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The latest episode of the Chartered Accountants Global Update takes us on a fascinating journey into the intersection of technology, forensic accounting, and innovation. In this week’s episode, host [insert host name if relevant] shines a spotlight on Lem Chin Kok, whose career path and insights are redefining what it means to be a modern accountant.
From Police Officer to AI Pioneer
Lem’s story is anything but typical. He began his career as a police officer in Singapore’s Commercial Crime Investigation squad, tackling fraud and forgery long before data analytics became part of the accounting toolkit. From there, he spent 23 years building KPMG Singapore’s forensic practice before stepping into his current role as CEO of an AI-first technology firm.
His journey—from manual typewriters to cutting-edge artificial intelligence—embodies the rapid transformation our profession has experienced over the past three decades.
The AI Breakthrough That Changed Everything
One of the episode’s most striking moments comes when Lem recounts a breakthrough during his time at KPMG. His team was struggling with the limitations of early AI models that required “labeled data” to detect fraud. Then, a newly joined colleague suggested trying an unsupervised machine learning model on millions of transactions.
The results were astonishing: out of tens of millions of entries, the model identified ten unusual transactions, nine of which were confirmed frauds already charged in court.
This moment was a turning point—not just for Lem, but for the way AI could be used to uncover financial misconduct. The success wasn’t just about the algorithm; it came from combining forensic accounting expertise with data science. As Lem explains, the real power of AI lies in being guided by human understanding of accounting systems, fraud behavior, and judgment.
Why Accountants Should Learn to “Speak Machine”
Lem’s perspective on AI is refreshingly balanced. He divides it into two broad categories:
- Predictive AI – tools that can detect anomalies or risks in ways no human could replicate, such as identifying patterns across hundreds of data dimensions.
- Generative AI – tools like ChatGPT that enhance productivity by handling repetitive and manual work, freeing accountants to focus on strategic, high-value tasks.
But perhaps Lem’s boldest idea is that accountants need to learn programming languages—not to become coders, but to communicate effectively with technology. “Programming is a language,” he says, “just like English or Mandarin.” It’s the key to harnessing AI in meaningful, profession-specific ways.
Building the Future of Forensic Accounting
Lem has also been a driving force behind Singapore’s Financial Forensic Accounting Qualification, the first applied learning program of its kind in the Asia-Pacific region. The qualification blends forensic accounting, digital forensics, and financial crime investigation, equipping accountants to tackle the evolving risks of a digital economy.
The “AI Twin”: A Glimpse of Tomorrow’s Workplace
Now, as CEO of Arts, Lem is developing an extraordinary concept: the AI twin. This virtual twin can replicate the workflows of entire teams—performing tasks, following policies, making cognitive decisions, and producing outputs.
For audit firms, the implications are huge. Imagine AI handling the administrative grind while professionals focus on judgment, relationships, and strategic value. Lem sees this as the next frontier—AI not just answering questions, but executing full workflows.
Key Takeaways
- AI won’t replace accountants—but accountants who use AI will replace those who don’t.
- Accounting knowledge + technology skills = the new professional advantage.
- We’re
52 episodes