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CPA Australia has rolled out what’s being dubbed an accounting industry-first course, designed to meet increasing demand for dedicated environmental, social and governance (ESG) training.
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New course to fill ‘major knowledge gap’ for Australian accounting professionals
28 October 2021
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9 minute read
CPA Australia has launched an ESG training micro-credential, “Creating value through sustainability”.
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The course, which runs over 20 hours, is designed specifically for accountants in response to increasing demand on the profession to measure, disclose and assure climate-related metrics.
“There is a strong appetite for ESG knowledge and practical skills within the accounting profession,” CPA Australia general manager, external affairs Dr Jane Rennie, said.
“Our members see ESG as important to their roles as finance and business advisers.”
Dr Rennie said the launch of the new course comes at an important juncture for the accounting profession.
“Our research shows that a majority of SMEs consider ESG factors as important to their business and over 20 per cent want assistance from their accountant in relation to ESG,” she said.
“ESG knowledge is still very tightly held in Australia and demand for ESG credentialled professionals outstrips supply here. Overseas, and especially in Europe, there’s a far greater depth of ESG talent, reflecting the greater maturity of ESG awareness and responsiveness there.
“Demand for ESG credentialed professionals outstrips supply in Australia. Until now, there haven’t been many formal pathways for developing ESG knowledge and skills.”
Going forward, Dr Rennie encouraged practitioners to make use of the course, reiterating the value-add it will add both now and into the future.
“Knowing how to create value through sustainability is an essential 21st century skill for accounting professionals,” she said.
“Our ESG micro credential has been designed as a stand-alone course which can be studied flexibly online, which enables us to offer it at a low cost. The content is oriented towards creating job-ready skills which accounting professionals can apply to benefit their employers or business clients.”
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