CAFR Special Issue Conference 2026

The China Accounting and Finance Review (CAFR) Special Issue Conference 2026, jointly organised by the School of Accounting and Finance and the Research Centre for Environmental, Social, and Governance Advancement of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and the School of Accountancy of Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, will be held at Zhongnan University of Economics and Law in Wuhan, China on 28-29 November 2026.   Conference Theme and Aims   The conference theme for this year is “ESG in the AI Era: Challenges and Opportunities”. This special issue conference aims to explore the evolving relationship between Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices and artificial intelligence (AI) in the contemporary business landscape. As AI technologies increasingly reshape how firms collect, process, and disclose ESG information, new challenges and opportunities emerge for stakeholders, regulators, and researchers alike. We seek to advance understanding of how AI impacts ESG reporting quality, assurance, investment decision-making, and corporate accountability. The conference also welcomes submissions from critical perspectives on ethical risks, algorithmic bias, and regulatory gaps introduced by AI-driven ESG practices. By bringing together interdisciplinary research, this special issue conference aspires to inform both academic inquiry and practical policy development, offering insights into responsible innovation, sustainability strategy, and the future of governance in the AI era.   The key features of this conference are:   AI-Driven ESG Reporting and Assurance; Algorithmic Bias, Ethics, and Fairness in ESG Analytics; Regulatory Responses to AI-Enabled ESG Practices; AI, Greenwashing, and Corporate Accountability; and AI for Sustainable Finance and Investment Decision-Making.   Conference Format and Paper Presentation   The conference will feature plenary sessions and concurrent sessions. Authors of papers invited to be presented at the plenary sessions are expected to commit to publishing their papers in the special issue of CAFR (scheduled to be published in the second half of the year following the conference). The commitment to publish with CAFR requirement only applies to papers accepted for presentation at the plenary sessions, and not to those accepted for presentation at the concurrent sessions.    One author of each paper accepted for presentation at the plenary sessions will be invited to present the paper at the conference and will be provided with three nights of accommodation and airfare reimbursement. The maximum amount of airfare reimbursement will range from USD 500 to USD 2,000, depending on the location of the presenter’s affiliation. The conference organisers reserve the final decision on the exact amount to be reimbursed. Presenters at the concurrent sessions will not be provided with accommodation and airfare reimbursement by the conference organizers.          Conference Schedule   Dates:           28-29 November 2026 (Saturday & Sunday) Location:      Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, China Theme:         ESG in the AI Era: Challenges and Opportunities   Paper Submission   Please send a complete English version of your submission in Microsoft Word format, including separate files for the title page and for the blinded manuscript, by 2 August 2026 via the online Submission System (https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/cafr). Please select “ESG in the AI Era: Challenges and Opportunities” at Step 6: Details & Comments, and indicate in the cover letter whether you prefer to have your submission considered for:   the plenary session only (which requires a commitment to publish in CAFR if selected); the concurrent session only (which does not require a commitment to publish in CAFR); or both sessions.   For submission guidelines, please visit: https://www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/journal/cafr#jlp_author_guidelines   There is no paper submission fee for the CAFR Special Issue Conference. Each paper will be peer-reviewed according to the policies of CAFR and the journal publisher Emerald.   Authors will be notified of their acceptance by 4 October 2026.   Key Dates   Paper Submission Opens: 15 April 2026 Submission Deadline: 2 August 2026 Notification of Acceptance: 4 October 2026   Guest Editors   Prof. Sihai LI, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law Prof. Yi XIANG, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Prof. Colin ZENG, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Prof. Qi ZHANG, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law    Conference Organising Committee   Prof. Sihai LI, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law Prof. Nancy SU, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Prof. Qiang WU, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Prof. Qi ZHANG, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law   Organisers   School of Accounting and Finance, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Research Centre for Environmental, Social, and Governance Advancement, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Accountancy, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law

Inauguration Ceremony of the PolyU–Quant Cloud Centre for AI in Accounting and Finance

The inauguration ceremony of the PolyU–Quant Cloud Centre for AI in Accounting and Finance was held at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) on Thursday, 19 March 2026. The newly established research centre is dedicated to harnessing the power of large language models and advanced natural language processing to extract market signals, transform them into robust and testable sentiment factors, and generate measurable value for both academic scholarship and professional practice. Prof. Jin-guang Teng, President of PolyU, delivered the opening remarks at the ceremony. On behalf of the School of Accounting and Finance, Prof. Nancy Su, Head of the School, received a cheque from Dr. Zeng Zhiyun, Chairman of the Board of Capital Finance Holdings Limited (Stock Code: HK.08239), in support of the establishment of the centre.  The ceremony was also graced by Prof. Geoffrey Shen, Associate Vice President (Global Partnerships) of PolyU; Mr. David Wu, Chairman of Going Quant, and Ms. Vivian Wang, Operating President of Going Quant; together with Prof. Xianjin Xu, Professor of Practice and Deputy Programme Director of the Doctor of Management Programme, Faculty of Business, as well as Secretary-General of the PolyU–Tsinghua University Alumni Association and faculty members of the School of Accounting and Finance. The launch of the PolyU–Quant Cloud Centre for AI in Accounting and Finance marks a significant milestone in the School’s enduring commitment to advancing knowledge and translating cutting-edge research into real-world impact.    

BBA Students Secure First Runner-Up at HSBC/HKU Business Case Competition 2026

Congratulations to PolyU’s BBA team featuring students from the School of Accounting and Finance (AF) for securing the first runner-up position at the HSBC/HKU Hong Kong Business Case Competition 2026, held on 7 March 2026. Representing AF were Audrey ARISGRAHA (BBA in Accounting and Finance) and Zixuan ZHANG (BBA in Digital Finance and Investment with a Secondary Major in AIDA), who partnered with peers from the Department of Management and Marketing to deliver a well-structured and insightful solution in the competition. This achievement demonstrates the students’ ability to translate their academic knowledge into practical solutions, demonstrating strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

The PolyU Digital Finance Symposium 2026

The School of Accounting and Finance at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is pleased to announce that the PolyU Digital Finance Symposium 2026 will be held on 19 - 20 March 2026.  Roundtable (for AF members and symposium speakers only) Date: 19 March 2026 (Thursday) Time: 2:30 pm-6:00 pm (Registration starts at 2:00 pm) Venue: Room 1937, Level 28, Hotel ICON Symposium Date: 20 March 2026 (Friday) Time: 9:00 am-5:30 pm (Registration starts at 8:45 am) Venue: M1603, 16/F, Li Ka Shing Tower, Poly U The Symposium aims to provide a platform for leading scholars to present cutting-edge research on digital finance and related topics. The programme will feature paper presentations, keynote addresses, and roundtable discussions, fostering dialogue among distinguished academics and practitioners. Each paper presentation will be followed by a discussion. We are honoured to have invited the following professors as our presenters/discussants: Keynote Speaker Lin William Cong (The Rudd Family Endowed Chair Professor of Management & Professor of Finance, Johnson Graduate School of Management, Cornell SC Johnson College of Business) Other Spekers/Discussants (in alphabetical order) Charles Cao (Yang Ju Mei Professor of Finance, Chairman of Department of Finance, The Chinese University of Hong Kong) Darwin Choi (Associate Professor, Department of Finance, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology) Jungsuk Han (Associate Professor of Finance, Seoul National University) Alan Kwan (Associate Professor of Finance, University of Hong Kong) Philipp Krüger (Professor of Finance,University of Geneva (GSEM) and Geneva Finance Research Institute (GFRI), Senior Chair at the Swiss Finance Institute (SFI)) John Kuong (Associate Professor, Department of Finance, The Chinese University of Hong Kong) Daniel Rabetti (Assistant Professor of Accounting, National University of Singapore) Yang Song (Associate Professor of Finance, Norman J. Metcalfe Endowed Professor in Finance, Michael G. Foster School of Business, University of Washington) Huan Tang (Assistant Professor of Finance, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania) Chaojun Wang (Assistant Professor of Finance, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania) Gloria Yu (Assistant Professor of Finance, Singapore Management University) Tentative Programme Registration Registration for the symposium begins on 23 February 2026. Due to limited capacity, registration was accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. No registration fee will be charged for this event. Participants are responsible for making their own travel and accommodation arrangements.  For PolyU AF Faculty members, please register (Here)  For PolyU AF PhD students, please register (Here)  For Guests, please register (Here) For enquiries, please contact Ms Mandy Chan at mlokchan@polyu.edu.hk. Symposium Organising Committee Prof. Nancy Su, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Prof. Chi-shen Wei, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

PolyU AF Team Wins 2nd Runner-Up at the Hong Kong Local Final of the CFA Institute Research Challenge 2025-26

Four BBA students from the School of Accounting and Finance at PolyU, Qixiang WANG, Mengxi ZHANG, Yiming ZHANG and Qiaochu HU, achieved outstanding success by winning the 2nd runner-up prize at the Hong Kong Final of the “CFA Institute Research Challenge” held on Saturday, 7 February 2026.   The CFA Institute Research Challenge is a global competition that fosters best practices in equity research among the next generation of analysts. Through hands-on mentoring and rigorous training in company analysis, participants gain invaluable experience that equips them for successful careers in finance. This year marked the 22nd consecutive edition of the Challenge, featuring a record participation of 32 teams representing 16 universities from Hong Kong and Macau.   Among these 32 teams, the top five finalists advanced to the Local Final Presentation on 7 February 2026, where they presented their in-depth analysis and recommendations to a panel of professional judges. The event also included a Career Panel sharing session, where seasoned industry practitioners offered insights on career development within the financial sector.   Congratulations to Qixiang, Mengxi, Yiming, and Qiaochu for their remarkable achievement and dedication throughout the competition. We would also like to extend our sincere gratitude to their coaches and advisors for their invaluable guidance and support, which played a crucial role in the team’s success.

PolyU Hosts Legal Technology Forum Showcasing AI Innovation in Law

Prof. Haitian Lu, Hong Kong Sustaintech Foundation Professor in Accounting and Finance at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and founder of the PolyU startup WiseLaw Digital Technology Limited (WiseLaw), recently gave an in‑depth interview to HK01. In the feature, Prof. Lu elaborated on the four core products of the company’s “Next Generation Legal Service AI Agent System”, including advanced capabilities in cross‑border compliance advisory, contract review, legal data retrieval, and AI‑driven legal education, designed to empower the digital and intelligent transformation of legal services, with the aim of boosting efficiency and enhancing access to high‑quality legal support.  Supported by funding from PolyU’s Angel Fund (TSSSU+) and multiple regional innovation programmes, WiseLaw aims to strengthen Hong Kong’s role as a “super-connector” in global legal services.  The interview also highlighted that PolyU and WiseLaw co‑organised a showcase last week to demonstrate the four products. Dr Kwok‑kwan Cheung, Deputy Secretary for Justice of the HKSAR, and Prof. Christopher Chao, PolyU’s Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation), officiated and delivered remarks, underscoring the critical role of legal technology in strengthening Hong Kong’s development as a hub for cross‑border legal services and innovation. Read the full article: https://polyu.me/49Yx9qa  

PolyU Confers University Fellowship on Distinguished Leader in Finance and Business

PolyU conferred the title of University Fellow on four outstanding individuals in recognition of their significant contributions to the University and the community in their respective fields. Presided over by Dr LAM Tai-fai, PolyU Council Chairman, the Conferment Ceremony was held at the Jockey Club Auditorium on campus on 21 January 2026. The recipients were warmly greeted by Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, PolyU President, and members of the University’s senior management team.   In his welcoming speech, Prof. TENG said, “Our University Fellows have contributed to PolyU’s development in many meaningful ways and we are truly grateful for their steadfast support as we pursue academic and research excellence for the benefit of society. I look forward to even closer collaboration between PolyU and our Fellows. Together, we can make greater contributions to the advancement of PolyU, to the sustainable development of Hong Kong, and to the continued progress of our Nation.” Among the four fellowship recipients, Prof. Richard LEUNG Tim-chiu is a leading figure in finance and business and has a deep association with the School of Accounting and Finance (AF). Prof. LEUNG, an outstanding finance professional and leader with over three decades of stellar career at some of the world’s most prestigious finance institutions, is an active community servant dedicated to empowering youth. He was PolyU Council Member from 2016 to 2024, contributing to the University’s financial health through key roles across multiple committees. He currently serves as PolyU Court Member, Professor of Practice (Finance) and Member of the International Advisory Committee of the Research Institute for Future Food. He is also the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Orion Astropreneur Space Academy, devoted to fostering Hong Kong’s commercial space ecosystem. AF congratulates Prof. LEUNG on this well-deserved honour. His exemplary leadership and unwavering dedication continue to inspire our community and contribute significantly to the advancement of PolyU and society at large. Since its introduction in 2000, PolyU has conferred University Fellowship on a total of 135 distinguished persons.

AF Student Wins First Place at Inter-Collegiate Business Competition

Five teams of BBA students participated in the Inter-Collegiate Business Competition (I.C.B.C.), one of the world’s largest and oldest case competitions and advanced to the I.C.B.C. Final Weekend. In January 2026, the teams travelled to Queen’s University in Canada where they competed against top undergraduate business students.   Among the participating students, Julia Liya ZHU (BBA in Accounting and Finance, Year 2) achieved first place in the Human Resources & Ethics stream. Julia excelled through her strong integration of academic knowledge with practical business insights. Her remarkable performance highlights her well-developed critical thinking, ethical reasoning and strategic problem-solving skills. AF congratulates Julia and commends all participating teams for their outstanding efforts. We also thank the coaching team for their dedicated guidance and support throughout the competition.

首屆國際財務及會計數智化創新峰會

首屆國際財務及會計數智化創新峰會圓滿舉行 由香港大公文匯傳媒集團主辦、香港理工大學會計及金融學院等機構協辦的 “首屆國際財務及會計數智化創新峰會（2026·香港）” 在1月12日假香港理工大學蔣震劇院成功舉行。本次峰會以「數智化創新」為核心主題，彙聚了來自政府、學界及商界的眾多領袖與專家，共同探索財務與會計領域在人工智慧、可持續發展與人才培養等方面的前沿發展與務實路徑。 香港特區政府財經事務及庫務局副局長陳浩濂先生, JP 應邀出席開幕式並致辭。他在講話中強調了香港在推動國際財務創新與數碼轉型方面的獨特優勢，並指出特區政府將持續支持業界與學界協作，促進財會行業的智慧化與專業化發展，鞏固香港作為國際金融中心的地位。 香港理工大學常務及學務副校長 黃永德教授 亦在開幕環節致辭。黃教授表示，數智化正深刻改變財會行業的生態與人才需求，理工大學一直致力於推動跨學科教育及科研創新，積極與業界合作，培育兼具科技能力與專業操守的未來人才，助力行業迎接數碼時代的挑戰與機遇。 在高端對話環節，理工大學會計及金融學院副教授 曾誠主持了第一部分：人才培養與可持續發展 專題討論。曾教授與來自會計監管機構、高校、專業團體及金融機構的專家，就融合科技教育、倫理培訓與可持續發展理念的財會人才培養模式展開深入交流，並分享了理大在課程革新與校企協作方面的實踐經驗。 另一場專題對話 「AI在財務中的應用與發展趨勢」 則由企業界代表主持，多位來自知名企業與金融機構的嘉賓分享了人工智慧在財務分析、風險管理與流程自動化等方面的創新案例與前瞻洞察，彰顯科技驅動財會轉型的廣泛潛力。 此外，理工大學會計及金融學院主任蘇黎新教授、學院教授暨理工大學內地發展處內地發展總監陸海天教授亦作為重要嘉賓參與峰會各項活動，體現了理大會計及金融學院在促進業界對話、推動知識轉移方面的積極參與和學術影響力。本次峰會為國際財會界構建了一個高層次、跨領域的交流平台，有效促進了數智化理念與實踐的深度融合。 活動相片 活動詳情： 【AI賦能 港領未來】2026國際財務及會計數智化創新峰會重磅來襲！ (7 Jan 2026) AI賦能 港領未來！國際財務及會計數智化創新峰會今日舉辦 (12 Jan 2026) 首屆國際財務及會計數智化創新峰會今日舉辦 (12 Jan 2026) 首屆國際財務及會計數智化創新峰會舉辦 探討AI賦能港領未來 (12 Jan 2026)

PolyU and KPMG Launch Elevate Programme for DSE High Achievers

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), represented by the School of Accounting and Finance (AF), signed an agreement with KPMG on 9 December 2025 to establish the PolyU–KPMG Elevate Programme for DSE High Achievers, a new initiative designed to nurture outstanding undergraduate talent through structured placement opportunities. The agreement was signed by Prof. George Wong, Associate Head (Public Relation and Student Service) of the School of Accounting and Finance of PolyU, and Ms. Ivy Cheung, Senior Partner in Hong Kong SAR and Vice Chairman of KPMG and witnessed by Prof. Mike Lai, Associate Dean (Academic Support) of the Faculty of Business, PolyU, and Mr. Wilson Lee, Head of Audit in Hong Kong SAR of KPMG. Faculty members of the School of Accounting and Finance, KPMG representatives, and student awardees also attended the ceremony.  Under the agreement, PolyU and KPMG will jointly arrange a bilateral student placement programme for Year 1 and Year 2 undergraduate students. Ten Year 1 students with outstanding DSE results will undertake placements in KPMG’s Audit Department after their first-year final examinations. Each Year 1 participant will receive the PolyU–KPMG Award, jointly funded by School of Accounting and Finance and KPMG. Another group of ten Year 2 students will also join placements, gaining valuable exposure to professional practice. The Elevate Programme underscores both parties’ commitment to nurturing high-achieving students by providing them with practical accounting experience under professional supervision. It also highlights shared values in promoting academic excellence, professional development, and industry–university collaboration.