On November 25–26, 2024, Foreign Trade University, in collaboration with the Asian Academic Accounting Association (FourA), successfully organized the 21st Annual International FourA Conference with the theme "Accounting and Economic Development in Emerging Markets in Asia."

The conference attracted over 100 delegates from nearly 50 educational institutions, organizations, and businesses both domestically and internationally. Notably, the conference featured nearly 40 speakers, including leading professors and researchers from over 30 prestigious universities in the United States, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and other countries. Representatives from organizations and enterprises involved in Accounting and Auditing, such as ICAEW, SAPP, BISC, and universities like the National Economics University, Academy of Finance, Vietnam National University’s University of Economics, Quy Nhon University, and others, also participated.

Representing FTU at the opening ceremony were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Anh Tuan – President; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Thi Thu Thuy – Chairwoman of the Board of Trustees; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Thu Huong – Vice President; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Hoang Nam – Head of the Department of Scientific Management; and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cao Dinh Kien – Director of International Affairs, alongside department heads, staff, and lecturers.

The FourA International Conference is a leading global academic event in Accounting and Auditing, particularly in Asia. This year, the conference addressed new opportunities and challenges for Asian economies, including technological transformation, increasing transparency demands, and the adoption of international accounting standards. With 77 rigorously peer-reviewed papers presented, the conference served as a high-quality academic platform offering recommendations for policymakers, educators, and businesses to reimagine the role of Accounting and Auditing in the modern era.

In his opening remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Anh Tuan expressed pride in FTU being chosen to host the 21st conference. He emphasized the vital role of Accounting and Auditing in a rapidly changing global and Asian economy, affirming that hosting this event aligns with FTU’s development strategy to become a leading university in Asia by 2030, with a vision toward 2040.

Keynote speeches included Professor Shahrokh M. Saudagaran – General Secretary of FourA and Professor at Washington Tacoma University, USA, who presented on "The Accounting Graduate Supply Crisis in the US: Causes and Possible Remedies," and Mr. Pham Hai Au – Director of Risk Assurance Services at PwC Vietnam, who discussed "Unlocking the Potential of Carbon Markets: The Impact of Carbon Credit Systems on Sustainable Development and Climate Change Mitigation." Both presentations highlighted critical challenges and provided actionable solutions in their respective areas, sparking engaging discussions among participants.

The conference continued with 13 parallel sessions featuring 54 presentations on topics such as international accounting standards, sustainability reporting, and corporate governance. Emerging issues like the role of artificial intelligence in Accounting, carbon credit markets, and blockchain adoption in accounting systems were also actively discussed.

In her closing remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thi Kim Anh – Dean of the Faculty of Accounting and Auditing at FTU, expressed hope for deeper research collaboration with FourA in the future. Professor Shahrokh M. Saudagaran commended the quality of the conference and extended his gratitude to FTU for its professional and successful organization.

The 21st International FourA Conference concluded with significant outcomes, reaffirming FTU’s position in fostering research and global academic connections.