The Minister of Financial Services and Economic Planning, Dr (Mrs) Jyoti Jeetun, headlined an event by the Mauritius Institute of Professional Accountants (MIPA) to mark its 20th anniversary. The seventh Forum of Accountants focusing on the theme “Sustainability and Digital Transformation: Shaping the Future of the Accountancy Profession” was held over 06 and 07 August at the Intercontinental Resort in Balaclava.
In her keynote address, Dr Jeetun emphasised the profession’s moral obligation to strive for a more sustainable and equitable world amid an ever-evolving global landscape of trade wars, tariffs, climate change and technological advancements.
She noted, “As accounting professionals, you understand that accountancy is not just about numbers. It is about integrity and trust. It is about responsibility towards the present and the future. It is about adaptability in what is becoming more and more a very unpredictable world.”
Dr Jeetun unfolded her address under the two pillars of sustainability and digital innovation that she noted would transform the profession.
Sustainability to deliver enduring value
Under the sustainability pillar, the Minister emphasised that, as stakeholders increasingly demand accountability beyond financial performance, accountants must guide businesses in integrating environmental, social, and governance principles.
Minister Jeetun further underscored the growing significance of sustainability reporting in corporate governance, particularly in light of climate-related risks. She asked accountants to lead on sustainability by proactively advising clients on carbon accounting, helping to implement circular economy practices, and ensuring that their sustainability reports meet global standards.
She asked, thought-provokingly: “What does it mean for a company to thrive for the next 50 years? It means adapting its business model to protect the planet, ensure fair treatment of its workers, and govern with ethics. You are the stewards of that future.“
She cited coastal erosion and rising sea levels as threats to Mauritius’ tourism sector and highlighted the essential role of accountants in providing accurate data to help businesses address these long-term environmental challenges. She expressed her conviction that, by embracing their stewardship of sustainability, accountants can ensure companies deliver enduring value to future generations.
She ended her section on the significance of sustainability on the note that embedding ESG thinking into audit and advisory services is of utmost importance, and that the role of a strategic accountant is not just to count—it is to account for what truly matters.
Digital innovation to take profession to new frontiers
In relation to digital transformation, the Minister stressed that technology should be viewed as a partner rather than a replacement.
She stated: “Artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotic process automation, blockchain — these are no longer buzzwords. They are active forces shaping our workflows and our client expectations.“
She urged accountants to leverage these advancements to upskill themselves, and to focus on strategic advisory roles and ethical decision-making rather than routine tasks.
“We need to invest in digital skills—not just in our junior staff, but across all levels. We need to understand data analytics, cybersecurity risks, and how to interpret insights from AI-driven tools. These are becoming core competencies,” she stated, underscoring the importance of continuous learning as the last takeaway in the digital transformation journey.
Minister Jeetun urged the audience to act on the imperative of building an inclusive, technology-driven profession rooted in ethical standards, where sustainable practices and digital innovation team up to strengthen the accountancy sector’s long-term resilience.
Promoting Gender Diversity: The Case for Equity and Excellence
Minister Jeetun turned finally to the gender diversity theme included in the agenda for the event, and noted that the profession had taken some strides, such as remote working, but not nearly enough to reach where it needed to be.
She rued that women enter entry-level roles in accountancy in large numbers and yet, at the senior leadership level, they are still significantly underrepresented.
She hoped that the future of the accounting profession would be ‘more inclusive in every sense—embracing all backgrounds, identities, and experiences because representation matters, not just in the world of politics but also in the profession and in the industry.‘
Vision for the future
She ended on her vision for the future of the profession, requesting the audience to ask itself three questions:
- Is the profession building the skills needed for the next decade?
- Is the profession helping organisations operate sustainably?
- Is the profession opening doors for future leaders, especially women and underrepresented groups?
She urged accounting professionals to ask themselves if they are driving strategy or simply serving as a support system focusing on reporting, noting that their real roles lay as trusted advisors, the stewards of integrity, and the guardians of long-term value for their clients.
Finally, Dr Jeetun concluded by asking the audience to commit to a profession that is digital, sustainable, and inclusive – and to shape the future of accounting together.
