CUHK School of Accountancy, CIG and AICPA & CIMA host Rise2040 Conference on the future of finance and accounting - CUHK Business School

On 17 August 2026, the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) Business School’s School of Accountancy, the Centre for Institutions and Governance (CIG) and AICPA & CIMA jointly hosted Rise2040: Future of Finance and Accounting, bringing together academics, finance professionals, business leaders and students to discuss how artificial intelligence is reshaping the profession and the capabilities required to thrive in an increasingly digital world.

In his welcome remarks, Mr Louis Lin, FCMA, CGMA (PACC 2010), chairman of the CIMA Hong Kong SAR Area Committee, highlighted the growing impact of artificial intelligence on the profession and emphasised the importance of preparing future-ready talent for an evolving business landscape.

Professor George Yang, director of the CUHK School of Accountancy, welcomed participants and underscored the importance of continuous learning in a rapidly changing business environment. He also reaffirmed the School’s commitment to nurturing future-ready accounting and finance professionals.

Shaping the future of finance and accounting

In the keynote session, Mr Will Hutchinson, FCMA, CGMA, Director of Finance, IT and Legal at Sainsbury’s Argos Asia, shared key findings from the global Rise2040 initiative. Drawing on insights gathered from more than 7,500 professionals across 25 countries, he highlighted several themes shaping the future of finance and accounting, including trust, technological transformation, human-centred leadership and lifelong learning. He emphasised that while AI will continue to reshape business processes, human judgement, ethics and critical thinking will remain central to the profession’s future development.

The evolution of accounting and the impact of AI

Professor George Yang examined the evolution of accounting and its relevance in the age of artificial intelligence. He noted that accounting is not merely a system of record-keeping, but a way of understanding businesses and supporting decision-making. While AI can greatly enhance the processing and analysis of information, knowledge, wisdom and professional judgement continue to depend on human learning and experience. He emphasised that accounting remains fundamental to understanding businesses and supporting effective decision-making in the AI era.

AI and digital innovation in practice

The conference also featured a fireside chat on AI and Digital Innovation in Practice, moderated by Mr Sam Yee, FCMA, CGMA, featuring Mr Johnny Li, ACMA, CGMA, Asia Digital Leader at Mercer Marsh Benefits. Drawing on his industry experience, Mr Li discussed how organisations are adapting to rapid technological change and stressed the importance of digital literacy, adaptability and effective human-AI collaboration in driving innovation and business performance.

From left to right: Mr Sam Yee and Mr Johnny Li

From vision to action

The conference concluded with a panel discussion titled “The Road to 2040: From Vision to Action”, moderated by Mr Stephen Walsh, FCMA, CGMA, Director, Managed Services, KPMG. The panel featured Ms Joey Chung, Group Head of Human Resources, Haitong International Securities Group; Mr Mark Clayton, FCMA, CGMA, Group CFO, C2W Group; Mr Edmond Lau, FCMA, CGMA, CFO, Cyberport; Mr Simon Suen, FCMA, CGMA; and Ms Yan Zhang, CFO, Hilti Greater China. Panellists shared perspectives on AI adoption, organisational transformation and talent development, agreeing that trust, professional judgement, adaptability and continuous learning will remain essential capabilities in the future workplace.

From left to right: Mr Stephen Walsh, Ms Joey Chung, Mr Mark Clayton, Mr Edmond Lau, Mr Simon Suen and Ms Yan Zhang

Looking ahead

Bringing together perspectives from academia, industry and professional practice, the conference provided a valuable platform for exploring the future of finance and accounting in an AI-driven world. Across the keynote session, fireside chat and panel discussion, a common theme emerged: while technology will continue to transform the way work is performed, human trust, judgement and leadership will remain at the heart of the profession.

In his closing remarks, Mr Louis Lin, FCMA, CGMA reminded participants that the future is not something to be passively observed, but actively shaped. As organisations navigate an increasingly technology-enabled landscape, the profession must embrace innovation while continuing to uphold the trust, integrity and professional judgement that have long defined its relevance and credibility.