25, Aug 2026
Over 30 CFOs and Big Four Leaders Join Simandhar Education–LPU Initiative to Shape the Future of Finance and AI
Chandigarh, Aug 25: Simandhar Education, a professional education company specialising in global accounting and finance certifications, in association with Lovely Professional University, engaged with over 2,500 number of students at the Academia-Industry AI Summit, bringing together students, academicians, industry representatives and corporate leaders to discuss the evolving role of artificial intelligence and emerging opportunities in finance and business.
The engagement focused on the changing nature of the finance and accounting profession, with discussions around the impact of AI, evolving industry requirements and the importance of developing globally relevant skills. The initiative also provided students with greater exposure to professional pathways and career opportunities across the global finance and accounting ecosystem.
As part of the engagement, Simandhar Education highlighted the relevance of globally recognised professional qualifications, including the US CPA, US CMA and Enrolled Agent (EA), in helping students complement their academic education with specialised professional knowledge. The US CPA focuses on accounting, auditing, taxation and financial reporting; the US CMA develops expertise in management accounting, financial planning, analysis and strategic decision-making; while the Enrolled Agent is a US tax-focused qualification that prepares professionals to represent taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service. The initiative is aimed at creating greater awareness among students about career pathways in accounting, taxation, financial reporting, consulting and advisory.
Dr. Col. Rashmi Mittal , Pro Chancellor, Lovely Professional University said,
“The convergence of technology, academia and industry is increasingly important in preparing students for the future of work. At LPU, we are committed to creating opportunities that allow students to engage with industry leaders, understand emerging technologies and gain exposure to evolving career pathways.”
Collaborations such as this help strengthen the connection between academic learning and the skills that the professional world increasingly demands,” said Dr Sorabh Lakhanpal, Professor and Executive Dean Student Welfare Wing
The event brought together approximately 2,000–2,500 students and was supported by participation from 30+ CFOs from leading Organisations across sectors, including senior representatives from the Big 4, State Street, PKF and other prominent corporate institutions.
A key highlight of the engagement was a fire side chat with Shri Ashok Mittal, Chancellor, Lovely Professional University and Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, Punjab, which provided students with perspectives on the evolving higher education and professional landscape.
Sripal Jain, Co-Founder, Simandhar Education,
“At Simandhar Education, we believe that the future of finance will be shaped by professionals who can combine strong technical knowledge with an understanding of technology and global business practices.“Our engagement with LPU provides an opportunity to bring these conversations closer to students and help them understand how professional qualifications, industry exposure and emerging technologies are influencing finance careers. We are pleased to work alongside LPU in creating greater awareness of the opportunities available to students in the evolving global finance ecosystem.”
Benjamin Wong , Director International, Becker said :
“As artificial intelligence continues to reshape finance and accounting, professionals need to look beyond traditional technical knowledge and develop a broader understanding of technology, analytics and business. Professional certifications can play an important role in helping students build specialised capabilities and align their knowledge with global industry expectations. We are pleased to support initiatives that give students greater awareness of these evolving opportunities and the skills needed to succeed in a technology-driven finance ecosystem.”
Punjab’s strong base of commerce learners further underlines the relevance of industry-aligned finance education in the state. According to Ministry of Education data, 37,726 students from the Punjab School Education Board passed their higher-secondary Commerce examinations in 2024, reflecting a substantial pipeline of students entering the finance, accounting and business ecosystem. As these professions continue to evolve with technology and globalisation, greater exposure to professional qualifications, industry practices and emerging skill requirements can help commerce students make more informed career choices and build stronger pathways into the modern finance workforce.
The association between Simandhar Education and LPU marks a step towards strengthening industry-academia engagement and creating greater exposure to evolving career opportunities in finance, accounting and business. By combining academic learning with professional education, mentorship and industry interaction, the initiative aims to help students build a clearer understanding of the skills and qualifications required in a technology-driven financial ecosystem. For Punjab’s growing pool of commerce and management students, such initiatives can provide meaningful exposure to global professional pathways and support their transition from academic education to industry-ready careers.
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- By Neel Achary
