NEWS: Accounting & ESG Disclosure Trends – What’s Changing Across Mauritius, Cayman, and the Gulf






 Accounting & ESG Disclosure Trends – What’s Changing Across Mauritius, Cayman, and the Gulf


The accounting and compliance landscape across global financial hubs is undergoing rapid transformation. As regulators push for greater transparency and investors increasingly demand sustainability disclosures, jurisdictions like Mauritius, the Cayman Islands, and the GCC are tightening their frameworks. For businesses, fund managers, and corporate advisors, this shift represents more than an administrative update — it’s a structural change in how financial credibility is defined and demonstrated.

Mauritius continues to reinforce its reputation as a trusted international financial centre through stronger disclosure standards. The Financial Services Commission (FSC) has made it mandatory for licensed entities, including Authorised Companies and Global Business Corporations, to prepare and submit audited financial statements under IFRS. The move enhances comparability, investor confidence, and overall transparency. Additionally, ESG reporting elements are being woven into corporate governance codes, while auditors face heightened independence requirements. These developments compel Mauritian entities to maintain cleaner financial trails and integrate risk-based compliance into everyday operations.

The Cayman Islands, once associated primarily with confidentiality, are shifting towards a more transparent and compliant regulatory framework. Economic substance rules, beneficial ownership filings, and IFRS- or US GAAP-based reporting are now standard. Regulated funds must file audited financial statements with the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA), and fund administrators are facing increasing scrutiny over valuation and risk-management processes. Investor demand for ESG-linked reporting has also grown, pushing firms to capture sustainability metrics alongside financial data. This transformation positions Cayman as a legitimate, disclosure-driven financial hub aligned with international expectations.

Across the Gulf region, particularly the UAE and Oman, IFRS compliance and ESG disclosure have become central pillars of corporate governance. The UAE’s new corporate tax framework now requires companies exceeding AED 3 million in annual turnover to maintain IFRS-aligned financial statements — a first for many small and medium-sized businesses. At the same time, listed companies are required to publish ESG reports, reflecting growing regulatory commitment to sustainability. These changes mean financial reporting and sustainability reporting can no longer operate in silos; investors and regulators now expect integrated transparency that connects profit performance with environmental and governance outcomes.

Globally, ESG reporting is evolving into an audit-ready domain. The International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) and IFRS Foundation are merging financial accuracy with environmental accountability through new disclosure standards. This signals a future where accountants and auditors will assess not only numbers but also impact — ensuring financial statements reflect how responsibly an organization operates.

For companies and advisors engaged in fund administration, cross-border structuring, or corporate services, the message is clear: upgrade systems to handle both IFRS and ESG data, anticipate audit requirements that extend beyond balance sheets, and guide clients through the transition before regulations make it mandatory. Compliance is no longer a checkbox; it’s a competitive advantage that builds investor confidence and global credibility.

As accounting converges with sustainability, the financial world is moving from compliance to conscience. From Mauritius to Cayman to the Gulf, transparency and trust are now the currencies of good governance — and those who align early will lead the next chapter of global business integrity.

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