Oxford University’s Saïd Business School, in collaboration with AICPA & CIMA, has launched a new sustainability reporting course specifically tailored for finance and accounting professionals — signalling a global shift in how organisations must approach ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) responsibilities.
Traditionally, sustainability efforts were led solely by ESG or CSR departments. Today, with ESG-related disclosures embedded within financial statements, risk assessments, and investment strategies, companies can no longer operate in silos. ESG knowledge must now be integrated across every department — from finance and procurement to operations, compliance, and human resources.
“Finance leaders sit at the intersection of strategy, compliance, and value creation,” saidAmir Amel-Zadeh, Associate Professor of Accounting at Saïd Business School.
Evolving ESG Regulations Demand Broader Business Engagement
With the emergence of international frameworks such as the IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards (IFRS S1 and S2) and the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), businesses are subject to stricter sustainability reporting requirements. These frameworks are redefining how companies measure, disclose, and respond to climate and sustainability risks.
Finance, compliance, procurement, and operational leaders are expected to:
- Identify and assess sustainability-related risks and opportunities
- Understand and report on Scope 1, 2, and 3 carbon emissions
- Integrate climate-related disclosures into financial decision-making
- Ensure transparent, audit-ready ESG disclosures aligned with global standards
This evolution is prompting organisations to reframe ESG — not as a compliance obligation, but as a core strategic capability.
Malaysia’s Business Sector Urged to Strengthen ESG Literacy
In Malaysia, this transformation carries considerable implications. Businesses — particularly those in sectors such as agriculture, palm oil, manufacturing, and export-driven industries — must now develop cross-functional ESG competencies to meet both local and international expectations.
The Oxford-AICPA & CIMA course reflects this global shift, underlining the urgency for professionals beyond sustainability departments to understand ESG principles. Finance professionals, in particular, are at the heart of this transition — playing a vital role in sustainability reporting, assurance, and corporate accountability.
Prepare Your Business with the Latest National Sustainability Reporting Framework (NSRF) with Our IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards Workshop
In response to the growing demand for practical ESG expertise, Bernard Business Academy will be hosting a one-day “IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards Workshop” on 23 July 2025, 18th September 2025 and 20th November 2025.
This hands-on workshop is designed specifically for Malaysian professionals seeking to understand and apply the IFRS S1 (General Requirements for Disclosure of Sustainability-related Financial Information) and IFRS S2 (Climate-related Disclosures). These standards — issued by the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) — are rapidly becoming the global benchmark for ESG transparency and corporate accountability.
This workshop is ideally suited for finance leaders, sustainability professionals, auditors, risk officers, compliance teams, and C-level executives aiming to future-proof their organisations and align with emerging global standards.
Click the link below to learn more.
Public Workshop
July 23, 2025 | September 18, 2025 | November 20, 2025 @ 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM MYT
IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards
This interactive IFRS workshop offers expert-led guidance and hands-on tools to help businesses identify ESG risks, uncover opportunities, and align with Malaysia’s NSRF.