Accountants in Kenya face major challenges due to the digital transformation across the globe, with artificial intelligence now a must-have in systems.
However, with technology comes digital challenges, and accountants no longer have to only check on social integrity but also learn digital integrity.
More than 1,000 accountants from across Africa were told to positively embrace AI, ethical leadership and sustainability skills to remain relevant in the changing global economy.
Speaking during the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants’ African Members Convention 2025 in Mombasa, ACCA Africa director Jamil Ampomah said technology is transforming the accounting profession.
“Professionals must move beyond traditional bookkeeping roles and become strategic business advisers,” he said.
Ampomah also said accountants must be guardians of digital integrity even as the globe manoeuvres around the skills gap that exists with AI now almost taking over.
“Every organisation has its own plan to bridge this skills shortage. This means that every ACCA accountant should be equipped with profound understanding of all these disciplines and skills,” the Africa director said.
ACCA global president Melanie Proffitt said accountants must surge beyond their normal roles and ensure the organisations they work for do not fall victim to digital fraud.
AI, Proffitt said, is changing the way accountants work, liberating them from the routine repetitive tasks traditionally associated with accountancy.
She said AI presents both risks and opportunities for the profession, but accountants are uniquely positioned to act as “custodians of trust” as organisations integrate automated systems into financial reporting and decision-making.
“AI brings risks such as bias and errors, but it also creates opportunities,” Proffitt said.
“Professional accountants have the ethical competence and human judgment required to check these risks, strengthen controls and ensure that stakeholders can trust information produced with the help of AI.”
Kenya Airways CEO Alla Kilavuka said today’s accountant is not expected to be that traditional financial record keeper and custodians of the records.
“Now, we expect you to guard the digital integrity. You have to be digitally literate,” Kilavuka said.
ACCA East Africa head George Njari said local contexts must be considered as the profession adapts to digital transformation.
He said ACCA engages with regional professionals to address issues on how technology will affect accounting.
“Our role is to support members and employers in the region to understand how AI can be applied responsibly, while safeguarding professional standards,” he said.
ACCA Africa head of public affairs Jane Ohadike said they have already embedded AI and ethics training into their professional curriculum to prepare current and future accountants for technology-driven workplaces.
“We have infused this into our learning from the professional qualification level. Our students are taught to understand the ethical implications of AI, including potential bias and misuse of data,” Ohadike said.
ACCA’s technical policy lead for Africa and India, Evelyn Isioye, said technology is quickly becoming more influential in business processes.
This means ethical conduct, which remains the backbone of the accounting profession, must be observed at all times, Isioye said.
“ACCA-qualified accountants are bound by a strict code of ethics. Integrity and ethical behaviour underpin our qualification, and this will be even more critical in the era of AI,” she said.
She said ACCA is collaborating with governments, accountancy bodies and other stakeholders to strengthen professional capacity and promote ethical standards across African markets.
by BRIAN OTIENO
