The profession of accountancy is experiencing a stunning transformation, redefining not only the way businesses function but also the way societies function. Previously narrowly focused on bookkeeping and compliance, accountancy has developed into a field that overlaps with governance, policy, technology, and sustainable development. Today, accountants are required to merge technical know-how with strategic insight, providing information that informs top-level decision-making. This evolution has turned the job into an international change agent, actively contributing to economic stability, transparency, and innovation.

Today's accountants are being asked more and more to sense and respond to sophisticated global forces. They have moved beyond their historic function of transcribing transactions to analyzing information and shaping organizational strategy. The demand for professionals who have the ability to adapt to new realities such as increased rates of technological change, globalizing markets, and altered regulatory landscapes has never been greater. Through developing forward-looking capacities and adopting innovations, the profession is preparing itself for a future of resilience, nimbleness, and inclusivity.

Global interdependence of economies has also highlighted the requirement for harmonized professional standards and ethical guidelines. With the greater ease of movement of capital, people, and ideas across borders, accountants are increasingly becoming global actors who must work within diverse regulatory contexts and uphold the values of integrity and responsibility. This requires lifelong learning, openness to global approaches, and the ability to use professional judgment in a variety of situations. Simultaneously, talent mobility is reshaping accountants' views on career prospects as many seek to get into jobs that are greater than national and add value in more than one jurisdiction.

Technology is behind this transformation. Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and new-generation data analytics are revolutionizing the capture, processing, and distribution of financial information. Rather than displacing the profession, these technologies are extending its capacity for more efficiency, accuracy, and transparency. Those accountants who embrace technology are placing themselves at the forefront of innovation, enabling organizations to capitalize on new opportunities while managing threats in a more digitalized world. This technological transformation also occurs in the public sector, where governments are investing in integrated financial management systems and electronic compliance platforms to improve accountability, service delivery, and trust in institutions.

Besides technical and technological transformation, the profession is also undergoing transformations in broader societal expectations. Stakeholders demand accountants now to actively contribute towards enabling sustainability, ethical leadership, and equitable economic development. Not only are today's accountants expected to deliver value to businesses, but they are also required to deliver value to the well-being of society and the preservation of the environment. This wider mandate demands a new breed of professional who is visionary, adaptive, and committed to making change happen in whatever field they enter.

As the world evolves, the accountancy profession is at a crossroads. Whether it can shape governance, inform policy, embrace the latest technologies, and address global issues will decide its future relevance and influence. Day Two of the conference will thus look back at this evolution, with views that affirm the role of accountancy in creating a more transparent, resilient, and sustainable world.

The following key topics shall form part of the discussion on the second day of the Seminar:

1. Future Fit Accountants: Roles for the next decade
2. State of the Accountancy Profession Globally
3. Revision and development of new accountancy and audit standards and the impact on the profession
4. The great talent migration: Career options for accountants in other jurisdictions
5. Real life use of AI and Block chain in Accountancy
6. Overview of Government advancements in technology- EGP, eTims, iTax, IFMIS

DAY THREE:WEDNESDAY 19^th NOV  2025: DEBT, DEVELOPMENT & MULTILATERALISM

Debt remains one of the signature issues of our era, dictating the capacity of nations to spend on roads, cater for the essentials of their populations, and attain sustainable development. For developing countries such as Kenya, the matter of balancing public debt against economic growth is more pressing. The cycle of borrowing, repayment, and financial obligation also includes convergence with domestic and foreign affairs since multilateral institutions are still at the center of defining debt management policy. This session will provide a platform to discuss debt not just as a money instrument but as an instrument of development and as a promoter of international cooperation.

In fact, borrowing is now one of the most important growth drivers in modern economies. Debt is used by governments to finance long-term energy, health, transport, and education schemes. But uncontrolled accumulation of debt can put pressure on public finances and limit future fiscal elbow room. For Kenya, as for many emerging markets, the pressing issue is how to reconcile borrowing with prudential management of debt and make sure that funds are steered to productive investment. It is this reconciliation that is central to sustaining growth, creating employment, and reducing inequality.

The debt debate is also accompanied by a contemplative glance at the role of multilateralism. Regional blocks and global financial institutions offer mechanisms that may enable or constrain domestic policy choice. Design of loan agreements, debt rescheduling programs, and world financial management carry deep consequences. The policymakers must negotiate for arrangements that promote sovereignty while giving access to the capital that will promote change. Through multilateral negotiation, countries can move towards a more balanced system that equally matches the interests of creditors and the developmental objectives of borrowers.

Moreover, debt negotiations are not separable from the general argument about sustainability. Borrowing today and the choice to do so decide what options are available for future generations. Debt can pay for green energy, climate resilience, and technological progress—investment that will be stable over the long run if done judiciously. Debt can also drive dependencies and reduce the ability of nations to achieve their development goals if misused.

Day Three will thus ask participants to pose the question of how debt, development, and multilateral partnership converge to influence the future of Kenya. Opportunities and challenges will be the focus of the discussion with a call to stakeholders to consider how to design financial strategies which are inclusive, sustainable, and transformative.

The following key topics shall form part of the discussion on the third day of the Seminar:

1. Debt Sustainability and Restructuring:Strategies for managing and resolving sovereign debt crises and promoting responsible lending and borrowing.
2. Affordable and Innovative Finance:Increasing concessional finance, grants, and local currency lending to bridge the development finance gap in the country.
3. Mobilizing Private Capital:Strategies to attract private investment to complement public development finance for achieving SDGs. 
4. Reforming Multilateral Development Banks:Adapting and reforming multilateral development banks to meet new global challenges and enhance their relevance.

DAY FOUR: THURSDAY  20^TH NOV 2025- THE KENYA WE WANT

The vision of a prosperous Kenya has always rested on aspirations of unity, inclusivity, and shared advancement. But realizing this vision requires an honest evaluation of where the country is now and a deliberate conversation on where it must head over the next few years. The Kenya We Want" is not a slogan—it is a call to action, a blueprint for the future, and a vow to create a society that is reflective of the aspirations and ideals of the people.

Kenya is a country that is full of potential with a youthful population, abundant natural resources, and a geoeconomic location at the center of the global economy. But it also continues to grapple with long-term issues of governance, inequality, and management of resources. To achieve the Kenya we all wish for, stakeholders need to question how governance institutions can be made stronger to provide transparency, efficiency, and accountability. Strong institutions continue to be the foundation of economic development and social cohesion, and their ongoing improvement is critical to making lasting progress.

The discussion is also about inclusivity. A Kenya for all is one where opportunities are not tilted in a few areas or a narrow elite, but available to all Kenyans, irrespective of station. This means closing gaps in education, medicine, road and other physical infrastructure, and access to technology to make every Kenyan able to thrive in the 21st century. The. question is not merely how to open up opportunities, but how to make them significant and lasting.

Innovation and youth empowerment will be the central pillars of this vision. Young Kenyans already are reshaping industries, from fintech to arts, and are Kenya's best hope for the future. By creating an enabling environment for entrepreneurship, skills, and digital innovation, Kenya will be able to carve out a path that is competitive and uniquely African.

Ultimately, the Kenya we want is one built on values—responsibility, solidarity, equity, and integrity. Day Four will provide room to converse across sectors and challenge participants to articulate a vision that is not only ambitious but also possible. The discussion will underscore that the future Kenya is built by us all and demands commitment, creativity, and cooperation today.

The following key topics shall form part of the discussion on the fourth day of the Seminar:

1. Kenyan Constitutionalism: The challenges and promises of constitutional reform in Kenya
2. Anti-Corruption and Integrity:Strengthening governance and integrity frameworks and policies in the Country
3. Ethics at play: An overview of the Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants
4. Challenges and opportunities for elected leaders in steering the country to economic acceleration

DAY FIVE: FRIDAY 21^ST NOV  2025- WILLS, TRUST & ESTATE PLANNING.

In an era of unpredictability and uncharted change, planning for the future is more important than ever before. Wills, trusts, and estate planning are not only legal processes; they are instruments of financial security, family stability, and intergenerational continuity as well. Day Five will explore the significance of these tools in the preservation of wealth, honoring the individual's intentions, and organized succession in family and business contexts.

For families, estate planning ensures that their treasures are shared as they wish, reducing the possibility of conflict and uncertainty among loved ones. In societies where inheritance disputes break up families and deplete assets, a plan is not only a smart thing to do, but it must be done. Wills and trusts establish a framework that promotes equity, clarity, and respect for heritage.

At the business level, continuity is most important and needs succession planning. Family firms, the backbone of the majority of economies, often suffer poor succession leadership. Companies, lacking estate planning, are exposed to fragmentation or collapse as control changes hands. Trusts and strategically conceived succession planning ensure companies are well-fortified across generations and provide protection of employment and preservation of value creation.

From a broader perspective, estate planning also crosses social and economic development. By reducing conflict and protecting assets, these tools feed into fiscal security and community wealth preservation. They also encourage a sense of responsibility and vision, challenging individuals and institutions to think beyond short-term gains toward enduring legacies.

Day Five will push individuals to consider not only the mechanics of wills and trusts but also their effect on society. Through thoughtful planning, individuals and institutions can secure their futures and contribute to the continuity and well-being of generations that follow.

The following sub-topics shall form part of the discussion on the fifth day of the Seminar:

Wills, trust & estate planning:

• Healthcare Directives and Living Wills: Planning for end-of-life care by appointing a healthcare proxy and documenting your wishes regarding medical treatment.
• Guardianship for minor children: The critical process of nominating a guardian for dependent children in a will.
• Asset protection planning:Using trusts and other legal mechanisms to protect assets from lawsuits, creditors, and ex-spouses.
• Business succession planning: Essential strategies for transferring ownership and control of a family or privately held business.
• Planning for blended families: Using trusts to ensure children from different marriages receive their intended inheritance.

SUMMARY OF SEMINAR TOPICS

Overall, the seminar topics for the 4 days of learning are as indicated below:

1. Future Fit Accountants: Roles for the next decade
2. State of the Accountancy Profession Globally
3. Revision and development of new accountancy and audit standards and the impact on the profession
4. The great talent migration: Career options for accountants in other jurisdictions
5. Real life use of AI and Block chain in Accountancy
6. Overview of Government advancements in technology- EGP, eTims, iTax, IFMIS
7. Debt Sustainability and Restructuring:Strategies for managing and resolving sovereign debt crises and promoting responsible lending and borrowing.
8. Affordable and Innovative Finance:Increasing concessional finance, grants, and local currency lending to bridge the development finance gap in the country.
9. Mobilizing Private Capital:Strategies to attract private investment to complement public development finance for achieving SDGs. 
10. Reforming Multilateral Development Banks:Adapting and reforming multilateral development banks to meet new global challenges and enhance their relevance.
11. Kenyan Constitutionalism: The challenges and promises of constitutional reform in Kenya
12. Anti-Corruption and Integrity:Strengthening governance and integrity frameworks and policies in the Country
13. Ethics at play: An overview of the Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants
14. Challenges and opportunities for elected leaders in steering the country to economic acceleration
15. Financial Wellness, Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning:

• Healthcare Directives and Living Wills: Planning for end-of-life care by appointing a healthcare proxy and documenting your wishes regarding medical treatment
• Guardianship for minor children: The critical process of nominating a guardian for dependent children in a will.
• Asset protection planning:Using trusts and other legal mechanisms to protect assets from lawsuits, creditors, and ex-spouses.
• Business succession planning: Essential strategies for transferring ownership and control of a family or privately held business.
• Planning for blended families: Using trusts to ensure children from different marriages receive their intended inheritance.