Registration is now open for an executive management course, jointly developed by Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford and AICPA & CIMA, that’s designed to give accounting and finance professionals the skills necessary to lead their organization’s response to sustainability issues.

The course, ESG and Sustainable Financial Strategy, will give participants a detailed understanding of environmental, human capital and governance concepts, reporting frameworks and assurance considerations, as well as insight into how sustainability issues impact organizational decision-making and resource allocation for value creation and preservation. It is offered as a six-week online course, with guest speakers that include faculty members with world-leading expertise, accounting firm leaders, and CEOs and CFOs of major corporations who can share insight into current practices and concerns.

Caroline Williams, director of Oxford Saïd Online, said: “We are proud to partner with the Association, the world’s largest accountancy body, on this essential course for leaders who are responsible for unlocking and transforming their company’s financial success through sustainable growth, profitability, and long-term sustainable value creation. Academia, industry, and businesses must provide comprehensive answers to tackling the climate crisis through critical partnerships like ours.”

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The first course will begin Sept. 27, 2023, with future sessions to be offered quarterly. The inaugural class is not CPE-eligible although subsequent rounds will be. Oxford Saïd’s online methodology features multimedia learning material, webinars (which are recorded), and optional group sessions to further enrich learning. Assessment is continuous and based on a series of practical assignments completed online. Those who complete the course will be able to:

Describe the key drivers of sustainable finance practices in business
Identify areas where sustainability practices can be incorporated into their organization’s business strategy
Evaluate the opportunities and risks involved in implementing a range of sustainable practices
Interpret the key regulations and frameworks that have relevance for their organization
Outline effective corporate governance practices and ways of managing their organization’s sustainability reputation
Create a sustainability transformation plan for their organization.

“We’re seeing powerful momentum on sustainability issues in the global economy, both in the establishment of consistent, comprehensive international standards and in growing investor demand for a more encompassing definition of business value which goes beyond traditional financial metrics,” said Jeremy Osborn, FCMA, CGMA, CPA (Aust.), AICPA & CIMA’s global head of ESG. “Accounting and finance leaders are at the forefront of this change and need to be armed with new skills and expertise to guide their organizations.”

Those who successfully complete the course will earn a digital certificate jointly signed by Oxford Saïd and AICPA & CIMA. The course is also an unmatched opportunity to develop a global network of contacts on sustainability issues, which will be further enhanced through an invitation to join Oxford Saïd’s Elumni Network. For more information, please visit the course description and registration link.