Enhancing Sustainable Financial Reporting Quality in Emerging Markets: The Role of Professional Accounting Qualifications

Abstract : This study examined how professional accounting qualifications influence the quality of sustainable financial reporting in organizations in Ogun State, Nigeria. The research was grounded in Agency Theory and Stakeholder Theory; qualitative methods was used. Researchers collected primary data through structured questionnaires from 400 qualified accounting and finance staff across private, public, and audit or consulting organizations. Instrument validity was ensured through pilot testing, and reliability was confirmed with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.85. They also used secondary data from financial statements and sustainability reports. The analysis involved descriptive statistics, correlation, and multiple regression. The findings showed that the quality of sustainable financial reporting in emerging markets was generally low, with problems in transparency, reliability, completeness, and compliance with standards. There were strong positive relationships between professional accounting qualifications and all ESG areas, especially governance disclosure. Additionally, organizations with more professionally qualified accountants experienced measurable economic advantages, such as cost savings and enhanced brand reputation, due to higher accuracy and ethical compliance in reporting. Regression analysis found that professional accounting qualifications had a significant positive effect on environmental, social, and governance disclosures, accounting for much of the variation in reporting quality. Organizations reported greater accuracy, ethical compliance, and consistency. The study concluded that enhancing professional accounting qualifications is fundamental to improving ESG disclosure, which, in turn, supports long-term sustainable development objectives in emerging economies. Therefore, advancing professional capacity in accounting is not only beneficial to individual organizations but also creates a multiplier effect that drives broader economic growth and ethical development within the market in Ogun State.