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The professional body has launched the first of three new sustainability micro-credentials to support members through environmental, social and governance reporting requirements.
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CPA Australia unveils new ESG micro-credentials
26 November 2024
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CPA Australia has rolled out its first sustainability micro-credential to support its members ahead of a “breakthrough year” in environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting requirements.
CPA said the new micro-credentials were designed to support accounting professionals in providing the strategic leadership they needed to integrate sustainability in a way that created value and facilitated long-term growth.
The first of the three new micro-credentials, ‘Sustainability: Building Resilience through Leadership’, was released ahead of mandatory climate-related financial disclosures for large organisations in 2025 and SMEs in 2026.
The first micro-credential covered preparation for IFRS Sustainability Standards disclosure requirements, building the business case for sustainability, integration of sustainability into culture, leadership, governance, performance and risk management.
The credentials were based on technical and non-technical competencies in line with the Australian Qualification Framework.
CPA noted learners would receive a digital badge that demonstrated capability and achievement once having completed the assessments successfully.
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CPA Australia’s chief learning and innovation officer, Dr Asheley Jones, said the new ESG reporting landscape presented an opportunity for accountants to add greater value to their clients and organisations.
“Accountants are set to play a significant role in the transition to a lower carbon future as they support their clients and the business community more broadly to prepare for the reporting requirements on the horizon,” she said.
“We are committed to the ongoing personal development of CPA members and the finance services sector broadly. From CFOs to risk teams, ESG frameworks and governance are now a necessary part of any strong business.”
“Whether you’re a professional accountant just looking to build a new skillset for your career, our new sustainability micro-credentials are designed to take you to the next level of skill capability.”
According to CPA Australia, the increased ESG reporting landscape would be the perfect opportunity for accountants to improve their knowledge and skills to advance their careers at a time of ever-growing demand for well-qualified finance professionals.
Two additional courses are set to be released in December and January which would cover how businesses could incorporate sustainability into their operations, reporting and disclosure.
The micro-credentials were developed in collaboration with ERM, the world’s largest specialist in sustainability consultancy.
Jones said the online courses would help individuals supercharge their career prospects with the knowledge and skills they needed to stand out in an evolving business landscape.
“As Australia pushes ahead with its commitment to net zero, successful organisations will integrate sustainability into their strategies, planning and risk management to help facilitate the creation of long-term sustainable growth,” she said.
“Finance professionals are well-placed to communicate the benefits of embedding sustainability in organisational culture, developing growth strategies and making decisions that consider the trade-off between social, environmental and financial performance.”
“For CPA Australia’s members and all other participants, these new credentials will be another weapon in their armoury of experience, knowledge and expertise to set them up for future opportunities that come from this new ESG reporting landscape.”
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