Meeting stakeholder demands today, while driving financial and non-financial information connectivity to unlock future value.
By Mark Hoffman
The evolving expectations and opportunities in today’s business ecosystem
Integrated reporting is a broad approach to corporate reporting that not only addresses stakeholders demands today, but also creates a foundation for future standards in an evolving corporate reporting landscape. In today’s business ecosystem there is a disconnect between what companies are disclosing, what investors expect in order to make informed decisions, and what broader stakeholder groups expect.
With the mosaic of corporate disclosures and information, it can be difficult to discern the full scope of factors that explain a company’s value drivers and performance as well as its outlook on how it plans to build long-term success.
The changing landscape coupled with new global reporting standards on the horizon has heightened the sense of urgency to implement holistic reporting solutions. Across industries and sectors, there is an ongoing shift to integrate and embed Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) goals and performance into mainstream reporting.
The piecemeal and siloed reporting conundrum
The many mandatory and voluntary disclosures that organisations are providing today have evolved into piecemeal reports, focussing on individual corporate issues that address climate change, diversity and other ESG-related matters. The result is a lack of broad and holistic understanding of an organisation’s strategy, business model, risks and opportunities, and performance against its strategic objectives and governance practices. This form of disconnect in performance and disclosures can leave investors and broader stakeholder groups with more questions about the organisation than answers.
A path forward: embrace integrated thinking
The paradigm shift in corporate reporting expectations has created pressure on companies to think about the resiliency of their business models and integration of non-financial and financial considerations into their core strategies in a way they have never done before. By taking this approach, organisations are adopting integrated thinking—a concept that refers to the connectivity and interdependencies between a range of factors, such as corporate purpose, the business model, strategies, risks and market opportunities—that can essentially affect an organisation’s ability to create long-term value for its stakeholders.
In response to integrated thinking, many organisations are seeking ways to build in reporting agility for the future and in turn are adopting integrated reporting—which is grounded by the Integrated Reporting Framework. The “Framework” is jointly supported by the IFRS Foundation’s International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) through the consolidation process of the Value Reporting Foundation—and both have taken responsibility for the Integrated Reporting Framework in August 2022. One key benefit to integrated reporting is its adaptability as global reporting standards and regulations continue to evolve.
Integrated reporting is supported by various principles and concepts however, the goal is universal: to accurately and concisely communicate the essence of why an organisation exists (purpose) and how it creates, preserves, or erodes sustainable value for itself and for its stakeholders over time.
While there is no specific formula or template to measuring and interpreting value, every organisation will have its own unique approach to creating long-term value. Once an approach and value creation model is established, it will serve as a blueprint for the organisation in how to effectively communicate the strategy, purpose, business model, risks and opportunities, and performance against the strategic objectives and in the context of how the organisation creates value for its investors and broader stakeholder groups.
Not only can developing an integrated report be more effective, driving greater impact and quality, but it can also significantly improve internal and external reporting efficiencies.
Integrated reporting as a solution to your corporate reporting needs
The benefits and outcomes of adopting an integrated report as part of your corporate reporting system:
A confluence of events is driving urgent action
There has been a tremendous movement globally in the last several months to coalesce around a set of global ESG reporting standards that will both serve organisations going forward and that also align very well with integrated reporting expectations. Historically, many organisations would apply the Value Reporting Foundation’s (VRF) “Integrated Reporting Framework” (the Framework) and “Integrated Thinking Principles” (the “Principles”) when it came to preparing an integrated report. In May 2022, as progress was made on the consolidation of the Value Reporting Foundation (VRF) into the IFRS Foundation, an announcement was made regarding plans for the Framework and Principle’s future role and governance—while recognising that ISSB standards are still in development. Most notably, the IASB and the ISSB will work together to utilise principles and concepts from the Framework in their standard-setting work and a role in a corporate reporting framework. The announcement marks a long-term, shared commitment towards incorporating principles and concepts from the current Integrated Reporting Framework into the standard setting projects and requirements.
Other initiatives include the recent formation of the ISSB, regional policy initiatives such as the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (EU CSRD) and the Securities Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Proposed Rule on Climate Disclosures. Finally, the UK made it mandatory for Britain’s listed companies to disclose their climate-related risks and opportunities in line with the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).
The adoption of subject matter specific reporting standards while fit for direct purpose, can create siloed and disparate reporting on different subject matters. The adoption of integrated reporting is universal and creates a foundation that can integrate the multi-dimensional corporate reporting standards around one value creation strategy of the organisation. As organisations are required to disclose on a range of ESG themes by law or regulation, integrated reporting provides a framework that allows for more coherent adoption of multiple specific standards, including mandated disclosures.
The core of this framework incorporates the four considerations identified by the World Economic Forum International Business Council’s (WEF-IBC) project on stakeholder capitalism: principles of governance, planet, people and prosperity (the 4Ps).[i]
Where do you start?
Even before the maturity assessment, begin by embedding integrated thinking and reporting into your organisation’s strategy. Embrace the philosophy and process to better understand where your organisation can benefit in creating an integrated reporting roadmap for your organisation.
What’s next?
Assessing your organisation’s level of corporate reporting maturity and objectives to align your integrated reporting implementation plan. Being deliberate with your approach to integrated reporting will help propel your organisation to navigate the ever-changing corporate reporting landscape.
The integrated reporting maturity assessment
As organisations can start from different points, it is important to first determine where they fall within the broad spectrum of corporate reporting maturity.
How can Deloitte help?
Deloitte understands the complexity of preparing an integrated report and brings together experienced leaders in finance and accounting, sustainability, risk and communications, and investor relations to share knowledge and offer a step-by-step guide or implementation support along the integrated reporting journey.
Examples of how we can help include:
More broadly, Deloitte offers solutions around risk management, strategy, performance metrics and targets, governance reporting and assurance needs.