School News

We are delighted to celebrate the successful conclusion of the inaugural AI in Accounting Case Competition, co-organised by the HKU Business School and the the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Hong Kong, held on 11 April 2026. This new initiative stands as a testament to the HKU Business School’s commitment to nurturing young talent in the accounting profession, where artificial intelligence is empowering practitioners to drive smarter, more resilient business decisions in an increasingly complex and fast-moving landscape. We believe that embracing this AI-driven evolution is not merely an advantage; it is an essential and defining step for our students as they shape future-ready careers.

We were deeply honoured to partner with ACCA Hong Kong and to receive generous support from our industry partners, including EY and KPMG China, for this dynamic showcase of forward-thinking excellence.

A total of six teams from across our undergraduate and taught postgraduate programmes participated in the grand final round of the case competition. Each team was invited to present their insights and innovative ideas to a distinguished judging panel of industry professionals:

• Mr Wilson Cheng – Chairman of ACCA Hong Kong
• Mr Michael Lo – Partner, Assurance, EY
• Mr Gary Lam – Partner, Audit, KPMG China
• Mr Andrew Wong – Audit Innovation Partner, KPMG China

(From left to right): Prof. Travis Chow, Mr. Gary Lam; Mr. Michael Lo; Mr. Wilson Cheng, Prof. Jeffrey Ng, Mr. Andrew Wong and Prof. Winnie Leung

Mr. Wilson Cheng, Chairman of ACCA Hong Kong, noted that the case competition provided a superb opportunity for university students to reflect upon the application of artificial intelligence within the accounting profession. He was thoroughly impressed by the relevance of the students’ ideas, which demonstrated a thoughtful balance between traditional practices and innovative solutions. During the presentations, he observed how the teams actively explored novel ways of working and successfully leveraged the latest technological tools. Mr Cheng expressed how much he enjoyed listening to their pitches and engaging in a stimulating exchange of views during the Q&A session. Ultimately, he shared his confidence that all the finalist teams would cultivate even greater aspirations for the accounting profession, fully embracing a modern, non-linear approach to their future career development.

Professor Jeffrey Ng, Area Head of Accounting and Law at the HKU Business School, highlighted the rapid advancement of AI within today’s business landscape. He discussed how tertiary institutions, including HKU, are actively responding by tailoring new curricula to nurture young talent equipped for the future workforce. Professor Ng encouraged attendees to embrace the changes brought about by AI. Using the accounting industry as a prime example, he advocated for shifting focus away from routine tasks towards higher-value activities, such as problem-solving and strategy development. He emphasised the importance of utilising professional accounting knowledge to deliver work of a higher calibre, seamlessly supported by AI tools.

Champion Team: Open Claudit

[From second Left to Right]

• Lai Yin Ching | BBA(Acc&Fin) Year 4
• XU Kaijing | BBA(Acc&Fin) Year 4
• Ho Lucine Tsz Ying | BBA(Acc&Fin) Year 4
• Chen Ying-Chi Emily | BBA(Acc&Fin) Year 4
• Yang Zhenyu Kevin | BBA(Acc&Fin) Year 4

“We are very grateful for this opportunity. The competition was incredibly insightful, with judges bridging the theory we learn as Accounting & Finance students with real-world practice at global accounting firms. It taught us the importance of motivation and humanity in AI implementation, examining the industry’s long-term outlook, and building concrete, compliant solutions that create actual impact, not just follow trends.”

1^st Runner-up: AI-FRS Team

[From second Left to Right]

• Komal Bibi | BBA(Acc&Fin) Year 5
• Tao Yuqi | BBA(Acc&Fin) Year 4
• He Ye | BBA(Acc&Fin) Year 4
• Yan Chang | BBA(Acc&Fin) Year 4
• Wang Xingquan Hazel | BEcon&Fin Year 4
• Shum Wa Ching Corrine| BBA(Acc&Fin) Year 4 (not pictured)

“This competition has provided us with a valuable opportunity to explore how artificial intelligence can be applied in practical accounting contexts. Beyond technical knowledge, we gained a deeper understanding of teamwork, communication, and how to present ideas in a clear and structured way. It was especially rewarding to observe our initial idea gradually develop into a working prototype. We also benefited greatly from discussions with industry judges, whose professional feedback helped us critically evaluate and validate the feasibility of our solution.”

2^nd Runner-up: CPA+I 2030

[From second Left to Right]

• Mau King Sum Ken | BBA(Acc&Fin) Year 5
• Chung Hoi Ching Emily | BBA(Law)&LLB Year 5
• Ho Hiu Tung Selina | BBA(Law)&LLB Year 5
• Chan Man Kit Jeffrey | BBA(Law)&LLB Year 5
• Au Tsun Ming Adrian | BBA(Law)&LLB Year 5

“Participating in the competition was a valuable experience for our team. A major takeaway was bridging our academic accounting knowledge with real-world AI applications, while gaining valuable insights into the latest AI technologies. This journey deepened our understanding of the evolving accounting landscape where the coexistence of AI and human accountants is an unavoidable future, and sharpened our collaborative problem-solving skills. We were truly thrilled to be named 2nd Runner-up among such talented peers.”

Best Presenter:

• Komal Bibi | BBA(Acc&Fin) Year 5

“I’m truly grateful for this award. It reminded me that good presentations aren’t the ones loaded with jargon and corporate polish; they’re the ones people actually connect with. When you lead with a story, people stop just hearing you and start actually listening. Keep it simple, keep it interactive, and keep it human.”

We extend our warmest congratulations to all the participants and winning teams for their dedication, hard work, and impressive performances.

At the HKU Business School, we look forward to deepening and expanding our industry partnerships through new and innovative collaborations in the era of AI. By placing our students at the forefront of this transformation, we will empower the next generation to master—and stay ahead of—the AI-driven evolution of the global business landscape.