Media OutReach
AI adoption across Finance functions achieves standout levels of ROI with usage only set to increase
71% of organisations are using AI in their finance operations
- 57% of leaders say ROI is exceeding their expectations, compared to 29% of others.
- Financial reporting is the most common usage area – but this is widening out to include treasury management, risk management and tax
- Nearly three-quarters of leaders have developed principles and guidelines on the responsible use of AI
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 December 2024 – New research from KPMG International reveals the dramatic extent to which artificial intelligence (AI) is being deployed in organisations’ finance operations – with compelling levels of ROI and a wide range of benefits including better data and decisions, faster insights and reporting, lower costs, and greater operational effectiveness. The KPMG report reveals that organisations are extracting the most value from machine learning, deep learning, and generative AI and report the ROI from these technologies is either meeting or exceeding expectations.
The research, published in the KPMG global AI in finance report, covered 2,900 organisations across 23 countries and built upon research conducted earlier this year across 1,800 organisations in 10 countries. A maturity framework was created to assess respondents into three AI-readiness groups: 24% of organisations qualify as Leaders, while 58% are middle ground Implementers, and 18% are Beginners. KPMG has also developed an AI maturity benchmarking tool designed to help organisations assess their progress in the AI transformation journey.
AI deployment grows, Gen AI a key future priority
71% organisations are using AI to some degree in their financial operations. Currently, 41% of them are using AI to a moderate or large degree – and this is predicted to rise to 83% over the next three years. In just six months since the first wave of research, the spread of AI is already visible. Whereas in April 2024, 40% of organisations in the original 10 countries were using traditional AI in their finance operations to a moderate or large degree, this has increased to 45 percent.
The use of Gen AI has also grown. The percentage of companies with no intention to use Gen AI has fallen from 6% to just 1% now. Gen AI has become a top priority for the future, with 95% of leaders and 39% of others expecting to selectively or widely adopt it within financial reporting in the next three years.
Adoption everywhere
KPMG’s research also underlines the extent to which AI is being utilised around the world. While companies in the US, Germany and Japan are well ahead in AI usage, other major economies, such as Italy and Spain, are behind. The same dichotomy is evident in emerging markets, with China and India ahead in AI usage, and Saudi Arabia and the African countries further behind.
Adam Scriven, Head of Finance Transformation, Hong Kong at KPMG China, says: “Building AI capability has become an imperative for CFOs and Finance functions in embracing the digital age. It’s critical to recognise that AI is a capability, and not a technology product. We all have to start the AI journey, learn and build better capabilities. KPMG is helping clients establish the right data and systems, modelling and analytics backbone in order to harness the power of AI. KPMG is also co-creating AI solutions with clients to help build capability and go on the journey together.”
Alan Yau, Audit Innovation Leader at KPMG China, says: “AI in financial reporting is transforming the industry with enhanced accuracy, efficiency, and real-time insights. As a mega trend, AI enables predictive analytics and data-driven decisions. Upskilling and retaining talent are crucial in this evolution. Organisations must prioritise continuous learning to equip their workforce with AI skills, fostering innovation and adaptability, in order to drive sustainable growth and maintain a competitive edge in the market.”
AI usage opening out across finance
Companies are turning to AI in every area of corporate finance. Financial reporting is the most widespread usage area, with nearly two-thirds of companies piloting or using AI for reporting, accounting and financial planning. But other areas are following suit: nearly half of companies are now piloting or using AI for treasury and risk management. This can generate better debt management, cash-flow forecasting, fraud detection, credit risk assessment, and scenario analysis in the treasury and risk management functions. Tax management, however, sits slightly further behind. Less than one-third of companies piloting or using AI in this area, although about half are in the planning stage.
Leaders moving ahead
Leaders are showing the way, with more than three times as many leaders (87%) as others (27%) using AI in finance to a moderate or large degree. Leaders are moving fast and have on average developed six use cases for AI, almost double the number amongst others. Top areas for usage are research and data analysis (85%), fraud detection and prevention (81%), predictive analysis and planning (78%), and using Gen AI for composing documents and other content (75%).
Common barriers that all companies encounter include data security vulnerabilities (57%), limited AI skills and knowledge (53%), gathering consistent data (48%) and costs (45%) – but leaders are better able to navigate these through the steps they have taken. Their chief barriers become more advanced ones, such as integrating AI solutions with existing tools and overcoming any residual staff resistance.
Reaping the benefits and achieving ROI
As the use of AI in finance grows, the dividends multiply. When starting out, finance teams report two to three benefits. By the time they are leaders, that number is seven.
Just as the benefits from AI can rise with its usage, so does the potential return on investment. As a result, a remarkable 57% of leaders say ROI is not just meeting but exceeding their expectations. Even amongst less advanced adopters, nearly one third (29%) report the same.
Stanley Sum, Head of Digital Enablement at KPMG China, says: “AI is reshaping the finance function, paving the way for both potential opportunities and challenges. Hence, robust AI governance is not merely conducive to meeting regulatory demands, but it stands as an essential component. KPMG assists its clients in their journey to manage risks, promoting transparency and the ethical usage of AI in governance. By implementing mindful supervision now, we help safeguard the future of finance.”
Hashtag: #KPMGChina
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About KPMG China
KPMG China has offices located in 31 cities with over 14,000 partners and staff, in Beijing, Changchun, Changsha, Chengdu, Chongqing, Dalian, Dongguan, Foshan, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Haikou, Hangzhou, Hefei, Jinan, Nanjing, Nantong, Ningbo, Qingdao, Shanghai, Shenyang, Shenzhen, Suzhou, Taiyuan, Tianjin, Wuhan, Wuxi, Xiamen, Xi’an, Zhengzhou, Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR. Working collaboratively across all these offices, KPMG China can deploy experienced professionals efficiently, wherever our client is located.
KPMG is a global organization of independent professional services firms providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services. KPMG is the brand under which the member firms of KPMG International Limited (“KPMG International”) operate and provide professional services. “KPMG” is used to refer to individual member firms within the KPMG organization or to one or more member firms collectively.
KPMG firms operate in 143 countries and territories with more than 265,000 partners and employees working in member firms around the world. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such. Each KPMG member firm is responsible for its own obligations and liabilities.
KPMG International Limited is a private English company limited by guarantee. KPMG International Limited and its related entities do not provide services to clients.
In 1992, KPMG became the first international accounting network to be granted a joint venture licence in the Chinese Mainland. KPMG was also the first among the Big Four in the Chinese Mainland to convert from a joint venture to a special general partnership, as of 1 August 2012. Additionally, the Hong Kong firm can trace its origins to 1945. This early commitment to this market, together with an unwavering focus on quality, has been the foundation for accumulated industry experience, and is reflected in KPMG’s appointment for multidisciplinary services (including audit, tax and advisory) by some of China’s most prestigious companies.
Media OutReach
From AI experiments to Frontier Success: Microsoft Brings Agentic AI to Hong Kong Organizations
“Across Hong Kong, organizations are rethinking how work gets done with agentic AI—moving beyond experimentation to running operations at scale,” said Judson Althoff, CEO of Microsoft’s Commercial Business. “Frontier Transformation is helping them deliver business impact and measurable outcomes by embedding AI into real workflows, with trust, security, and governance fully integrated throughout.”
Frontier Success Framework: How Microsoft Helps Organizations Scale Agentic AI with Confidence
As AI matures, success is no longer defined by deploying individual tools. At the AI Tour, Microsoft shared its Frontier Success Framework—a practical approach designed to help organizations turn agentic AI into business real, measurable business value. The framework centered on four outcomes: enrich employee experience, reinvest customer engagement, reshape business process, and bend the curve on innovation.
As part of this journey, Microsoft announced that Wave 3 of Microsoft Copilot, delivered through Microsoft 365 E7 (Frontier Suite) will reach general availability in Hong Kong on 1 May 2026. Built on the principles of Intelligence and Trust, Microsoft 365 E7 brings together Microsoft 365 Copilot, Work IQ and Agent 365, alongside enterprise security, identity, and agent governance. By grounding AI in deep work context—understanding how people collaborate, what they work on, and how decisions are made—Work IQ enables Copilot and AI agents to operate with relevance and accuracy. At the same time, Agent 365 provides a centralized control plane to govern agents, while integrated security and governance ensure AI can scale responsibly across the enterprise.
Frontier Success in Action across Hong Kong
Across industries, Hong Kong organizations are already demonstrating what Frontier Success looks like in practice.
AIA –AdvancingAgentic AI Across Its Enterprise: AIA is applying Microsoft’s AI platform to deploy a holistic, agentic AI strategy across its operations. This includes agentic AI supporting product training, lead management and knowledge access, automated claims processing and customer self-service. In addition, a citizen developer program using Copilot Studio to increase productivity. Together, these capabilities enable AIA to reduce manual effort, improve accuracy, and scale operational efficiency while meeting the requirements of a highly regulated industry.
AS Watson Group – Driving Scaled AI‑Powered Personalization Across O+O Retail Channels: AS Watson Group has adopted a wide range of AI tools in its Retail HK businesses, including Microsoft Copilot and its AI capabilities across its O+O (Offline plus Online) platform to enhance productivity and decision‑making. Key use cases include AI‑driven product discovery, AI skin analysis, and in‑store personalization to enhance customer engagement, alongside employee‑focused applications such as AI‑enabled store support and AI‑generated marketing content. By scaling generative AI across operations and customer insight analysis, the Group achieves efficiency, effectiveness and cross-team collaboration in its unique O+O business model.
These examples reflect a broader shift across Hong Kong’s business community: organizations are no longer asking whether AI works, but how it should sit inside the operating model to drive meaningful outcomes.
Looking Ahead: Sustaining Frontier Success Through Continuous, Enterprise‑Grade Trust
Microsoft has been part of Hong Kong’s technology and business community for 35 years, supporting enterprises as the city evolves into a hub for innovation and global impact.
“Over the past 35 years, we have had the privilege of supporting Hong Kong through multiple waves of digital transformation. Today, as this momentum carries Hong Kong into the frontier era of AI, where organizations are not just adopting new technologies, but rethinking operating models across the enterprise,” said Leo Liu, General Manager of Microsoft Hong Kong and Macau. “As this frontier journey accelerates, Microsoft is committed to empowering local customers and partners to get ahead in the age of AI while maintaining strong data governance and enterprise‑grade privacy—ensuring human judgment remains firmly in control and enabling Hong Kong to define what Frontier Success looks like on the global stage.”
As AI adoption accelerates, Microsoft emphasized that Frontier Success is not a single milestone, but a continuous transformation—one that requires clarity of purpose, strong governance, and real-world execution. Through its platform, partners, and ecosystem, Microsoft aims to support Hong Kong organizations as they move from experimentation to sustained, responsible AI driven growth.
Hashtag: #Microsoft #AI #FrontierSuccess
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Microsoft
Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) creates platforms and tools powered by AI to deliver innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers. The technology company is committed to making AI available broadly and doing so responsibly, with a mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.
Media OutReach
IF Coconut Brings Singaporeans Together to Co-Create 40 Ultra-Limited Merlion Collectibles from 1,200 Plastic Bottles
- IF Coconut unveils The IF-inity Movement in Singapore, transforming discarded bottles into ultra-limited collectible art through circular innovation.
- 1,200 discarded IF bottles transformed into 40 ultra-limited Fortune Merlion collectibles, turning everyday plastic waste into rare, design-led art pieces.
- Public as Co-Creators, where individuals can contribute plastic bottles for a chance to co-create and own one of the exclusive collectibles, unveiling on 29 April 2026 at Ocean Financial Centre.
- Circular innovation meets real-world impact, spotlighting Singapore’s 957 million kg plastic waste challenge (with only 5% recycled) while showcasing a full recycling-to-3D-printing journey.
- One-of-a-kind Gold Edition for charity, to debut at Pop Toy Show 2026, with 100% proceeds supporting the Pan Pacific Conservation Foundation
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 April 2026 – As Singapore accelerates efforts to tackle plastic waste and advance its circular economy ambitions, IF, a globally recognised coconut water brand established in Thailand and renowned for its commitment to product quality and innovation, has launched The IF-inity Movement. A first-of-its-kind initiative that transforms post-consumer plastic into ultra-limited collectible art, while inviting the public in Singapore to take part in the creation process through a circular, community-led approach.
Anchored on the message “Turning Waste to Wonders,” the campaign will culminate in a flagship public event on 29 April 2026 at Ocean Financial Centre Plaza Atrium from 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM, where the brand will unveil 40 ultra-limited Fortune Merlion collectibles, each crafted from recycled IF bottles and caps. Designed as both a cultural icon and a sustainability statement, each piece embodies the transformation of waste into something meaningful, bridging creativity, environmental responsibility, and public participation.
Additionally, IF will unveil a one-of-a-kind Gold Edition Fortune Merlion collectible, paired with a IF Coconut Magnet, at Pop Toy Show 2026 – one of Southeast Asia’s largest and most influential collectible and designer toy events, drawing thousands of creative fans, collectors, and industry tastemakers each year. Exclusively featured at UNIPLAY’s booth, this single gold‑finished piece stands apart from the 40‑unit collection not only for its craftsmanship but also for its purpose: 100% of proceeds from its sale will be donated to the Pan Pacific Conservation Foundation (PPCF) to support regional environmental protection and conservation efforts.
Inviting the Public into the Creation Process
Leading up to the main reveal on 29 April 2026, IF Coconut rolled out a series of public activations from 2 to 28 April 2026, inviting the community to participate directly in the recycling journey.
Members of the public also took part as Co-Creators to stand a chance to receive the ultra-limited IF-inity Fortune Merlion by:
- Contributing at least 30 IF bottles (labels removed and cleaned)
- Pre-registering by 17 April 2026.
- Dropping off the cleaned empty bottles between 21–22 April 2026.
From these submissions, the first five entries were selected, subject to meeting the eligibility and submission requirements, to receive the ultra-limited IF-inity Fortune Merlion. Selected Co-Creators will also be invited to attend the main event, where they will complete their collectible by injecting and “snapping” their IF Coconut Magnet onto the Merlion, marking the final step in transforming plastic waste into a finished piece of art.
Beyond the Co-Creator programme, members of the public can also participate as regular contributors by depositing any cleaned PET bottles at IF-inity recycling pods located at
- 6 Battery Road, Singapore, 049909
- 19 Tuas View Square, Singapore 637564
Registration for The IF-inity Movement event on 29 April can be completed via Eventbrite here: https://www.eventbrite.sg/e/the-if-inity-movement-tickets-1985795073521
“The IF-inity Movement was inspired by a simple belief – that small actions, when multiplied across a community, can drive meaningful environmental change. At IF Coconut, we saw an opportunity to transform everyday waste, such as plastic bottles and caps, into something purposeful. Through our collaboration with UNIPLAY and PLASTIFY, we are giving new life to discarded materials by reimagining them into commemorative collectibles inspired by the Merlion, an iconic symbol of Singapore. This initiative reflects our commitment to sustainability, and we hope it will inspire more people to embrace circular practices and contribute to a more sustainable future.” said Pongsakorn Pongsak, Chief Executive Officer of IFBH Limited.
The Grand Reveal: 40 Collectibles, One Community
The IF-inity Movement will culminate in a public event on 29 April 2026, which will feature the first unveiling of the IF-inity Fortune Merlion collectibles, alongside an interactive recycling experience led by PLASTIFY, where all attendees can “inject” and bring home their own IF Coconut Magnet in 30 seconds.
For the five selected Co-Creators eligible for the IF-inity Fortune Merlions, they will also take part in a special moment to complete their collectible by “snapping” the IF Coconut Magnets onto the Merlion, marking the final step in transforming waste into a finished piece of art.
The 40 Fortune Merlion collectibles are not available for retail and will be exclusively distributed as part of The IF-inity Movement, including a limited number allocated to selected Co-Creators from the public and one exclusive gold-edition at Pop Toy Show 2026.
Closing the Loop Through Waste and Merlion Metamorphosis
According to the National Environment Agency, in Singapore alone, 957 million kg of plastic waste was generated in 2024, with only 5% recycled. Against this backdrop, The IF-inity Movement aims to reframe waste not as an endpoint, but as the beginning of a new lifecycle, demonstrating how collective action, design, and innovation can come together to create impact.
At the heart of the initiative is a full lifecycle transformation process that converts post-consumer plastic into limited-edition collectibles. Through a multi-step journey, spanning bottle collection, shredding, material processing, filament production, and 3D printing, discarded plastics are reimagined into tangible works.
A total of 1,200 PET bottles and 600 HDPE caps (weighing 21.5kg in total) are recycled into 40 ultra-limited Fortune Merlion collectibles and accompanying IF Coconut Magnets. Each piece carries a symbolic narrative of renewal, transformation, and shared responsibility.
The IF-inity Movement brings together a network of collaborators across design, sustainability, and production. The Fortune Merlion collectible is crafted using PET plastic filaments by UNIPLAY, while PLASTIFY leads the recycling of HDPE bottle caps into the magnetic IF Coconut. Supporting partners include ASYPHER Studios (campaign strategist and orchestrators), Advance Recycling (plastic shredding and material recovery), Greenfinity (PET Plastic filament transformation), and PlasticTinkers (3D printing).
Hashtag: #IFCoconut
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About IF Coconut
IF is a globally recognised coconut water brand known for its commitment to product quality, and innovation. As part of the IF family, the brand has built a strong presence across international markets, offering a range of naturally refreshing coconut-based beverages that cater to modern, health-conscious lifestyles.
Driven by a vision that goes beyond hydration, IF continues to evolve its brand narrative by integrating sustainability and responsible practices into its operations. With a growing focus on environmental impact, the brand is committed to exploring circular solutions, transforming post-consumer waste into meaningful creations while encouraging conscious consumption among its community.
Through initiatives like The IF-inity Movement, IF bridges sustainability with creativity and community engagement, demonstrating how everyday products can play a role in a larger environmental ecosystem. By reimagining waste as a resource, the brand aims to inspire collective action and contribute to a more circular future.
With a strong regional footprint and expanding global reach, IF continues to innovate both within and beyond its product offerings, championing not only better beverages, but a more sustainable way of living.
Website:
https://www.iffamily.com/
Register for The IF-inity Movement event: Eventbrite
Social Media: Linktree
Media OutReach
Aqount Technologies: Most SMEs Use Accounting Software But Still Lack Financial Clarity
Aqount Technologies launches Financial Clarity Check to help SMEs fix structural accounting issues masking true business performance.
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 April 2026 – Aqount Technologies, a specialist in comprehensive accounting and bookkeeping services, today announced the launch of Financial Clarity Check. This new, free tool is designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) bridge the gap between simple bookkeeping and powerful decision-making by identifying deep-seated structural accounting issues that often mask true business performance.
The launch comes at a critical time for businesses across Southeast Asia. While thousands of SMEs have adopted cloud platforms like Xero to automate invoicing and reporting, Aqount Technologies has observed that software alone does not guarantee financial clarity. Despite these digital advances, many founders still struggle to determine if they are truly profitable, why cash flow remains tight, or which business segments drive the strongest margins.
The Hidden Problem: Structure, Not Software
Cloud accounting platforms are powerful, but they are only as useful as the structure behind them. When financial data is poorly organised, even well-implemented systems can become record-keeping tools rather than decision-making tools.
Finance professionals working with SMEs frequently observe a similar pattern. Profits may appear healthy while cash flow remains constrained, expenses are often grouped too broadly to analyse, and key cost drivers remain hidden within generic categories. Reports may be technically correct, yet difficult for founders to interpret or act upon.
In such cases, the issue is not the software itself, but how the accounting system has been structured and maintained over time.
Why Financial Clarity Breaks Down as Businesses Grow
Most SMEs set up their accounting systems quickly in the early stages, focusing on compliance and basic record-keeping. As the business grows, new revenue streams are added, cost structures become more complex, and different team members begin recording transactions in varying ways.
Over time, the system can become fragmented. The result is a business that contains a large volume of financial data, but lacks the structure needed to generate meaningful insight.
What Financial Diagnostics Typically Reveal
When accounting systems are reviewed at a structural level, several recurring issues often emerge. Expenses are frequently misclassified, leading to distorted profitability. Profit margins may be overstated due to incomplete cost allocation. Key cost drivers are buried within broad categories, and financial reports do not reflect how the business actually operates.
These issues are rarely visible at first glance, but they can have a material impact on decision-making.
A Real Example: When ‘Profitable’ Didn’t Mean Profitable
In one case, a Southeast Asian SME in a service-based industry appeared to be performing well on paper. Revenue was growing steadily, and monthly reports showed consistent profitability. The business was using cloud accounting software and maintaining regular bookkeeping.
Yet cash flow remained persistently tight. A financial review of the accounting structure revealed that operational costs were grouped too broadly, masking true cost drivers. Certain expenses had been misclassified, overstating profitability, and costs were not properly attributed to specific services.
After restructuring the chart of accounts and improving cost categorisation, previously ‘profitable’ services were found to be operating at thin or negative margins. At the same time, higher-performing segments became clearly identifiable, enabling management to make more informed pricing and cost decisions.
Within a short period, the business gained significantly clearer visibility into its financial performance, not by changing the software, but by improving the structure behind it.
From Bookkeeping to Decision-Making
When properly structured, accounting systems can serve as operational dashboards rather than simple record-keeping tools. They allow business leaders to understand which products or services generate the strongest margins, track cost trends over time, identify inefficiencies early, and make decisions with greater confidence.
For businesses with more complex operations, this level of financial visibility is increasingly essential.
Assessing Financial Clarity
For SMEs already using platforms such as Xero, the next step is not adopting additional tools, but ensuring that the accounting system is structured effectively. Aqount has developed a Financial Clarity Check designed to evaluate key aspects of an accounting system, including chart-of-accounts design, categorisation consistency, reporting clarity, and overall system health.
Businesses can access the Financial Clarity Check at https://clarity.aqount.tech. The process takes only a few minutes and provides an initial indication of whether an accounting system is supporting effective decision-making.
Hashtag: #Fintech #SMEs #SoutheastAsia #Accounting #FinancialClarity #CloudAccounting #Aqount
https://aqount.tech/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/aqount/?viewAsMember=true
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Aqount Technologies
Aqount Technologies specializes in comprehensive accounting and bookkeeping services, providing businesses with accurate insights for strategic decision-making.
At Aqount Technologies, we go beyond numbers. We cultivate lasting relationships, tailoring our services to your specific financial goals. Our expert team ensures compliance, security, and industry-specific expertise, giving you the confidence to navigate your financial landscape.
Our services include accounting & financial reporting, bookkeeping & recordkeeping, tax planning & compliance, payroll processing, financial analysis & forecasting, and audit preparation & support.
Experience a seamless financial journey with Aqount Technologies and join us in achieving excellence in your business’s financial strategy.
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