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2024/2025  KAN-CACAO2404U  Accounting for Sustainability

English Title
Accounting for Sustainability

Course information
Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Mandatory
Level Full Degree Master
Duration One Quarter
Start time of the course Fourth Quarter
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Study board
Study Board for cand.merc. and ASC
Course coordinator
  • Cristiana Parisi - Department of Accounting (AA)
Main academic disciplines
  • CSR and sustainability
  • Accounting
  • Auditing
Teaching methods
  • Face-to-face teaching
Last updated on 27-06-2024

Relevant links
Learning objectives
  • Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of corporate sustainability accounting, finance, accountability, and reporting; and the continuing debates within the literature;
  • Display thorough knowledge of the most relevant guidelines on sustainability management, reporting and sustainability assurance;
  • Show their familiarity with the tools covered in the course, such as sustainability dashboards and control panels and their use in order to focus, align and report measures;
  • Demonstrate a broad understanding of the most relevant challenges and competitive advantages related to the Social Responsible Investing (SRI) strategies;
  • Show their familiarity with the tools covered in the course, such as sustainability dashboards and control panels and their use in order to focus, align and report measures;
  • Demonstrate a broad understanding of the most relevant challenges and competitive advantages related to the Social Responsible Investing (SRI) strategies;
  • Define the scope and limitations of sustainability in relation to the fields of accounting, management accounting and finance;
  • Be in the position to demonstrate their ability to evaluate case situations and provide clear recommendations;
  • Present their thoughts and analysis in a well-structured and clear manner.
Examination
Accounting for Sustainability:
Exam ECTS 7,5
Examination form Written sit-in exam on CBS' computers
Individual or group exam Individual exam
Assignment type Written assignment
Duration 4 hours
Grading scale 7-point grading scale
Examiner(s) One internal examiner
Exam period Summer
Aids Limited aids, see the list below:
The student is allowed to bring
  • An approved calculator. Only the models HP10bll+ or Texas BA ll Plus are allowed (both models are non-programmable, financial calculators).
  • Language dictionaries in paper format
The student will have access to
  • Advanced IT application package
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
The number of registered candidates for the make-up examination/re-take examination may warrant that it most appropriately be held as an oral examination. The programme office will inform the students if the make-up examination/re-take examination instead is held as an oral examination including a second examiner or external examiner.
Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

Aim of the Course:

We live in a world of great challenges and high expectations in relation to the social and environmental footprint. Conscious attention to sustainable development in the economic, environmental and social domains benefits both the organization and its stakeholders. The advantages for the organization may include improved risk management, insight into new market opportunities, better access to capital markets, eco-efficiency and an improved reputation which will enhance trust of consumers and employees. Particular attention will be given to the recent development of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) at the European level and the relative implications for companies. 

The focus of this course is on the role of entities (governments, non-government organizations (NGOs), firms and individuals) and their accountability, accounting and reporting issues in the context of sustainable development. Corporate social and environmental accountability, accounting and reporting is concerned with measuring, managing and communicating the social and environmental effects of a corporation's economic actions to particular stakeholders and to society at large.

Main Themes

  • Sustainable Management Accounting
  • Sustainable Balanced Scorecard
  • Sustainability Reporting guidelines and Assurance Services
  • CSRD and new European Regulation on Sustainability
  • External Financial Reporting of Environmental Liabilities
  • External Corporate Financial Reporting of Sustainable Business Practices
  • Sustainable finance
  • Socially responsible Investing (SRI)
  • Social Return on Investment (SROI)
  • Environmental Sustainability Indexes
Description of the teaching methods
The teaching of this course will be based on a variety of methods. There will be formal lectures, group discussions, case studies and debates. Moreover, experts will be invited to contribute with their personal experience in the field.
Feedback during the teaching period
There will be three workshops during the course where students are expected to solve a case in class based on the course literature. Students will be asked to discuss the solution in class and they will receive feedback from the lecturer. Moreover, before each class, there will be a recap session where students will be tested through multiple choice questions (slido) and they will have the opportunity to receive feedback and ask for any clarification on the content of the lecture.
Student workload
Preparation and participation in dialog lectures 124 hours
Preparation and participation in exercises and cases 66 hours
Preparation for the exam 16 hours
Expected literature

Selected papers and book chapters on Social and Environmental Accounting
Last updated on 27-06-2024