ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) has released new research urging business leaders to place greater emphasis on reporting opportunities alongside risks, warning that an excessive focus on downside risks may hinder investment, innovation and long-term value creation.
The report, Leadership Behind Reporting Opportunities, examines how finance leaders and organisations approach opportunity reporting amid concerns around commercially sensitive information, organisational readiness and stakeholder expectations.
According to the research, while organisations have become increasingly sophisticated in identifying and communicating risks, opportunities that can shape future growth often receive less attention. ACCA notes that a balanced approach to reporting is critical, particularly as businesses navigate economic uncertainty, sustainability priorities and evolving stakeholder expectations.
The report highlights that opportunities sit at the intersection of strategy, sustainability and capital allocation. It further emphasises that organisations must first build internal alignment and confidence before communicating opportunities externally, while connecting sustainability and financial information to long-term value creation and resilience.
Hsiao Mei Chow, Head of Corporate Reporting Insights – Sustainability, ACCA, said: “Businesses today operate in an environment where uncertainty often drives decision-making and reporting practices. While understanding and communicating risks remains essential, organisations must also be equally deliberate in identifying and articulating opportunities that can create long-term value. Opportunity reporting is not about optimism for its own sake; it is about providing stakeholders with a balanced and transparent view of how an organisation intends to grow, innovate and build resilience. Effective reporting can strengthen investor confidence, improve access to capital and support more informed decision-making. As reporting expectations continue to evolve, organisations should focus on presenting decision-useful information that protects competitive advantage while maintaining stakeholder trust. Achieving this balance will require greater collaboration across functions, stronger alignment between sustainability and financial priorities, and a shared understanding of what constitutes a meaningful opportunity.”
The research also calls for policymakers, regulators and industry practitioners to work together towards a more consistent definition of opportunity reporting, enabling greater comparability and transparency across industries and jurisdictions.
Read the report here.
