Episode 28: How Chartered Accountants Are Shaping the Future of Trust, Technology and Sustainability

The latest Chartered Accountants Global Update highlights how the profession is rapidly evolving — and why today’s accountants need more than technical excellence alone. One inspiring example is the journey of Saad Bin Asim Zubairi from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan. From an early love of mathematics to representing the profession on a global stage, Saad shows how curiosity, empathy and technology can combine to create real impact. At a recent international summit, he demonstrated how generative AI can support the UN’s education goals — without writing a single line of code. His message is clear: accountants who embrace new tools and ethical leadership can play a powerful role beyond traditional reporting. Alongside individual stories, the profession itself is responding to growing demands. The ICAEW’s new Sustainability Assurance Certificate addresses one of the most urgent skills gaps in accounting today — providing credible assurance over non-financial and sustainability information. As sustainability reporting becomes mandatory in many regions, the need for trusted professionals to combat greenwashing and ensure data quality has never been greater. This shift is reinforced by a recent Chartered Accountants Worldwide webinar on sustainability reporting, which explored how concepts such as double and dynamic materiality are reshaping how organisations explain long-term value. Sustainability is no longer an optional add-on — it is becoming central to business strategy and accountability. Together, these stories highlight a simple truth: the future chartered accountant must be technologically aware, sustainability-literate and socially conscious — while continuing to uphold the profession’s core commitment to trust, integrity and quality.