What role will robots and Artificial Intelligence have in accountancy in the future? How will innovative technology change how we learn? To answer these questions and more, ACCA Ireland is holding a major technology and accounting conference hosted and sponsored by the Institute of Technology Sligo.
The national conference has gathered some of Ireland’s leading experts in finance and business to discuss the many opportunities and obstacles the industry may face in the future. The event has been titled “Technology & Accountancy – Thinking Ahead” and will address some of the trends appearing in the industry and how to tackle them.
The conference will be opened by the President of the college, Dr Brendan McCormack, PhD and the MC for the day is Marie O’Connor, former PwC Ireland Audit Partner.
Speakers at the event include: Donal O’Byrne, Senior Finance Manager, Microsoft; Stephen Doyle, Senior Manager, Advisory Services, EY; Lorraine Hennessy, Controller Global Manufacturer Abbott Diagnostics; Don Brown, Head of Business Performance, AIB; Clive Webb, ACCA Professional Insights.
The afternoon session will be in four streams and include:
Education channel: on-line delivery of education at IT Sligo; Introduction to the NUIG MSc in International Accounting and Analytics; Preparing accountants for the future: an introduction to the changes to the ACCA syllabus; and innovative ways to educate using technology from Swinburne University of Technology.
Accounting solutions channel: demonstrations and presentations from Sage; Relate; Xero and Surf accounting packages.
Accounting technology channel: Robotics in action, cyber security, Revenue; and AI in accounting.
Sligo has attracted many international companies over the past 12 months announcing over 2,000 jobs for the region. A number of companies in the technology area have announced plans to locate facilities in the Sligo region. Each has been invited to a panel presentation to introduce their companies and to outline the career opportunities that they offer. The employers will have career information stand outside the theatre and will be available for individual consultation after the panel presentations are completed.
John Gaynor, Lecturer in Accounting & Finance said, “It is a privilege for IT Sligo to host such a high profile accounting conference. ACCA is a global professional accounting body with 200,000 members and 500,000 students. IT Sligo is delivering professional accounting programmes since 1974, producing top quality accounting graduates. It is great to see Sligo hosting events like this. It would not happen without local support. Collaboration is key.”
Many of the companies providing speakers for the event will also have information stands which will be open from midday.