1. Introduction

This introductory chapter highlights developing challenges and opportunities that are likely to impact on the accounting professional in the foreseeable future. A professional career requires the modern accountant or finance expert to contribute to much more than just the numbers. This chapter outlines how the book is split into two sections; the first section covering external environmental challenges, and the second section covering the accounting profession’s response. Each chapter can be used as a standalone introductory piece upon a ‘hot topic’. Whilst the book is aimed at supporting undergraduate and masters students upon a range of university courses in accounting, finance and business, it can also aid students studying for professional accounting qualifications and provides useful teaching material for academics in ‘contemporary issues’ style modules.