Students, experts discuss merits, drawbacks of IT developments in accounting, auditing seminar

Accounting students, professors, and experts explored the prospects of technological advancement in the industry on the Eighth Annual Accounting Day, organized by the Department of Accounting at Birzeit University and The National Bank, on Saturday, April 6, 2019. 

In her opening remarks, Dean of the Faculty of Business and Economics Samia Al-Botmeh stressed the importance of keeping abreast of technological changes and developments in business administration and planning to bridge the gap between the outputs of academic programs and the job market’s needs. 

The faculty’s new academic programs and its continuous development of curricula, Al-Botmeh said, are part of its strategy to equip students with the skills needed to excel in an ever-changing, globalized job market.  

Held under the theme “The Impact of Information Technology on Accounting and Auditing,” the accounting day featured two sessions, each focusing on an aspect of IT-derived changes in accounting and auditing practices. 

Chaired by Zeyad Munawer, a professor of accounting at Birzeit University, the first session featured Riyad Awwad, the director of the Payment Systems Department at the Palestine Monetary Authority, who discussed the changes in financial transactions between individuals and businesses brought about by technological advancements. 

In the second session, chaired by Adnan Humos, an instructor at Birzeit University’s Department of Accounting, Chief Executive Officer of Bisan Systems Samia Totah reviewed the impact of technological developments on accounting as a profession. Director of Talal Abu-Ghazaleh & Co. International’s Ramallah offices Jamal Melhem discussed the role of artificial intelligence in advancing and facilitating financial auditing.