Global and regional leaders in the accounting profession are calling for increased ethical oversight, responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI), and robust sustainability reporting to strengthen trust and long-term value creation in financial governance.
The call was made at the first session of the SAFA International Conference on Integrating Ethical AI and Sustainability Reporting, organized by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB) at Le Méridien Dhaka yesterday.
Speaking at the event, Foreign Affairs Advisor Morian Tuhid Hossain said that significant amounts of funds have been siphoned off from Bangladesh over the past 15 years, a significant portion of which was facilitated by the misuse of professional accounting expertise.
He added that financial records were deliberately distorted to hide fraud and mislead stakeholders. “These were not simple mistakes or technical errors.”
He said restoring confidence in the financial system will require greater accountability and collective vigilance, especially by accountants and financial professionals.
Jean Boucot, President of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), emphasized the profession’s responsibility to drive ethical leadership, sustainability and digital transformation.
He said sustainability-related risks are changing the shape of corporate reporting and urged broader adoption of International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) standards.
Regarding AI, Buco called for the continued improvement of digital skills, stressing that ethics remains the basis of public trust.
Morand Sajjad Hossein Bhuiyan, Chairman of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), said AI and sustainability are becoming central to financial reporting.
“The FRC sees itself not only as a regulator, but also as a partner in professional development and the credibility of the financial system,” he said, adding that the collaboration between the FRC and ICAB will further strengthen Bangladesh’s financial reporting ecosystem.
ICAB Chairman NKA Mobin said the future of the accounting profession lies not only in technological innovation but also in upholding values, ethical leadership and public trust.
He reaffirmed ICAB’s commitment to capacity building and urged accountants to lead change with integrity in an increasingly digital environment.
“We must prepare future accountants to navigate the digital world with strategic vision, competence and integrity,” he said.
Former ICAB President Adeeb Hossein Khan said the convergence of ethical AI and sustainability reporting is reshaping the profession’s core responsibilities.
“Technology is no longer a support function and sustainability is no longer a remote disclosure. Technology is now central to value creation,” he said.
Khan described 2025 as a year of “contradiction and confusion,” pointing to heavy investment in AI and limited returns, as well as a reduction in environmental, social and governance (ESG) efforts in some regions.
He also highlighted the tension between AI’s energy demands and sustainability goals, warning of the risks associated with bias and reduced transparency.
Khan warned that AI could introduce bias and reduce transparency in important financial decisions.
“AI may be powerful, but it lacks accountability and ethics. That responsibility must remain human,” he said, adding that future accountants must make decisions to ensure technology strengthens trust and supports long-term value creation.
