This month, we speak with Trinidadian-born Aubrey Mercier FCCA, CFO of nuclear support services company Framatome Canada, based in Ontario. It is strange to think that nuclear power should have a role in the transition to net zero but, as Mercier says, ‘The whole outlook for nuclear has changed because people are coming to understand that climate change is real.’ And Mercier’s role of cost management and good governance ensures that the anticipated growth is sustainable.
In Europe, there are proposals to introduce a mandatory maximum 30-day term for payment and interest penalties for late payment. ACCA has long campaigned against the scourge of late payment, and such moves will renew this debate. At the same time, the EU is proposing a new framework of corporate tax simplification (known as Befit); whether these proposals succeed where others have failed remains to be seen.
In the US, CFOs are preparing for consumers to tighten their belts. As delinquencies on credit card repayments begin to build, alongside greater reliance on credit in general in a higher interest rate environment, CFOs are worried that a slowdown could turn into a standstill.
October is also the month when Global Ethics Day falls. We showcase an ACCA report on applying ethics to sustainability reporting. We also look at how companies can build an ethical culture, and how ethical frameworks can support this.
And in our latest tips for practice management, we look at appraisal systems and how to get them right.
Lastly, just a reminder that registration for ACCA’s annual virtual conference ‘Accounting for the Future’ is now open. Find out about the topics under discussion over the three days (with 21 CPD units on offer), and register to watch live on 21-23 November or on demand. For members in the public sector, ACCA’s Virtual Public Sector Conference is being run on 24 November (and available on demand). Find out more.
