Singapore, 29 September 2026 – CLA Global TS today announced its transformation into CLA Southeast Asia and the launch of the CLA Artificial Intelligence (AI) Centre of Excellence (COE) for Southeast Asia, signalling a bold commitment to regional growth and workforce transformation in the AI era.
Established in partnership with the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA), AI Robotics & Cybersecurity Singapore (ARCS), and leading Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs), including the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) and the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), the Centre will serve as a platform for advancing AI capabilities across the accounting, business advisory, and wider professional services sectors. The announcement was made before more than 100 CLA Global partners gathered in Singapore, making the occasion a fitting launchpad for the firm’s next phase of growth and innovation.
The event marked a defining moment in the firm’s evolution, celebrating its transformation into CLA Southeast Asia while reaffirming its commitment to shaping an AI-enabled workforce for the future. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan, Assistant Secretary-General of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and Member of Parliament for Pioneer Single Member Constituency (SMC).
“Our rebranding to CLA Southeast Asia marks an important milestone in our growth journey and reflects our commitment to helping businesses navigate opportunities across Southeast Asia, China and beyond. While our name is changing, our people remain the same. Clients will continue to be supported by the trusted team that has spent more than 30 years helping businesses achieve growth, transformation and cross-border success.
As we embark on this new chapter, we are also investing in the future of the profession. The launch of the CLA AI Centre of Excellence for Southeast Asia underscores our commitment to building an AI-ready workforce and helping organisations harness AI responsibly and effectively. Through collaboration with industry leaders, professional bodies, educators and technology partners, we aim to accelerate AI adoption, strengthen capabilities across the profession and create lasting value for businesses and communities across the region,” said Mr Henry Tan, Group CEO & Chief Innovation Officer, CLA Southeast Asia.
The brand transition reflects the CLA Southeast Asia’s strategic focus on Southeast Asia and China, with its Singapore headquarters and regional offices progressively adopting the names CLA Singapore, CLA China and CLA Malaysia.
“The brightest futures are never built alone. Henry Tan has brought together a bold coalition of innovators, educators, industry leaders, and public partners to create an AI Center of Excellence that will not simply prepare people for the future, but empower them to shape it,” said Jen Leary, CEO, CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP).
The CLA AI Centre of Excellence aims to build an AI-ready workforce and strengthen organisational capabilities across the region. Its key areas of focus include workforce training and professional education; applied AI use cases in accounting, audit, tax, advisory, and finance; student and talent development programmes; research and innovation initiatives; prototype development and testing; responsible AI governance; and industry thought leadership. Through regional collaboration and knowledge sharing, the AI Centre of Excellence seeks to scale successful initiatives and advance the digital transformation of the professional services ecosystem.
Mr Seng Chin Chye, Principal, ITE College Central, said: “ITE is pleased to partner CLA Southeast Asia in advancing AI capabilities and preparing our students for an increasingly AI-enabled workplace. Through this collaboration, our students and staff will gain greater exposure to industry applications of AI, while having opportunities to learn from and engage with industry practitioners. This partnership will complement ITE’s efforts to equip our students with relevant technical skills, AI fluency and the adaptability needed to thrive in a rapidly changing economy.”
Associate Professor Justina Tan, Vice President, Strategic Partnership & Engagement, and Vice Provost, Global Engagement & Strategy, said: “AI is changing how accounting and professional services work, but professional judgement remains essential. At SUSS, we want students to learn by tackling real industry challenges alongside practitioners. Our collaboration with CLA Southeast Asia gives us a platform to explore student projects and applied research shaped by industry needs, while also helping working professionals develop practical AI capabilities for the evolving workplace.”
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About CLA Southeast Asia:
Established in 1993, CLA Southeast Asia (formerly CLA Global TS) is a leading public accounting and Asia-focused business advisory firm with more than 30 years of experience supporting businesses at every stage of growth. From its beginnings as a two-person firm, it has grown into one of Singapore’s top ten accounting firms, serving clients across Singapore, China, and Malaysia through a team of over 320 professionals.
The firm is led by experienced professionals with deep expertise across Assurance & IPO, Tax, Risk Advisory, Valuation, Insolvency & Restructuring, Sustainability & Climate Change Advisory, Mergers & Acquisitions, Business Process Outsourcing, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, and Country Advisory services. With a strong reputation as a trusted IPO advisor, the firm has supported numerous successful listings across regional capital markets while continually expanding its capabilities to meet the evolving needs of businesses.
CLA Southeast Asia is an independent network member of CLA Global Limited (CLA Global), a leading international organisation of independent accounting and advisory firms serving fast-growing, innovative, and cross-border businesses. As CLA Global‘s leading firm in Asia, CLA Southeast Asia represents the network across Singapore, Southeast Asia, and China, combining local market knowledge with global connectivity to help clients navigate complexity, seize growth opportunities, and achieve their ambitions with confidence.
For more information, visit www.cla-ts.com.
Media Contacts:
Ross Seah
Associate Director, Marketing & Communications
+65 6534 5700 (ext. 707)
rossseah@sg.cla-ts.com
Ryan Tan
Marketing Communications Associate
+65 6534 5700 (ext. 670)
ryantancw@sg.cla-ts.com
