Beyond Technical Skills: The Strategic Importance of Accountants' Professional Development in Enhancing Corporate Investment Efficiency Through Sustainability Reporting

ABSTRACT This study explores the mediating role of sustainability reporting quality (SRQ) in the relationship between accountants' professional development (APD) and corporate investment efficiency (CIE), contributing to the growing discourse on corporate sustainability and financial decision‐making. Drawing on human capital theory and stakeholder theory, we argue that professional development enhances accountants' ability to produce high‐quality sustainability reports, which, in turn, fosters more efficient investment decisions. Using survey data from 279 certified public accountants employed by ASE‐listed firms, we employ PLS‐4 for structural equation modeling. The findings indicate that APD has a direct and positive impact on SRQ, which subsequently improves CIE. Moreover, SRQ mediates the relationship between APD and CIE, reinforcing the idea that enhancing professional competency in sustainability reporting can serve as a strategic lever for improving investment outcomes. The study makes several important contributions. Theoretically, it extends prior research by identifying SRQ as a crucial link between APD and investment efficiency, advancing understanding of the intersection between human capital development and corporate sustainability. Practically, it underscores the need for regulators and firms, particularly, in emerging markets, to prioritize continuous professional training in sustainability reporting. Strengthening accountants' expertise in this domain can bridge the gap between sustainability commitments and financial performance, ultimately fostering long‐term corporate success.