The Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) Academy has unveiled a hands-on artificial intelligence (AI) training programme across ASEAN, aimed at addressing the region’s skills gap in finance and accounting. This initiative, launched on 9 April 2026, equips professionals with practical AI capabilities, such as automating Excel workflows and deploying AI agents, to enhance productivity.
Developed in collaboration with Singapore-based AI training specialist Skybots, the programme focuses on real-world applications using tools like Microsoft Copilot. It aims to deliver immediate productivity gains, with participants able to replicate outputs directly in their roles. The programme will initially target 2,500 finance professionals across key ASEAN markets, including Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines.
Cyndi Pei, Chairperson of ISCA Academy, emphasised the programme’s strategic importance, stating, “The window for treating AI as a theoretical topic is closing. Finance professionals across ASEAN are now expected to apply AI in their daily work—safely, effectively, and immediately.”
Unlike traditional AI courses, ISCA Academy’s programme is task-based, allowing participants to work on scenarios like financial analysis and workflow automation. Early pilot sessions have shown significant time savings, with tasks completed in minutes rather than hours. The programme also stresses responsible AI use, embedding ethics and compliance considerations into every module.
Skybots’ Founder, Daryl Aw, highlighted the programme’s accessibility, noting that it requires no coding knowledge or significant investment. The initiative reflects a broader shift in ASEAN, where AI adoption is expanding into core business functions, enabling professionals to generate real value from AI from day one.
