UTAR students gain professional exposure to forensic accounting in practice

In a dynamic effort to bridge academic learning with professional insight, the Department of Accountancy under the Faculty of Accountancy and Management (FAM), in collaboration with the Accounting Society of UTAR Sungai Long Campus, successfully hosted a guest lecture titled INTERSECTION: Forensic Accounting and Its Convergence of Disciplines on 9 December 2025. The session welcomed over 150 attendees, including students from the Introduction to Forensic Accounting course, foundation and undergraduate cohorts, academic staff, and professionals from the auditing sector.

Mr Ahmad Zubir delivering his talk

The lecture was delivered by Mr Ahmad Zubir Zahid (MBA, FCA, FCCA, CPA, CVA, AM, ABV, CFE, MAE), a distinguished practitioner whose career spans more than three decades. As the Managing Partner of Value Advisors PLT and Zubir Chang & Co. PLT, and an Independent Non-Executive Director of Westports Holdings Berhad, Mr Ahmad Zubir brought exceptional depth and perspective to the discussion. His affiliations with leading institutions, including the Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA), the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA), and the International Valuation Standards Council (IVSC), further underscored the weight of his insights.

Through an engaging and visually enriched presentation, Mr Ahmad Zubir led the audience through the evolving landscape of forensic accounting in Malaysia. He articulated the discipline’s intrinsic links with business valuation, litigation support services, and forensic expert evidence. Drawing from his vast experience as an expert witness, he offered case-based reflections on the real-world implications of forensic accounting. He highlighted its role in quantifying economic damages, navigating valuation disputes, and uncovering financial irregularities in fraud investigations.

Importantly, Mr Ahmad Zubir emphasised that forensic accounting is not solely a technical pursuit but a convergence of ethical reasoning, investigative skill, and legal understanding. His call for future accounting professionals to demonstrate moral courage and integrity resonated powerfully with the student audience. “As accountants, our responsibility extends beyond numbers. It is about protecting public trust and ensuring that truth stands up in the face of complexity,” he explained.

Following the lecture, an interactive question-and-answer session fostered meaningful dialogue between participants and the speaker. Students inquired about the ethical challenges faced by forensic accountants, career development pathways, and the certifications most valued in the field. Academic staff members, including Ms Patricia Liang, contributed to the discourse and enriched the session with thoughtful inquiries that bridged classroom learning with contemporary practice.

Ms Eileen Grace Lee explaining the MICPA programme

The programme also featured a special segment led by Ms Eileen Grace Lee, Head of Marketing at MICPA. She introduced attendees to the MICPA x CA ANZ Qualifying Programme, underscoring its global recognition and the practical orientation of its assessments. Ms Lee highlighted that the qualification is designed to cultivate not only technical proficiency but also adaptability in an ever-evolving business landscape.

Concluding the event, Ms Zufara Arneeda binti Zulfakar, lead lecturer of the course, presented a token of appreciation to Mr Ahmad Zubir. The moment was shared by FAM academics Dr Yong Mun Ching, Puan Rozitaayu binti Zulkifli, and Dr Linda Azlinda binti Sahlan, alongside Ms Liang Chooi Ling and Puan Haslina binti Ahmad Fauzi from the Centre for Foundation Studies. Notably, the participation of Ms Leau Lee Meng, General Manager of Internal Audit at Tomei Consolidated Berhad, and her team added a valuable industry perspective to the exchange.

This lecture stands as a testament to UTAR’s commitment to enhancing academic rigour through industry engagement. By providing students with access to seasoned professionals and real-world knowledge, the University continues to prepare future-ready graduates equipped to address complex challenges at the intersection of finance, law, and governance.