Dive into the future of circular economy and financial management! Coordinated by Haaga-Helia, the international ACES project offers free online courses that combine sustainability, circular economy, and financial management.
The international Accounting for Circular Economy and Sustainability (ACES) initiative, coordinated by Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, offers innovative learning opportunities for professionals in circular economy and financial management.
Through three free online courses, ACES explores cutting-edge topics at the intersection of sustainability, finance, and the circular economy.
Lecturers in accounting, Heli Kortesalmi and Ulrika Lindblad, who participated in the ACES project, agree that transitioning to a circular economy requires updates to accounting and tax laws, new bookkeeping methods, and adjustments to meet emerging data requirements.
"Today, more companies are aiming to brand themselves with sustainability. At the same time, the requirements for sustainability reporting have increased. Therefore, it is crucial to enhance the skills of financial management professionals to meet modern needs," they explain.
Developed in collaboration with The Hague University of Applied Sciences (Netherlands), Universidad de Alcalá (Spain), European University Cyprus, and the global Impact Hub network, the online courses are divided into three modules:
The first module addresses global challenges in the circular economy, political decision-making, circular business models, and the role of standards.
The second module focuses on applying management accounting to sustainable business practices and offers tools for responsible decision-making.
The third module delves into integrated reporting, current regulations, and academic research, emphasizing accounting challenges and external stakeholder reporting in the circular economy.
According to project manager Annariikka Rosendahl, ACES will also release three additional, more extensive learning modules and a pedagogical guide aimed at educational institutions.
The learning materials developed in the project will also be shared with international corporate trainers and business representatives.
The international ACES project, funded by the European Union and coordinated by Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, brings together expertise from five European countries, with researchers and education developers from Finland, the Netherlands, Spain, and Cyprus.
ACES will continue until June 2025. If you’re interested in exploring the online courses developed by the project, you can register via an online form. The courses are entirely free, offering a unique opportunity to join the forefront of circular economy development. For more information, visit:
