The slides and recording from the webinar 'SMEs and Integrated Reporting’ held on 17 September 2019 can be accessed here: https://register.gotowebinar.com/recording/5985903331413646086

IFAC welcomes sharing this recording with colleagues in your organization who may find it of interest. 

The webinar was focused on integrated reporting for small and medium sized entities (SMEs), exploring the benefits for SMEs, guidance on implementation, and case study examples, with excellent presentations from:

• Matteo Pozzoli, member of IFAC's Small and Medium Practices Committee, who shared IFAC's perspective on the benefits of integrated thinking and reporting for SMEs
• Prof. Stefano Zambon, Secretary General, OIBR and the University of Ferrara, who gave an overview of the work of the Italian Network for Business Reporting (NIBR), and the transformation of this network into the recently established Italian Foundation for Business Reporting (OIBR)
• Dr. Laura Girella, IIRC Technical and Research Manager, who provided an overview of implementation guidance from the NIBR/OIBR and the WICI Global Network.

The implementation guidance was illustrated by 2 case studies:

(1) Stafer presented by Andrea Ragazzini, Chief Value Officer

(2) Dellas presented by Marco Pasquotti, Group CFO, Dellas and Chairman, Italian CFOs Association (ANDAF) North-Eastern Section.

Useful links

• Integrated Reporting for SMEs: Implementation Guidance - Consistent with the International <IR> Framework, this guidance explains the principles of integrated reporting and thinking through the lenses of an SME, providing also a road-map to integrated reporting as well as suggested KPIs and KRIs that can be usefully adopted.
• Creating Value for SMEs through Integrated Thinking - This publication from IFAC and the International Integrated Reporting Council aims to help small- and medium-sized entities (SMEs), including non-profits, adopt integrated reporting and realize its benefits. It can also help users understand the benefits of using the International Integrated Reporting Framework, including the flexibility of its principles-based structure and approach.

https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2019/sep/how-to-adopt-integrated-reporting-201921906.html

Bob Eccles has published a post at Forbes.com entitled: The Statement Of Purpose And What You Need To Do. He sees this as a simple way to ensure that a focus on long-term success gets the attention it deserves:  

The time has come to put this idea into practice. Our proposition is a simple one. The board of a company should publish an annual one-to-two page “Statement of Purpose” that clearly articulates the company’s purpose to profitably achieve a solution for society. It specifies within that purpose the few stakeholders most critical to long-term value creation and sustainability. While many, if not most, companies have mission and vision statements, almost none of them are signed by the board of directors. 

Read more

In this New York Times article chief executives from the Business Roundtable, including the leaders of Apple and JPMorgan Chase, argue that companies must also invest in employees and deliver value to customers.

In this interview with the Arizona Chamber of Commerce, I outline the strategic benefits of Integrated Reporting and thinking. https://chamberbusinessnews.com/2019/08/16/social-accounting-offers-more-transparency-greater-investor-confidence/

Integrated thinking leads to integrated decision making and actions that consider the creation of value over time. SMEs and not-for-profit organizations can benefit from such an integrated approach by combining an understanding of the entities’ overall strategy with a multi-capital lens while promoting a long term vision. 

READ MORE  

Anglo African Investments Limited, a Mauritius based small listed company, has been identified as one of London Stock Exchange Group’s Companies to Inspire Africa 2019. It has also won PwC (Mauritius) Corporate Reporting Awards in each of past 4 years. Read about the company and its integrated thinking and reporting here https://angloafrican.com/ . ACCA identified them as as a best practice exponent of IR / IT and used tthem as a case study here: https://www.accaglobal.com/in/en/professional-insights/global-profession/Insights-into-integrated-reporting-2-walking-the-talk/making-integrated-reporting-work-in-an-sme-anglo-african.html  

This article introduces readers to social accounting, promoting Integrated Reporting as an enabler of financial stability for firms and the entire economy. The last paragraph points readers to the IR US community's webinars for examples of how companies can begin the <IR> journey.

https://asunow.asu.edu/20190611-solutions-what-is-social-accounting-business-tool

Ayala's 2018 Integrated Report clearly communicates its deployment of the six capitals to create value and connecting these activities to the SDGs. https://www.ayala.com.ph/sites/default/files/pdfs/Ayala-AR18-040519-pages-lowres.pdf

My Op Ed in today's Manila Times shares Ayala's example and advocates for the use of Integrated Reporting as a tool for sustainable wealth creation. https://www.manilatimes.net/integrated-reporting-as-a-tool-for-sustainable-wealth-creation/560929/

This article by community member John Wilcox is a great overview of integrated reporting model, potential benefits and obstacles to adoption. 

The future of integrated reporting is closely linked to developments in corporate governance, climate change, social issues, sustainability, corporate reporting, investor stewardship, regulation....