CAPITALAND Investment chief financial and sustainability officer (CFSO) for lodging Beh Siew Kim began her career in audit, and when she first wanted to learn about sustainability she turned to the everyman’s school of choice: YouTube videos.

Achieving that skills crossover may be less DIY these days — Beh has since obtained more formal education, with an advanced certificate completed 2 years ago at Singapore Management University — but it is a step that top accounting and audit professionals may be increasingly asked to take.

More companies will create roles to oversee both the financial and sustainability functions as they aim to translate sustainability reporting and goals to meaningful outcomes, according to an industry study released on Thursday (Aug 5) at a conference organised by the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA).