Disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence and innovative financial models such as Financial Technology (FinTech) are causing a shift in the financial sector. We are now seeing speedy financial transactions, in-depth data analysis and rapid decision-making in the industry.

Accounting professionals, no doubt, will be affected by this. In fact, 51% of accounting professionals believe that technological skills will have the greatest impact on their profession in the next 5 – 10 years according to Sage, the market leader for integrated accounting, payroll and payment systems. Not to mention, employers are continuously looking for fresh accounting and finance talents with knowledge of current trends.

In tandem with this, Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) is offering a comprehensive list of programmes that incorporate current topics such as these into accounting, banking and finance disciplines.

Advancing transformation journeys

Together with industry partners, APU’s accounting and finance education offers industry-relevant courses that are widely accredited and recognised worldwide by leading professional bodies such as Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and more.

To keep up with the FinTech trend, the School of Accounting and Finance (SAF) has embedded it into all their accounting and finance programmes. In addition, SAF also offers forensic accounting specialism that prepares accounting graduates with skills in investigating financial fraud or scams. This makes APU the first amongst Malaysian private universities to offer such a specialism.

With a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and Finance, you’ll have the opportunity to learn and venture into careers with a specialism in forensic accounting, taxation, forex and investments, internal audit, e-business, banking and finance, investment and risk management, actuarial studies and FinTech.

Global recognition

APU's BA (Hons) In Accounting and Finance with a specialism in internal audit has recently been recognised by the  Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) as the first and only university in Malaysia to be listed in the IIA Internal Audit Academic Awareness Programme. The IIA programme acknowledges universities teaching internal auditing as a standalone internal audit course with modules such as Principles of Internal Auditing and Operational Auditing.

This programme will provide you with an introduction to the profession and the key activities of an entry-level internal auditor. To boot, internal audit specialism graduates will have the knowledge and competency to face the evolving needs of industry and can enhance their employability through an audit career in line with the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Digital self-paced learning

In addition to the IIA global programme, APU also signed a memorandum of understanding with the CIMA for a new remote, digital self-paced learning programme called the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) Finance Leadership Programme (FLP).

This CGMA FLP will be APU’s Accounting and Finance new guided learning and assessment route to completing the CIMA professional qualification and earning the CGMA designation. With this route, students will only need to complete 3 exams — operational level, management level and strategic level — to obtain the CIMA professional qualification.

Remaining industry relevant

Aside from winning the ACCA Power of Ethics Competition, APU has also won the SAS National FinTech Challenge and gained the Malaysian Financial Planner Award.

According to School of Accounting and Finance head Prof Dr Nafis Alam, not only does the programme impart knowledge, but it also produces digitally-ready graduates who will remain relevant to the industry. He also added that APU Accounting and Finance graduates are able to work abroad with the globally certified certifications.

“The curriculum is not only recognised locally, but also globally certified. APU is the first and only university in Malaysia to be listed in the IIA Internal Audit Academic Awareness Programme and has the highest combined exemptions (61 in total) from all major Accounting Professional bodies namely ACCA, CIMA, CPA, ICAEW and others,” said Prof Dr Nafis Alam.

Be digitally ready as an accounting and finance student. Join APU today