Registration is now open for the first session of ESG and Sustainability Financial Strategy, an executive management course developed in partnership with Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford.
The six-week online course, offered by Saïd Business and AICPA & CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, begins 27 September 2023 (AICPA & CIMA members can log in for a discount code for 10% off).
The course is designed to give accounting and finance professionals the skills necessary to lead their organisations’ response to sustainability issues.
“We’re seeing powerful momentum on sustainability issues in the global economy, both in the establishment of consistent, comprehensive international standards and in growing investor demand for a more encompassing definition of business value which goes beyond traditional financial metrics,” Jeremy Osborn, FCMA, CGMA, CPA (Australia), global head of ESG at AICPA & CIMA, said in a news release. “Accounting and finance leaders are at the forefront of this change and need to be armed with new skills and expertise to guide their organisations.”
The course will give participants a detailed understanding of environmental, human capital and governance concepts, reporting frameworks and assurance considerations, as well as insight into how sustainability issues impact organisational decision-making and resource allocation for value creation and preservation. Guest speakers will include faculty members with world-leading expertise, accounting firm leaders, and CEOs and CFOs of major corporations who can share current practices and concerns.
“We are proud to partner with the Association, the world’s largest accountancy body, on this essential course for leaders who are responsible for unlocking and transforming their company’s financial success through sustainable growth, profitability, and long-term sustainable value creation,” Caroline Williams, director of Oxford Saïd Online, said in a news release. “Academia, industry, and businesses must provide comprehensive answers to tackling the climate crisis through critical partnerships like ours.”
Those who complete the course will earn a digital certificate jointly signed by Oxford Saïd and AICPA & CIMA. The course also provides the opportunity to develop a global network of contacts on sustainability issues, which will be further enhanced through an invitation to join Oxford Saïd’s Elumni Network.
Future sessions will be offered quarterly.
Even before the first session kicks off, AICPA & CIMA is offering several sustainability webcasts – beginning today:
ESG and Performance Management (15 August): Climate change and significant societal change have led to an increased demand for effective ESG programmes. Get a high-level overview of the changing reporting and regulatory landscape, as well as approaches to building ESG programmes and managing your company’s sustainability performance.
ESG reporting & disclosure: The accountant’s role (17 August): Learn how various roles fit into everyday sustainability processes required in reporting and disclosure, assurance, and advisory services. Also, learn about the latest developments in regulations and frameworks. Can’t attend? Three more sessions are scheduled for September.
What is your role in carbon accounting? (22 or 24 August): Discover the importance of carbon accounting in today’s evolving landscape. Learn what carbon accounting is and how it’s applied. Gain insights into reporting carbon emissions and grasp the knowledge needed to assess your organisation’s carbon impact accurately.
— To comment on this article or to suggest an idea for another article, contact Bryan Strickland at Bryan.Strickland@aicpa-cima.com.