Malaysians trust accountants the most — survey

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 12): Malaysians have the highest trust in professional accountants of any country, according to a new report by the world’s largest accountant bodies.

It was produced jointly by Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

The Public Trust in Tax 2025: Asia and Beyond survey, which polled over 12,000 respondents across 29 countries, found that 79% of Malaysians view accountants as a reliable source of tax information. This places Malaysia well ahead of both the global average and its regional peers.

The report also highlighted that 52% of Malaysians believe their tax system is fair and that tax revenues are used effectively for public benefit — significantly higher than the 30% seen in Western Europe. Malaysians are also more confident in the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN), with many seeing it as balancing support and enforcement rather than acting solely as a tax enforcer.

High internet penetration (98%) has helped boost trust, as Malaysians embrace digital tax services and efficient e-filing systems.

“Malaysia is unique in Asean — public trust in accountants is world-leading. Accountants have a key role in driving reforms like e-invoicing, ensuring that public confidence translates into sustainable growth,” ACCA Maritime Southeast Asia portfolio head Andrew Lim said.

The report found that public trust in tax is highest in Asia, especially Southeast Asia and the Anglophone Pacific, thanks to digital access and transparency.

In contrast, Europe and Latin America show more scepticism.

Across the 29 countries surveyed, most people see tax as a contribution to the community rather than a cost, with nearly 65% in Southeast Asia holding this view.

yes or neh

https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/785802

This post has been edited by nelson969: Dec 12 2025, 10:29 PM

It's weird that it says we believe taxes are used effectively for public benefit more than western europe
but
we are lower taxed on average AND very much against any increment/new introduction of taxes.

Wouldn't a government that has earned the public trust on good spending have a much easier time to collect taxes?