Navigating digital transformation in accounting system: Challenges and opportunities

Abstract

The primary objective of this study was to assess the challenges associated with the digital transformation process in the accounting systems of companies listed on the Khartoum Stock Exchange, focusing on the perspectives of senior management, financial management, and technology management. These departments were considered integral due to their profound understanding of digital transformation processes, requirements, and existing as well as anticipated challenges. Employing a descriptive-analytical approach, the study utilized a questionnaire to gather data from 315 individuals within the study population. The results revealed a favorable inclination among Khartoum Stock Exchange-listed companies towards digital transformation, manifested through a notable automation of accounting procedures, the cultivation of a digital culture, and the adoption of strategic approaches for digital transformation. However, the study identified several challenges, including insufficient technological infrastructure at the national level, the absence of a clear national strategic plan for digital transformation, and limited financial resources allocated to digital transformation in accounting systems. The study also proposed a set of solutions to address these challenges, categorized into national and corporate levels.