The future of business reporting – how Australian businesses are heading toward more integrated financial and non-financial reporting

By Dr Matthew Bell, Sydney leader of Climate Change and Sustainability, Ernst & Young

Recent events have crystallised the notion for businesses that without due consideration for their environmental, social, and governance responsibilities, significant economic consequences can prevail.

How then, can stakeholders, including investors, understand the ‘true’ performance of an organisation unless this information is clearly articulated? For over a decade an increasing number of companies have been seeking ways to report on their sustainable development. Often referred to as the Corporate Responsibility (CR), Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), or Sustainability Report, they have provided a platform to engage with stakeholders on non-financial performance.

Inevitably, the development of a principally voluntary reporting approach has meant that a plethora of styles have emerged, using frameworks that do not always easily allow comparisons between companies in the same industry sectors. Their value has therefore been significantly limited.

There is now growing momentum behind the potential of ‘integrated reporting’ to deliver a more holistic view of a company’s performance and its longer-term sustainability. In this presentation, Matthew will provide an overview of the current global drivers for bringing together financial and non-financial disclosures, including the recently formed International Integrated Reporting Committee (IIRC), and what Australian businesses are doing to be part of the leadership movement.

Drawing from case studies from working with ASX 100 companies, Matthew will explore how australian corporates are meeting market demand.

Dr Matthew Bell
Taking Care of Business: Sustainable Transformation Conference
Radisson Resort, Gold Coast – May 21 & 22, 2012