THE ACCOUNTING RESEARCH REPORT

Running head: ACCOUNTING RESEARCH REPORT
Accounting research report
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

ACCOUNTING RESEARCH REPORT
Table of Contents
Introduction:..........................................................................................................................................2
Analyzing the annual reports of ASX listed companies for its sustainability practices:........................2
Evaluating the sustainability accountability practices of the identified companies:...............................3
Identification of findings of the researched companies:.........................................................................5
Conclusion:............................................................................................................................................5

ACCOUNTING RESEARCH REPORT
Introduction:
The paper conducts an investigation into the annual report of ten ASX listed companies for
evaluating the sustainability accounting practices. Research is performed for identifying the findings
in relation to sustainability accounting and conclusion is made by providing appropriate justification.
The chosen companies for carrying out analysis of the sustainability practice are Boral limited, BHP
limited, Woolworths limited, Brickworks limited, Xero limited, Wesfarmers limited, Telstra
Corporation, Amcor group, Harvey Norman and Transurban group and they operate in different
sectors.
Analyzing the annual reports of ASX listed companies for its sustainability practices:
Boral limited prepares its sustainability report that provides detailed information on the issue
related to sustainability. The sustainability and planning approach of company helps in contributing to
the sustainable development goals. Issues related to sustainability is assessed by referring to the
global reporting initiatives (Boral.com 2020).
For BHP Billiton Limited, one of the core values of business is sustainability and it is about
supporting communities and being environmentally responsible. Sustainable performance of the
company is assessed by involving stakeholders by setting clear targets to drive improvement and set
challenge to become sustainable. There is an established code of conduct that sets the standard for the
organization to carry out its activities with respect and integrity. BHP Billiton conducts its
sustainability in relation to safety, health, human rights, protecting the environment, indigenous
people and change in climatic condition (Bhp.com 2020).
Sustainability at Brickworks is about managing the operations in an environmentally
sustainable manner by considering social and economic influences with the objective of reducing the
footprints of its operations on the environment. Sustainability is carried out by engaging with the
stakeholders such as Australian Network partner of the business council of the world and such
engagement is done so that the expectations of the stakeholders can be understood in a better manner
(Brickworks.com.au 2020).
For Woolworths, the integral part of the operations is the strategy and approach to
sustainability and the sustainability commitment of the group is about to reach as the company has
achieved a number of milestone achievements. In order to drive against the target set for 2020 and
promoting the circular economy, a number of new sustainability initiatives have been taken by the
company.
The environmental and social impact of Xero is accounted in its sustainability efforts and the
company take all efforts to make positive contribution to the sustainability and environment. Various

ACCOUNTING RESEARCH REPORT
environmental initiatives are taken by the company where the interest of shareholders are supported
(Xero 2020).
Sustainability at Wesfarmers s considered as the opportunity that helps in driving long term
and strong returns to their shareholders. Wesfarmers is one of the six companies around the world that
is included in the Dow Jones sustainability index that tracks the sustainable performance of the
companies. Wesfarmers takes sustainability efforts by managing and understanding the way it impacts
the environment and communities for ensuring the value creation (Wesfarmers.com.au 2020).
The strategy concerning sustainability at Telstra Corporation is to embed environmental and
social considerations into the business creating value for the stakeholders and company. The
sustainability goals of Telstra is well aligned with the sustainable development goals of United
Nation. Sustainability strategy is most responsible to the topics that are material and creates a
meaningful impact on the business. Company seeks to address the environmental challenges using
technology and also assist the customers, suppliers and communities to deal with such issues
(Telstra.com.au 2020).
It is acknowledged by Harvey Norman that long term value can be created by the company if
the sustainable growth is integrated into the business practices, strategy and decision making.
Sustainability at Harvey Norman is about successful management and monitoring of the social,
economic and environment opportunities and risks and this results in the adoption of sustainable
practices and thereby generating benefits and long term returns to their stakeholders and investors.
Social sustainability is also adopted by the company for maintaining a committed, engaged and well
trained workforce (harveynormanholdings.com.au 2020).
Amcor Group is offered with the greatest opportunity to stand out in the competition by
making continuous progress on sustainability. A sustainability center of excellence is established by
the group in the financial year 2019 that changed the product portfolio by introducing recycled
content and incorporating more sustainable properties. The important growth opportunities for Amcor
lies in addressing the environmental friendly and sustainable packaging need (Amcor.com 2020).
The sustainability strategy of Transurban is fundamental to the long term objectives and day
to day business activities. It is ensured by the sustainable strategy that the customers, communities,
business partners and employees are delivered with tangible benefits. Transurban has some
established sustainability pillars against which there are number of specific commitments
(Transurban.com 2020).

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Evaluating the sustainability accountability practices of the identified companies:
This section demonstrates the evaluation of sustainability accountability practices by the
listed companies by reviewing their financial reports.
The sustainability reporting and approach adopted by Boral limited is strengthened by
enhancing the climate related disclosure and in this regard, company has adopted the recommendation
on financial disclosures related to climatic conditions by the task force of financial stability board. In
addition to this, Boral limited has strengthened how the modern slavery risk is managed and
identified. The related information and sustainability metrics has been broadened and the company
continue to reduce the emission of carbon, improve the safety outcomes and include gender diversity
in the workforce (Boral.com 2020).
BHP Billiton Limited manages the sustainability practices by contributing different measures
of sustainability such as safety, health, supporting communities and respecting human rights.
Environment is protected by supporting biodiversity, water stewardship and closure and rehabilitation.
The governance of issues pertaining to climatic change is actively managed by the board. Indigenous
people strategy is implemented by the company using a five year target program. BHP Billiton also
contributes to the needs of social development and sustainable long term economic empowerment by
supporting the communities, their local economic growth and interacting with host communities
(Bhp.com 2020).
The sustainability agenda of Brickworks limited include reduction of usage of energy,
resource efficiency, greenhouse gas emission, responsible sourcing of raw materials, strengthening the
environmental compliance, engaging with the local communities and innovative building product
development. Sustainability strategy is driven by identifying the sustainability targets. The process
resource efficiency, raw material substitution and product design helps in maintaining structural
integrity and reducing the requirement of materials (Brickworks.com.au 2020).
Sustainability commitments of Woolworths group is achieved by achieving a number of
milestones such as embracing diversity, creating equal opportunities for all, taking initiatives to
promote circular economy and remaining committed to human rights. A program in partnership with
community corporate has been implemented by Woolworths to provide displaced refugees with the
employment opportunities. The main focus of organization to minimize the environmental footprint is
to improve the efficiency of greenhouse gas and making contribution to mitigation of climatic change
(Woolworthsgroup.com.au 2020).
Harvey Norman is engaged in social and environmental sustainability. Environmental
performance has been improved in terms of waste management performance in the stream such as
mattresses, e waste, and usage of plastic bags by customers, plastic recycling and cardboard and

ACCOUNTING RESEARCH REPORT
polystyrene (harveynormanholdings.com.au 2020). Social sustainability is managed by Harvey
maintaining committed and engaged workforce.
The environmental and social impact of the business activities of Xero limited is minimized
by aligning the future and present efforts. Various sustainability programs and initiatives is stewarded
by environmental and social impact. Xero limited deepens its partnership with nonprofit
organizations and build thriving communities. A diversified workforce is built by the company that
helps in retaining and attracting the talent as diverse ideas results inclusion and innovation (Xero
2020).
Some of the areas of sustainability where Wesfarmers has achieved progress is human rights,
ethical sourcing, safety, community contributions and diversity. Providing a safe workplace is one of
objectives of sustainable growth and safety performance is measured using a number of measures.
Development of people forms the greatest competitive advantage and this is done by way of
workplace relations, representation of indigenous in the workplace and diversity. Responsible
sourcing of products is done by implementing ethical sourcing audit programs and increasing
transparency of supply chain (Wesfarmers.com.au 2020).
Sustainability at Telstra Corporation is managed by dealing and addressing the various
identified material risks such as cyber and privacy security, competition and transformation, culture
and people, resilience, safety, health and wellbeing environment. Sustainability strategy is directly
impact by any changes in regulation and Telstra take efforts to maintain good relationship with the
stakeholders making timely and transparent communications (Telstra.com.au 2020).
The sustainability agenda of Amcor group is advanced by making strategic investment and
this assist in accelerating the progress of the company towards the sustainable goal of company. A
range of sustainable initiatives undertaken by Amcor group would be funded by such strategic
investments. Amcor is the first company that pledged to develop all the packaging to be reusable and
recyclable (Amcor.com 2020).
Transurban group has three well established sustainability pillars for making sustainable
business growth. Sustainability practice is exercised in areas such as reconciliation, shared value,
safety, health and environmental, customer experience, community engagement, climatic change,
carbon neutrality, innovation and technology and whole of life sustainability (Transurban.com 2020).
Identification of findings of the researched companies:
From the detailed analysis of the annual reports of all the companies, it has been ascertained
that the companies takes significant efforts in managing their environmental and sustainable
performance. Sustainability initiatives are undertaken by the company to achieve sustainable

ACCOUNTING RESEARCH REPORT
economic growth and observes different sustainability practices for achieving the environmental
commitments.
Conclusion:
The objective of writing this paper is to evaluate the sustainability accounting practices by
analyzing the annual reports of the companies. The evaluation of sustainability accounting practices
of different companies listed on ASX has revealed the fact that sustainability is one of the core values
of the company that helps in creating long term value for the organizations. All the companies have
set clear targets to meet their sustainability goals and address any sustainable issues. Furthermore, it is
recommended to the organizations to make transition to the sustainable practices so that effective
course of actions is taken for dealing with specific issues relating to sustainability. Efforts should also
be taken to restore the damaged environments.

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References list:
Amcor.com., 2020. [online] Available at:
https://www.amcor.com/investors/financial-information/annual-reports [Accessed 4 Feb. 2020].
Bhp.com., 2020. [online] Available at: https://www.bhp.com/-/media/documents/investors/annual-
reports/2018/bhpannualreport2018.pdf [Accessed 4 Feb. 2020].
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https://www.telstra.com.au/content/dam/tcom/about-us/investors/pdf%20F/2019-Annual-Report.PDF
[Accessed 4 Feb. 2020].

ACCOUNTING RESEARCH REPORT
Transurban.com., 2020. [online] Available at: https://www.transurban.com/content/dam/investor-
centre/04/2018-Annual-Report.pdf [Accessed 4 Feb. 2020].
Wesfarmers.com.au., 2020. [online] Available at: https://www.wesfarmers.com.au/docs/default-
source/asx-announcements/2018-annual-report.pdf?sfvrsn=0 [Accessed 4 Feb. 2020].
Woolworthsgroup.com.au., 2020. [online] Available at:
https://www.woolworthsgroup.com.au/icms_docs/195396_annual-report-2018.pdf [Accessed 4 Feb.
2020].
Xero., 2020. Investor Information | Xero. [online] Available at:
https://www.xero.com/us/about/investors/ [Accessed 4 Feb. 2020].