NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AICPA & CIMA, which together form the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, are offering a new certificate that provides foundational knowledge on critical topics related to environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting and assurance. The growing demand for ESG data – driven by investors, lenders, customers and, increasingly, policymakers – makes this a high priority category for skills development within the accounting profession.
The Fundamentals of ESG Certificate is available globally and is appropriate for CPAs, management accountants such as CGMAs, and finance professionals looking to obtain a baseline knowledge of ESG topics. The 9-hour course offers a grounding in the fundamental concepts of and latest developments within the ESG field. Upon completion, certificate holders can display a digital badge in their online profiles.
“When we talk about preparing the accounting profession for tomorrow, ESG is a core component,” said Susan S. Coffey, CPA, CGMA, AICPA & CIMA’s CEO of public accounting. “Business reporting and the underlying concepts of enterprise value are evolving rapidly, and no group is more essential to instilling trust and integrity into that process than accountants. Our obligation as a profession is to make sure we develop the necessary skills and expertise to lead the integration of ESG into the organization and deliver on high-quality reporting and assurance of ESG information.”
AICPA & CIMA are developing a detailed learning roadmap for ESG. As the first step on that journey, the Fundamentals of ESG Certificate program will provide course takers with the ability to:
- Identify the key aspects in each area of Environment, Social and Governance
- Recognize the expectations of investors and the impact on business
- Assess the responsibility of businesses for key ESG issues
- Recognize the business case for implementing sustainable practices
- Identify the role of the accounting and auditing profession in sustainability
- Recognize the current sustainability reporting frameworks and reporting requirements
Pricing and further details of the program are available on the certificate home page. For an array of other resources on sustainability and ESG, please visit aicpa.org/esg.
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 689,000 AICPA and CIMA members, students and engaged professionals in 196 countries and territories. Together, we are the worldwide leader on public and management accounting issues through advocacy, support for the CPA license and specialized credentials, professional education 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 organizations, 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.
