Digital Transformation of the Accounting Profession Under CSRD: Automation, Data Integration, and Sustainability Reporting in an EU Emerging Country

Abstract

This study examines the impact of sustainability reporting regulations on the accounting profession, with a focus on how accounting professionals are expected to adapt to new reporting requirements in the context of digitalization and sustainability integration. Using a qualitative research design, the study is based on a focus group involving accounting professionals and sustainability experts, aimed at identifying key challenges, opportunities and competency needs related to the effective implementation of sustainability reporting within organizations. The findings indicate that sustainability reporting requirements necessitate the development of a broad set of competencies among accounting professionals, extending beyond technical reporting skills to include sustainability knowledge, digital literacy, and enhanced communication and negotiation abilities. Automation and digitalization of accounting and reporting processes are identified as key enablers for improving efficiency, reducing repetitive tasks and minimizing human error. Moreover, advanced IT solutions, including artificial intelligence, machine learning and natural language processing, are perceived as valuable tools for supporting ESG data collection, integration and analysis. The study is conducted in the Romanian context, providing insights into the specific challenges faced by an emerging EU economy in adapting to sustainability reporting requirements. The study concludes that continuous learning and adaptability are considered important for accounting professionals to effectively respond to evolving sustainability reporting regulations, contributing to the existing literature by highlighting emerging competency requirements in this field. These findings should be interpreted as exploratory and context-specific, reflecting the perspectives of participants from a single focus group conducted in the Romanian accounting context.