EXPERTsuisse Annual Conference: Innovation through cooperation - the importance of ecosystems

Around 600 participants attended the presentations and panel discussions at this year's EXPERTsuisse Annual Conference. "Innovation through cooperation - the importance of ecosystems" was the topic discussed. A highlight was set by Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter, who had to deal with the CS dossier at the beginning of the year immediately after taking office as head of the Federal Department of Finance (FDF). In an interview with Peter Ritter, President of EXPERTsuisse, she spoke about these extraordinary events and gave an outlook on the challenges in financial and tax policy.

Sustainability reports and audit obligations: Relevance for Swiss Companies

In Switzerland, regulations for sustainability reports and auditing obligations for conflict minerals have been in place since this year. Although the auditing of non-financial key figures is not yet mandatory, this trend is developing in the EU and other countries. Marcel Meyer, member of the EXPERTsuisse ESG Assurance Commission and partner at Deloitte, emphasizes the importance of these developments for Switzerland. Investors, financial markets, authorities and other stakeholders increasingly demand non-financial information to make their decisions and assessments of companies. The audit industry must now play a key role in education and in the development of auditing standards to establish the auditing of sustainability reports. Even smaller audit firms need to address these issues in order to be able to advise and audit their clients appropriately in the future.

Pascal Jenny, founder of tfy-consult AG and specialist for sustainability and ecosystems, and Sandro Prosperi, President of the EXPERTsuisse Commission Sustainability Consulting, discussed why these developments are not only important for large companies, but increasingly also for smaller and medium-sized ones. "In the future, reporting must take into account the needs of employees as well as regulations and other external requirements. Early positioning in this case also means helping to shape the framework conditions," says Pascal Jenny.

The fact that collaboration in ecosystems is the prerequisite for innovation and sustainable success, and that good framework conditions and sensible regulations are essential in this context, was vividly demonstrated by Jonathan Normand, CEO & Founder B Lab Switzerland. "Companies and society are now aware of the need for comprehensive and systemic approaches with equal consideration of social justice, economic performance and environmental responsibility. Today, anyone who wants to launch a new successful business model or position their business development for the future cannot avoid also focusing on sustainability," says Jonathan Normand.

The skills shortage and digitization: A challenge

National Councilor Judith Bellaiche and Stefan Pfister, member of the board of EXPERTsuisse and CEO of KPMG Switzerland, talked about strategies to cope with the shortage of skilled workers and discussed the upcoming challenges related to advancing digitalization. They also shed light on future risks that need to be given increased attention. Wanda Eriksen, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Audit Oversight Authority (FAOA), provided first-hand insights into the activities of the oversight authority, highlighted current and future challenges, and thus rounded off the overall picture of the task and work of an oversight authority.

Under the label "youngEXPERTsuisse", the industry association presented an initiative to promote young talent in auditing, consulting and fiduciary services. Here, younger members are given the opportunity for participation, an inspiring network and a say in the developments of the profession. In this way, they actively contribute to ensuring that the profession, training and working conditions remain attractive, especially for young graduates, part-time workers and women. As a further highlight, moderator Sonja Hasler and Peter Ritter honored the EXPERTsuisse Newcomers 2023, who passed their federal exams with top grades in the diploma courses "Auditing", "Tax" and "Fiduciary".

"I am thrilled by the diversity of topics and the contagious optimism conveyed by the various speakers at this year's EXPERTsuisse Annual Conference. The discussions made it clear what ecosystem collaboration between companies, authorities and consultants can - and will - achieve," says Peter Ritter, President of EXPERTsuisse.

Source: www.expertsuisse.ch