they don’t behave ethically. “Today more than ever, transparency and integrity in business are of paramount importance. Business models that do not value every actor across the supply chain are doomed to fail, and this includes artisans, craftspeople, custodians of traditional knowledge,” Monica says.
In this episode Nomindari speaks about how in Mongolia the banking sector has been a driver for change, embarking on a sustainable finance journey which resulted in the adoption of a national sustainable finance strategy and principles across the sector. She also outlined how the banking sector has inspired other business communities in the country.
Nomindari’s Top Tips: sustainability can be driven from the bottom up with a market based approach, even in a country where the government is not so active on sustainability policies. Change can be driven from the market itself.
"The power that we have as financial and business professionals is just endless, so please use it proactively and ignite change wherever you are." she says.
Nomindari is the CEO of The Mongolian Sustainable Finance Association (MSFA) which was formed by the Mongolian Bankers Association (MBA) in December 2017 with the vision to become a sustainable finance knowledge and leadership centre in the region. The MSFA closely collaborates with various stakeholders to create cross-sector linkages and cohesive action to promote the role of finance in sustainability, climate change resilience and ecological preservation.
She is also a Portfolio Management Consultant – SDG Finance at The Joint SDG Fund which supports countries accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to deliver on the commitment of the 2030Agenda to leave no one behind. The Joint SDG Fund incentivizes countries to draw on cutting edge expertise and innovation from across the United Nations development system and a broad range of partners to strategically invest in SDG acceleration that is tailored to different country contexts.
In this episode, Kayvan Kian, author of 'What is Water? How Young Leaders Can Thrive in an Uncertain World' , speaks about how we can build resilience by concentrating on the things that we can control.
Kayvan Kian shifts the focus away from things that overwhelm and toward ways of thinking that will help us to grow stronger through facing adversity.
In this episode, Selva Montealegre, Diversity and Inclusion at AB InBev, takes forward the theme of accountability.
She advises the audience to form a network of people who share similar values. In her case, she is part of a peer group that removes anyone who isn’t living up to the collective standards and values. “That will help you to make yourself and the people around you accountable,” she says.
It’s also a transparent way of operating, Selva adds. “There is no place for corruption; there is no place for unethical practices. It depends on us. We are building the future and I invite you to connect to transparency and ethics built on strong pillars around you. Surround yourself with a network that shares the same values and dreams you have,” she says.
In this episode Sheree Atcheson explains what it means to be an actionable ally.
An ally is someone who actively, and proactively, works to promote a culture of inclusion that benefits – and prevents harm to – everyone as a whole. Being an ally is intersectional: white women can be allies to people of colour, heterosexuals can be allies to the LGBT+ community, able-bodied people can be allies of the disabled.
To be an effective ally, you first have to understand your own level of privilege and explore what you can do to help bring about change. It is about building long-term, trusting, and accountable relationships with the groups that you are trying to help. Further, to be a good ally, you need to really listen to – and advocate for – people by lifting them up.
Sheree Atcheson is Global Director of Diversity, Equality at Peakon.
This episode features Dr Raghu Kiran Appasani. Psychiatrist, Neuroscientist, Mental Health Advocate. In this podcast Dr Appasani speaks about how we can build resilience through the power of community.
Uncertainty, anxiety, crisis, confusion: these are words many of us have been wrestling with in our daily lives as the pandemic has played out.
The “Getting Your Mind Right” webinar, from which this podcast is taken, explored how we need to build our resilience and ensure our minds are equipped not only to manage through the current crisis but to lead for the future.
In this podcast Farwiza Farhan, a conservation activist and campaigner working in Sumatra, described her personal journey which grew from a love of nature but then developed into anger at how people and businesses were damaging the environment in the name of profit. However this subsequently evolved as she understood the importance of acknowledging other people’s points of view.
“Throughout the years of campaigning and trying to convince people to protect the environment, I learned to find and extend compassion. It’s not enough to know the science about the environment and the climate … we [have to] begin to understand one another.”
Farwiza is the chairperson of Forest, Nature and Environment Aceh Foundation (Yayasan HAkA), a grassroots organisation based in Aceh, Sumatra, Indonesia that focus on the conservation, protection and restoration of the Leuser Ecosystem. She mainly work on the policy and advocacy aspects, seeking to increase meaningful access and involvement of local community in the development of policy pertaining to their environment and livelihood.
Marc Alain Boucicault is founder of Banj, the first and biggest entrepreneurship hub of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. In this podcast you'll hear Marc Alain outline the ingredients needed for resilient, sustainable and innovative ecosystems.
Marc Alain shared 3 things he wished he knew sooner on his entrepreneurial journey:
- Start building networks early.
- Find a great idea and build it sustainably by starting small, test and grow.
- Build strong partnerships, don’t go at this alone.
Marc Alain also refers to the UN Sustainable Development Goals as a starting point for direction and purpose. “Look at the SDG’s, full of problems around the world. If you can find a solution, that’s great, you are relevant. Then you need to build something strong around it – we call it a business model.”
He concluded by speaking about the need to begin with a business model but to think beyond that.
If you want to build a strong ecosystem don’t just think about building a great business, think about building a great network that’s going deep into the social tissue around you. Make sure that everything you do is really looking at the opportunity to bring people together and create value together.
In this episode, Ravi Abeywardana, Technical Director, Climate Disclosure Standards Board speaks about how to ensure climate sustainability commitments are embedded within an organisation and not simply ‘corporate green-washing’.
It’s easy to see that accountants have all the skills to support climate action within the companies we operate in; doing what we do best, challenging and testing positions and assumptions and ensuring comparable and consistent opinion.
Ravi talks about learning how to turn knowledge into action - “the good thing is that the accountant does not need to be an expert in climate, but you do need to ask the correct questions and understand how climate change could impact the numbers we manage in our books on a day-to-day basis. Therefore, my suggestion to you is take free courses, such as those on the TCFD knowledge hub, and put them into action. It’s not revolutionary but you can start today.”
He also speaks about the importance of collaboration and bringing others on the journey. “Work with your sustainability department or a good consultant to ask questions and find ways to collaborate. Connect with your financial controllers, financial directors and CEOs to advocate for the implementation of climate related disclosures.The audio in this episode is a little bit glitchy due to technical difficulties at the time of recording. However, the message is well worth listening to and we hope you enjoy it.
In this podcast Caroline McGroary explains how you have the power to start an initiative and to make a real difference in your community, for example by helping to boost the financial literacy.
Caroline tells us about the time she spent in Saudi Arabia working to improve the financial literacy of women. Staggeringly, over 60% of Saudi women don’t have bank accounts. This contributes towards issues in the home and in the workplace and leads to gender inequality. Caroline wanted to work under the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal (UN SDGs) framework, focusing on quality education and gender equality (SDG goals 4 and 5).
As a direct result of the #FinBiz2030 initiative, Caroline designed a series of financial literacy workshops (in conjunction with partners including One Young World and Chartered Accountants Worldwide and Chartered Accountants Ireland) to educate and empower her students to go out into their local communities and educate people about the importance of financial literacy.
Caroline McGroary is a Chartered Accountant and Assistant Professor at Dublin City University. She is a 2021 One Young World Delegate representing Chartered Accountants Ireland.
Jonny Jacobs CA, Financial Director EMEA at Starbucks, is a passionate advocate for positive mental health.
In this podcast he speaks openly about his own struggles with mental health in his teens and talked about the importance of acknowledging challenges people may be experiencing in their lives.
Mental health is not necessarily a subject that finance people often talk about, but after being asked to speak about it at a Chartered Accountancy event, Jonny was approached by people who found his talk inspiring. “Each time we share a story, we send a lifeboat of hope to somebody else,” he says.
Helping and supporting others is not just a moral and social responsibility in leadership but also has a business case, Jonny argued. “Actually, a healthy economy is about our environment, our communities, our employees – and the health of our employees.” He cited figures which showed the global cost of mental ill health is one trillion dollars. In the UK alone, mental health-related issues carry a £40 billion cost to business and a further £80 billion in social cost. “If we don’t get the health of our workforce right, then how can we have really healthy economies?”
Gareth Parkin, CFO and Senior Vice President at Messer Americas, explains the business case for doing good.
Gareth began by examining the fundamental role of deploying capital and the need to move on and think about organisational portfolios and how to increase spend on sustainable objectives. Gareth described his own experience and how ESG is now an embedded part of his organisation’s credit rating and what his investors want to know about. He also shared examples of trends that will deliver true economic value and deliver sustainable impact, e.g. in the US decarbonisation economy, hydrogen mobility was a pipe dream a few years ago and needed government backing previously; this isn’t the case anymore. Gareth believes that we are now on the cusp and if corporations are aligning the quality of their earnings with sustainability, it is a process that will be here for decades.
Gareth’s Top Tips; building a business case for investment in sustainable growth A traditional business case and a business case for doing good are not mutually exclusive but you need to sometimes think of these larger investments in a slightly different way. 1) Think long-term, this goes beyond a traditional contract term of 15-20years into generational terms. You need to shift the mindset 2) Look at how to lower capital costs and risks eg. look to partner with people to share some of the financial risks or some of the technology risks. 3) As a CFO, don’t just look at the risk, look at the strategic opportunity.
Angelique Pouponneau talks about the threat of climate change to the oceans and the economies of small island communities. She explains the importance of public finance, private finance and people power, in creating partnerships to save the oceans.
The audio in this episode is a little bit glitchy due to technical difficulties at the time of recording. However, the message is well worth listening to and we hope you enjoy it.
Angelique is the Chief Executive Officer of the Seychelles’ Conservation and Climate Adaptation Trust. Currently worth about $22 million, the trust supports community-led projects on marine conservation and climate change.
She is a lawyer (Seychelles and UK,) and she holds an LLM in Environmental law specializing in the law of the sea and natural resources law. She is also a trained climate change negotiator under the AOSIS Climate Change Fellowship Programme at the United Nations.
Angelique has worked in different countries in the Caribbean, Pacific and the Indian Ocean on a wide-range of projects relating sustainable fisheries, sustainable management of marine biodiversity within and beyond national jurisdiction, and climate change – in particular, climate adaptation, loss and damage and climate finance. Further, she served as a legal expert of the African Group of the Sixth Committee in works of oceans and law of the sea at the United Nations.
Moreover, Angelique has experience working with civil society as a co-founder for a not-for-profit organization in Seychelles, and a Board member of a Commonwealth-wide youth-led organization.
Dr. Mosima Mabunda faced multiple challenges in one at the start of her career. Newly relocated to London with her husband, she needed to find the capital to fund her study for an MBA at Oxford University, while seven months pregnant with her first child. Even after giving birth, she combined her studies with working as a locum in a hospital ward which meant long hours away from her young son.
Despite these difficulties, Dr Mosima said she was grateful for the experience now because it taught her that she was able to do more than she had thought she was able to. “I took from that experience that you have more capacity than you realise. Sometimes it takes being pushed against a wall to make you realise that … what looks like a closed door or a wall is actually a growth opportunity; it’s an opportunity for you to show up differently and try different things. There is always a way.”
Now, Mr Mosima is the head of Vitality Wellness at Discovery, one of South Africa’s most innovative companies. “Given what I’ve been through and what I’ve had to overcome, I now believe in the art of the possible. I now thrive on problem solving and enjoy it,” she said.
Kalm Paul-Christian grew up in a deprived neighbourhood in London. He talks about how he overcame the challenges he faced at school, university and in his career and personal life, and shares his life lessons with us in this podcast.
Kalm Paul-Christian FRSA, Investment Banker, One Young Word Ambassador, is working in FIG M&A at one of the UK’s preeminent banking institutions. He began his career in Rothschild & Co’s Global Financial Advisory Division before joining The Social Investment Consultancy advising corporates, large funds and charities on social investment and social impact prior to returning to investment banking.
A keen advocate for social mobility and international development, Kalm has served advisory roles for the University of Oxford, Sponsors of Educational Opportunity London, The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust, Common Purpose International, Ethical Angels and The Social Investment Consultancy. He is a graduate of the University of Oxford, Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts, Freeman of the City of London, and member of the Global Nexus angel investor network for philanthropists and social investors. Most significant of all, he is a proud father of a curious 3 year old girl.
Kalm grew up on east London’s notorious Beaumont Estate in Leyton, throughout the early 2000’s into 2010 before the main estate was demolished, where he attended a state school that entered into special measures. He was forced to relocate from the area after his mother’s car was shot at, and the police relocated him to another borough. He temporarily lived with his father until his house was burned down and was forced to move again. As a result he was almost removed from the grammar school he had gotten into for my A-level studies due to breaching the catchment area. Despite these challenges he eventually graduated from the University of Oxford here served numerous prestigious roles, including Vice President of both the Oxford Business Guild and the Oxford University African and Caribbean Society.
He is quoted as saying: “I almost lost the opportunity I had to use education as a means of transitioning beyond my immediate environment. For that reason I have been forever committed to preserving education, and access to opportunity for future generations as a means of social mobility.”
Nathaniel Japhta talks about the challenges of growing up in the Cape Flats, one of the most violent neighbourhoods in South Africa, and the importance of being a role model and a mentor for young people trying to escape difficult backgrounds.
Nathaniel Japhta is a Chartered Accountant and Entrepreneur that is passionate about people and changing lives. There have been a number of experiences that defined Nathaniel’s upbringing and his outlook on life. He grew up in the Cape Flats in South Africa – one of the toughest places to live for any youngster. There is a constant lure of gangsterism, violence and drugs, extremely under-resources schools and many doesn’t know how to escape it all. Nathaniel overcame these challenges and he was the first in his family to go to university and earn a tertiary qualification.
Despite being a smart and hardworking young man, he admits that he would not have gotten as far as he did have it not been for the people around him, who spoke potential into his life.
Today he owns multiple businesses and is the founder of Pro 226 Africa, an organisation focused on education and sport. His global partners are ex NBA and Euroleague superstars.