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Press Release - IAI and IFAC Strengthen Indonesia’s Role on the Global Accounting Stage through APA Fest 2025
26 Agustus 2025 - Siaran Pers
Jakarta, August 20, 2025 – The Indonesian accounting profession took an important step toward greater global visibility and influence through the Aspiring Professional Accountants Festival (APA Fest) 2025, held under the theme “Future-Ready Accountants: Navigating Global Challenges.”
This festival, organized by the Ikatan Akuntan Indonesia (Institute of Indonesia Chartered Accountants/IAI), has become a key platform to prepare the next generation of accountants to thrive in a rapidly changing world. It reflects IAI’s commitment to strengthening competitiveness, driving digital transformation, and responding to sustainability imperatives that are reshaping the future of the profession.
Hosted in a hybrid format at the Universitas Indonesia’s Faculty of Economics and Business, the event brought together national and international leaders, including Jean Bouquot, President of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC); Sophia Wattimena, Chair of Audit Committee and Board of Commissioner of Indonesia’s Financial Services Authority (OJK); President of IAI, Ardan Adiperdana; and Indonesian accounting leaders actively engaged at the global level, such as Prof. Sidharta Utama, Prof. Lindawati Gani, and Buntoro Rianto.
Building Future-Ready Accountants
In his opening remarks, IAI President Ardan Adiperdana emphasized the importance of preparing young professionals for global challenges. He also highlighted the renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between IAI and the Universitas Indonesia, which strengthens academic collaboration and accounting education.
“The future of accounting is being shaped today — through adaptation, innovation, and collaboration. Future-ready accountants must be digitally savvy, globally minded, and capable of working across sectors while upholding ethics and leadership,” said Ardan.
This message underlined a central theme of APA Fest 2025: preparing aspiring accountants not only with technical skills but also with the mindset and adaptability needed to navigate an interconnected, disrupted global economy.
Addressing Governance and Sustainability Challenges
In his keynote address, IFAC President Jean Bouquot reminded participants that sustainability is not just a concern for large corporations but also for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Many SMEs, he noted, struggle to implement sustainability practices due to limited resources.
“Bringing new systems and processes into place is not easy, especially for SMEs. This is where professional accountants can make a significant difference,” Bouquot explained.
By supporting SMEs, accountants act as catalysts for sustainable business practices across the value chain. Without SME participation, the transformation of larger corporations cannot succeed. Accountants therefore play an essential role in ensuring both global and local progress toward sustainability.
Sophia Wattimena, who also serves on the IAI Supervisory Board, spoke about the importance of maintaining public trust through sound governance and credible financial reporting. She warned that practices such as “window dressing” erode investor confidence and ultimately undermine a company’s access to funding and long-term viability.
Sophia also stressed the growing importance of non-financial reporting. Accountants, she noted, are now expected to measure sustainability performance, integrate ESG data, and present transparent, reliable information to stakeholders.
“This is where accountants are not just ensuring sound governance, but also supporting companies in their transformation toward sustainable growth,” she said.
Looking Ahead: Global Standards and Opportunities
A panel discussion brought the conversation to the global stage. Panelists explored regulatory developments, sustainability reporting, and the convergence of international standards — particularly the upcoming adoption of Indonesia’s Sustainability Disclosure Standards (SPK), aligned with the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB). These standards, effective from January 1, 2027, present both challenges and opportunities for accountants in Indonesia.
Panelists agreed that accountants are well positioned to become strategic business partners by applying integrated thinking to governance and organizational decision-making.
They also highlighted the expanding opportunities for Indonesian accountants as the global economy becomes increasingly interconnected. With the adoption of international standards such as IFRS, ISSB, and IFAC’s global Code of Ethics, Indonesian accountants are gaining stronger credentials to participate in multinational companies, international financial institutions, and global sustainability initiatives.
Developing global competence, obtaining international certifications, and participating in international forums were seen as key enablers for Indonesian accountants to play a bigger role as agents of change — advancing transparency, governance, and long-term value creation.
Why APA Fest Matters
APA Fest 2025 is more than a festival; it is part of a long-term strategy to elevate Indonesia’s accounting profession. By engaging aspiring professionals, academia, regulators, and international leaders in one forum, IAI is creating momentum for Indonesia to contribute meaningfully to the global profession.
As a founding member of IFAC and ASEAN Federation of Accountants (AFA), as well as an associate member of Chartered Accountants Worldwide (CAW), IAI has always been committed to strengthening the profession’s global integration. Initiatives like APA Fest demonstrate how national professional organizations (PAOs) can take proactive steps to prepare their members — and their countries — for future challenges and opportunities.
A Shared Question for the Future
APA Fest 2025 leaves us with an important reflection: in a world where accountants are expected to balance technology, ethics, governance, and sustainability, how can we ensure that the next generation of professionals remains both future-ready and firmly anchored in integrity?
