Editor's note

The publication of the UK Sustainability Reporting Standards in February 2026 marks a watershed moment for corporate disclosure. Responding to the finalised framework, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) welcomed the UK government's decision to align the UK SRS closely with the standards of the International Sustainability Standards Board, a move it says will both start global competitiveness and improve comparability across more than 40 adopting jurisdictions.  

Fiona Donnelly, ICS director of sustainability remarked, “the publication of the finalised UK sustainability reporting standards (UK SRS) marks a significant milestone.” However, ICAS argues the regime should be more ambitious. Donnelly stated, “while this is a positive step in the right direction, we still think that the UK SRS should go further”. The institute is calling for a broader, double materiality approach and greater clarity over reporting reliefs, warning that without this, disclosures risk falling short of the long-term public interest…It’s disappointing that the standards no longer specify how long the reliefs for non-climate reporting and Greenhouse Gas Scope 3 reporting will apply. We appreciate that these topics are complex and rely on reporters obtaining third-party data, but these reliefs may be misused and result in incomplete and less useful disclosures. We note that regulatory and other mechanisms can determine the application of these reliefs, so we’ll be watching this closely.”  

She added, “2026 is set to be a milestone year for sustainability reporting in the UK. Alongside the Financial Conduct Authority's current consultation on applying the UK SRS to issuers, we also expect the Department for Business and Trade’s forthcoming consultation on modernising corporate reporting, to raise important questions about the future of corporate disclosures.

In this World Survey Supplement 2026 do read IAB’s rankings analysis of global accounting network and associations growth and performance across six regions through key revenue and staffing data over the past year; in an article by Praxity’s CEO, Scaling With Intent Supported by Connectivity and Collaboration, Sam Louis discusses the approach and showcases three European firms that have built understanding and growth through their cooperation and collaboration; Cyrus Suntook, tutor at Oxford University’s Saïd Business School and director at Accenture looks at How Finance Leaders Use AI for Sustainable Value; on the theme of developing and embedding greater emotional intelligence in accountants’ work, authors James Woodfall with Cliff Lansley argue in ‘The Heart of Finance,’  that enhancing communication skills are critical in a numbers-driven world;  from the Annual Quant Insights Conference Dr. Randeep Gug, MD, CQF Institute highlights an urgent need to bridge the skills gap in quantitative finance as AI becomes a critical asset; and finally Isobel Rimmer, founder of Masterclass Training reveals the secrets in leading listeners to successful outcomes through focussed audit presentations. 

Across performance metrics, technological transformation and human capability, a clear thread emerges; that sustainable growth in the profession depends on connection between firms, disciplines, data and people. Whether through collaboration, AI driven insight or stronger communication, success in 2026 will belong to those who integrate technical excellence with purposeful leadership and shared expertise.

Zoya Malik
Editor-in-chief, Financial Services Practice, GlobalData