On 10th October 2024, the vibrant city of Kuala Lumpur hosted the 3rd DigitalCFO Asia Malaysia Symposium, a pivotal gathering of financial leaders. Held at the InterContinental Kuala Lumpur, this day-long event, organized by DigitalCFO Asia, brought together over 120 Chief Financial Officers (CFOs), finance leaders, and industry experts. With the theme “CFO Reinvented: Navigating the Future—AI, Innovation, and Sustainability,” the symposium provided an exclusive platform for senior finance professionals to explore the evolving role of CFOs in an era marked by rapid change and unprecedented challenges.

The target audience for the symposium included CFOs, financial controllers, heads of finance, senior finance managers, and other key decision-makers in finance. These leaders are at the forefront of navigating the complexities of the financial landscape, from geopolitical disruptions to the accelerating pace of technological innovation. Attendees came from diverse sectors, including finance, education, healthcare, and more, united by a shared commitment to driving organizational growth and transformation through forward-thinking financial strategies.

The sessions at the symposium covered a range of critical topics, each designed to equip finance leaders with the insights and tools necessary to thrive in a volatile and rapidly evolving global economy. The day kicked off with an inspiring keynote by Ramanathan Thiagarajan, CFO of AirAsia MOVE, who explored the evolving role of CFOs in leading transformational change within organizations. This was followed by an in-depth panel discussion on navigating the dual challenges of geopolitical tensions and economic downturns, with experts providing actionable strategies for managing business risks and mitigating supply chain disruptions.

Technology-driven innovations were a key focus throughout the day. In one of the standout presentations, Linh Chu from Workday highlighted how modern financial planning and consolidation tools can help businesses adapt to uncertainty and drive growth. This was complemented by a discussion on intelligent finance automation led by Tony Cheung of xSuite, which demonstrated how the latest AI and cloud technologies are transforming everyday finance operations, improving productivity, and enabling CFOs to unlock new efficiencies.

Another prominent session centered on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting and compliance, featuring John Teoh, Chief Sustainability Officer at GDEX Berhad. As stakeholders increasingly demand transparency, CFOs must integrate sustainability into their core business strategies. The session emphasized best practices in ESG reporting, providing attendees with insights into evolving regulations and how they can enhance their organization’s sustainability performance while navigating the complexities of this rapidly growing field.

As the digital economy continues to shape the future of finance, the symposium also explored the implications of digital innovations such as Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), the latest trends in financial technology (fintech), and the growing importance of artificial intelligence (AI) and intelligent automation. Alex Chow from Tungsten Automation provided an insightful presentation on how AI can improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance decision-making. As AI and automation continue to revolutionize finance functions, the symposium underscored the need for finance leaders to embrace these technologies in order to stay competitive and lead organizational growth.

One of the most engaging discussions of the day was the panel on diversity and leadership, where prominent female CFOs shared their experiences in driving organizational transformation and fostering inclusive corporate cultures. The panel highlighted the role of female finance leaders in shaping corporate values and creating diverse, high-performing teams, offering valuable lessons for all leaders in attendance.

The symposium also took a closer look at the future of the finance profession in the context of generational shifts, particularly the rise of Gen Z in the workforce. As younger employees begin to dominate the labor market, Rachel Hong from Jollibee Malaysia and other panelists explored how CFOs can adapt work cultures and align corporate goals with the expectations of today’s youth.

As the event came to a close, attendees left with actionable insights and a renewed sense of purpose—armed with strategies to harness AI, drive digital transformation, and lead with agility and sustainability in mind.

The 3rd DigitalCFO Asia Malaysia Symposium 2024 proved to be an invaluable event for finance leaders seeking to stay ahead of the curve and redefine the future of financial leadership.

#DigitalCFOAsia #CFOReinvented #AIInFinance #SustainabilityInFinance #FinanceInnovation #FutureOfFinance #FinancialLeadership #ESGReporting #GenZInWorkplace #DiversityInLeadership #FinanceTransformation