ESG in accountancy, environmental social governance in accounting firms, ESG strategies for accountants, carbon neutral initiatives for CPAs & accountants - Accounting Influencers Podcast

Episode 93

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Published on:

11th May 2022

ESG Opportunities in Accounting with Ian Thomson

Episode 93. In today's interview, "ESG Opportunities in Accounting with Ian Thomson."

Ian Thomson is Professor of Accounting and Sustainability at Birmingham Business School, Convenor of the Centre for Social and Environmental Accounting and Director of the Lloyds Banking Group Centre for Responsible Business. He has researched the many connections between responsible, sustainable business and accounting for 30 years. He co-authored Urgent Business and was a judge for UK Responsible Business of the Year.

Key takeaways from this episode include:

➯ how businesses can future proof and preserve value in tough times

➯ the importance of resilience for businesses in dealing with uncertain change

➯ the urgency and 'burning platform' of environmental change in the modern world

➯ why companies and accounting firms are further down the sustainability road than they think

➯ why sustainability issues and environmental concerns are natural priorities for businesses

➯ how the recent global environmental summit in Glasgow COP 26 is changing things

➯ what accounting firms can do to make better decisions about sustainability and climate change

➯ why businesses are actually weak and fragile in their outlook to costs and risk

➯ the best question businesses can ask themselves to asses their environmental priorities and risk

➯ how ESG (environmental and social governance) helps put sustainability into a business context

➯ how the financial accounts of a business are just one dimension of its performance

➯ the problems with ESG initiatives with the measurements and the data

➯ the danger for accounting advisors of data overload and how technology can help

➯ what accounting firm clients can ask their advisors to maximise climate, sustainability and ESG opportunities

➯ the crucial role accounting professionals must play to help business clients in a VUCA world

➯ the opportunities accountants have with data if they have the right analytical and technological skills

➯ best advice to accountants who want to embrace ESG, sustainability and climate services opportunities

Ian spends his spare time listening to loud and fast rock music, walking his dog and watching Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland and Hearts lose.

Useful sites and links

https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/responsible-business/index.aspx

https://bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/urgent-business

https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/csear/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-he-him-thomson-644b9129/

@UoBResponsible

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About the Podcast

Accounting Influencers Podcast
Host Rob Brown shows accounting professionals and leaders how to be more influential, grow their personal brand and be more authoritative, relevant and high profile in their roles..
The Accounting Influencers Podcast, hosted by Rob Brown, is a must-listen for accounting professionals looking to strengthen their leadership presence, stay informed on disruptive forces in accounting and build credibility within their firms. Geared toward firm leaders, managers, partners and influencers, the show covers key topics like career development, influence, personal branding and interpreting the evolving trends impacting the accounting world. Rob brings his expertise to each episode, offering insights and guidance on how to grow your personal brand and stay strategically important in a rapidly changing profession. Whether you're aiming to influence within your firm or expand your reputation outside of it, this international podcast offers practical advice and forward-thinking insights that will keep you informed and prepared for the future.
Accounting leadership
Executive presence for accountants
Building influence in accounting
Accounting industry trends
Personal branding for accountants
Accounting firm strategy
Accounting business models
Leadership in accounting firms
Talent management in accounting
Authority in accounting profession
Career development for accountants
Accounting firm growth strategies
Influencers in accounting
Accounting firm management
Disruptive forces in accounting
Accounting leadership strategies
Accounting career success
Accounting firm decision-makers
Accounting business trends
Building credibility in accounting

About your host

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Rob Brown

Rob Brown hosts the multiple accounting podcast and chair conferences, panels and events globally for the accounting and fintech profession. He is co-founder of Accounting Influencers Roundtable (AIR) which helps vendors, experts and influencers serve the accounting and finance world. He is a dynamic speaker and accomplished expert on trust, reputation, employer brand, talent, career development, succession, gen z/generations, employee advocacy and executive presence. Rob is author of the bestselling book Build Your Reputation (Wiley) and his TEDx talk ‘The Personal Brand of You’ has been viewed 400,000 times on YouTube. He is a stroke survivor, has epilepsy, is a committed Christian and has a black belt in kickboxing. He is based in Nottingham UK, home of Robin Hood, plays chess and backgammon, loves orange chocolate and is allergic to grapefruit.