Dates and location
Pricing
Hours
Dates and location
Pricing
Hours
Description
Sustainability and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) considerations are integral components of modern business ethics, reflecting a corporation's commitment to responsible conduct that transcends financial gains. These principles guide businesses in aligning their operations with ethical values, ensuring environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and transparent governance.
For accountants, ESG and sustainability underscore their ethical responsibility to provide accurate and comprehensive financial information that reflects the broader impact of business activities on stakeholders and the planet. At the same time, considering and planning for ESG and sustainability related risk factors reflects preparation for long term growth and viability of an organization. As stewards of financial integrity, accountants play a pivotal role in quantifying and communicating ESG-related risks, opportunities, and performance, contributing to informed decision-making that reflects both financial and ethical dimensions.
The recent establishment of the ISSB and the increasing focus on ESG and sustainability related standards will require CPAs to be well-informed and provide guidance on these emerging matters. In the coming years, CPAs will play a central role in helping organizations deal with risk assessment and mitigation, evolving reporting standards, forecasting and strategic decision-making. CPAs must therefore adapt quickly and learn how to assist with developing, implementing and evaluating successful ESG and sustainability initiatives during these disruptive times.
This course will highlight what ESG is, and how it is a part of the ethical responsibilities that professional accountants hold. ESG will be explored in depth as a business ethics activity, relating concepts of ethical principles and moral responsibilities to the emerging issues that CPAs will experience in the 21st century. A step-by-step approach will be shared with participants to help them begin their ESG journeys in their organizations.
Topics Covered:
- Why ESG is a critical component of business ethics
- How ESG relates to a CPA's ethical responsibilities and duty to protect the public interest
- The history of “ESG” and factors driving the ESG movement
- ESG reporting standards
- How ESG impacts the accounting profession and why CPAs are essential in the ESG movement
- How ESG relates to KPIs, ethics, business sustainability, governance, and internal control
- ESG activities by industrial sectors
- Return on investment on ESG initiatives
- Challenges with ESG initiatives
- The future of ESG
Key Takeaways
By the end of this seminar, participants will be able to:
- Define ESG.
- Explain how ESG relates to business and professional ethics.
- Explain the relationship between ESG and the role of the CPA.
- Describe how the regulatory environment is transforming and the new standards that are emerging across industrial sectors.
- Describe the emerging roles for CPAs in light of ESG initiatives.
- Explain the return on investment from ESG initiatives.
Disclaimer
The views expressed in the course are non-authoritative and have not been formally endorsed by CPA Ontario and do not reflect the views of CPA Ontario. The information included in the course is for general information purposes only.
CPA Ontario, the presenters and the authors do not accept any responsibility or liability that might occur directly or indirectly as a consequence of the use or application of or reliance on this material.
How to Access the Course
This course is a live webinar. You must attend the live course to receive verifiable CPD hours. We recommend you join five minutes prior to the scheduled starting time. To get the full experience of this interactive course, use a computer that has video and microphone capabilities.
Electronic material can be accessed one week prior to the course and should be downloaded in advance.
Registration, cancellation, withdrawal and all other CPA Ontario PD policies can be found here.
Speaker(s)
Arun Mathur, FCPA/FCA, owner and lead instructor at UltimQuest Knowledge Inc., offers corporate training on improving governance, ethics, ESG, internal control, fraud prevention, KPI and related topics. Provides live and online training through CPA bodies across Canada and Bermuda. Partner, Gerald Duthie & Co. LLP, providing professional services to diverse clients. Served on the Board at HealthForce Ontario Marketing and Recruitment Agency, Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee, and at Trillium Gift of Life Network.