Datuk Ahmad Badri Mohd Zahir
KUALA LUMPUR: Government accountants should become adept at technologies, especially automation and artificial intelligence, blockchain, cloud and cybersecurity and data analytics (ABCD), as Malaysia moves into the digital economy and companies steered towards adopting the Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR 4.0).
Treasury Secretary-General Datuk Ahmad Badri Mohd Zahir said competency building was critical as the shift to accrual accounting and enhancing public sector financial management, required the upskilling of many professional accountants and a better definition of their roles and skills through competency roadmaps.
“As the country shifts into higher gear, driven by technology, automation and innovation, public sector accountants like other professions, will require higher order thinking skills to equip them for non-routine and high value roles.
“It is particularly relevant to accountants as they will be strengthening their judgement, analytical and problem-solving and communications skills, underpinned by uncompromising integrity and a healthy sense of scepticism,” he said in his keynote address at the Public Sector Financial Management Conference 2018 yesterday.
His speech was read by the Deputy Secretary-General of Treasury (Management) Datuk Othman Semail.
Ahmad Badri said the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA) had been playing a greater role in building the talent pool to instil these new skills.
It includes, he added, undertaking multiple cooperation and collaboration agreements with several professional bodies to enable public sector members to gain professional accounting qualifications, as well as collaborate on the continued advancement of public sector financial management.
He also said the government lauded MIA’s efforts at organising a number of public financial management (PFM) roundtables with public sector entities, such as the federal statutory bodies and the public higher learning institutions.
“These roundtables have resulted in proposed competency requirements for finance function heads, which were submitted to the government.
“We welcome this competency proposal that will help drive the shift of public sector accountants from mere guardians and record keepers to esteemed business partners,” he added.
According to Ahmad Badri, as the government goes ahead with accrual accounting initiatives, the MIA will provide technical advice and expertise on the standards, through its technical staff and consultation with the Public Sector Accounting Committee.
He said MIA’s work on the public sector has been expanded to include undertaking research on current International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB) projects, identifying public sector accounting related issues in Malaysia, providing training and awareness.
Themed, “Upholding Trust and Accountability”, the two-day conference is organised by the MIA and focused on the latest developments in public sector financial management, combining both global and local content. — Bernama