The rise of sustainability in business reporting requires CPAs to develop new skills and a new knowledge set. This may seem daunting, but Blake Phillips sees it as a way of future-proofing your career.

Blake Phillips is the director of the School of Accounting and Finance at the University of Waterloo. He is the co-developer of a new program at the university, one that is aimed at training tomorrow’s green financial experts. The Bachelor of Sustainability and Financial Management officially starts in Fall 2022. The program’s fusion of sustainability and financial management is unique in Canada and highlights the integrated set of skills that will be in high demand in coming years.

Phillips makes the point that accountants, who are well versed in financial systems, need to ensure that they gain the appropriate knowledge to understand financial, social and natural systems equally.

University of Waterloo Sustainability and Financial Management program

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