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Rome, Italy – From October 3rd to 5th, the 2024 AGN Europe, Middle East, and Africa Regional Meeting (EMEARM) took place in Rome, gathering 70 AGN members from 19 countries. This event offered a valuable platform for industry leaders to connect and exchange insights on the latest developments shaping the accounting profession.
The primary focus of this year’s meeting was:
– ESG and sustainability reporting
– The impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the future of auditing and tax consulting
– Technical updates in Tax and Audit
– Attracting and retaining tomorrow’s accountants
A highlight of the event was the keynote session, Shaping the Digital Landscape, led by the renowned futurist and AI expert Dimitris Dimitriadis. He provided a clear and accessible breakdown of the complex world of Large Language Models (LLMs) and Generative AI (GenAI), using easy-to-understand examples to illustrate how these emerging technologies are transforming industries, including accounting. Dimitris comments;
“What really made my day was our open discussions about moving the accounting profession forward. We talked about how AI can handle the number-crunching while we focus on what really matters – being trusted advisors to our clients.
The enthusiasm in the room reminded me that while AI is a powerful tool, it’s our human touch and experience that truly make a difference in our client’s success.“
Pierre Olivier Cointe, Partner at AGN member firm Caderas Martin S.A. and AGN EMEA Board member, and Fabrice Vidal, member of the EMEA Tax Committee, were among the speakers. They addressed critical themes such as the evolving landscape of international taxation and the rising importance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations for the accounting profession.
Additional technical content included Audit—CSRD—an analysis of the survey results circulated within AGN to determine to what extent our member firms are prepared to respond to CSRD-related expectations, and Tax—Developments in the taxation of permanent establishments in various EU countries. A panel session, The Impact of Private Equity in the Accounting Industry, focused on how Private Equity is transforming the accounting industry, highlighting the challenges and opportunities.
Attracting Future-proof Accountants, explored the future direction of the accountant’s role, focusing on the impact of AI and digital transformation. Participants of Road to Rome (AGN NextGen Program 2024) compiled insights on key skills accountants will need in 2030 to leverage high-tech tools and AI. The findings and strategies to attract and retain tomorrow’s accountants were shared with attendees during this session.
Eric Seyvos – AGN EMEA Chair and Partner at BM&A comments;
During the conference, I was struck by the dynamism and involvement of the new generation supported by our NextGen programs. This dynamism is precious for AGN’s future and must be preserved.
It also seemed that the venue’s prestige was reflected in the conference, and it encouraged record attendance and enthusiasm among participants.
AGN members exchanged ideas with members of our alliance, Nexia, further strengthening ties within the professional community. Eric Seyvos comments: “It is important to note the interest aroused by the alliance with Nexia, with participants particularly appreciating the quality of the information provided on the project and its prospects.“
AGN Resource Partners Suralink and Auditi sponsored the event. Both showcased their latest products, providing members with innovative solutions to improve practice management and client service.
Delegates also experienced a cultural outing, exploring some interesting sites relevant to today´s business world.
Four firm partners from Caderas Martin S.A. attended the event and expressed gratitude to AGN International for organising it and all participants for contributing to this collaborative and inspiring meeting. “We look forward to continuing this journey and actively contributing to the future of our profession,” they remarked.
The 2024 EMEARM proved to be a pivotal event, bringing together thought leaders and innovators to explore the future of the accounting industry and forge new relationships.