On October 28-31, 2024, University of Economics and Business - Vietnam National University Hanoi (VNU-UEB) and the Asia-Pacific Management Accounting Association (APMAA) jointly organized the International Conference : "Management Accounting: A Decision-support Tool for Sustainable Development and Digitalization of Business Processes”. This is the largest annual international conference organized by the Faculty of Accounting and Auditing, University of Economics and Business, VNU, attracting great attention from domestic and foreign scientists.

Attending the Conference, keynote speakers included: Mr. Gerhard Schorr - Certified Auditor, Tax Advisor, Sustainability Reporting Expert (CSRS), Former Member of the Executive Board of the Federation Cooperative Audit Group of Baden Württemberg, Germany; Prof. Shahzad Uddin – Director of the Center for Accountability and Global Development – ​​Essex Business School, University of Essex, Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Accounting in Emerging Economies (SCOPUS/Q1), UK; Prof. Chou Shuo-Yan – Director of Internet of Things (IoT) Technology Innovation Center – National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taiwan; Professor. Svetlana Tereshchenko – Saint Petersburg National Forestry Technical University, Russia.

Representing the VNU University of Economics and Business are Assoc.Prof. Dr. Nguyen Anh Thu - Vice Rector of the VNU University of Economics and Business, VNU; Dr. Nguyen Thi Hong Thuy, Head of the Faculty of Accounting - Auditing, VNU University of Economics and Business; together with representatives of leaders of Departments, Faculty, Institutes and Centers; lecturers and students of VNU-UEB.

The conference also had the participation of nearly 100 international guests participating directly; Nearly 30 international guests participated online; Nearly 100 scientists, experts, policy makers, representatives of faculties and institutes from the group of leading economic training universities. The workshop also had the participation of representatives of the British Embassy, ​​the Ministry of Finance, the State Audit, and reputable businesses and professional organizations.

This event brought together experts, academics, and practitioners to address the role of management accounting in fostering sustainable development and adapting to the ongoing digital transformation in business processes. The conference underscored the pivotal role of management accounting in promoting sustainability. Presenters emphasized that businesses are increasingly required to incorporate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) metrics into their strategic planning. Management accounting facilitates this shift by offering tools to measure, monitor, and report on sustainability initiatives effectively. Key discussions revolved around how these tools help organizations track their environmental impact, improve resource efficiency, and align with global sustainability standards like the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Case studies from leading firms demonstrated successful implementations of sustainability-focused accounting systems. These systems not only helped reduce environmental footprints but also provided insights into long-term cost savings and enhanced corporate reputation.

Speaking at the opening of the conference, Assoc.Prof. Dr. Nguyen Anh Thu, Vice Rector of UEB, shared that in recent years, the University of Economics and Business, VNU, Hanoi has shown a pioneering role in academic research. Assoc.Prof. Dr Nguyen Anh Thu expressed his hope that through the conference, the opinions of leading experts in this field will find a solution to harmonize the relationship between digitalization and sustainability using management accounting methods.

Dr. Nguyen Thi Hong Thuy - Head of the Faculty of Accounting and Auditing then coordinated the discussion portion of the Conference. Dr. Nguyen Thi Hong Thuy shared that from more than 100 research articles submitted to the Conference, more than 40 research articles have passed the closed review round to be published in the Conference Proceedings and invited to present to researchers and scholars. from universities, organizations and research institutes throughout the country, as well as from 21 other countries around the world. 

Mr. Gerhard Schorr - Certified Auditor, Tax Advisor, Sustainability Reporting Expert (CSRS), Former Member of the Executive Board of the Baden Württemberg Cooperative Auditing Federation, Germany presented the presentation "Green Finance in the EU – Strategic importance and initial experiences”

In his presentation, Mr. Gerhard Schorr provided a strategic perspective on green finance in the European Union, stating the importance and guiding role of green finance in the current global context, along with the initial experience when applied in practice and how businesses can apply green finance to promote and meet the requirements of sustainable development, environment and society.

Prof. Shahzad Uddin - Director of the Center for Accountability and Global Development - Essex Business School, University of Essex, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Accounting in Emerging Economies (SCOPUS/Q1) presented the paper "Challenges and opportunities in research and publication for the accounting field in the Asia-Pacific region”

Prof. Shahzad Uddin discussed the challenges and opportunities in researching and publishing scientific articles related to the field of accounting in the Asia-Pacific region. With many years of experience and being the editor-in-chief of a prestigious scientific journal, Professor. Shahzad Uddin offers approaches to address challenges in the publication process, and offers recommendations and advice for researchers to capture research opportunities from rapid developments of the Asia-Pacific region.

Prof. Chou Shuo-Yan - Director of Internet of Things (IoT) Technology Innovation Center - National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taiwan presented the paper "Sustainable development and digital technology". Prof. Chou Shuo-Yan shared about the intersection between sustainable development and digital technology, focusing on how digital technologies, especially the Internet of Things (IoT), are and will continue to change the way businesses and society approach sustainable development; Along with that, the opportunities that digital technology opens up for businesses in the digital era.

Prof. Svetlana Tereshchenko - Saint Petersburg National Forestry Technical University, Russia presented the paper "Sustainable development in Russian businesses: Analysis of sustainable development reports and lessons for Asia-Pacific countries"

Professor. Svetlana Tereshchenko provided in-depth insight into corporate sustainability reports in Russia, thereby drawing lessons and experiences for other countries in the Asia-Pacific region. The presentation focused on the challenges that Russian businesses have encountered in the process of implementing sustainable development policies, along with strategies that can be applied to promote sustainability not only in Russia but also in other areas.

In addition, delegates had field visits to two leading technology enterprises in Vietnam: FPT Group and Lumi Vietnam Joint Stock Company; The group also visited and heard an introduction to Thang Long 3 Industrial Park of Sumitomo Group on the last day of the Conference. This is a valuable opportunity for delegates, scholars and experts to witness the practical application of digital technology and automation in the business environment, especially in the fields of accounting and financial management in Vietnam.