The Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (AICPA & CIMA) and PwC have teamed up to create a new online course that makes it easier for accountants and finance professionals to understand the European Union's new rules on sustainability reporting. These rules are part of the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), which companies in the EU need to follow starting from January 1, 2024.

The course, called "Introduction to the European Sustainability Reporting Standards," breaks down these complex rules into understandable parts. It covers:

• Basic Rules (ESRS 1 and ESRS 2): What all companies need to know about sustainability reporting.

• Environmental Rules (ESRS E1–E5): How to report on environmental impacts like pollution and energy use.

• Social and Governance Rules (ESRS S1–S4 and G1): How to report on social issues like worker rights and how companies are governed.

Gabor Balazs from PwC explains that understanding these new sustainability rules is crucial for accountants everywhere, not just in Europe. He said, "This training helps finance professionals around the world understand and report on sustainability, which is becoming more and more important in business."

Jeremy Osborn from AICPA & CIMA mentioned that this course is coming at the right time because their members play a big role in making sure companies report accurately on sustainability. He stated, "Our members are deeply involved in implementing and reporting on sustainability. Offering them this training is one of our main goals. Working with PwC, we're helping accountants make businesses more sustainable and trustworthy in their reports."

This global course is perfect for professionals who want to get familiar with the EU’s sustainability reporting standards. After finishing this 2.5-hour training, participants will get a certificate to show they've completed the course, and they can earn 3.5 credits for their continuing professional education.

For more details on this course and other resources about sustainability and business practices, visit aicpa-cima.com/esg.