Campaigns
Campaigning to change the way the world accounts for value
Our mission statement is to change the way the world accounts for value. To help support this goal, we are running some social value campaigns in parallel:
1. Consistency around Principles
Social Value International have a framework of Seven Principles of Social Value that can be applied at different levels of rigour and for different audiences, but ultimately contribute to best practice of impact/social value measurement and reporting. Social Value UK takes an active role in supporting Social Value International’s Seven Principles of Social Value. We believe the application of these Principles will lead to a world with less inequality and environmental degradation, with more stakeholders able to hold organisations and decision makers to account. To learn more about the Principles, download the Principles booklet here.
Across sectors there are a wide range of tools, frameworks and voices which all support and promote impact measurement. We are campaigning for a more unified voice to facilitate the social value movement to be a force for change. The first step is to identify the areas of commonality between different frameworks and measurement tools, such as cost benefit analysis for social value. We’ve written a series of Linkages papers that compares the different methodologies; you can find our Linkages papers in our Social Value Library by using the filter under topic.
2. Change the basis for financial accounts
Are the basic accounting principles that have developed over hundreds of years still fit for purpose? The principles upon which accounting and reporting are based have a massive influence on the world we live in, on relative prices and on investment flows. The relationships are becoming ever more critical between business and society, and between financial markets and inequality. We believe that we should be having a wider discussion on the nature of accounting principles. They are a public good and have been socially constructed but they are not generally considered when we think about solutions to global challenges. We are supported in this shift by many of our partners and members. You can find out more about this here.
2019 – Social Value UK Publishes Three Part Research Document
In 2019 we published a three part document which contains a short write up of the findings of our 2018 survey with YouGov, a longer think-piece focusing on the current state of accounting, as well as the complete list of survey questions.
Download the document here.
2018 – Social Value UK + YouGov Survey
In late 2018 we completed a survey across the UK to gauge changing reactions to the current state of accounting. Our survey showed that 85 per cent of the public do not want their investments to maximise financial returns if there is no interest in social or environmental impact. Find out more here.
2015 – Manifesto
We released our manifesto for change just before the 2015 UK General Election. It focuses on how we can make organisations more accountable. Read more here.
2014 – How do Companies Act?
In December 2014, we launched our policy report How do Companies Act. In it, we argue the case for more assurance of social and environmental impact information in corporate reporting. Find out more here.
2014 – Moral Investor Report
Read the Moral Investors report by Jeremy Nicholls on the role of accountants in investing here.
2012 – Are we accounting for value? A discussion document
In 2012 we published ‘Are we accounting for value? A discussion document’. Are the basic accounting principles that have developed over hundreds of years still fit for purpose? Jeremy Nicholls, founder of both Social Value International and Social Value UK argues that they could be reshaped to be more relevant to the global economy. Accounting for value is a discussion piece. Read more here.
