ΠΕΡΙΓΡΑΦΗ

The emergence of the need for accountability in business practices is at the forefront of policy makers around the globe and sustainable business practices are now the expected norm. The global community expects the business world to be accountable to the environment, the society and the way it operates internally, from a governance perspective. Non-financial reporting becomes increasingly important since all stakeholders are becoming sensitive and demand sustainable practices in economic activity. At the same token, an additional obligation is the assurance of the non-financial report. As such, a serious change in corporate reporting is coming forward and companies need to prepare accordingly.

Therefore, this training focuses on the assurance of non-financial reports under the new Directive, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). Current and upcoming regulatory obligations will be presented, along with the steps in implementing the statutory assurance of the Report. More specifically, the training will deep dive in the current and upcoming regulatory environment as well as the steps that need to be taken not only by companies to be compliant with their reporting obligations but also for the statutory assurance of the Report.

Participants will have the opportunity to analyse, interpret and successfully apply the regulation through the implementation of mechanisms to gather relevant data. They will, also, upskill current capacities to accommodate the reporting requirements and understand the needs that arise with the assurance of the non-financial reporting.

CPD

This seminar may contribute to Continuing Professional Development requirements. At the end of the seminar participants will be given a certificate of attendance confirming the total number of training hours (6 CPD).

ΣΚΟΠΟΣ ΣΕΜΙΝΑΡΙΟΥ

By the end of the training, participants will be able to:

• Identify the regulatory environment on non-financial reporting and assurance requirements and standards
• Describe the important clauses of the regulation to their colleagues
• Verify the regulatory landscape for their entity
• Transform current action plans to accommodate the changes required or non-financial reporting
• Demonstrate their organisation’s compliance to the regulatory framework during the submission of the non-financial reporting
• Explain assurance requirements and standards
• Support the implementation of the ESG Strategy within their organisation
• Encourage the preparation of an action plan for preparatory actions
• Prepare for the statutory assurance of their non-financial statements.

ΣΕ ΠΟΙΟΥΣ ΑΠΕΥΘΥΝΕΤΑΙ

This training is addressed to professionals who are involved in sectors such as Audit, Risk Management (including ESG), corporate social responsibility, sustainability and reporting. These professionals could be compliance officers, financial controllers, internal auditors, finance officers, risk officers, sustainability officers and other related professionals.

ΠΕΡΙΣΣΟΤΕΡΕΣ ΠΛΗΡΟΦΟΡΙΕΣ

Agenda

1. Introduction/ Setting the scene (1 hour)

• Objectives and setting the scene
• Historic background
• Legal background

2. Introduction to the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRSs) (1 hour and 15 minutes)

• What are they?
• General
• Topic Specific

3. CSRD Assurance Requirements (45 minutes)

• Regulatory obligations
• Assurance requirements

4. Performing Double Materiality Assessment (1 hour and 30 minutes)

• What is it?
• Why is it important?
• What are the main attributes?
• How is it implemented?

5. The importance of setting an ESG Strategy (1 hour)

• Review current landscape
• Strategic Objectives
• Action plan
• Implementation

6. Concluding remarks (15 minutes)

• Overall conclusion and synopsis of next steps
• Achievement of training objectives

7. Questions &Answers (15 minutes)

Trainers

Kypros A. Christofides
Board Member, Audit and Assurance, KPMG in Cyprus

Kypros is a Board Member in the Audit and Assurance function and acts as the Assistant Head of Audit at KPMG in Cyprus. During his more than 17 years of audit experience, he has been in charge of a wide range of clients both private companies as well as public interest entities in several industries including financial services, agriculture, aviation, retail and tourism.

Furthermore, he has been for years an active member of the firms’ internal technical teams on audit methodology with many hours of experience in delivery trainings and acting as quality control reviewer on several engagements. He has extensive experience on audits of regulated entities and entities that operate in multi-locations. He has, also, been acting as lead auditor in several group audit engagements as well as multi firm engagement audits.

Apart from holding a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Accounting, he is also a practicing member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales as well as the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Cyprus. He is currently in charge of the ESG Assurance service line for KPMG in Cyprus and a member of the ICPAC ESG technical committee.

Efthymios Charalambous
Manager, Assurance, KPMG in Cyprus

Efthymios is a chartered accountant currently serving as a Manager at KPMG Cyprus’ Assurance Department, where he oversees assurance engagements on ESG.

With over six years of experience in financial and non-financial reporting, he possesses a robust background and a diverse skill set. In terms of financial reporting, he has a solid understanding and practical knowledge of IFRS auditing standards. He has actively participated in external audits and financial statement preparation within the financial services sector. He has managed an international portfolio of clients, specialising in the banking sector. This experience has honed his ability to navigate complex financial landscapes and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

Additionally, Efthymios has experience in ESG and Sustainability reporting. He has dedicated his efforts to delivering ESG services to a wide array of industries across the Middle East region, notably serving some of the largest clients in the area. With a proven track record, he has provided assurance on sustainability reports and green bonds, as well as verified sustainability metrics such as GHG scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. He has conducted readiness assessments on ESG reporting and supported clients throughout their sustainability reporting journey, offering expertise in materiality assessment and strategic guidance to enhance their sustainability practices. His experience in not only financial reporting but also ESG and Sustainability enables him to provide comprehensive solutions and drive positive impact for organisations seeking to integrate sustainability into their business practices.

Throughout his career, he has facilitated numerous ESG training sessions tailored for diverse audiences, aiming to inform them about ESG and sustainability reporting standards and assurance methodologies.