Global business leaders expect finance professionals to take on a more strategic role in the future, with more than half of respondents to new research from ACCA believing the ethical integrity of finance professionals will become increasingly important.
According to a press release of the ACCA issued here on Tuesday, the value creation model for business: 2010 and beyond sought the opinions of over 500 senior business people in nine countries about the role of the finance professional now and in the future. Helen Brand, Chief Executive at ACCA says, "We expect to see a new focus being placed by organisations on how they source and develop the skills and capabilities of their finance employees to create value, not just to their employers but within the wider economy."
The research shows that business leaders believe that the accountants will help to improve the ethical standards across an organisation with over half of respondents (58pc) believing this guardianship role will become more important in the future. The role of the finance professional is now more visible and more responsible, and that this has been the case since the global economic crisis. They also believe that this visibility and responsibility will continue and grow in the future.
The accountants will bring greater oversight and supervision in an increasingly global regulatory environment, and help organisations manage risk more effectively. Indeed two-thirds of respondents placed risk management and internal control among the top skills required of accountants going forward (67pc).
This new research builds on previous surveys by ACCA to build a compelling body of evidence about the significant role accountants play as 'value creators' in the business world by serving the public interest, restoring stakeholder confidence and ensuring long-term sustainable wealth creation.-PR