Systematic Literature Review (SLR) on the Roles of Accountants and Challenges Towards Sustainability Accounting and Reporting

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Background and Purpose: Sustainability accounting and reporting (SAR) has undergone significant changes in businesses and organisations activities. These changes include the traditional role of accountants as they strive to adapt to this evolving process. Current responsibilities of accountants who process and report financial data now encompass providing data for reporting non-financial information on environmental, social, and economic activities. Sustainability accounting and reporting collectively describe an organisation’s sustainability performance (economic, environmental, and social performance). Although sustainability accounting and sustainability reporting are two distinct terms, both are accountability tools for sustainable production and business activities. Organisations now furnish comprehensive reports including social, environmental, and economic activities and how these activities affect business financial objectives simultaneously and integrated to their stakeholders. It is clear that the accounting profession and accountants have a key role in the core of active business for achieving sustainability accounting and reporting in organisations. Therefore, this paper aims to review the roles of accountants towards SAR using a systematic literature review (SLR) method. This paper also reviews the challenges faced by implementing the SAR among accountants. A systematic review of Scopus and Non Scopus databases identified 35 related studies. Methodology: This paper employs a literature review paper through a systematic review that specifically adheres to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The focus is on practical insights derived from empirical research to provide a comprehensive summary of these empirical findings’ cumulative effects or outcomes. The methodology encompasses clear inclusion and exclusion criteria for the meticulous selection of articles to be included in the final review. Findings: In this paper, 35 articles published in well-known Scopus and Non-Scopus journals for the year 2014 to 2023 were included. Most of the literature provides various roles of accountants that can be played in the implementation of SAR. The role of accountants advisors is the highest among accountants. Additionally, there are various categories of challenges directed at accountants regarding their involvement in SAR. Contributions: This study can serve as a guide for researchers in applying the PRISMA approach. Furthermore, it contributes to the challenges of accountants towards SAR by offering a comprehensive review of recent related publications. It will help organisations to improve a better understanding of accountants’ involvement in SAR practices.