Financial Reporting and Sustainability

Knowledge of financial accounting acquired in a degree or resulting from professional experience.

The development of the program will be carried out using active methods, which involve the participation of students and the promotion of a theoretical-practical perspective of the accounting matters covered the financial and non-financial reporting. We use examples, practical cases, and case studies, appealing to the opinions of students and discussion, in order to encourage the critical perspective. It is invited one speaker to present research on a topic of the syllabus. The work done in groups of students contributes to a greater link between theory and practice and it stimulates the research.

Teaching methodologies allow the development of specific and transversal skills that meet the objectives defined for the course, by combining the expository aspect, both theoretical and in the context of practical and real cases, with the participation of students, which allows a deeper understanding of financial and non-financial reporting.

The course has the following objectives:

1. Contextualize the accounting requirements consequence of the globalization and internationalization of companies.

2. Analyze and discuss the new challenges in the preparation of financial information and financial reporting according to the European strategy.

3. Study some topics of accounting standards, aiming to expand the knowledge acquired in the degree, with special emphasis on the analysis of alternatives and valuation rules contained in the standards and consequent impact on the financial statements.

4. Study current trends in corporate reporting, namely on sustainability, corporate governance and integrated reporting.

At the end of the course, students should have the following skills:

1. Understand the requirements in the scope of the financial reporting of companies, according to the accounting standards adopted, arising from the internationalization of companies, the strategy of the European Union and the national regulator.
2. Identify and understand new challenges and trends in financial reporting and non-financial reporting.
3. Know how to identify the appropriate accounting treatment in the context of the subjects selected for study in the course, based on national and international regulations.

I – Introduction 

1. Financial information in the context of globalization.
2. European strategy and the national position regarding accounting standardization.
3. The role of financial information in decision-making.

II – Financial reporting: the study of some special topics

1. Intangible assets.
2. Revaluation model, fair value, and asset impairment.
3. Provisions, contingent assets, and contingent liabilities.
4. Environmental matters.
5. Leases.
6. Inventories – production valuation.
7. Financial investments: individual vs consolidated financial statements.

III – Trends in business reporting and sustainability

1. Social responsibility report and sustainability report.
2. Mandatory non-financial statement.
3. Corporate governance report.
4. The future of business reporting – Integrated report.

NAO

Essential: 

Bernardi, C. (2020). Implementing Integrated Reporting: Lessons from the Field (SpringerBriefs in Accounting). Springer.

Elliott, B., & Elliott, J. (2019). Financial Accounting and Reporting, 19^th edition. England: Pearson Education. ISBN-13: 978-1292255996.

Herriot, Scott R. (2016). Metrics for Sustainable Business: Measures and Standards for the Assessment of Organizations, 1^st Edition. Routledge.

Larcker, D., & Tayan, B. (2016). Corporate Governance Matters: A Closer Look at Organizational Choices and Their Consequences, 2^nd Edition. England: Pearson Education.

Moreira, J. A. C (2020). Contabilidade – Da preparação à interpretação da informação financeira, 2ª edição. Lisboa: Edições Sílabo. ISBN: 9789895610945. 

Moreira, J. A. C (2019). Contabilidade – Informação financeira – casos práticos. Lisboa: Edições Sílabo. ISBN: 9789895610181.

Complementary: 

Del Baldo, M., Dillard, J., Baldarelli, M.G. & Ciambotti, M. (eds) (2020). Accounting, Accountability and Society: Trends and Perspectives in Reporting, Management and Governance for Sustainability, Series CSR Sustainability, Ethics & Governance. Springer.

Thostrup, J. (2014). Investor Oriented Corporate Social Responsibility Reporting. Routledge.

Material prepared by the teacher: 

Material de apoio e casos práticos disponibilizados pela docente.