How accountants can change the World

We live in a fractured world, one that is coping with the fallout of Brexit, COVID-19, the rise of right-wing politics, and champagne drinkers who consider themselves working class says Trina Dowd.

November 2021

We live in a fractured world, one that is coping with the fallout of Brexit, COVID-19, the rise of right-wing politics, and champagne drinkers who consider themselves working class.

That said, I remain very optimistic for the future. Accountants are not just professionally competent but observe the highest standards of conduct. However, we must not take our code of ethics for granted. In a world awash with fake news, accountants must maintain the complete trust of society if we are to make tangible, progressive change. The role our code of ethics plays in our profession can therefore not be overemphasised.

As I write this article, final preparations are underway for COP26 in Glasgow. Climate change is now recognised as a global crisis, and we all have a role to play in tackling it. I have read many articles about Mary Robinson, the first female President of Ireland, who has emphasised the need for women to be at the core of the solution to climate change – but not to the point of excluding men. As well-educated women, we need to be “front and centre” in all conversations within organisations and cannot afford to be left behind. As Mary Robinson said, “If we took away the barriers to women’s leadership, we would solve the climate change problem a lot faster.”

COP26 will move the goalposts, and more change is inevitable. I genuinely feel an air of trepidation; how will we view the world after COP26? I don’t underestimate the task facing my fellow accountants; it will not be easy as increasing emphasis is placed on sustainable reporting, for example.

Of all the professions, accountancy is both equipped and ready to tackle these issues head-on. Our profession is unique in that accountants hold critical positions within organisations. Regardless of the industry you operate in, accountants are almost always driving the business and leading the way. Dare I joke, but I am adamant that accountants will change the world one annual/director’s report at a time!

Lastly, the phrase “no (wo)man is an island” has a new meaning in these testing times. Unified collaboration across all professions is critical to achieving sustainable change. As society resets, attitudes and behaviours will change – but accountants will undoubtedly be the key to the solution.