Episode 16: From Glasgow to Global: How Chartered Accountants Are Shaping the Future

This week's episode of Chartered Accountants Global Update is all about saying yes — to opportunity, to change, and to leading the way forward.We meet Ken Croarkin, a Chartered Accountant whose journey from Glasgow to New York proves that the qualification really is a global passport. Then, we explore how Chartered Accountants Worldwide are putting sustainability front and centre with the launch of the brand-new Sustainability Hub.A Career Built on Saying YesWhen Ken Croarkin first heard about accountancy, it was almost by accident. Yet, decades later, he’s a partner at EisnerAmper in New York and a Council member at ICAS. His career story, shared with Sinead Donovan on Difference Makers Discuss, is a masterclass in the power of saying “yes” — even when the opportunity seems daunting.From early work with insurance clients (not his first choice) to a “temporary” assignment in the US that became a 27-year adventure, Ken’s path is proof that flexibility and curiosity pay off. His message to fellow accountants? Don’t underestimate the reach of your qualification. It can take you places you never imagined.Ken also offers a fresh take on technology. He sees AI as a partner, not a threat, freeing auditors to focus on judgment, insight, and what really matters. In his words, audit is anything but boring — it’s diverse, dynamic, and endlessly evolving.Leading the Sustainability ChargeThe episode then turns to another big theme: sustainability. Chartered Accountants Worldwide’s new Sustainability Hub is designed to help finance professionals become catalysts for change.This isn’t just another collection of reports. It’s a practical, well-organised resource that covers everything from carbon footprint measurement and governance to SME-friendly green finance guides. Whether you’re advising clients or driving change within your own business, the Hub helps you turn sustainability from a buzzword into a strategy.As experts like Karen McWilliams point out, sustainability reporting is fast becoming mainstream. For accountants, this is both a responsibility and an opportunity — to add strategic value, anticipate regulation, and help businesses thrive in a greener economy.A Global Profession, A Global ImpactFrom Ken’s international journey to the profession’s leadership on sustainability, Episode 16 celebrates what it means to be a modern Chartered Accountant: a strategic advisor, change agent, and global citizen.Explore the new Sustainability Hub at charteredaccountantsworldwide.com, and catch the full Difference Makers Discuss series for more inspiring stories.