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What CPAs Need to Know about ESG

(Environmental, Social, and Governance)

Created byArun Mathur
BeginnerUpdated Dec 1, 2023

What You'll Learn

  • check_circleDefine ESG
  • check_circleExplain how ESG relates to business and professional ethics
  • check_circleExplain the relationship between ESG and the role of the CPA
  • check_circleDescribe how the regulatory environment is transforming and the new standards that are emerging across industrial sectors
  • check_circleDescribe the emerging roles for CPAs in light of ESG initiatives
  • check_circleExplain the return on investment from ESG initiatives.

About This Course

Sustainability and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) considerations are integral components of modern business ethics, reflecting a corporation's commitment to responsible conduct that transcends financial gains. These principles guide businesses in aligning their operations with ethical values, ensuring environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and transparent governance.

For accountants, ESG and sustainability underscore their ethical responsibility to provide accurate and comprehensive financial information that reflects the broader impact of business activities on stakeholders and the planet. At the same time, considering and planning for ESG-related risk factors reflects preparation for long-term growth and the viability of an organization.

As stewards of financial integrity, accountants play a pivotal role in quantifying and communicating ESG-related risks, opportunities, and performance. This contribution supports informed decision-making that reflects both financial and ethical dimensions.

The recent establishment of the ISSB and the increasing focus on ESG and sustainability standards require CPAs to be well-informed and provide guidance on these emerging matters. In the coming years, CPAs will play a central role in helping organizations manage risk assessment, evolve reporting standards, and make strategic decisions.

CPAs must quickly adapt and learn how to assist with the development, implementation, and evaluation of successful ESG and sustainability initiatives during these disruptive times.

This course will cover:

  • What ESG is and its role in a CPA's ethical responsibilities.
  • Why ESG is a critical component of business ethics.
  • The history of ESG and the factors driving the ESG movement.
  • ESG reporting standards.
  • How ESG impacts the accounting profession and why CPAs are essential in the ESG movement.
  • The relationship between ESG, KPIs, ethics, business sustainability, governance, and internal control.
  • The return on investment (ROI) of ESG initiatives.
  • Challenges associated with ESG initiatives.
  • The future of ESG and its implications for CPAs.

Participants will explore ESG as a business ethics activity, linking ethical principles and moral responsibilities to emerging issues in the 21st century. A step-by-step approach will be provided to help CPAs begin their ESG journey within their organizations.

Course Content

8 activities • 32 videos • duration: 3h 53m

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Welcome2 videos • 6 min
  • videocam1.1 - Introduction to the Course
    Duration 4:31
  • videocam1.2 - Agenda
    Duration 1:29
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Intro to ESG5 videos • 34 min
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ESG & the Accounting Profession4 videos • 30 min
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ESG Implementation9 videos • 1.5 hours
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Getting CPAs ESG ready6 videos • 32 min
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Conclusion2 videos • 6 min
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Additional Content: Governance4 videos • 35 min
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Final Assessment1 quiz

Your Instructor

Arun Mathur

Lead Instructor, FCPA, FCA

menu_book39 courses
star8,957 reviews

Arun Mathur, FCPA, FCA, LPA has over 35 years of teaching and corporate training experience. He is a retired Partner at Gerald Duthie & Co. LLP, where he provided professional services to a diverse group of clients. Arun is also Owner and Lead Instructor at UltimQuest Knowledge Inc., offering corporate training on improving governance, ethics, internal control, performance measurement and related topics. He provides live and online training through CPA bodies across Canada and Bermuda. Arun served for several years on the Board for HealthForce Ontario Marketing and Recruitment Agency, and was also Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee there and for the Trillium Gift of Life Network. He has served on the CMA Ontario's Review Committee prior to the merger as well.

Credit Information

Is this course eligible for my CPD requirements as a Canadian CPA?

Provincial regulators of CPAs in Canada do not require that independent providers of CPD be approved to offer courses. Instead, individual CPAs are responsible for assessing whether a CPD activity meets their requirements, and may take activities from any source provided those requirements are met.

Every course offered on LearnFormula is delivered by a qualified subject matter expert or learning organization, and advances learning objectives that are relevant to the responsibilities or professional competencies of Canadian CPAs. All activities on LearnFormula are quantifiable in terms of hours, and are also verifiable, in that users receive documented evidence of their attendance via a certificate of completion after finishing a course (and this certificate is stored by LearnFormula indefinitely). Nearly 100,000 Canadian CPAs successfully satisfy their CPD requirements via LearnFormula on an annual basis.

What Students Are Saying

4.6 out of 5
Student's Choice
94 reviews
  • BC
    Binh C.
    starstarstarstarstar

    Good course as ESG topic for CPAs is important in today's corporate responsibilities.

  • ME
    Monica E.
    starstarstarstarstar

    Good foundation for CPA's and uncovering what is important and navigate terms and concepts that are heard in industry, but not fully understood.

  • KK
    Kelvin K.
    starstarstarstarstar

    It is good to catch up the new development of ESG which is quite new. I understand how it relates to a CPA and how CPA could contribute to the ESG developement.

  • PR
    Peter R.
    starstarstarstarstar

    Found the course to be very informative

Frequently Asked Questions

We are a registered provider with 300+ associations and regulatory bodies worldwide. We operate across 27 global markets including Canada, the US, Australia, and the UK. Every course page clearly displays its specific accreditations. Upon completion, you receive a professional certificate that can be validated online. Our certificates include all necessary accreditation details, credit hours, and completion dates, and are formatted specifically to meet the submission requirements of most global regulatory bodies.

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