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Sustainability
The demands placed on accountants have grown in recognition of wider social and environmental challenges that simultaneously present opportunities. Sustainability accounting seeks to respond to these demands by providing a linkage between organisational activities and the pursuit of a sustainability agenda using accounting tools. The effective application of accounting tools would ideally facilitate people to better understand how decisions affect others and foster greater transparency and accountability. In understanding the challenges and opportunities that exist, NZICA members will be better equipped to meet the expectations of their clients.
The pursuit of sustainability accounting has given rise to a number of new tools that seek to change the way businesses operate and make decisions. Examples of new accounting tools developed over the last 15 years include full cost accounting, sustainable cost calculations, ecological footprint calculations, sustainability reports, and triple bottom line reports.
Launch of research report
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Sustainability and the role of the management accountant (PDF, 449KB) was released in October 2011. Key findings of the paper include:
- There is a sustainability divide between those New Zealand businesses embedding sustainability into their corporate strategy and those that are not. This divide has been exacerbated by the economic downturn; and
- Businesses identified a clear demand for accountants to keep pace with developments and support business in measuring and communicating sustainability issues.
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More information about the research report
Video of the New Zealand launch
Integrated reporting
In September 2011 the International Integrated Reporting Committee (IIRC) released a discussion paper outlining a roadmap for linking an organisation’s strategy to financial, non-financial and narrative information.
Read the IIRC discussion document
Read more on integrated reporting
Integrated Reporting Framework
On 9 December 2013, the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC) released the final version of the International Framework. The Framework, developed over the past two years through consultation with a large variety of stakeholders, is viewed by many as a key to building financial stability and sustainability in global markets. The IIRC also published the IIRC Pilot Programme Yearbook 2013 with case studies from companies who are piloting the Framework.
Before the Framework was released in December, the IIRC commenced a 90 day consultation (16 April to 15 July 2013) to call on various stakeholders to read, critique and challenge the draft framework. Read NZICA’s submission here.