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In This Issue

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Trends and Views

eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL), a universal language for business reporting, offers many benefits according to the paper Leveraging XBRL for Value in Organizations published by the IFAC Professional Accountants in Business (PAIB) Committee and ISACA. The paper provides guidance for accounting and assurance professionals to help organizations gain value from XBRL and also demonstrates how the new language can benefit SMEs by reducing the burden of regulation.

Business and investment leaders are calling for a new approach to corporate reporting in a landmark discussion paper Towards Integrated Reporting – Communicating Value in the 21st Century published by the International Integrated Reporting Committee (IIRC). Integrated Reporting demonstrates the links between an organization’s financial performance and the social, environmental and economic context within which it operates. Comments from those with a stake in Integrated Reporting are requested by December 14, 2011.

Human Resources

Bullying isn’t just a problem on the playground anymore as now we’re hearing more about harassment in the workplace. The key problem from an employer's perspective is that "harassment" could encompass a wide range of behaviour. Some recent cases in the following article offer examples.

Sustainability

Environmental and social issues are increasingly impacting the bottom line and future prospects of companies in many industries. Sustainability: Environmental and Social Issues Briefing, commissioned by CICA, highlights the environmental and social issues directors need to consider, provides an understanding of the potential business implications of these issues and offers questions that directors might ask in discharging their oversight responsibilities.

Paying the Price: The Economic Impacts of Climate Change for Canada provides, for the first time, national economic costs of climate change on Canada. This report by the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy states climate change costs could escalate from roughly $5 billion per year in 2020 to between $21 and $43 billion per year by the 2050s. Report recommendations suggest that investing in adaptation and mitigation can help keep costs down.

The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) released its CDP Canada 200 Report 2011 which analyzes the results of their survey sent to 200 of Canada's largest corporations. The questionnaire requests information on corporate carbon-related issues such as governance, strategy and initiatives, targets, risks and opportunities as well as greenhouse gas emissions. Click here to read the report.

Technology

Canada recently implemented anti-spam regulations to address the issue of unsolicited electronic mail through Bill C-28, commonly known as the Fighting Internet and Wireless Spam Act (FISA). This bulletin provides helpful information regarding how to comply with the legislation and also provides cross-jurisdictional comparisons between anti-spam laws in the United Kingdom/Europe and Canada.

Publications

Since preventing fraud is much more cost effective than punishing it, having a fraud protection plan in place can save your business time, resources, and money. The Accountant’s Handbook of Fraud Prevention and Detection helps spot the signs of fraud and develop effective systems and procedures to deter fraudsters and aid in early detection.

Click PREVENT FRAUD for more information.

This recent report by The Conference Board of Canada explores women’s progression in senior management positions over the last 22 years, highlights challenges women still face in the workplace, and suggests practices for overcoming these barriers.

Continuing Education

Did the recession change the perceptions of multiple generations about the workplace and rearrange priorities and goals? This webinar, sponsored by Robert Half, explores generational behaviours and gaps in the workplace, myths vs. reality, and provides timely advice to help manage and retain talented employee teams of all generations, now and in the future. CAs can earn the one-hour CPD credit upon successful completion of the quiz.

November 29-30, 2011 – (Optional Workshop November 28), Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, Toronto, ON

Being a successful senior financial officer in a Canadian corporation today depends on having a combination of technical expertise, soft skills, strategic finesse, and professional judgment. This new two-day event addresses the most relevant and current topics and offers insights into the future. Join your peers to discuss common challenges, explore parallel opportunities, and build your professional network.

Learn about the current status of women’s progress in the accounting profession including the business case for actively working on the advancement of women, the barriers women face, and the solutions to break down the barriers. This webinar is presented by Mary Bennett, MBA, CIA, CEC. CAs can earn the one-hour CPD credit upon successful completion of the quiz.

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