Generative AI has been identified as the most critical skill for finance professionals in Southeast Asia over the next five years, according to a survey by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ). Despite this, most organisations in the region lack formal training programmes to develop these skills.
The survey, which included 1,600 finance professionals globally, revealed that 39% of Southeast Asian respondents ranked GenAI tools as a top-three skill, surpassing data visualisation (34%) and process automation (29%). However, traditional skills like programming and database management were rated much lower.
This focus on AI skills comes as regional regulators, including the Monetary Authority of Singapore, push for more structured AI governance. Despite the growing importance of AI, 93% of finance professionals globally express concerns about the integrity and verifiability of AI-generated insights, citing issues such as inaccuracies and lack of transparency.
Helen Brand, ACCA Chief Executive, emphasised the need for upskilling, stating, “CFOs and finance teams need to lead in the responsible adoption of AI across organisations.” Ainslie van Onselen, CEO of CA ANZ, added that AI should be used to enhance judgement and value, not just speed up processes.
The report highlights a skills gap, with 72% of respondents having only basic or no GenAI skills, though 41% are pursuing training independently. As finance roles evolve, bridging this gap through structured learning and collaboration with IT and data teams is crucial for leveraging AI effectively.
