Source: IMAKTA FEB Untar
Amid the rapid rise of technology and artificial intelligence (AI), the relevance of the accounting profession remains a widely discussed topic. Addressing this issue, the Accounting Student Association of Tarumanagara University (IMAKTA) under the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Tarumanagara (FEB Untar) hosted a talk show titled “Intelligence Meets Integrity: Why Accountants Still Matter in the Age of AI” as the closing event of Accounting Festival 2025. The event drew hundreds of students and took place on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at Building A, Untar Campus II.
The Chairperson of Accounting Festival 2025, Cordelia Stella Chandra, explained that the topic was chosen because, although AI can automate routine tasks, the role of accountants as strategic advisors who uphold integrity remains crucial. “We want to raise awareness that accountants are still highly relevant in the digital age, especially for students of FEB Untar,” she stated.
In his opening remarks, Dean of FEB Untar, Prof. Dr. Sawidji Widoatmodjo, S.E., M.M., M.B.A., stated that the Accounting Festival is an excellent platform for education, competition, and networking among students, professionals, and academics in the field of accounting.
“I hope this event encourages students to further develop their skills—not only in crunching numbers but also in upholding integrity and professional ethics, which are the foundation of the accounting profession,” he expressed.
The talk show featured Prof. Dr. Lindawati Gani, CA., FCMA., CGMA., FCPA (Aust.), ASEAN CPA, a representative of the National Executive Board of the Indonesian Institute of Accountants (IAI), as the keynote speaker. With an extensive academic and professional track record, Prof. Lindawati provided a credible voice in addressing the challenges faced by accountants in the digital era.
In her presentation, Prof. Lindawati emphasized that digital transformation is not a threat, but an opportunity to strengthen the position of accountants as strategic partners in business decision-making. “The accounting profession is built on a foundation of trust, and that trust can only be established through strong ethics. That is why ethics represent integrity—a value that cannot be replaced by artificial intelligence, no matter how advanced the technology becomes,” she asserted.
She also conveyed that the mistaken perception of accounting as merely dealing with numbers must be changed. “Accounting is a part of life. From the moment you enter this world, you’ve already been applying international standards. What is needed is not just memorizing debits and credits, but deep understanding, ethics, and the ability to adapt,” she added.
Students’ concerns about the potential displacement of the accounting profession by technology were also addressed. Global trends show that accounting students often feel their profession is being left behind due to the emergence of various IT-based automation systems. However, the speaker emphasized that technology actually creates new opportunities for accountants to take on more strategic roles, particularly in data analysis, sustainability reporting, and delivering valuable insights.
In addition to Prof. Lindawati, the talk show also featured Agustinus Nicholas L. Tobing, Country Manager of PT Amazon Web Services (AWS) Indonesia, and Kasman Liu, S.E., a Partner at Deloitte Indonesia and an alumnus of Untar.
(CS/AJ)