NEW YORK and TORONTO, March 3, 2022 /CNW/ - The chief executives of 10 of the world's leading accountancy institutes have joined together to support a new call to action in response to the nature crisis, ahead of the upcoming UN Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) COP 15.
Working together as part of the Global Accounting Alliance (GAA), the CEOs are signing the call to action 'Nature is Everyone's Business' to signal the important role the profession plays in this crisis.
The member bodies of the GAA collectively represent over 1.4 million accountants and finance professionals in over 180 countries. The call to action involves advocating for and supporting the protection and restoration of nature through finance activities and investment decisions made by the business community. It ties in closely with the expectations of investors and other stakeholders for businesses to focus on environmental, social and governance issues – expectations that will only become stronger in the longer term.
The joint statement calls upon professional accountants to act now to reverse the process of nature loss by helping the organizations they work for or with to protect, restore and promote the sustainability of natural resources. The statement summarizes six key actions for professional accountants, including understanding how their organizations and clients impact and rely on nature. Professional accountants can also provide sound advice and services that contribute to an organization's positive effect on nature.
In a united statement, the GAA CEOs said: "We recognize that our planet is being impacted by a three-fold crisis of a climate emergency, dramatic nature loss and rising social inequality. Addressing these challenges will require integrated thinking as companies reallocate resources, reorient production and reimagine their business models. We all depend on nature, but it is the poorest in the world who are disproportionately affected by its loss and impacted by climate change. Protecting nature must be a key consideration as we collectively move forward."
At the UN Convention on Biological Diversity COP15 in April/May 2022, the world has the opportunity to adopt a transformative international agreement on nature, and both businesses and governments must be included.
"There is growing demand for sustainability and conservation," says Jim Knafo, Chief Executive Officer, Global Accounting Alliance. "We are at a pivotal moment and the global accounting profession must be part of the solution going forward because nature is everyone's business."
As part of their joint statement, the GAA CEOs are committing to: "Working with governments to establish and align coherent policy frameworks that accelerate business action to reverse the process of nature loss; build the profession's knowledge, understanding and awareness of nature loss; and provide professional accountants with training, support and infrastructure to value and embed nature in decision making and disclosure."
The CEOs are also supporting the alignment of consistent global regulation and globally accepted disclosure frameworks that integrate nature, people and climate into corporate reporting.
"This is an opportunity for professional accountants, governments and others to band together and find ways to become better stewards in the protection of nature," says Charles-Antoine St-Jean, president and CEO, CPA Canada. "We all benefit from a stronger commitment to conservation and restoration."
The 10 accounting bodies that have signed the statement are the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants representing AICPA & CIMA,, Chartered Accountants Ireland (CAI), Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada), Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA), Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), ICAS (the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland), Institut der Wirtschaftsprüfer in Deutschland e.V. (IDW), The Japanese Institute of Certified Public Accountants (JICPA) and South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA).
About CPA Canada
Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada) works collaboratively with the provincial, territorial and Bermudian CPA bodies, as it represents the Canadian accounting profession, both nationally and internationally. This collaboration allows the Canadian profession to champion best practices that benefit business and society, as well as prepare its members for an ever-evolving operating environment featuring unprecedented change. Representing more than 220,000 members, CPA Canada is one of the largest national accounting bodies worldwide. cpacanada.ca
About the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, and AICPA & CIMA
The Association of International Certified Professional Accountants® (the Association), representing AICPA® & CIMA®, advances the global accounting and finance profession through its work on behalf of 696,000 AICPA and CIMA members, students and engaged professionals in 192 countries and territories. Together, we are the worldwide leader on public and management accounting issues through advocacy, support for the CPA license, the CGMA designation and specialised credentials, professional development and thought leadership. We build trust by empowering our members and engaged professionals with the knowledge and opportunities to be leaders in broadening prosperity for a more inclusive, sustainable and resilient future.
The American Institute of CPAs® (AICPA), the world's largest member association representing the CPA profession, sets ethical standards for its members and U.S. auditing standards for private companies, not-for-profit organisations, and federal, state and local governments. It also develops and grades the Uniform CPA Examination and builds the pipeline of future talent for the public accounting profession.
The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants® (CIMA) is the world's leading and largest professional body of management accountants. CIMA works closely with employers and sponsors leading-edge research, constantly updating its professional qualification and professional experience requirements to ensure it remains the employer's choice when recruiting financially trained business leaders.
About CAI
Chartered Accountants Ireland is Ireland's leading professional accountancy body, representing over 30,000 influential members around the world and educating 7,000 students. The Institute aims to create opportunities for members and students, and ethical, sustainable prosperity for society. An all-island body, Chartered Accountants Ireland was established by Royal Charter in 1888 and now has members in more than 90 countries. It is a founding member of Chartered Accountants Worldwide, the international network of over one million chartered accountants. It also plays key roles in the Global Accounting Alliance, Accountancy Europe and the International Federation of Accountants.
Chartered Accountants Ireland members provide leadership in business, the public sector and professional practice, bringing experience, expertise and strict standards to their work for, and with, businesses in every sector. Chartered Accountants Ireland engages with governments, policy makers and regulators on key issues affecting the profession and the wider economy.
About CA ANZ
Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand represents more than 131,000 financial professionals, supporting them to make a difference to the businesses, organisations and communities in which they work and live. Chartered Accountants are known as Difference Makers. The depth and breadth of their expertise helps them to see the big picture and chart the best course of action. charteredaccountantsanz.com
About HKICPA
The Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA) is the statutory body established by the Professional Accountants Ordinance responsible for the professional training, development and regulation of certified public accountants in Hong Kong. The Institute has more than 47,000 members and 17,000 registered students.
Our qualification programme assures the quality of entry into the profession, and we promulgate financial reporting, auditing and ethical standards that safeguard Hong Kong's leadership as an international financial centre.
The CPA designation is a top qualification recognised globally. The Institute is a member of and actively contributes to the work of the Global Accounting Alliance and International Federation of Accountants.
About ICAEW
There are more than 1.8m chartered accountants and students around the world and 186,500 of them are members and students of ICAEW. They are talented, ethical and committed professionals, which is why all of the top 100 Global Brands employ chartered accountants.
ICAEW promotes inclusivity, diversity and fairness. We attract talented individuals into the profession and give them the skills and values they need to build resilient businesses, economies and societies, while ensuring our planet's resources are managed sustainably.
Founded in 1880, we have a long history of serving the public interest and we continue to work with governments, regulators and business leaders around the world. And, as an improvement regulator, we supervise and monitor over 12,000 firms, holding them, and all ICAEW members and students, to the highest standards of professional competency and conduct.
ICAEW is proud to be part of Chartered Accountants Worldwide, a global network of 750,000 members across 190 countries, which promotes the expertise and skills of chartered accountants on a global basis.
We believe that chartered accountancy can be a force for positive change. By sharing our insight, expertise and understanding we can help to create strong economies and a sustainable future for all.
*Source: CAW, 2020 – Interbrand, Best Global Brands 2019
About ICAS
ICAS is a professional body for more than 22,000 world class business people who work in the UK and in more than 100 countries around the world. Members have all achieved the internationally recognised and respected CA qualification (Chartered Accountant). ICAS is an educator, examiner, regulator and thought leader. Almost two thirds of ICAS' working membership are in business; many leading some of the UK's and the world's great companies. The others work in accountancy practices ranging from the Big Four in The City to the small practitioner in rural areas.
About IDW
The Institut der Wirtschaftsprüfer in Deutschland e.V. [Institute of Public Auditors in Germany, Incorporated Association] (IDW) is a privately run organisation established to serve the interests of its members who comprise both individual Wirtschaftsprüfer [German Public Auditors] and Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaften [German Public Audit firms].
The IDW was established on a voluntary basis rather than having been established under German law. In accordance with its Articles of Incorporation, the IDW does not operate as a commercial business and is a not-for-profit organisation. The IDW's headquarters are situated in Düsseldorf, Germany.
The IDW is a full and founding member of Accountancy Europe, a full and founding member of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) as well as a full and institutional member of the International Valuation Standards Council (IVSC).
The IDW, together with the Wirtschaftsprüferkammer [Chamber of Public Accountants] (WPK), is currently a sponsoring organisation of members of the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB), the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) as well as IFAC's Small and Medium Practices Advisory Group (SMPAG).
About JICPA
The Japanese Institute of Certified Public Accountants (JICPA) is the sole self-regulatory organization for the accountancy profession in Japan. Registration with the JICPA is mandatory for all professionals wishing to work as CPAs in Japan and over 33,000 CPAs and 270 audit firms are currently registered. In serving the public interest and strengthening the accountancy profession, the JICPA has been committed to maintaining the quality of services provided by members and upholding the professional ethics, values, and standards. In addition, the JICPA has formulated the SDGs Declaration to support CPAs' efforts to take an active role in addressing the SDGs challenges, thereby further broadening the scope of and accelerating their contributions toward a sustainable society.
About SAICA
The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants, South Africa's pre-eminent accountancy body, is widely recognised as one of the world's leading accounting institutes. The Institute provides a wide range of support services to more than 50 000 members and associates who are chartered accountants [CAs(SA)], as well as associate general accountants [AGAs(SA)] and accounting technicians [ATs(SA)], who hold positions as CEOs, MDs, board directors, business owners, chief financial officers, auditors and leaders in every sphere of commerce and industry, and who play a significant role in the nation's highly dynamic business sector and economic development.
SOURCE CPA Canada
Perry Jensen, Media Relations Manager, Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada, Tel: 416-204-3941, Email: [email protected]
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