Redefining Finance in a Changing World

Figures may run the world, but it is people who give them meaning — interpreting, organising, and strategising to drive impact.

The Faculty of Business, Accountancy and Law (FOBAL) at SEGi University recently had the privilege of hosting Mr Andrew Harding, FCMA, CGMA, Chief Executive – Management Accounting at the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (the Association), which represents the unified voice of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).

Addressing students from the Bachelor of Accounting and Finance (BAF) programme, Mr Harding delivered an insightful talk titled “Re-defining Finance – In-Demand Skills and Competencies for a Dynamic World.”

The session was organised by Dr Sudhashini Nair, a fellow ACMA, CGMA member, in collaboration with Ms Ho Li Li, Head of Higher Education Partnerships – CIMA Malaysia, and Mr Isaac Ng, Specialist – Business Development, CIMA Malaysia. The event began with a welcoming address by Associate Professor Dr Irene Tan Ai Lian, Dean of the Graduate Business School and Faculty of Business, Accountancy and Law.

In his keynote, Mr Harding spoke about the evolving landscape of finance and the growing need for professionals who can go beyond numbers. He highlighted how finance roles today demand a focus on value creation through strategic decision-making, efficient capital allocation, and innovation in business models to ensure long-term sustainability.

He also emphasised the importance of equipping oneself with the CGMA Professional Qualification, a pathway designed to strengthen future finance leaders with critical thinking, problem-solving, and digital competencies in areas such as emerging technologies, sustainability, and strategic leadership.

The session offered students a timely and inspiring perspective on the future of finance and management accounting. It shed light on the key trends shaping the industry — from digital transformation and business strategy to risk management and ethical leadership — empowering students to understand how these elements interconnect in real-world financial ecosystems.

The talk concluded with an engaging Q&A session, where students had the opportunity to discuss how they could apply these insights to their own professional journeys.

Ultimately, the event served as a reminder that while numbers may drive the world, it is the thinkers, innovators, and strategists behind them who truly move it forward.