Source: Undergraduate Business Accounting Study Program
The accounting profession can no longer be viewed merely as a function for preparing financial statements. In today’s increasingly dynamic capital market environment, accountants are expected to understand economic trends and provide investors with confidence through accurate data and analysis.
This issue was highlighted during the seminar “The Role of Accountants in Stock Analysis and Career Sustainability,” organized by the Undergraduate Business Accounting Study Program of the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) Untar at Campus II Untar on Friday (12/09/2025). The seminar featured Muhammad Fatah Al Falah, B.Eng., CTA, Technical Analyst at RHB Sekuritas Indonesia, as the keynote speaker.
Fatah emphasized that stock analysis goes beyond financial statements alone. Comprehensive analysis should begin with an understanding of global conditions, such as international conflicts that influence commodity prices, followed by identifying sectors that may benefit or suffer from such developments. The next step is to evaluate company-specific performance and assess the impact of government policies, such as interest rate cuts. Financial statements are then used as a tool to support and deepen the analysis.
He also explained several important financial ratios, including Earnings per Share (EPS), Price-to-Earnings Ratio (PER), Price-to-Book Value (PBV), Return on Equity (ROE), Debt-to-Equity Ratio (DER), and Dividend Yield, which are commonly used to assess a company’s financial health and performance. According to Fatah, even simple financial ratios can help retail investors determine whether a stock is fundamentally sound. With this understanding, accountants can provide objective insights to investors without relying on overly complex capital market jargon.
However, numbers alone are not enough. Markets are also driven by collective psychology. This is why technical analysis plays a crucial role in understanding price movements. Through candlestick charts, market trends, recurring patterns, and accumulation and distribution phases, investors can evaluate whether it is the right time to buy or sell.
Students were also introduced to the importance of stocks as proof of ownership in a company and as an investment instrument offering potential returns through capital gains and dividends. Stocks provide high liquidity and enable portfolio diversification. The seminar also covered the structure of Indonesia’s capital market, including the role of the Financial Services Authority (OJK) as the regulator, as well as the Indonesia Stock Exchange (BEI), the Indonesian Central Securities Depository (KSEI), and the Indonesian Clearing and Guarantee Corporation (KPEI), which oversee trading, securities custody, and transaction settlement.
Fatah further noted that in the digital era, Artificial Intelligence (AI) should not be viewed as a threat to the accounting profession but rather as a tool that enhances efficiency. He reminded participants that the role of accountants extends beyond working with numbers; it also involves integrity and the ability to build trust.
“The 10,000-Hour Rule suggests that after thousands of hours of practice, knowledge and skills become deeply ingrained and eventually turn into instinct. Therefore, it is important to learn from every situation, not be afraid of trial and error, and never hesitate to seek guidance from mentors or more experienced individuals. Every step is an opportunity to enrich our knowledge, skills, and professional experience,” he concluded.
The seminar was one of the practitioner-class initiatives organized by the Undergraduate Business Accounting Study Program of FEB Untar to enrich students’ practical experience in preparing for future careers. It also reinforces Untar’s position as a university committed to developing competencies that are relevant to industry needs. (CS/YS)