The Importance of Sustainability Audit Report in Go Public Companies Sector, in Indonesia
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Advances in Science, Technology and Engineering Systems Journal Vol. 5, No. 4, 217-222 (2020) ASTESJ www.astesj.com ISSN: 2415-6698 The Importance of Sustainability Audit Report in Go Public Companies Sector, in Indonesia Bambang Leo Handoko*, Ang Swat Lin Lindawati Accounting Department, Faculty of Economics and Communication, Bina Nusantara University, Jakarta, 11480, Indonesia A R T I C L E I N F O A B S T R A C T Article history: Sustainability is considered new for Indonesian state-owned enterprises, also has become Received: 09 April, 2020 an obligation since two years ago. More and more people are aware of the environment for Accepted: 07 July, 2020 the next generation, the survival of mankind in the future. Sustainability issues are no Online: 22 July, 2020 exception in Indonesia. Companies publish sustainability reports as well as financial and annual reports. This sustainability report creates a need, namely the need for audits for Keywords: sustainability reports. This is often referred to as a sustainability audit or assurance report. Sustainability It is a qualitative descriptive survey. Researchers collect data from the literature and study Reporting observations as well as from interviews with stakeholders. The results of our study were Audit obtained because the increasing number of public companies reporting on sustainability Indonesia requires sustainability reporting audits in Indonesian public companies. The advantage of Corporation a sustainability audit report is that, in addition to its reputation or image, it can also add value to the company's planning, structure and accountability. Brand name of the listed company. However, there are weaknesses, the weakness lies in comparability and costs. 1. Introduction To report on their efforts, companies can demonstrate their commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) by the The issue of sustainability in accountability is an absolute following means: High-level participation (CEO, Board of mandatory when relying on business decisions to participate in Directors), investment policy, program, signatories to voluntary nature conservation. There is an important reporting requirement standards, principles (UN Global Compact - Ceres Principles), to support this accounting report, because it requires hard work and reports (Global Reporting Initiatives) [3]. the role of companies that integrate accounting and environmental assessment into their work for the sustainability of their profession. The triple bottom line concept requires that corporate Sustainability accounting was an approach or method used in responsibility is based on the importance of stakeholders in organizations to increase sustainability. Sustainable development understanding. In this case, the term "stakeholders" refers to those was defined in 1987 by the United Nations Commission on who are directly or indirectly affected by the actions of the Brundtland [1]. company [4]. Employees, customers, suppliers, local residents, government agencies and creditors are examples of key One of the main challenges in the field of accounting is stakeholders. The audit should also be able to provide stakeholders sustainability, which began with a lack of understanding of the with a post-implementation assessment, as in the research definition of sustainable development [2]. Another challenge is conducted by [5]. that it is difficult to combine control and the enterprise as the ultimate goal, since, as it has always been, usually as a traditional One of the analytical works is the sustainable balanced enterprise, it should achieve profit maximization, so that it can be scorecard model. In a study carried out by [6], based on both seen as an investment in modal capital for the benefit of popular BSC practices and the latest BSC developments, the BSC understanding. While some research has shown that sustainable strategy was implemented to measure and support sustainable business practices can catch up to promote greater long-term practices in a company, which is why the concept is called BSC profitability, maintain the apparent real relationship, and that sustainability. This means that not only finances are at the core of approval is important, both organizations need to consider factors an organization’s central BSC strategy, but also social and that are considered increasingly important. environmental objectives are integrated (like the former GRI concept, but their measurement and strategy through the BSC * Corresponding Author: Bambang Leo Handoko, +6289522675001, approach), or in other words, BSC sustainability is integrated. [email protected] www.astesj.com 217 https://dx.doi.org/10.25046/aj050427 B.L. Handoko et al. / Advances in Science, Technology and Engineering Systems Journal Vol. 5, No. 4, 217-222 (2020) Relationships based on the creation of economic value and management and the company internally. [10] states that environmental impacts added by the assessment form: Life Cycle sustainability reports are media and a means for management to Investments and Life Cycle Impacts. This evaluation links the show stakeholders the company's performance and results. Balanced Scorecard to the environmental systems of the An audit on sustainability reports is carried out to show the companies' environment by integrating them in different ways. In different perspectives of companies by showing that companies are Indonesia, the form and reports are influenced by accounting involved and participate also in the context of sustainability. standards established by various global experts. In Indonesia, the Auditing is an important factor in ensuring that the information form and format of the reports are influenced by accounting presented is relevant and responsible both financially and non- standards established by various global experts [7]. financially. According to [11], management should not only focus This national and international phenomenon clearly implies and priorities financial activities, but should also be able to focus that today's companies can no longer focus solely on profits. In on the social and environmental activities of the company. In this 1988, the concept of Triple Bottom Line (TBL or 3BL) or 3P - way, the scope of the audit becomes broader, which has an impact People, Planet and Profit - was introduced. In short, the three on increasing the added value of the company. pillars that measure the value of business success using three The attention of public entities on the importance of criteria: economic, environmental and social. sustainability reporting should be done through the GRI In fact, this approach has been widely used since the beginning assessment. Companies must be able to assess the implementation of 2007, as the development of the full cost accounting method has and validity of sustainability reports. [12] which argue that honest become widespread in public sector companies. In private sector and transparent disclosure of information on social and companies, the application of corporate social responsibility (CSR) environmental activities impacts on the value of the company so is also a form of implementation of the CTA. The concept of TBL that it influences business decisions made by stakeholders. implies that companies give priority to the interests of stakeholders 2.2. Triple Bottom Line Concept (all parties affected and concerned by the company's activities) over the interests of shareholders (the shareholders [4]. It was TBL focuses on all aspects of business, not only profit, but designed in the minds of companies to make them aware of the also on preparing and preserving the earth's ecosystems for the need for non-market valuation factors, i.e. the integration of natural future [4]. The description of TBL includes: capital into their business capital [8]. 1. People. Focus on human resources through the protection 1.1. Research Problem of labor rights and duties and compliance with applicable labor regulations. Companies must be able to offer decent wages and Based on the context, the following problems can be working hours and provide health and education services for the formulated in this study workforce. • What are the obligations of undertakings to make public 2. Planet. Problem area related to energy saving. It is also a offers in to report on sustainability reporting? matter of minimizing waste by treating it in advance in such a way • Why is a review of the sustainability report necessary? that it does not harm the environment and ecosystems that can • What does the verification of a sustainability report affect the quality of human life and flora and fauna. look like? 3. Profit. It is emphasis that these companies should not only • What are strengths and weaknesses of the sustainability strive for profit, but also create fair and ethical trade in their audit? business activities. 1.2. Purpose and Benefit 2.3. Sustainability Auditing The objective of our study was to provide information on the The world of auditing has, of course, been challenged by the reports of operating companies, and thus to determine why an audit evolution of processes in the industry; auditors must begin to is necessary to test the quality of sustainability reporting. The understand the use of technology in order to be able to verify all benefits of this research are as follows: the claims made in the company. New technologies that can defuse the audit work are beginning to evolve. One of them is Theoretical benefits; the document should increase knowledge continuous auditing,