On June 4, 2025, Oxford University’s Saïd Business School, in partnership with AICPA & CIMA, launched the Sustainability Reporting and ESG Data Management Programme, an eight-week online executive course for finance and accounting professionals. Designed for senior finance team members, consultants, auditors, and risk managers, the program equips participants to develop and enhance sustainability reporting strategies, mastering frameworks like TCFD, ISSB, and ESRS under the EU’s CSRD. With mandatory sustainability reporting rising—80% of global companies face new compliance by 2026, per ISSB—the course focuses on integrating ESG data into decision-making, leveraging AI, and ensuring robust governance. As sustainability reporting markets hit $10B by 2030, can this program position professionals to lead, or will evolving standards outpace training?

Program Details and Structure

• Target Audience: Mid-to-senior professionals (CFOs, accountants, risk managers) across 177 countries, with 500+ enrolled for the October 1, 2025 cohort, per Saïd Business School.

Curriculum:

• Master frameworks: TCFD, ISSB, ESRS, SASB, and California’s SB 253/261.

• Integrate ESG data into capital budgeting, using AI for 20% faster analysis, per module five.

• Strengthen governance for sustainability reporting, reducing compliance risks by 15%, per AICPA.

• Formulate strategies linking sustainability to financial reporting, ensuring CSRD compliance.

• Format: 5-6 hours/week over eight weeks (one-week orientation, six-week modules, one-week break), with multimedia, webinars, and optional group sessions.

• Certification: Digital certificate from Saïd Business School and AICPA & CIMA; 26.5 CPE credits pending for U.S. professionals.

• Faculty: Led by Amir Amel-Zadeh, with guest experts from Oxford and industry (e.g., CFOs of FTSE 100 firms), per Jeremy Osborn.

“Fluency in ESG data is key,” said Amel-Zadeh. Osborn added, “This equips leaders to navigate compliance and trends.”

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Strategic Context

Aligns with global sustainability trends:

• Swiss Glacier Collapse: 1.5°C warming drives demand for climate disclosures.

• STOXX ICE Indices: Paris-aligned investments rely on robust ESG reporting.

• Nepenthe Wines Redesign: Circular economy efforts complement ESG transparency.

• IFC’s $100M TPG Investment: Climate finance needs standardized reporting.

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Challenges and Risks

• Regulatory Complexity: 50+ global frameworks (e.g., CSRD, SEC rules) create $1B in compliance costs, per Deloitte.

• Data Gaps: 40% of firms lack reliable ESG data, delaying reporting by 6-12 months, per ISSB.

• Skill Shortage: Only 10% of 689,000 AICPA & CIMA members are ESG-trained, needing $500M in upskilling, per Osborn.

• Policy Risks: U.S. deregulation, like $1.5B Army Corps cuts, may weaken ESG mandates, impacting 5% of global standards.

What’s Next?

The program’s next cohort starts October 1, 2025, with 1,000+ expected participants by 2026, per Saïd Business School. A $2M expansion will add AI-driven ESG analytics modules in 2027. Graduates join Oxford’s 37,000-strong alumni network, boosting global ESG collaboration. Sustainability reporting markets could reach $10B by 2030, per BloombergNEF, with 60% of firms adopting ISSB standards by 2028. A $5M Oxford-AICPA research fund will study ESG-financial integration by 2028.

“This program drives transparency,” said Osborn.

With 36 Gt CO2e emitted in 2024, trained professionals could cut 0.1 Gt via better reporting by 2030.

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