Green accounting - digital accounting: Innovative and sustainable resources for the future

On October 30, in Hanoi, the 24th ASEAN Federation of Accountants (24th AFA Conference) with the theme "green accounting and finance - shaping a sustainable future" officially opened, with the participation of 1,500 domestic and international delegates.

This is a particularly significant event, hosted by Vietnam as the Chair of the ASEAN Federation of Accountants (AFA) for the 2024-2025 term. The conference is organized in close coordination between the Vietnam Association of Accountants and Auditors, the ASEAN Federation of Accountants, international professional organizations, and the business community.

The 24th ASEAN Federation of Accountants Conference (24th AFA Conference) was attended by 1,500 delegates from both domestic and international backgrounds.

Vietnam is committed to pursuing the goal of sustainable development.

Speaking at the conference, Deputy Minister of Finance Le Tan Can affirmed that Vietnam always stands alongside ASEAN and the international community on the journey towards green development, inclusive growth, and transparent governance. Accounting and auditing will play a fundamental role in building trust in the economy, ensuring that green capital is allocated to the right places, for the right purposes, and effectively.

According to the Deputy Minister, Vietnam is committed to pursuing sustainable development goals, promoting the shift towards environmentally friendly production and consumption, and improving governance efficiency in the public and corporate sectors. The government always considers the application of standards and ensuring the quality of information as a crucial foundation for building a transparent and healthy capital market and enhancing national competitiveness.

Vietnam supports the harmonization of regional standards, promoting the measurement, disclosure, and verification of information according to international standards, in line with the realities of ASEAN, and respecting the differences in development levels among countries.

Deputy Minister of Finance Le Tan Can delivers a speech. Photo: Vietnam Financial Times.

Deputy Minister Le Tan Can emphasized that, in the context of digitalization and the green economy , accountants not only "record the past" but also shape the future through data analysis, ESG (environmental, social, and governance) assessment frameworks, risk warning, and policy advice based on transparent data.

The Deputy Minister suggested that the Conference agree on a feasible implementation roadmap, starting with core requirements that are easy to implement. Simultaneously, it is necessary to enhance the capacity of accounting staff and build an effective data linkage system. After the initial phase, verification can be conducted to assess suitability to real-world conditions and gradually expand the scope of application. The goal is to ensure that the requirements are within the capabilities of businesses, while still achieving transparency, reliability, and efficiency – so that green capital is allocated to the right places and for the right purposes.

According to the Deputy Minister, Vietnam is promoting digital government, digital economy, and digital society; encouraging AI, blockchain, and cloud computing in sustainable accounting, auditing, and reporting; while also prioritizing data security, confidentiality, and technological ethics. Therefore, Deputy Minister Le Tan Can suggested that AFA and its partners focus on a controlled testing mechanism to evaluate ESG data, standardize and cross-check information, and narrow the capacity gap, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Furthermore, sustainable development is only truly meaningful when no one is left behind. Therefore, specific and substantive attention must be given to small businesses, startups, and the agricultural and rural sectors through simple, low-cost guidance that still ensures the accuracy and quality of information. Encouraging the participation of the younger generation, promoting diversity and equality, will ensure that "green accounting - digital accounting" becomes a source of innovation and sustainability for the future.

Delegates attending the event

The message of accounting is the language of responsibility and professional ethics.

The 24th ASEAN Federation of Accountants Forum included three discussion sessions on the following topics: "Sustainable Accounting and Reporting - A Foundation for Transparent Green Finance", "Green Finance Models and Practices", and "Training, Technology and the Sustainable Future".

Speaking at the Forum, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Dao Tung, Director of the Academy of Finance, said that the school currently has a large number of students studying accounting and auditing. In the new context, to succeed in this field requires many outstanding skills, including skills related to understanding science and technology, such as AI - artificial intelligence.

"Young people, especially those studying economics, must know how to use AI and Blockchain to analyze data before drawing conclusions. Only then can they clearly understand financial reports," Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Dao Tung emphasized.

Furthermore, according to him, those working in the accounting field assume the role of architects – measuring and calculating; in addition, they must provide advice and have a great social responsibility. Therefore, the second important skill is analysis. When receiving reports, it is necessary to be able to analyze and compare them.

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Dao Tung, Director of the Academy of Finance (on the left), at the Forum.

Another crucial aspect in this profession is the need for professional ethics and social responsibility, in order to produce accurate reports that benefit the business, the country, and the world.

"The message of accounting is the language of responsibility and professional ethics. Hopefully, students – those who will work in the accounting and auditing industry in the future – will raise their awareness. To achieve that, we must strive from now on," Mr. Tung said.

Regarding the application of technology in training programs, the Director of the Academy of Finance shared that all training programs for the 2025 enrollment period will include courses related to AI. In addition, the school is opening many new majors to meet current trends, such as Artificial Intelligence in Finance and Accounting, Data Science in Finance, etc.

According to Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Dao Tung, the State is currently strongly promoting investment and support in managing the digital platforms of universities. Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo on breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation; as well as policies of the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Finance, strongly support this. This presents a great opportunity for Vietnam to "take off" in the coming period.

He also stated that the Hoa Lac campus of the Academy of Finance has received state investment in a central database for practical application. At the same time, the Academy has also invited technology companies to provide sponsorship, ensuring students have the best possible learning and development environment.

Source: https://daibieunhandan.vn/ke-toan-xanh-ke-toan-so-nguon-luc-doi-moi-sang-tao-va-ben-vung-cho-tuong-lai-10393818.html