Corporate Governance and SDG Integration in ASX Company Reports

Assessment

Complete the following steps to develop your assessment:

Step 1: Selecttwo ASX listed company annual reports from the top 300 ASX companies from the resource Market IndexLinks to an external site.. The first letter of each company name chosen must align with either your first initial of your first name or first initial of your surname. (e.g. If your names (first or last) begin with A and B, you may choose two companies starting with A, (such as A NZ and A MP) or a company from each ( A MP & B HP), or two companies starting with the letter B. 

Step 2: Compare their compliance with the new standards for Integrated Reporting, including the responsibility for the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

Tabcorp and Telstra

Step 3: Compare the two most recent annual company reports and provide examples that support your findings.

Step 4: Prepare a 5-minute (+/- 10%) oral presentation with accompanying PowerPoint slides in the following structure:

• Introduce the role of a company financial accountant, their ethical responsibilities and stewardship function when reporting on the results of an organisation.
• Discuss how your two chosen companies use integrated reporting to disclose the environmental impacts, social impacts, and examples of corporate governance. Provide relevant examples to support your findings, show evidence of wider reading and cite sources in your PowerPoint.
• Explain whether your chosen companies adhere to any of the SDGs, with examples. If not, are there opportunities to align with SDGs?
• Argue why it is important for corporations to publicly report on their progress towards sustainability goals. What are some challenges facing organisations in their adoption of SDG reporting?

Step 5: Record and edit your presentation video ensuring that:

• the presentation is 5 minutes (+/- 10%) long
• the camera is on when recording so that your face is recognised in the recording - this is compulsory
• you produce approximately 10 slides: 8 to cover the listed structure, plus 1 cover page, plus additional slide/s for references.

Step 6: Review the following checklist before you submit.

• I have included references correctly formatted.
• I have correctly cited all my sources and references on the PowerPoint Slide.
•  I have checked my Turnitin report to ensure the similarity report is acceptable and explainable. (Please note you may need to submit 24 hours prior to give yourself time to check the report.).
• I will be able to supply the process output, if required by my lecturer to prove this my own work (e.g screen dump of my search and retrieval of journal articles, websites, etc.).
• I have completed proof reading and checked for spelling and grammar.
• I have submitted my work before the due date/time.

Supporting Resources

The following resources may help you to complete this assessment: Recording and uploading videos:

• Record a slide show with narration and slide timingsLinks to an external site. (Microsoft, 2022).
• Canvas student, screen recording with StudioLinks to an external site. (ITCs 4 All, 2020).
  Creating and uploading a multimedia assessment.
• Shaping the sustainable organizationLinks to an external site. (Accenture, 2022).
• The sustainable development goals, integrated thinking and integrated reportLinks to an external site. (Adams, 2017).
  ASX top 300 companiesLinks to an external site. (ASX, 2025).
• Company directoryLinks to an external site. (ASX, 2022).
• The following chapters in Financial reporting (Loftus et al., 2020):
  • Chapter 1: Accounting regulation and the conceptual framework (pp. 1–41).
  • Chapter 22: Sustainability and corporate social responsibility reporting (pp.
• Omran et al. (2021). Integrated reporting and board characteristics: evidence from top Australian listed companies.  Journal of Applied Accounting Research ( 22) 732–758 https://doi.org/10.1108/jaar-04-2020-0077Links to an external site. 
• • IFRS FoundationLinks to an external site. (2022). 
  • Department of economic and social affairs: Sustainable developmentLinks to an external site. (United Nations, 2022).

Summary of Assessment Requirements

The assessment required students to:

1. Select two ASX-listed companies (from the top 300) that start with the initials of their first or last name.
   • For this task, Tabcorp and Telstra were chosen.
2. Compare their compliance with the new standards for Integrated Reporting (IR), with a focus on alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
3. Analyze the two most recent annual reports of both companies to identify examples supporting findings.
4. Prepare a 5-minute oral presentation with PowerPoint slides, structured as follows:
   • Introduce the role of a financial accountant, with emphasis on ethical responsibilities and stewardship.
   • Discuss how Tabcorp and Telstra apply integrated reporting for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) aspects, citing evidence.
   • Explain if the companies align with the SDGs, with examples or opportunities for alignment.
   • Argue the importance of sustainability reporting and challenges of adopting SDG frameworks.
5. Record and edit the presentation video, ensuring visibility of the presenter and adherence to timing (5 minutes ±10%).
6. Check submission quality, including proper referencing, Turnitin originality, grammar, and proof-reading.

Step-by-Step Approach by the Academic Mentor

1: Understanding the Task

The mentor began by clarifying the assessment structure and the importance of aligning the company selection with the student’s initials. Guidance was given on navigating the ASX Top 300 list and choosing Tabcorp and Telstra.

2: Exploring Integrated Reporting Standards

The mentor explained the concept of Integrated Reporting (IR), highlighting the framework, key principles, and the link to corporate accountability. Students were guided to review company reports to identify disclosures around:

• Environmental impact (e.g., carbon emissions, energy use)
• Social impact (e.g., diversity, community investment)
• Corporate governance (e.g., board structure, transparency)

3: Aligning with the UN SDGs

The mentor helped the student identify which SDGs were addressed by Tabcorp and Telstra. For example, Telstra’s initiatives on digital inclusion could align with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), while Tabcorp’s responsible gambling practices could link with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).

4: Comparative Analysis of Reports

The student was guided on how to compare annual reports, extract evidence, and present findings logically. The mentor emphasized the need to use direct examples rather than generic statements to strengthen the analysis.

5: Preparing the Presentation

The mentor outlined how to structure the PowerPoint:

• Slide 1: Cover page
• Slides 2–3: Role of financial accountants and ethical responsibilities
• Slides 4–5: Tabcorp’s integrated reporting practices
• Slides 6–7: Telstra’s integrated reporting practices
• Slide 8: Comparative findings and SDG alignment
• Slide 9: Importance of sustainability reporting and challenges

• Slide 10: References

The mentor also gave tips on time management, speaking clearly, and engaging the audience.

6: Recording and Final Review

The mentor guided the student in using available tools (e.g., PowerPoint recording, Studio) to create a professional video. A checklist was provided to ensure referencing accuracy, Turnitin similarity review, and overall compliance with assessment guidelines.

Outcome and Learning Objectives Achieved

By following the structured guidance, the student successfully:

• Developed analytical skills in comparing corporate reports against sustainability and reporting standards.
• Understood the role of accountants as ethical stewards in financial reporting.
• Applied knowledge of Integrated Reporting to real-world company data.
• Explored the relevance of UN SDGs in corporate strategy and reporting.
• Built communication skills through preparing and delivering a concise oral presentation.
• Practiced academic integrity through correct referencing and originality checks.

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