The changing face of accounting

The changing face of accounting

No longer a faceless executive, the accountant is coming to the fore to lead organisations through radical changes.

The rapid speed of technology change, an increased focus on sustainability and higher regulation standards have seen the value and importance of the accounting profession intensify in recent times.

According to a future skills report by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), it is predicted that accountants of the future will need to communicate a more holistic view on corporation reporting, taking into account the issues of knowledge capital, big data and sustainability.

Associate Professor and Industry Fellow in the School of Accounting Eva Tsahuridu said the scope and importance of the contribution accountants make had dramatically increased.

“I think a lot of people believe accounting is about numbers and calculators, but that is a very last century view of what accounting is,” she said.

“Accountants play a fundamental and growing role, with new levels of ethics and expertise required around sustainability and its reporting."

While sustainability reporting is voluntary in Australia, Singapore introduced mandatory environmental, social and governance reporting for listed companies in 2018 and other countries are expected to follow suit.

“The role accounting plays in sustainability is to inform organisations of what they ought to be doing, but also to assess the performance of organisations, their projects or activities,” Tsahuridu said.

Financial planning program demand has intensified according to industry experts Financial planning program demand has intensified according to industry experts

Following the Global Financial Crisis, public trust in businesses around the world fell dramatically and sparked new calls for tougher regulations and more frequent corporate disclosures to hold companies to account.

In Australia, this already suffering rate of confidence was underscored by the findings of the Royal Commission into financial services.

With evidence from more than 500 witnesses, misconduct was found across banks, insurance and superannuation companies.

Tsahuridu said both events highlighted the need for improved corporate regulations and propelled the need for higher education standards for those entering the financial sector, particularly in the areas of financial planning.

“In the post-Royal Commission era, we are seeing that the professional, ethical and education standards around financial planning are increasing,” she said.

“In line with this, we are seeing renewed interest in financial planning programs, such as RMIT’s double degree in financial planning and accounting in particular."

At a time when disruption is the norm and the world of work is constantly shifting, Pro Vice-Chancellor Business and Vice-President Julie Cogin said effecting change quickly and effectively was one of the biggest challenges facing all businesses.

“To survive and thrive, every organisation needs to know how to navigate change and access the skills needed to compete in a rapidly changing world,” she said.

“The most successful organisations of the future will be those that are trusted – by their customers, employees and the community alike.

“In accounting at RMIT, this means an enlarged focus on building business consulting capabilities, which responds to demand for accountants that can add value to a client’s business.

“A contemporary world-class business education should include a focus on ethical judgement and industry engagement as well as utilise technology to create flexible and rewarding and learning experiences.”

Tsahuridu said RMIT’s accounting programs were both market and industry-led, designed to ensure students graduated ready to take on future challenges.

“Our programs are designed to incorporate the macro trends we are seeing, as well as meet industry demands across transferable skills like effective communication, emotional intelligence and leadership,” she said.

RMIT recently teamed up with industry to develop Bogart Technologies in response to the revised and restructured International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants.

The serious game is set to equip students and professional accountants with skills to identify ethical issues outlined in the Code, with a micro-credential provided upon completion.

Released by the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) and effective from June 2019, professional accountants globally are required to comply with the Code.

“We have extensive relationships with industry partners of different sizes and areas of expertise who contribute to our teaching and research. This is really important for our students to gain both depth and breadth of knowledge,” Tsahuridu said.

“We also have a program advisory committee and we look beyond just Australia, taking our students to organisations in America, Europe and Asia.”

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RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.