25 March 2013

ACCA: We need long-term thinking and an integrated approach on the road to inclusive recovery

For the global accountancy body, the EU executive is rightly targeting and associating long-term thinking with an integrated approach to address the pressing challenges linked to the financing of long-term investment needs, both for the private and the public sector.

ACCA supports the European Commission's decision to look in a holistic way at how the financial services sector channels investments, at the efficiency and effectiveness of financial markets, at the role of public policies in catalysing long-term saving and financing, and, last but not least, at facilitating SMEs' access to finance.

John Davies, Head of technical at ACCA, says: "Many of the areas targeted by the Green paper are close to ACCA's heart, such as corporate governance, accounting and corporate reporting, taxation, the role of the public sector, and especially access to finance for SMEs. We believe that new banking regulations, CRD IV in particular, could potentially risk making it more difficult for banks to finance the recovery in Europe and so we welcome the Commission's thinking on alternatives. In any case, it is important to acknowledge that Europe is more reliant on its banking sector for growth than the US or other major economies, and a shift to equity financing in particular is long overdue."

John Davies stresses: "We welcome moves to promote and facilitate the adoption of a more long-termist approach by businesses, large and small. Many of the problems we currently face are the consequence of businesses paying too much attention to short-term targets and performance measures and not enough to ensuring the sustainable and long term development of the business."

"We recognise the importance of financial reporting for investors and so it is legitimate for its part to be considered. Reporting has to focus on giving relevant information to investors, whether they turn out to be long- or short-term. Fair value has an important place in providing up to date information as long as its limitations are understood, though it will not always be the relevant measure especially for assets that are to be employed in the business rather than be sold", John Davies continues.

John Davies adds: "From a public sector perspective, ACCA has always been an advocate of greater transparency of financial reporting, together with clarity on long-term policy and decision-making that goes beyond the short-term political cycle. In addition, sustainability must remain an important concern in shaping decisions on the size of any Member State's overall investment programme and the role of investment institutions have an important role to play in this context." 

"We also believe that state aid and public procurement can help support local economies and dealing with the financial difficulties presented in a post financial crisis world. Similarly, there is a need for a sound public private partnerships -PPPs -  framework, but there is a caveat: PPPs should only be used where they can show a clear benefit for taxpayers and citizens", John Davies explains.

"Access to long term finance is only one aspect of the wider picture on this issue but it is nonetheless important to incentivise businesses in financial terms. ACCA welcomes the opportunity to contribute to this wide-ranging public consultation and looks forward to the upcoming debates", John Davies concludes.

Press release

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