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Fostering trust

and growth

through times

of uncertainty

By Andrew Harding, FCMA, CGMA

n today’s world, the only certainty is which we operate, the governments By using our leverage as trusted
uncertainty. In all areas — health, hosting our businesses, and our people. advisers, we are and will continue to be
societal, geopolitical, and economic To thrive, organisations will need to positioned to drive productivity,
— uncertainty casts a large shadow evolve their business models and implement technology solutions, diversify
Ias our COVID-weary profession now combine bold innovation with business models, and enhance
grapples with the fallout from a global unwavering integrity. They are choosing opportunities for sustainable, long-term
crisis in the form of war in Ukraine progress over perfection to create and growth.
disrupting businesses and communities. seize new opportunities. They do, As always, the Association is here to
And, to date, there has been no sign of the however, need to maximise transparency support you and your organisation
hoped-for return to what many saw as at all levels of their organisations to build through this new paradigm and ongoing
normality. trust with all stakeholders. This requires geopolitical and economic uncertainty. We
It is the core of our management creating and preserving value by looking remain committed to helping you foster a
accounting profession to strive to provide beyond the financials. high-trust environment and support you
certainty, our strength that pushes us and Corporate integrity has become a in your efforts to encourage growth
the organisations we work for forward valuable commodity. As profit and without sacrificing ethics, integrity, or
through upheaval. Just as we have done reputation are entangled, we, as commitments to sustainability.
PHOTO BY STEVE FORREST/STEVE FORREST PHOTOGRAPHY
during the pandemic, we will do again to management accountants, must factor in To find resources on how we are
address these new challenges. both financial and nonfinancial drivers addressing the challenges of sustainability,
If we have learned anything from the when assessing business performance. please explore our Sustainability and
past two years, it is that uncertainty As professionals, we are responsible Business series, and for dealing with the
drives resilience and progressive change. for guiding our organisations by uncertainty caused by the war in Ukraine,
The rapid work and lifestyle transitions embracing rather than rejecting this new visit the dedicated resource centre we have
made at the start of the pandemic may environment. We must make the case for set up to provide information to help the
not change back. And that is not creating long-term value by prioritising profession, businesses, members, and
necessarily bad, as new priorities are in sustainable practices. This can cover the students.
play for businesses and stakeholders waterfront from human capital decisions
alike. through to operational impact on the Andrew Harding, FCMA, CGMA, is chief
Profit and reputation have become community. As a profession, we are here executive–Management Accounting at
ever more closely intertwined as to both guide and lead businesses as they the Association of International
stakeholders look to focus beyond the develop and deliver their environmental, Certified Professional Accountants,
financials. Those stakeholders include social, and corporate governance (ESG) representing AICPA & CIMA.
customers, suppliers, the communities in commitments.

6 I FM MAGAZINE I June 2022