Harmonization of accounting for settlements with buyers and customers in the context of sustainable development

In today’s environment of globalization and economic transformation, the role of effective resource management, particularly in settlements with buyers and customers, is significantly increasing. In the context of sustainable development, which involves achieving a balance between economic efficiency, social responsibility, and environmental sustainability, it is becoming increasingly relevant to review traditional approaches to accounting and analytical support for these initiatives. Under these circumstances, international experience serves as a valuable source of innovative approaches that harmonize financial accounting standards with the modern demands of sustainable development. In European Union countries and other developed nations, International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) are widely adopted, ensuring high-quality information about accounts receivable and facilitating the practical assessment of credit risks. To build long-term relationships with counterparties, an increasing number of companies are integrating the principles of sustainable development into their accounts receivable policy management, encompassing environmental, social, and economic aspects. The purpose of this article is to examine the current state of accounting for settlements with buyers in the context of sustainable development and the integration of the national accounting system into the international financial system. The study applied methods of comparison, analysis, and theoretical and logical generalization. The methodological basis was the dialectical research method. The article highlights the crucial role of accounting in facilitating settlements with buyers, thereby generating reliable financial information that directly impacts the quality of management decisions, the level of financial discipline, and the company’s investment attractiveness. It analyzes the main differences in accounting for settlements with buyers under national standards and IFRS. It proposes measures aimed at improving companies’ accounting and analytical systems about the principles of sustainable development, including: improving the regulatory framework to meet IFRS requirements; developing digital accounting tools for accounts receivable management and control, integrated with ERP platforms and business analytics systems; and implementing a system for the non-financial monitoring of debtors, particularly their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) responsibility. Keywords: Accounting, settlements with buyers and customers, accounts receivable, sustainable development, international experience, IFRS, National Accounting Standards (NAS), ESG approaches.