Page 63 - CMA Journal (July-August 2025)

Focus Section

• Student Preparedness: Some students struggle efforts among universities, professional bodies, regulators,
with math, coding, or English proficiency, making and industry are essential to ensure finance education
fintech learning difficult. remains relevant, competitive, and future-ready.
• Rapid Technological Change: By the time courses References
are developed, technologies may already be
• Accenture. (2024). Future of work in financial services: Skills
outdated. transformation for the digital age. Accenture Research Publications.
These barriers highlight the need for adaptive, flexible • ACCA Global. (2025). ACCA announces redesign of qualification for a
redefined accountancy profession. ACCA Global News Release June
systems that can evolve continuously.
2025.
Future Outlook • ACCA Global. (2025). The future ACCA qualification explained:
Revolutionary changes for 2027. Association of Chartered Certified
The next decade is likely to bring radical changes to Accountants Publications.
finance education. Programming and data analysis could • ACCA Global. (2025). Timeline of transition to the future ACCA
qualification: Implementation roadmap for 2027 changes. ACCA
be introduced from the first year of undergraduate Global Educational Framework.
programs, while graduate and professional courses will • Chen, L., & Zhang, M. (2023). The fintech skills gap: An empirical
increasingly focus on advanced fintech applications. analysis of graduate preparedness in emerging markets. Journal of
Financial Education, 49(2), 87-112.
Delivery models are also set to transform. Virtual Reality
• CFA Institute. (2024). Curriculum changes for the digital age:
(VR) will enable students to simulate trading floors, AI will Integrating fintech into professional certification. CFA Institute
tailor personalized learning paths, and blockchain will Publications.
secure and verify digital credentials. Corporate • Deloitte. (2024). Banking and capital markets outlook: Skills and
universities are expected to grow, offering in-house workforce transformation. Deloitte Industry Insights.
training that rivals traditional degree programs. • Ernst & Young. (2023). Future of finance education: Technology
integration strategies. EY Global Financial Services Report.
Global standards for fintech competency will emerge, • Financial Stability Board. (2024). Fintech education and professional
facilitating the portability of qualifications across development framework. FSB International Standards.
countries. Collaborative research between universities • KPMG. (2024). Fintech talent development: Bridging the skills gap
and industry will accelerate innovation, and through educational innovation. KPMG Global Services Report.
apprenticeships and corporate partnerships are likely to • London Business School. (2023). Executive education in fintech:
Program evaluation and outcomes. LBS Academic Publications.
become standard pathways into the finance profession.
• McKinsey & Company. (2024). The future of work in financial services:
Recommendations Technology skills requirements. McKinsey Global Institute.
• MIT Sloan School of Management. (2023). Interdisciplinary
1. Begin curriculum transformation immediately to approaches to fintech education: Lessons from program innovation.
prevent widening skill gaps. MIT Academic Press.
• Philippon, T. (2023). The fintech opportunity and challenges for
2. Invest in faculty development, including industry financial services education. National Bureau of Economic Research
secondments and technology certifications. Working Paper Series.
• PricewaterhouseCoopers. (2024). Fintech talent shortage: Industry
3. Expand industry partnerships beyond internships to survey results and recommendations. PWC Financial Services
include joint labs, research, and product testing. Publications.
• Singapore National University. (2023). Comprehensive fintech
4. Redesign assessments to evaluate applied skills
education integration: Implementation case study. NUS Business
through projects and portfolios. School Research Papers.
5. Adopt lifelong learning models with flexible, • University of Pennsylvania Wharton School. (2024). Innovation in
finance education: Laboratory based learning outcomes. Wharton
modular qualifications. Academic Publications.
6. Promote international cooperation through joint • World Economic Forum. (2024). Future of jobs in financial services:
Skills transformation requirements. WEF Industry Reports.
programs and global standards.
• Zetzsche, D. A., Buckley, R. P., Arner, D. W., & Barberis, J. N. (2023). From
Conclusion fintech to techfin: The regulatory challenges of data driven finance.
European Banking Institute Working Paper Series.
Fintech, AI, blockchain, and data analytics are
About the Author: The writer is an Associate Member of ICMA, a
transforming finance, making traditional education Fellow Member of ACCA (UK), and a member of PIPFA and the
models inadequate. Graduates with both classical Accountants & Auditors Association (UAE). He has over 15 years of
finance knowledge and modern tech skills will thrive, experience in accounting, auditing, taxation, and finance education
while others risk obsolescence. across the UAE and beyond. He holds an MSc in Applied Accounting
from Oxford Brookes University and a Master’s in Banking and
Education reform must be systematic, including Finance. As a registered ACCA mentor since 2011, he has guided
curriculum redesign, faculty development, industry hundreds of students in completing the Oxford Brookes Research
collaboration, and regulatory alignment. Coordinated and Analysis Project and was recently honored with ACCA’s “Tutor
Excellence Award 2025.”
ICMA’s Chartered Management Accountant, Jul-Aug 2025 61