The Association of International Accountants (AIA) was proud to contribute to the GFPAA International Conference on Professional Challenges and Opportunities in Accounting and Auditing, held in Georgia.

Hosted at Expo Georgia in Tbilisi, the programme brought together international voices to explore how the accountant’s role is evolving amid technological change, institutional reform, and wider economic shifts. Across a series of high-level discussions, participants focused on strengthening financial reporting, improving audit quality, advancing professional education, and reinforcing ethical standards across the profession.

AIA played an active role throughout the conference, with representatives contributing to multiple panel discussions alongside international peers.

Philip Turnbull, AIA Chief Executive, contributed to discussions on professional education and ethics, highlighting the importance of strong ethical foundations and continuous learning in maintaining trust and relevance in the profession.

David Potts, AIA Director of Policy & Regulation, took part in panels on audit quality and the future of the profession, sharing insights on regulatory approaches, quality assurance, and the growing impact of technology on practice.

Across the sessions, AIA shared perspectives on audit quality monitoring, professional standards, ethics, education, and the practical implications of emerging technologies for practitioners and regulators.

A key theme throughout the conference was the importance of international collaboration in addressing shared challenges across jurisdictions. Representatives from government bodies, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, IFAC, ACCA, national regulators, and leading audit firms came together to exchange experience and strengthen professional cooperation.

AIA welcomed the opportunity to engage in these discussions, reinforcing the value of cross-border collaboration in strengthening financial reporting systems, supporting public sector reform, and promoting consistent, high-quality audit practices.

The programme also emphasised the need for the profession to adapt to technological change while upholding core principles of integrity, objectivity, and public interest responsibility. Sessions explored the impact of artificial intelligence and automation, alongside the evolving skills and competencies required to meet future demands, highlighting the importance of aligning innovation with continued investment in education, ethics, and professional judgement.

AIA extended its sincere thanks to the Georgian Federation of Professional Accountants and Auditors (GFPAA) for hosting an insightful and forward-looking conference and for bringing together an international community committed to advancing the profession.

The organisation valued the opportunity to contribute to these discussions and to share perspectives on the future of accounting and auditing, and looks forward to continued engagement in global forums supporting high-quality financial reporting and strong professional standards.