Sustainability is a mainstream issue
This is the first in a series of briefs, aimed to management accountants, happening due to the combined reach of AICPA® and CIMA® — together powering the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants®. We are exploring sustainability, business and the finance professional’s key role. These briefs will help finance professionals provide leadership to their organisations as they consider sustainability issues and how to integrate them into long-term decision-making.
Sustainability is a mainstream issue. Business performance can no longer be judged purely on short-term financial returns to shareholders. Groups, such as customers, workforce, society, governments and investors, all demand greater organisational transparency beyond the traditional financial metrics. Sustainability has fast become the lens through which an organisation is judged. However, sustainability is also an important opportunity to build resilient organisations for the long term.
The sustainability call to action affects finance professionals. We are the individuals, teams and finance functions to make a difference because of our skill sets and knowledge in organisational governance, strategy, risk management and performance through metrics and targets. We own the processes, systems, data, management information and reporting that support a transition to sustainable businesses. We support sustainable decision-making through our business analysis, and assurance of both financial and non-financial data.
