Global economy & markets

Economic optimism, hiring plans rise despite continued concern about inflation

Compared with the end of 2023, own-company sentiment is higher among finance decision-makers in a quarterly survey released Thursday.

New spring budget focuses on public services

The UK government budget announcement includes more investments and an increase in the VAT registration threshold.

‘The large Chinese businesses are digitising fast’

AICPA & CIMA’s chief executive–Management Accounting, Andrew Harding, discusses trends in China’s economic, business, and management accounting landscapes.

AICPA & CIMA join forces with IFRS at its sustainability symposium

The IFRS Foundation’s Partnership Framework and Knowledge Hub are collaborative initiatives designed to help jurisdictions adopt the new global baseline for sustainability reporting.

UK anti-fraud measures take effect in March

The UK government aims to implement new measures to tackle economic crime and improve transparency.

UK GDP drops for second consecutive quarter

AICPA & CIMA’s Andrew Harding says boosting worker productivity is key to lifting the UK out of its economic malaise.

FRC revises actuarial standard to promote transparency

Also, new EU rules aim to help companies validate green marketing claims.

Starting salary growth falls further below historical average

Pay growth rates for new workers in the UK showed the lowest rise since March 2021, according to a report by KPMG and the REC.

UK M&A outlook: Challenges persist, but conditions stabilise

A stronger focus on strategy from dealmakers could help companies stay competitive as economic uncertainty continues to affect the M&A landscape.

CIMA calls for productivity focus in UK budget

CIMA’s Spring Budget submission makes recommendations for addressing a “rut” that includes “stagnating living standards” and low economic growth.

IESBA opens consultation on global sustainability standards

IPSASB issues exposure drafts on accounting for natural resources; FRC releases guidance for companies’ applying the revised Corporate Governance Code.

Corruption levels show weakening justice systems across regions

The annual Corruption Perceptions Index shows that most regions are either stagnant or showing signs of decline in efforts to combat systemic corruption.

Notable gaps between what Gen Z expects and what employers offer

Employers in a global survey see a significant gap between employee pay expectations and planned pay, fuelling flight risks for companies.

UK December public sector borrowing falls to lowest level since 2019

Also, the Global Reporting Initiative announces a new biodiversity benchmark.

UK government launches strategy to boost supply chain resilience

Also, the UK’s FRC updated its ethical standard for audits, and the UK and Japan announced a new cybersecurity partnership.

Cybersecurity poses present and future challenges, report finds

A rise in the use of technology carries with it more “opportunities for cyber vulnerabilities to be exposed”, according to a global report.

Severe climate risks persist in World Economic Forum annual report

The latest Global Risks Report from the World Economic Forum ranks extreme weather as the risk most likely to present a material crisis on a global scale over the next ten years.

Changing roles: CFOs in Asia-Pacific grapple with ESG

CFOs in a Deloitte report say their jobs are changing as their role in climate action becomes more prominent.

‘Always keen to learn’: Advice on fuelling finance’s future

An AICPA & CIMA executive shares insights from events in the US and China and explains the importance of coachability and lifelong learning.

COP28’s ‘historic’ agreement; IFAC focuses on sustainability

Nearly 200 countries commit to moving away from fossil fuels. IFAC issues standards revision plans, and the UK and Switzerland approve an audit qualification agreement.

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