Achieving Sustainable Development Agenda of 2030: The Role of Accountants
Keywords:
sustainable development agenda; sustainable management of water and sanitation; sustainable consumption and production patterns
Abstract
The study examined the contribution of accountants in achieving the sustainable development agenda of 2030. A perspective study of accountants in Nigeria was carried out to specifically determine the role of accountants in ensuring sustainable management of water and sanitation, sustainability of cities and human settlements, and sustainable consumption and production patterns. Cross-sectional survey research design was deployed for the study. A sample size of eighty-nine (89) chattered accountants was obtained from a population of seven hundred and seventy-two (772) professionally affiliated Accountants in Nigeria. Primary data were sourced from the questionnaires administered on the 89 sampled chattered accountants in Nigeria. Kolmogorov-Smirnov Test was used in hypotheses testing at 5% level of significance. The findings of the study revealed that: accountants play a significant role in ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation (D = 0.197, p = .002); accountants have a significant function in making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable (D = 0.151, p = .001); there is a significant responsibility of Accountants in ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns (D = 0.178, p = .000). Based on the finding, it was recommended that Accountants should help in reducing waste generation through prevention, reduction and recycling and reuse of waste.
Downloads
Download data is not yet available.
References
ACCA & Williams, P. (2019). The Sustainable Development Goals: Redefining context, risk and opportunity across Africa. Fate Foundations: London.
Adams, C. A. (2020). Accountants can help meet the Sustainable Development Goals. Accessd online from https://drcaroladams.net/ on July 4th, 2021.
Adeyemi, A. A., Okewale, J. A., Adedapo, K. & Ebipanipre, G. M. (2020). Human Capital Accounting and Sustainable Development Goals: Evidence from Nigeria. Journal of Academic Research in Economics, 12(1), 59-68.
Agu S.I & Amedu J.M.A (2018). Relevance of Sustainability Disclosure to Profitability of Listed Pharmaceutical Firms in Nigeria. Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, 9(11), 11950-1201.
Ariyani A.P & Hartomo, D. (2016). Analysis Of Key Factors Affecting The Reporting Disclosure Indexes Of Sustainability Reporting In Indonesia. Journal of business, Economics and Law, 16(1), 1-25.
Arshad, S. A. (2018). Social and environmental accounting effect on companies' profit: an empirical study of some companies in Erbil. Account and Financial Management Journal, 3(7), 1621-1633.
Artanti, E.R., Nurjannah, I., Subroto. (2018). Validity and Reliability of Shortened General Comfort Questionnaire in Indonesian Version. Belitung Nursing Journal, 4(4), 366-372.
Asif, J., Vaqar, A. & Bakhrul, K. A. (2021), The Social Safety Nets and Poverty Alleviation in Pakistan: An Evaluation of Livelihood Enhancement and Protection Programme, Britain International of Humanities and Social Sciences (BIoHS) Journal, 3(1), 21-36. retrieved (1/11/2022) from: https://doi.org/10.33258/biohs.v3i1.357
Azzahra, B. (2022). Integrated reporting adoption: sustainable corporate strategy in achieving SDG 2030. Atma Jaya Accounting Research, 5(01), 117-132.
Bakker P. (2012) Accountants Will Save the World. Speech at The Prince’s Accounting for Sustainability Forum on December 13, 2012. Retrieved from http://www.wbcsd.org/Pages/eNews/eNewsDetails.aspx ?ID=15305&NoSearchContextKe y=true/ on June 29th, 2021.
Bebbington, J. & Larrinaga, C. (2014). Accounting and sustainable development: An exploration. Accounting, organizations and society, 39(6), 395-413.
Braam, G. J., Weerd, L. U., Hauck, M., & Huijbregts, M. A. (2016). Determinants of corporate environmental reporting: The importance of environmental performance and assurance. Journal of cleaner production, 15(129), 724-34.
Caruana, J., & Dabbicco, G. (2022). New development: The role of the accountancy profession in saving our planet. Public Money & Management, 1-4.
Cho, C. H., Senn, J., & Sobkowiak, M. (2022). Sustainability at stake during COVID-19: Exploring the role of accounting in addressing environmental crises. Critical Perspectives on Accounting, 82, 102327.
Dibia, N. O. & Onwuchekwa, J. C. (2015). Determinants of Environmental Disclosures in Nigeria: A Case Study of Oil and Gas Companies. International Journal of Finance and Accounting, 4(3), 145-152.
Egbunike, F. C. & Oraka, A. O. (2016). Appraisal of Environmental Accounting Information in the Financial Statements of Consumer Goods Manufacturing Companies in Nigeria. Journal of Social Development, 5(5), 6-28.
Erin, O. A., Bamigboye, O. A., & Oyewo, B. (2022). Sustainable development goals (SDG) reporting: an analysis of disclosure. Journal of Accounting in Emerging Economies, https://doi.org/10.1108/JAEE-02-2020-0037.
Firmansyah, I. (2019). The Role of Accountants in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals: Academics Perspective. Jurnal Ilmiah Akuntansi dan Bisnis, 14(2), 242-250.
Freeman C. (1984). Long waves in the world economy. F. Pinter; 1984.
García, L. S., Bollas-Araya, H. M., & Benau, M. A. G. (2022). Sustainable development goals and assurance of non-financial information reporting in Spain. Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal, 335. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.130290
Geissdoerfer, M., Morioka, S.N., De Carvalho, M.M. & Evans, S. (2018). Business models and supply chains for the circular economy. Journal of Cleaning and Production, 190, 712–721.
Hlalefang, K., Sanderson, A. & Pierre, R. (2021). A Review of the Nexus between Energy Consumption and Economic Growth in the BRICS Countries. International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, 11(3), 424-431.
Ibitoye, J. O., Bamidele, A., Hlalefang, K. & Pierre, L. R. (2017). Green Growth and Environmental Sustainability in Nigeria. International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, 2017, 7(4), 216-223.
ICAEW (2013). Sustainability: The Role of Accountants Sustainable Business Initiative. Accessed Online from icaew.com/sustainablebusiness on July 10, 2021.
IFAC. (2016). The 2030 Agenda for sustainable development: a snapshot of the accountancy profession contribution, 31 p.
International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) (2020). The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. IFAC: 529 Fifth Avenue, New York.
Izzo, M., Ciaburri, M. & Tiscini, R. (2020). The Challenge of Sustainable Development Goal Reporting: The First Evidence from Italian Listed Companies. Sustainability 2020, 12, 3494.
Khan, Т. & Gray, R. (2016). Accounting, identity, autopoiesis + sustainability: A comment, development and expansion on Lawrence, Botes, Collins and Roper (2013). Meditari Accountancy Research, 24(1), 36-55.
Kiara, W. (2018). Creating a sustainable future: The role of the accountant in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals. Accessed online from https://www.cgma.org/content/dam/cgma/resources/reports/downloadabledocuments/cgma-sustainable-dvelopment-goals-guide-apr-18.pdf on June 25th, 2021.
Lawrence, W.A. (2018). Towards better performance in achieving sustainable development goals in Nigeria. International Journal of Developing and Economic Sustainability, 6(3), 27-34.
Makarenko, I. & Plastun, A. (2017). The role of accounting in sustainable development. Accounting and Financial Control, 1(2), 4-12.
Manfred, F. & Oladipo, E. O. (2020). Achieving Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria’s power sector: assessment of transition pathways. Journal of Climate Policy, 20(7), 846-865.
Matei, I. (2015). Energy Consumption, Financial Development and Economic Growth Nexus: An Empirical Evidence from Panel Data for EU Countries, IESEG School of Management. Available from: http://www.afse2015.sciencesconf.org/61830/document. [Last accessed on 2021 July 8].
McCollum, D. L., Echeverri, L. G., Busch, S., Pachauri, S., Parkinson, S., Rogelj, J. & Riahi, K. (2018). Connecting the sustainable development goals by their energy inter-linkages. Environmental Research Letters, 13(3), 033006. doi:10.1088/1748-9326/aaafe3
Moore, D. R., & Sciulli, N. (2022). Sustainable development goal disclosures within Australian superannuation funds: an exploratory study. Australasian Business, Accounting and Finance Journal, 16(2), 72-90.
Mugenda, O. & Mugenda, C. (2008). Research Methods: Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches. African Centre for Technology Studies.
Ndubuisi-Okolo, P. U., Anekwe, R. I. & Ekwochi, E. (2020). Environmental Sustainability and Sustainable Development in Nigeria: Problems and Prospects. International Journal of Academic Accounting, Finance & Management Research, 4(1), 6-11.
Nga, W., Leung, T. & Lo, J. (2016). Developing Sustainability Competence for Future Professional Accountants: The Integrative Role of an Undergraduate Program. Handbook of Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development in Higher Education, Part of the series World Sustainability Series, 119-136.
Ngwakwe, C. C. (2012). Rethinking the accounting stance on sustainable development. Sustainable Development, 20(1), 28-41.
O’Dwyer, B., & Unerman, J. (2016). Fostering rigour in accounting for social sustainability. Accounting, Organizations and Society, 49(1), 32-40.
Orji, M. G., Olaniyi, K. & Adeyemo, T. (2022), Assessing Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises as an Instrument for Human Capital Development and Poverty Reduction in Abuja Area Councils of Nigeria, Britain International of Humanities and Social Sciences (BIoHS) Journal, 4 (2), 194-205, June, retrieved (1/11/2022) from: https://biarjournal.com/
Orji, M. G., Olaniyi, B. K., Oladele, T. O. & Mhirna, A. (2022), Strategic Human Resource Management and Performance of Selected Deposit Money Banks in Abuja, Nigeria, Britain International of Humanities and Social Sciences (BIoHS) Journal, 4,1-12; retrieved (1/11/2022) from: https://doi.org/10.33258/biohs.v4i1.565
Schaltegger, S., Etxeberria, I. A. & Ortas, E. (2017). Innovating Corporate Accounting and Reporting for Sustainability – Attributes and Challenges. Journal of Sustainable Development, 25(1), 113-122.
Scheyvens, R., Banks, G. & Hughes, E. (2016). The Private Sector and the SDGs: The Need to Move Beyond ‘Business as Usual’. Sustainable Development, 24(1), 371–382.
Sorina-Geanina, S., Adriana, P. & Comândaru, A. (2018). The Role of the accounting profession in achieving the objectives of sustainable development. Annals of the „Constantin Brâncuşi” University of Târgu Jiu, Economy Series, Issue 3/2018.
Sudana, I. P. (2017). Sustainable Development, Kebijakan Lokal Bali, dan Emancipatory Accounting. Jurnal Akuntansi Multiparadigma, 207–222. https://doi.org/10.18202/jamal.2016. 08.7017
Sytnik, O. E., Kulish, N. V., Tunin, S. A., Frolov, A. V., & Germanova, V. S. (2021). Accounting as a Tool for Achieving Global Sustainable Development Goals. In The Challenge of Sustainability in Agricultural Systems (pp. 689-696). Springer, Cham.
Tavakol, M., & Dennick, R. (2011). Making Sense of Cronbach’s Alpha. International Journal of Medical Education, 2, 53-55.
Ugochukwu, U., Urama, N. E. & Iloh, E. (2018). Meeting the 2030 SDG in Nigeria: the Role of Entrepreneurship Development. African Heritage Institution: Enugu.
Ujummadu, O. C. (2021). Audit Fee and Quality of Financial Reporting: Perspective Study of Professional Accountants in Anambra State (BSc. Project, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka).
United Nations. (2016). UN Global Compact and Accenture Strategy 2016 CEO Study. Retrieved from https://www. accenture.com/us-en/insight-unglobal-compact-ceo-study
Vidyarthi, H. (2013). Energy consumption, carbon emissions and economic growth in India. World Journal of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development, 10(4), 278-287.
Vidyarthi, H. (2014). An econometric study of energy consumption, carbon emissions and economic growth in South Asia: 1972-2009. World Journal of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development, 11(3), 182-195.
Wang, M., Janssen, A. B., Bazin, J., Strokal, M., Ma, L., & Kroeze, C. (2022). Accounting for interactions between Sustainable Development Goals is essential for water pollution control in China. Nature communications, 13(1), 1-13.
Yang, J., & Liu, X. (2022). The role of sustainable development goals, financial knowledge and investment strategies on the organizational profitability: Moderating impact of government support. Economic Research-Ekonomska Istraživanja, 1-22.
Adams, C. A. (2020). Accountants can help meet the Sustainable Development Goals. Accessd online from https://drcaroladams.net/ on July 4th, 2021.
Adeyemi, A. A., Okewale, J. A., Adedapo, K. & Ebipanipre, G. M. (2020). Human Capital Accounting and Sustainable Development Goals: Evidence from Nigeria. Journal of Academic Research in Economics, 12(1), 59-68.
Agu S.I & Amedu J.M.A (2018). Relevance of Sustainability Disclosure to Profitability of Listed Pharmaceutical Firms in Nigeria. Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, 9(11), 11950-1201.
Ariyani A.P & Hartomo, D. (2016). Analysis Of Key Factors Affecting The Reporting Disclosure Indexes Of Sustainability Reporting In Indonesia. Journal of business, Economics and Law, 16(1), 1-25.
Arshad, S. A. (2018). Social and environmental accounting effect on companies' profit: an empirical study of some companies in Erbil. Account and Financial Management Journal, 3(7), 1621-1633.
Artanti, E.R., Nurjannah, I., Subroto. (2018). Validity and Reliability of Shortened General Comfort Questionnaire in Indonesian Version. Belitung Nursing Journal, 4(4), 366-372.
Asif, J., Vaqar, A. & Bakhrul, K. A. (2021), The Social Safety Nets and Poverty Alleviation in Pakistan: An Evaluation of Livelihood Enhancement and Protection Programme, Britain International of Humanities and Social Sciences (BIoHS) Journal, 3(1), 21-36. retrieved (1/11/2022) from: https://doi.org/10.33258/biohs.v3i1.357
Azzahra, B. (2022). Integrated reporting adoption: sustainable corporate strategy in achieving SDG 2030. Atma Jaya Accounting Research, 5(01), 117-132.
Bakker P. (2012) Accountants Will Save the World. Speech at The Prince’s Accounting for Sustainability Forum on December 13, 2012. Retrieved from http://www.wbcsd.org/Pages/eNews/eNewsDetails.aspx ?ID=15305&NoSearchContextKe y=true/ on June 29th, 2021.
Bebbington, J. & Larrinaga, C. (2014). Accounting and sustainable development: An exploration. Accounting, organizations and society, 39(6), 395-413.
Braam, G. J., Weerd, L. U., Hauck, M., & Huijbregts, M. A. (2016). Determinants of corporate environmental reporting: The importance of environmental performance and assurance. Journal of cleaner production, 15(129), 724-34.
Caruana, J., & Dabbicco, G. (2022). New development: The role of the accountancy profession in saving our planet. Public Money & Management, 1-4.
Cho, C. H., Senn, J., & Sobkowiak, M. (2022). Sustainability at stake during COVID-19: Exploring the role of accounting in addressing environmental crises. Critical Perspectives on Accounting, 82, 102327.
Dibia, N. O. & Onwuchekwa, J. C. (2015). Determinants of Environmental Disclosures in Nigeria: A Case Study of Oil and Gas Companies. International Journal of Finance and Accounting, 4(3), 145-152.
Egbunike, F. C. & Oraka, A. O. (2016). Appraisal of Environmental Accounting Information in the Financial Statements of Consumer Goods Manufacturing Companies in Nigeria. Journal of Social Development, 5(5), 6-28.
Erin, O. A., Bamigboye, O. A., & Oyewo, B. (2022). Sustainable development goals (SDG) reporting: an analysis of disclosure. Journal of Accounting in Emerging Economies, https://doi.org/10.1108/JAEE-02-2020-0037.
Firmansyah, I. (2019). The Role of Accountants in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals: Academics Perspective. Jurnal Ilmiah Akuntansi dan Bisnis, 14(2), 242-250.
Freeman C. (1984). Long waves in the world economy. F. Pinter; 1984.
García, L. S., Bollas-Araya, H. M., & Benau, M. A. G. (2022). Sustainable development goals and assurance of non-financial information reporting in Spain. Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal, 335. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.130290
Geissdoerfer, M., Morioka, S.N., De Carvalho, M.M. & Evans, S. (2018). Business models and supply chains for the circular economy. Journal of Cleaning and Production, 190, 712–721.
Hlalefang, K., Sanderson, A. & Pierre, R. (2021). A Review of the Nexus between Energy Consumption and Economic Growth in the BRICS Countries. International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, 11(3), 424-431.
Ibitoye, J. O., Bamidele, A., Hlalefang, K. & Pierre, L. R. (2017). Green Growth and Environmental Sustainability in Nigeria. International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, 2017, 7(4), 216-223.
ICAEW (2013). Sustainability: The Role of Accountants Sustainable Business Initiative. Accessed Online from icaew.com/sustainablebusiness on July 10, 2021.
IFAC. (2016). The 2030 Agenda for sustainable development: a snapshot of the accountancy profession contribution, 31 p.
International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) (2020). The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. IFAC: 529 Fifth Avenue, New York.
Izzo, M., Ciaburri, M. & Tiscini, R. (2020). The Challenge of Sustainable Development Goal Reporting: The First Evidence from Italian Listed Companies. Sustainability 2020, 12, 3494.
Khan, Т. & Gray, R. (2016). Accounting, identity, autopoiesis + sustainability: A comment, development and expansion on Lawrence, Botes, Collins and Roper (2013). Meditari Accountancy Research, 24(1), 36-55.
Kiara, W. (2018). Creating a sustainable future: The role of the accountant in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals. Accessed online from https://www.cgma.org/content/dam/cgma/resources/reports/downloadabledocuments/cgma-sustainable-dvelopment-goals-guide-apr-18.pdf on June 25th, 2021.
Lawrence, W.A. (2018). Towards better performance in achieving sustainable development goals in Nigeria. International Journal of Developing and Economic Sustainability, 6(3), 27-34.
Makarenko, I. & Plastun, A. (2017). The role of accounting in sustainable development. Accounting and Financial Control, 1(2), 4-12.
Manfred, F. & Oladipo, E. O. (2020). Achieving Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria’s power sector: assessment of transition pathways. Journal of Climate Policy, 20(7), 846-865.
Matei, I. (2015). Energy Consumption, Financial Development and Economic Growth Nexus: An Empirical Evidence from Panel Data for EU Countries, IESEG School of Management. Available from: http://www.afse2015.sciencesconf.org/61830/document. [Last accessed on 2021 July 8].
McCollum, D. L., Echeverri, L. G., Busch, S., Pachauri, S., Parkinson, S., Rogelj, J. & Riahi, K. (2018). Connecting the sustainable development goals by their energy inter-linkages. Environmental Research Letters, 13(3), 033006. doi:10.1088/1748-9326/aaafe3
Moore, D. R., & Sciulli, N. (2022). Sustainable development goal disclosures within Australian superannuation funds: an exploratory study. Australasian Business, Accounting and Finance Journal, 16(2), 72-90.
Mugenda, O. & Mugenda, C. (2008). Research Methods: Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches. African Centre for Technology Studies.
Ndubuisi-Okolo, P. U., Anekwe, R. I. & Ekwochi, E. (2020). Environmental Sustainability and Sustainable Development in Nigeria: Problems and Prospects. International Journal of Academic Accounting, Finance & Management Research, 4(1), 6-11.
Nga, W., Leung, T. & Lo, J. (2016). Developing Sustainability Competence for Future Professional Accountants: The Integrative Role of an Undergraduate Program. Handbook of Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development in Higher Education, Part of the series World Sustainability Series, 119-136.
Ngwakwe, C. C. (2012). Rethinking the accounting stance on sustainable development. Sustainable Development, 20(1), 28-41.
O’Dwyer, B., & Unerman, J. (2016). Fostering rigour in accounting for social sustainability. Accounting, Organizations and Society, 49(1), 32-40.
Orji, M. G., Olaniyi, K. & Adeyemo, T. (2022), Assessing Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises as an Instrument for Human Capital Development and Poverty Reduction in Abuja Area Councils of Nigeria, Britain International of Humanities and Social Sciences (BIoHS) Journal, 4 (2), 194-205, June, retrieved (1/11/2022) from: https://biarjournal.com/
Orji, M. G., Olaniyi, B. K., Oladele, T. O. & Mhirna, A. (2022), Strategic Human Resource Management and Performance of Selected Deposit Money Banks in Abuja, Nigeria, Britain International of Humanities and Social Sciences (BIoHS) Journal, 4,1-12; retrieved (1/11/2022) from: https://doi.org/10.33258/biohs.v4i1.565
Schaltegger, S., Etxeberria, I. A. & Ortas, E. (2017). Innovating Corporate Accounting and Reporting for Sustainability – Attributes and Challenges. Journal of Sustainable Development, 25(1), 113-122.
Scheyvens, R., Banks, G. & Hughes, E. (2016). The Private Sector and the SDGs: The Need to Move Beyond ‘Business as Usual’. Sustainable Development, 24(1), 371–382.
Sorina-Geanina, S., Adriana, P. & Comândaru, A. (2018). The Role of the accounting profession in achieving the objectives of sustainable development. Annals of the „Constantin Brâncuşi” University of Târgu Jiu, Economy Series, Issue 3/2018.
Sudana, I. P. (2017). Sustainable Development, Kebijakan Lokal Bali, dan Emancipatory Accounting. Jurnal Akuntansi Multiparadigma, 207–222. https://doi.org/10.18202/jamal.2016. 08.7017
Sytnik, O. E., Kulish, N. V., Tunin, S. A., Frolov, A. V., & Germanova, V. S. (2021). Accounting as a Tool for Achieving Global Sustainable Development Goals. In The Challenge of Sustainability in Agricultural Systems (pp. 689-696). Springer, Cham.
Tavakol, M., & Dennick, R. (2011). Making Sense of Cronbach’s Alpha. International Journal of Medical Education, 2, 53-55.
Ugochukwu, U., Urama, N. E. & Iloh, E. (2018). Meeting the 2030 SDG in Nigeria: the Role of Entrepreneurship Development. African Heritage Institution: Enugu.
Ujummadu, O. C. (2021). Audit Fee and Quality of Financial Reporting: Perspective Study of Professional Accountants in Anambra State (BSc. Project, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka).
United Nations. (2016). UN Global Compact and Accenture Strategy 2016 CEO Study. Retrieved from https://www. accenture.com/us-en/insight-unglobal-compact-ceo-study
Vidyarthi, H. (2013). Energy consumption, carbon emissions and economic growth in India. World Journal of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development, 10(4), 278-287.
Vidyarthi, H. (2014). An econometric study of energy consumption, carbon emissions and economic growth in South Asia: 1972-2009. World Journal of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development, 11(3), 182-195.
Wang, M., Janssen, A. B., Bazin, J., Strokal, M., Ma, L., & Kroeze, C. (2022). Accounting for interactions between Sustainable Development Goals is essential for water pollution control in China. Nature communications, 13(1), 1-13.
Yang, J., & Liu, X. (2022). The role of sustainable development goals, financial knowledge and investment strategies on the organizational profitability: Moderating impact of government support. Economic Research-Ekonomska Istraživanja, 1-22.
Published
2022-11-04
How to Cite
Aggreh Meshack, Marcus Garvey Orji, Gilbert Ogechukwu Nworie, & Mercy Siddy Aggreh. (2022). Achieving Sustainable Development Agenda of 2030: The Role of Accountants. Britain International of Humanities and Social Sciences (BIoHS) Journal, 4(3), 543-556. https://doi.org/10.33258/biohs.v4i3.788
Section
Articles
.png)
_.gif)
_.gif)
