INTHEBLACK April 2026 - Magazine - Page 54
F E AT U R E
Claudia Otley CPA
Associate commercial business partner
Beca
Adrienne Lew ASA
Audit associate
Baker Tilly Malaysia
in Auckland, sees transparency and ethics as core
to the profession. “Finance is not just about reporting
numbers — it is about creating clarity so people can
make informed ethical decisions. Presenting reporting
accurately, consistently and in a way leaders can trust
is crucial,” she says.
Adrienne Lew ASA, an audit associate at Baker Tilly
Malaysia, has a clear sense of trust and reciprocity.
“I believe that every client who chooses me believes
that I can bring something valuable to them, whether
it is a fresh perspective or the need for thorough
checks. To me, it is not just choosing them, but them
choosing me and giving me an opportunity to create
value for their organisation.”
For young professionals, ethics extends beyond
numbers to wider social responsibility. “Sustainability
is very important to me,” Otley says. “I see my peers,
particularly the younger generation, take a keen
interest in what Beca is doing — they want visibility
of what we are doing versus just talking about it.”
Wong adds, “Volunteering in aged-care homes,
orphanages or hospitals exposes us to human
experiences that no textbook can capture.
These interactions broaden our perspectives and
remind us that finance and accounting ultimately
serves people, not just numbers.”
TECHNOLOGY AS AN ENABLER
Growing up with technology, today’s accountants
are at ease with tools like artificial intelligence (AI)
and automation.
“At Glencore, we are using machine learning and
robotic automation,” Chong shares. “During the
accounting close, it actually speeds up our process.”
That efficiency gives her more capacity to focus
on analysis and strategy, though she notes the need
“I see the future accountant as someone who helps
shape organisational strategy — being recognised
as a partner in decision-making, contributing insights
on future growth opportunities, sustainability,
investment and long-term performance.”
CLAUDIA OTLEY CPA, BECA
54 INTHEBLACK APRIL 2026 SPECIAL EDITION
