CA ANZ backs GAA’s push to align sustainability and financial reporting

Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) has endorsed a Global Accounting Alliance (GAA) report advocating for greater integration between sustainability and financial reporting. This marks the first of three installments in the GAA's Connectivity in Reporting series, which explores how organizations can more closely link financial and sustainability data to enhance decision-making, transparency, and long-term value creation.

The report, compiled by ten major accounting bodies representing over 1.4 million accountants across 180 countries, draws on input from more than 30 interviews with stakeholders in the reporting ecosystem. The publication coincides with organizations responding to evolving climate-reporting requirements and the growing demand from investors, regulators, and other stakeholders for clearer, consistent, and actionable data.

CA ANZ CEO Ainslie van Onselen emphasized that financial and sustainability reporting should be viewed as part of the same narrative, as climate-related risks and opportunities can significantly impact cash flows, asset values, access to capital, and long-term performance. Organizations that effectively integrate these insights are better positioned to communicate their strategy, resilience, and prospects to investors and other stakeholders.

The GAA's Connectivity in Reporting series will progress from fundamental concepts and emerging trends to governance considerations and practical implementation guidance for organizations aiming to improve connected reporting. GAA CEO Jim Knafo underscored that connectivity is becoming a key characteristic of high-quality corporate reporting, noting that professional accountants can help ensure reporting is coherent, reliable, and valuable by providing a more integrated story on performance, risk, and long-term value.