International Trends in the Accounting Profession

International Trends in the Accounting Profession

2024-08-29

International Trends in the Accounting Profession: Integration of Sustainability Disclosure Standards and Accounting Standards On August 29, 2024, the Accounting Research and Development Foundation (ARDF) held the first joint meeting of the "Taiwan Financial Reporting Standards Committee" and the "Sustainability Standards Committee," with 21 members and researchers participating.

In her opening remarks, Doris Wang, Chairperson of ARDF, mentioned that since 2022, ARDF has hosted annual forums to advocate for the Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) and other government agencies’ ESG policies and action plans. She announced the "2024 ESG Summit: Net-Zero, Comprehensive Sustainability for a Great Future" on September 18, 2024, covering trends in IFRS, auditing, valuation, XBRL, and key sustainability topics such as ESG evaluation, sustainable finance, and circular economy.

Then, a video outlined the collaboration between the IASB and ISSB under the IFRS Foundation was presented. IASB Chair Andreas Barckow emphasized the importance of enhancing the connectivity of standards to meet investors’ needs, while ISSB Chair Emmanuel Faber highlighted the alignment of terminology and concepts with IFRS Accounting Standards. Both boards agreed that "connectivity" is integral to their mission, with ongoing collaboration on "integrated reporting" and other projects.

During the meeting, Professor Ding-Wong Cheng, Chair of the Sustainability Standards Committee, underscored the importance of viewing sustainability disclosures alongside financial statements. Chairperson Chi-Chun Liu of the Taiwan Financial Reporting Standards Committee acknowledged the challenges of aligning sustainability standards with established accounting practices, emphasizing the need to manage and measure sustainability-related issues effectively.

The meeting also addressed the need for consistency in terminology between accounting and sustainability standards. FSC Section Chief Hsiu-Mei Lin expressed the FSC’s support for this collaboration, which aims to promote the consistent application of both IFRS accounting and sustainability disclosure standards in Taiwan.

Chairperson Wang concluded by announcing the "2025 ESG Summit and Accounting Research Monthly 40th Anniversary Celebration" on August 25-27 2025, which will invite IASB and ISSB board members to Taiwan, furthering international exchange and enhancing Taiwan’s influence in the global capital market.

會計專業國際新趨勢：永續揭露準則與會計準則大融合

2024-08-29

會計研究發展基金會於2024年8月29日，舉行本會「臺灣財務報導準則委員會」與「永續準則委員會」第一次聯席會議，共21名委員以及本會研究員共同參與研討交流活動。

會研基金會董事長王怡心於致詞時表示，國際永續準則理事會（I S S B）已發布IFRS永續揭露準則第S1及S2號，且國際會計準則理事會（IASB）與國際永續準則理事會（ISSB）已開始合作，致力於提升會計準則與永續揭露準則間之連結性。本會從2022年起，每年舉辦大型論壇來倡議金管會和其他政府機關的E S G政策與行動方案。王怡心董事長表示「2024 ESG高峰會：淨零全方位永續大未來」將於2024年9月18日盛大舉行，內容含括IFRS、審計與確信、評價、XBRL等四大專業準則之趨勢，以及永續政策與法規、ESG評價、永續金融、ESG實踐、資通安全、內部控制及循環經濟等重要永續議題，歡迎專家學者以及企業和社會人士一同參與。

於會議開始時，本會以影片說明國際財務報導準則（I F R S）基金會所屬的IASB與ISSB兩會的目前合作方式；內容包括IASB主席Andreas Barckow，ISSB首任主席Emmanuel Faber的致詞。Andreas Barckow說明，IASB收到外界意見，希望兩會能促進準則的連結性以符合投資者的需求；因此，ISSB於制定準則時，在用語、語法及概念等方面大幅沿襲國際財務報導準則會計準則。I F R S兩會同意「連結性」是雙方理事會的「DNA」，緊密合作以達成提供「全面、綜合、一貫」之一般用途財務報導的目標。兩會的合作部分可分為理事會層級及幕僚層級：（1）理事會方面，由雙方理事會主席負責策略性合作、副主席負責雙方實際運作的連結；（2）幕僚層級方面，IASB 幕僚參與S1 制定過程，而ISSB 幕僚參與IASB氣候相關財務揭露計畫，雙方幕僚亦將於每月在對方理事會之會議中報告最新資訊分享新知。目前雙方理事會也正積極對「整合性報導」之各議題展開合作討論，並探尋未來可能之專案計畫。

在本次會議中，永續準則委員會主任委員鄭丁旺提到，會研基金會「永續準則委員會」於112年成立，至今已滿一年，召開了逾百次的會議；於審議永續揭露準則的過程中，持續注意翻譯之用語是否與會計準則之用語一致。此外，鄭丁旺主委亦提到ISSB強調單一重大性，即財務重大性，其注重的是ESG對公司的財務影響。亦即，對公司有重大影響者，才被列為永續相關之風險與機會；然而GRI則支持雙重重大性，即企業對ESG之影響與ESG對企業之影響。最後，鄭丁旺主委提到國際永續揭露準則強調的是揭露，其需與財務報表一同審視才可稱為完整；在現況下，許多機構投資人已開始關注公司之永續相關資訊是否依照國際永續揭露準則揭露。

接著，臺灣財務報導準則委員會主任委員劉啟群表示，永續揭露準則接軌的挑戰性不亞於2013年臺灣接軌IFRS。會計是為管理公司而必需之衡量，若無衡量則難以管理公司；反之，若無有效管理則難以衡量公司價值。會計已發展多年，累積了許多經驗；但就永續而言，現今仍在如何管理永續相關議題及如何衡量，以達良好資訊品質之摸索階段。劉啟群主委提到現今亦有許多學者研究如何運用永續相關資訊於市場中，例如研究結果顯示碳排風險會對公司之現金流量產生影響。

為更能符合永續的需求，IASB期望能透過發布教育文件以利企業能更了解永續議題，並於準則中進行有關估計及重大判斷之修訂；此外，IFRS解釋委員會亦先就氣候相關承諾等較急迫之議題進行討論。

尤其在本次會議中，委員們討論會計準則及永續準則間之用語一致性；本會的二個委員會委員們，熱烈討論準則間不一致之會計用語，目標是力求會計準則與永續準則間之用語一致。例如Reasonable estimate在會計準則翻譯為「合理估計」；然而於永續準則中譯為「合理之估計值」。為使兩準則間之用語一致，且為於翻譯時可保留更大的彈性，委員們決議將兩邊一致譯為「合理（之）估計值」。

最後，金管會證券期貨局組長林秀美表示，金管會十分重視此次會研基金會的兩個委員會聯席會議，期待兩會良好之合作能促進我國企業一致地適用國際財務報導準則會計準則及國際財務報導準則永續揭露準則。

王怡心董事長亦表示，本會將於2025年8月25至27日三天於南港展覽館二館，舉辦「2025 ESG高峰會暨會計研究月刊40周年慶祝大會」，規劃邀請國內外學者專家蒞臨作專題演講和座談，會邀請IASB及ISSB理事們來台交流，以使國際各會計專業機構更了解我國推動採用國際會計相關準則之情況，並提升我國在國際資本市場之影響力。

此次之聯席會獲得所有與會委員們之高度肯定，規劃未來每半年舉辦一次為原則，以持續推動兩大準則委員會之合作。

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Transport minister Lee Men-yen has resigned from his post, after a 10-year extramarital affair came to light last week. His successor was revealed on Thursday. It’s Executive Yuan Spokesperson Chen Shih-kai, a close confidant of both the president and the premier.

At a press conference on Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai announced that Spokesperson Chen Shih-kai will take over as transport minister.

Cho Jung-tai
Premier
Shih-kai has served for many years at the Taichung City Council. He is very well-versed and has a deep understanding of transportation issues. He’s capable and prepared to take on all the relevant responsibilities of the transport ministry.

Chen Shih-kai
Transport minister-designate
I’ll assume office next week. In the future, I will of course respect the professionals while I’m managing operations at the transport ministry. I need to learn everything I can.

Former Transport Minister Lee Men-yen resigned from his position after it was revealed he had had an extramarital affair. He’ll be replaced by Chen, whose current role will be taken over by Deputy Spokesperson Julia Hsieh until a new spokesperson is appointed. Chen is 47 years old and holds a bachelor’s degree from the Department of Political Science at Tunghai University. He previously worked as the director of the office of Lawmaker Tsai Chi-chang, and served three terms as a Taichung city councilor. In 2024, he became a spokesperson for Lai Ching-te’s presidential campaign, and has been spokesperson of the Executive Yuan since the start of the Lai administration on May 20. He is a close confidant of both Lai and Cho, and is seen as a rising figure within the DPP.

Hung Meng-kai
Lawmaker (KMT)
Was he able to get this important position thanks to his close ties with the premier and the president? I don’t know if that’s the case, but people might think so.

Hsu Chih-chieh
Lawmaker (DPP)
The first consideration is trust. The second is the person’s vision and abilities. We can offer him our encouragement and motivation and we hope he’ll be able to perform his new role as transport minister well.

A DPP lawmaker rejected claims that Chen was appointed to the position due to his connections, adding that he is sure that Chen will do well in his new post.

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2024-08-29

Tech giants and AI concepts stocks suffer stock market losses

Taiwan shares opened low and closed 0.75% lower on Thursday. The index was dragged down by losses on Wall Street, after Nvidia’s stock price plummeted by more than 2% in the trading session and more than 8% in post-market trading. The losses stand in sharp contrast with the company’s Q2 figures, where revenue stood at US$30 billion. Analysts say investors may be wary of shipment days for the company’s B-series chips. But founder Jensen Huang says he is confident about the company’s performance in the future.

In a Bloomberg Technology special, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang voiced confidence in his company, after share prices plummeted when the firm announced its Q2 report. The tech giant brought in US$30 billion in Q2 revenue, a more than 100% rise from the year before. Nvidia’s revenue and earnings per share exceeded expectations, but its gross profit margin was slightly lower than Q1. The company shared an optimistic outlook for Q3 but investors aren’t buying it, amid concerns over shipment delays.

Jensen Huang (July 2023)
Nvidia CEO
Starting in Q4, we have billions of dollars of revenues, and we’ll ramp up from there into Q1 into Q2 and through next year. We’re going to have a great next year as well.

Super Micro shares plummeted 22.65% after announcing it’d be delaying the filing of its annual report, which lead the four major U.S. stock indexes to suffer losses, in turn dragging down the Taiex. Taiwan shares opened low and closed 168 points lower at 22,201 points on Thursday shedding 0.75%. Tech heavyweights and AI concept stocks may be ailing, yet a Taiwanese market analyst is still optimistic about AI’s continued development.

Huang Wen-ching
Market analyst
Right now the market’s just responding to changes, and in the future, Nvidia’s growth will start to taper off. But if we look at the next three years from a competitive perspective, the demand for AI chips will still be relatively strong.

Market analyst Huang Wen-ching believes the delay in shipment of Nvidia’s B-series chips will only affect the market in the short term. Nvidia has been labeled the "most important stock on Earth," meaning that when it goes through a small wake then the entire market gets rocked by a wave.

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2024-08-29

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Two planes fly back to Taoyuan after being rattled by Typhoon Shanshan

Two flights from Taiwan heading to Japan ended up landing where they took off after getting a rattling from Typhoon Shanshan on Thursday. The planes had set off for Fukuoka on Thursday, but bumped into turbulence due to the storm. One of them headed straight back to Taiwan, while the other refueled in Osaka before heading back. All other flights to Fukuoka were canceled for the day.

A passenger captured this harrowing moment of the plane being rattled by turbulence.

Screams came forth from every corner of this China Airlines flight heading to Fukuoka. The plane just so happened to fly into the periphery of the storm, scaring its 200-plus passengers out of their wits.

The flight actually circled around Fukuoka several times, yet none of the landing attempts were successful. The flight ended up flying to Osaka, where it fueled up, before heading back to Taoyuan International Airport. Suffering the same fate as the China Airlines flight, an EVA Air plane also returned to Taiwan after being unable to land in Japan. Few smiles could be seen on the faces of the returnees.

Passenger on EVA Air flight
It was super bumpy. A bunch of people puked and some of the children were screaming. Overall, it was just really horrifying.

Passenger on EVA Air flight
To be honest, it wasn’t all that bad; just felt like you were going to throw up. My kid is really happy, because she said it was like riding a rollercoaster.

Typhoon Shanshan put an end to the travel plans of many passengers, who only found solace in being safe. With the typhoon set to engulf all of Japan, insurance companies have stopped selling packages that cover travel disruptions in the country until Aug. 30. With only packages covering passenger safety available, travelers heading to Honshu and Hokkaido on Friday are out of luck.

Passenger traveling to Japan
A little bit. Not having insurance is a bit risky.

Passenger traveling to Japan
In general, you buy insurance before you leave your home. You wouldn’t wait to buy it until you get to the airport. We had been planning this trip for a long time, so buying insurance in advance is, of course, a necessity.

Passenger traveling to Japan
I think if you can buy insurance then get it. I guess if you don’t get insurance then you should be a bit more careful.

Two flights in a row ended up landing where they originally took off. For safety purposes, all Aug. 29 flights heading to Fukuoka have been canceled until the typhoon leaves the area. Flights to other destinations will be taking off as scheduled.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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2024-08-29

Zero new first-graders at rural school in Kaohsiung

Schools in rural Kaohsiung are struggling to attract students. One elementary school in rural Liouguei will be starting the new school year with no new first-graders. And several other schools in rural areas have just one or two new students. In sharp contrast, a school in the urban Aozihdi neighborhood has filled up 14 first-grade classes, with almost 400 new students.

This is Xinwei Elementary School in Kaohsiung’s Liouguei District. The classroom looks rather empty, as there are less than 10 students collecting their textbooks.

Chuang Shu-ting
FTV reporter
The first day back at school is usually a time for the new students to meet new friends. But at this school in Liouguei, there isn’t a single new student.

The school has a total of 29 students in six classes. Originally there was going to be a new student from Maolin, who would’ve been alone in class. In the end the student’s parents decided to pick a different school.

This year, only one new student has enrolled at Baoshan Elementary in Taoyuan and Muzha Elementary in Neimen. And only two students have started classes at Laonong Elementary in Liouguei and Shenshui Elementary in Yanchao. As student numbers dwindle, parents are worried about school closures.

Parent
I’m worried there’ll be fewer and fewer students. Without people living here, the school could close.

Parent
It’s how it is. Everyone is going away for work, and education in cities is better. We don’t have as many resources in the countryside.

Chen Yi-ting
Xinwei Elementary acting principal
Although we don’t have any new first-graders, we’re still going ahead with the class curriculum as planned. Our faculty will be teaching just as they did previously.

Over in the city it’s a different story. Longhua Elementary in Gushan has had to put a cap on enrollment. This year, the school has almost 14 first-grade classes totaling almost 400 students. The school principal says the figures reflect the high population density of the area, which has only continued to grow.

Lee Mei-chin
Longhua Elementary principal
Aozihdi is a neighborhood on the rise. So people from outside the district are all moving in here for the employment opportunities. The population is trending younger, and that means more new students.

The remaining students have been enrolled at other schools in the area. Still, the principal says that the number of extra students is decreasing by the year. A glance at classrooms shows that Taiwan’s falling birthrate is posing challenges to schools both in the city and in the countryside.

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Athletes reveal good luck charms brought to Olympics

Athletes including weightlifter Kuo Hsing-chun, boxer Chen Nien-chin, and judoka Yang Yung-wei recently attended a banquet that thanked the nation’s Olympians. At the event, the athletes also revealed the items they bring to competitions for good luck. In Paris, Kuo wore a set of compass earrings to symbolize going in the right direction. Yang said his good luck charm is a bracelet gifted to him by Kuo. Chen said her coach is the lucky charm she brings with to every bout, which got a laugh from the entire audience.

Three of the nation’s top athletes line up on stage. While Kuo Hsing-chun was in medal contention at this year’s Paris Olympics, some eagle-eyed spectators noticed something. The weightlifter always wore a certain pair of earrings when competing. Kuo says they have a special significance.

Kuo Hsing-chun
Olympic weightlifter
I saw this pair of compass earrings at a time when I was feeling a bit lost. Of course, they carry a very special meaning of direction and luck. I personally love four-leaf clovers and symbols of luck because the word “luck” sounds similar to my name. But I think the most important thing is direction.

Kuo wore different earrings at the past two Olympics, and won medals at both. She also gave a gift to friend and fellow athlete Yang Yung-wei; that gift is now the judoka’s good luck charm.

Yang Yung-wei
Olympic judoka
Hsing-chun gave me a good luck charm. I’ve mentioned it in interviews before. Hsing-chun gave me a — what it’s called — a Pietersite bracelet.

Kuo gave Yang a Pietersite bracelet, also known as the king’s stone, a few years ago for his birthday. Now it’s a must-bring item whenever he goes abroad to compete. Boxer Chen Nien-chin was last to share her good luck charm; her story caused the entire audience to laugh.

Chen Nien-chin
Olympic boxer
My good luck charm is my coach, Ko Wen-ming. Having my coach by my side makes me feel like Wonder Woman.

Ko is a friend to Chen as much as a mentor, giving her the strength and courage she needs to get up into the ring each time. For these three athletes, sharing their good luck charms gives fans a glimpse of their lives away from the heat of competition.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

2024-08-29

Young entrepreneurs find opportunities at creative markets

In recent years, Kaohsiung’s Pier-2 Art Center, Weiwuying National Center for the Arts, and the city’s Music Center have hosted cultural and creative markets almost every weekend. Running the market is like curating an exhibition. Organizers need to design the theme, invite different vendors, and plan package sales. They support and promote a wide variety of vendors, creating many opportunities for young entrepreneurs.

Waffle batter is poured into a mold and cooked for five minutes, making tasty waffle balls. Nien-nien owns this business, which first operated as a market stall. Now she has her own small store, but she’ll still set up a temporary market stall whenever time permits.

Nien-nien
Entrepreneur
The initial investment for a stall is lower, and I think the risk is also less than opening a store. I think it helped me realize whether I’m good at running a business.

For young entrepreneurs, opening a stall is relatively simple as the initial cost is lower. Cultural and creative markets are an important way for these new businesses to earn a reputation.

Kuai-shou
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Organizers need these stalls to increase the diversity of our markets. Vendors also need a place to set up their stalls, a legal place and one that meets their needs.

For cultural and creative markets, the organizers are like curators of an exhibition. They need to choose which vendors to invite, plan package deals, organize the layout, and sometimes even handle the cash flow. But each market has its own way of operating.

Kuai-shou
Market organizer
Usually we find the location, or sometimes the location commissions us to organize an event. Sometimes the market is based on a festival or different seasons. Or sometimes we suddenly think of a theme and decide some features for the market, then invite suitable vendors.

But with so many vendors, how can you manage them all? Bad weather also tests organizers as they sometimes have to cancel an entire event, which can lead to disputes.

Kuai-shou
Market organizer
When the weather is bad, we have to cancel the event and handle refunds or reschedule. Sometimes we participate in events that might include some packages for meals, and when cash is exchanged, if it’s delayed or slow to be allocated, disputes are common.

Lee Ching-hsuan
Kaohsiung Youth Bureau
We also organize a large-scale market in November, the City Island market, to provide exposure for these vendors.

Cultural and creative markets work hand-in-hand with young entrepreneurs, each bolstering the other’s success.

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2024-08-29

Expert reveals secret to picking the right dragon fruit

Changhua is the second-largest producer of dragon fruit in Taiwan, and 60% of the county’s production is in Erlin Township. The sweetness and quality of this year’s yield is as good as ever, but it’s hard to know what kind you’re getting judging only from its appearance. Are you getting a crisper white dragon fruit, or a softer red one? An expert shared with us the secret to choosing the right kind...

All kinds of products are made from dragon fruit like these, which are an appetizing pink color. But when stacked up together, they all seem to have the same reddish exterior. However, if you look closely, there are some slight differences.

Chiu Shih-ping
Erlin Farmers’ Association director
The one in my left hand is white, and this one is red.

Is he right? Can he really tell just by looking at them if they’re white or red? We cut them open to find out. He was right! But for most people it’s like buying a lottery ticket. You can only hope you chose the right one.

Customer
It’s hard to choose because they all look the same. They’re all red on the outside.

Don’t worry; the association director’s got you covered. White ones are oval-shaped with bracts that are smaller and turn green at the ends. Red ones are more spherical with bracts that are shorter, more densely concentrated, and mostly red on the outside.

Chiu Shih-ping
Erlin Farmers’ Association director
If you look right here, the white one doesn’t have as many bracts and the tips have a bit of green on them.

How do they taste? Chiu Shih-ping says there are differences between them, but each has its own diehard fans.

Chiu Shih-ping
Erlin Farmers’ Association director
The red one is softer, but it also has more sugar, so it’s sweeter.

Dragon fruit, which is also called the “fruit of the gods,” has high nutritional value and can help flush heavy metals from the body. The Erlin Farmers’ Association said this year’s harvest is as good as ever and there’s plenty to go around. Everyone is invited to choose for themselves.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

2024-08-29