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Digital skills

Technology has enabled automation of many elements of accountancy and this provides an opportunity for chartered accountants to utilise their professional skills but also the need to add to them.

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Time management skills for technological advances
Robotic process automation a vision of the future
Where does Malaysia sit on the digital scale
Insights

Time management skills for technological advances

The benefits and challenges with technology adoption are often two sides of the same coin. ICAEW’s Head of Data Analytics and Tech, Ian Pay, explores some practical steps to overcome the technology paradox.
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Insights

Robotic process automation: a vision of the future

It’s a hot topic in finance right now. Rob Binns, CFO at Access Group, discusses why accountants should embrace, not fear, the acceleration of digital transformation.
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Insights

Where does Malaysia sit on the digital scale?

Malaysia is a fast-growing economy, and digital is a big driver of growth. What needs to happen for it to really take off?
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Articles and features

View our features and articles covering the topic of digital skills.
Trade logistics is the lifeblood of an economy
  • Article
  • 07 Jan 2022
The digitisation of logistics services, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has helped to facilitate the smooth operation of supply chains. But where can accountants add value?
Where does Malaysia sit on the digital scale?
  • Article
  • 13 Sep 2021
Malaysia is a fast-growing economy, and digital is a big driver of growth. What needs to happen for it to really take off?
Doing business in the digital metaverse
  • Article
  • 06 Sep 2021
Over the next decade or so, the way that we work could become increasingly virtual. Pioneering companies are already moving in this direction.
Finance transformation: a problem for now or the future?
  • Article
  • 01 Sep 2021
Finance transformation will be one of the most in-demand skills over the next 10 years, says career coach for financial professionals, Oliver Deacon.
Pandemic drives severe skills shortage in the professional sector
  • Article
  • 29 Jun 2021
Almost a third of employers across the financial, professional and business services sector are struggling to recruit due to widespread skills shortages aggravated by the COVID pandemic.
Hybrid working: making the tech work for teams
  • Article
  • 24 May 2021
The pandemic has ushered in a new model of working, with many businesses considering adopting more flexibility in the longer term. That’s certainly the case for the Oil and Gas Authority, which is set to adopt a hybrid working method for its post-pandemic way of working.
Why finance teams need to upskill now
  • Article
  • 10 May 2021
COVID-19 has accelerated digital adoption across all business sectors. The finance function needs to embrace tech and develop new skills to keep up.
Exclusive Digital skills at work – a neglected gap
  • Article
  • 08 Apr 2021
For some time now, there has been a steady stream of reports and publications which discuss the impact of changes in technology on skills required in the workplace and identify a “digital skills gap” in some form.

Reports and thought leadership

Exclusive What should be future-proofed for careers and firms?
  • Article
  • 02 Dec 2019
Richard Anning looks at what skills need to be future-proofed for careers and firms, using statistics from the most recent Mid-Market Tech Forum.
Digital transformation in finance functions: ASEAN and UK perspectives
  • Thought leadership report
  • 02 Oct 2019
This thought leadership report provides a rare insight into how digital transformation is being managed in practice across a range of different business settings and highlights pertinent considerations for leaders undertaking their own transformation projects.

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Finance in a digital world

eBooks

The Library & Information Service provides a hand-picked collection of eBooks as a benefit of membership. If you are unable to access an eBook, please see our Help and support or contact library@icaew.com
Exclusive Accounting disrupted
  • eBook
  • 03 Mar 2021
This book delivers a powerful analysis of the new technological forces buffeting the accounting profession. Using case studies and practical examples, the author demonstrates how big data, blockchain, robotic process automation and artificial intelligence can help accountants adapt to new realities.
Exclusive Analytics and big data for accountants
  • eBook
  • 07 Dec 2020
This book will help accountants and financial managers better understand big data and analytics, including its history and current trends. It dives into the platforms and operating tools that will help you measure program impacts and ROI, visualize data and business processes, and uncover the relationship between key performance indicators.
Exclusive Artificial Intelligence for Audit, Forensic Accounting, and Valuation : A Strategic Perspective
  • eBook
  • 25 Aug 2020
An artificial intelligence revolution is sweeping through the world. Auditors and forensic accountants in firms of all sizes and types are trying to understand what it means for them. Many want to explore how to build plans for total intelligent automation to move their companies forward into the new AI economy.
Exclusive Digital finance: big data, start-ups, and the future of financial services
  • eBook
  • 25 Sep 2019
This book takes a thoughtful look at how the digital finance industry is evolving. It explains how to integrate digital finance concepts into existing traditional finance platforms and explores what successful companies are doing to maximize their opportunities in this context.
Exclusive Fintech book, The: the financial technology handbook for investors, entrepreneurs and visionaries
  • eBook
  • 01 Jan 2016
A guide to the financial technology revolution for entrepreneurs, bankers and investors with information required to capitalise on this market.
Terms of use

You are permitted to access, download, copy, or print out content from eBooks for your own research or study only, subject to the terms of use set by our suppliers and any restrictions imposed by individual publishers. Please see individual supplier pages for full terms of use.

Industry press

The Library & Information Service provides a hand-picked collection of industry press articles as a benefit of membership. If you are unable to access an article, please see our Help and support or contact library@icaew.com
Exclusive ChatGPT and the accounting profession: a transformation in the early stages
  • Article
  • 31 Jul 2024
The article focuses on the transformative potential of generative artificial intelligence (AI), particularly ChatGPT, in the accounting profession. Topics include its impact on accountants through automation and efficiency, the common use cases in accounting workflows, and the risks associated with misinformation, bias, privacy, and plagiarism.
Exclusive AI: It’s not the tool that determines your success
  • Article
  • 29 Jul 2024
Article discusses how accounting firms are utilising artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline their operations and enhance client communication. AI tools are being used to analyse complex documents, automate repetitive tasks, and generate content such as tax position documents. While some accounting leaders have embraced AI for its time-saving benefits, others have concerns about accuracy, data security, and client trust. Accounting firms are implementing AI for various tasks, but human review remains crucial for accuracy and protecting client data. It is important for accounting professiona...
Exclusive Let the machines do it!
  • Article
  • 29 Jul 2024
Article looks at how accounting firms are increasingly using automation to improve their workflows and meet client expectations. Automation offers benefits such as increased accuracy, reduced risk of errors, and improved efficiency. Automation tools, including AI, are evolving to provide more efficient and accurate solutions for accounting firms. The article highlights specific automation tools that firms are using to streamline processes and save time, emphasising the importance of finding the right solutions for each firm's needs. The article concludes by stating that automation should empow...
Exclusive AI and transformation … who is responsible?
  • Article
  • 01 Apr 2024
This article discusses the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in accountancy firms and how it is transforming tax compliance-related services. It explores the benefits of AI in data aggregation, streamlining tax preparation, improving the tax professional's experience and job satisfaction, enhancing the client experience, and improving operations. The article emphasizes the importance of leadership and mindset in embracing AI and highlights the increasing inventory of AI tools available.
Exclusive Half empty, or half full?
  • Article
  • 01 Apr 2024
The article provides an overview of the current state of the accounting profession, offering perspectives from senior leaders of top accounting firms. These leaders acknowledge that the profession is facing both challenges and opportunities. They discuss the potential benefits and drawbacks of technological advancements and the shortage of accountants. Despite these challenges, firm leaders believe that overcoming them will lead to success. They also emphasize the positive economic environment and the chance to provide more valuable services and embrace innovation. . The article highlights the...
Exclusive No more 'wait and see'
  • Article
  • 01 Feb 2024
Article discusses how accounting firms are increasingly embracing artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI to improve efficiency and gain a competitive edge. Many firms are exploring the various applications of AI, such as internal virtual agents, client communication and automation, data analysis and anomaly detection, and tax and client services. While there is a growing acceptance of AI within the profession, some accountants still have concerns about work quality, data accuracy, fiscal costs, undetected bias, and ethical issues. It is important for firms to have proper AI guidelines ...
Exclusive Ready for a renaissance: the art of the audit is getting a major technological boost
  • Article
  • 01 Sep 2023
Article discusses the convergence of innovative technologies and increased client and staff expectations which is spurring notable changes within the audit profession. The Artificial Intelligence (AI) scans each document, identifies its relationship to the client engagement, and accurately files it, allowing your staff the time to focus on the more complex aspects of the audit and the client relationship
Exclusive Reskilling for AI
  • Article
  • 01 Sep 2023
Article discuses how millions of workers may need to be reskilled in the face of ever quickening technological advances and that although companies have a crucial role in addressing this challenge, many have yet to take it seriously. Leaders at 40 organisations that re investing in large scale reskilling projects are interviewed.
Terms of use

You are permitted to access articles subject to the terms of use set by our suppliers and any restrictions imposed by individual publishers. Please see individual supplier pages for full terms of use.

Useful links

Auditors of the future — what are the skills needed in a digital age?
  • Website
  • 18 Feb 2020
Article explaining how the changing audit environment, as influenced by technology, is shaping the audit profession and identifies which skills are needed for auditors to be future proof.
Bridging the skills gap in finance functions
  • Website
  • 08 Feb 2016
Research paper exploring the challenges senior finance professionals have faced in attempting to equip their teams to meet new demands and the most successful strategies for obtaining or developing the skills required.
Building a successful upskilling strategy in the financial sector
  • Website
  • 30 Oct 2020
Article giving advice on how financial services firms can improve their teams skills during uncertain times.
Effective hybrid working: practical guidance
  • Website
  • 03 Dec 2021
The CIPD has jointly produced practical guidance to support effective hybrid working as part of its involvement in the Flexible Working Taskforce.
Hybrid working - the future of work?
  • Website
  • 30 Jun 2021
Article looks at what is hybrid working, what is its benefits and challenges and will it work in accounting and finance professionals.
Hybrid working in financial services: managing the regulatory risks
  • Website
  • 01 Nov 2021
Article from KPMG that informs that regulatory guidance and good practice are emerging to help inform financial services firms that are adopting hybrid working.
Hybrid working: what does it mean for the future of work?
  • Website
  • 21 Jun 2021
Comment from Said Business School on the future of hybrid working and its impacts across sectors including Financial Services.
Planning for hybrid working
  • Website
  • 19 Feb 2024
CIPD guidance on how to plan hybrid working where part of the time is spent in the office and part working from  home.
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Generative AI guide

Explore the possibilities of generative AI in accounting with our guide.
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AI using computer