Global Priorities for Professional Accountants in Business and the Public Sector

Insights from IFAC’s Professional Accountants in Business Group  

Download the Full Report (4.45 MB)

Driving sustainability and creating value during unprecedented uncertainty requires pushing boundaries.

At its March 2022 virtual meeting, IFAC’s Professional Accountants in Business Advisory Group considered the key global trends impacting the accountancy profession. The report, Global Priorities for Professional Accountants in Business and the Public Sector, summarizes the key insights and learnings from the discussions amongst this global group of business and finance leaders, drawing from their diverse experiences and expertise. 

Crafted from highlights of the discussion, the report features sections on: 

• Accountants Enabling the Circular Economy 
• Championing an Integrated Mindset  
• Engaging with Audit Committees to Support Accountants Addressing New Responsibilities 
• Enabling an Effective Public Sector Finance Workforce 

Three sections of the report are available as individual pieces: Accountants Enabling the Circular Economy (created with Royal NBA), Engaging with Audit Committees to Support Accountants Addressing New Responsibilities and Enabling an Effective Public Sector Finance Workforce (created with CIPFA) are available to download below Case Studies and Additional Insights.

“We need to think differently to drive sustainability and create value during this time ofdeep uncertainty and unprecedented trading and economic conditions,” said Sanjay Rughani, IFAC PAIB Advisory Group Chair. “By sharing our learnings as a global profession, we can support professional accountants to engage in higher value actions and inform more strategic decisions.” 

Case Studies & Additional Insights

Preparing Future-Ready Professionals

Case Study: The Role of the Sustainability Finance Team in Driving Impact at Olam Agri

May 26, 2022 | Bikash Prasad, President & Group CFO Olam Agri; Nikita Asthana, Head of Sustainability Finance, Olam Agri; Qinyue Huang, Deputy Manager, Sustainability Finance, Olam Agri

Contributing to the Global Economy

Driving PFM Reform in Rwanda: The Role of the Accountancy Profession

February 16, 2022 | Obadiah Biraro, the outgoing Auditor General of Rwanda & Amin Miramago, CEO, Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Rwanda (ICPAR)

Contributing to the Global Economy

Strengthening a Transparent & Accountable Public Sector in Zimbabwe: How do PAOs Fit In?

January 24, 2022 | Shingai Chihanya

Contributing to the Global Economy

Accountants at the Center of Responding to Inflation and the Supply Chain Crunch

April 29, 2022 | Stathis Gould

Accountants Enabling the Circular Economy IFAC & Royal NBA Engaging with Audit Committees to Support Accountants Addressing New Responsibilities IFAC Enabling an Effective Public Sector Finance Workforce IFAC & CIPFA