Annual Report_2017-18_FLIPBOOK PRO_07 Sep 2018

SPEAKERS’ CORNER
CA. PAVITHRA BALAJI
STATUTORY AND TAX OPERATIONS LEADER, GENERAL ELECTRIC CO.
It is indeed a pleasure to be affiliated to the ICAI (Dubai) Chapter and
participate in the numerous programs run by the Chapter. VAT being a
new concept to UAE, the Institute launched multiple innovative initiatives to help
both industry and the professional community to understand the obligations
under this new tax system. The VAT Clinic, a first of its kind program run by
the Chapter in partnership with Khaleej Times, was a true example of evolution
through innovation, giving members a forum to connect with experts and
discuss the practical application challenges arising out introduction of VAT.
Thanks for the opportunity to be part of this important initiative and for the excellent service to the
members in addressing the evolving professional challenges in a timely manner.
CA. ABDUL RAFEQ
MANAGING DIRECTOR, WINCER INFOTECH LIMITED
I am delighted to know that ICAI, Dubai chapter is organizing Annual Conference
on 3rd and 4th May 2018 with the theme “Evolution Through Innovation”.
I compliment the Chapter for celebrating the 36th Year of Excellence in providing
services. In this era of accelerating digital transformation, as professionals we need to
ask: 1. Are our current Competencies and Skill-sets relevant for the digital age?
2. Is our knowledge still powerful enough to add value, in this google age? 3.
How can we future-proof our career to remain relevant and valuable? In the early
days of computerization, the enterprise and professional focus was on:
• Connecting Business with Automation and • Connecting Automation to Accounting and Analysis.
In this digital age, as professionals, we must focus on: • Connecting Automation to Assurance, Compliances
and Analysis; • Connecting Automation to new Business models, AI and Continuous Innovation.
When the digital transformation impacts our traditional knowledge and skills, for example: • Blockchain could
make accounting, assurances and compliances as we know, Extinct! • Artificial Intelligence could make
business process delivery as we know, Extinct!
The good news is that Human Intelligence of highly-skilled professionals such as Chartered Accountants will still
be relevant. However, our challenge and need of the hour is to empower ourselves with new skills to be futureready.
We need to learn How to Chart our destination in this new digital age.
I wish all participants of the conference a Great LEARNING Experience and hope the conference provides
the platform to Transition Ideas to Actionable insights for implementation.
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