In this series, we bring you views and commentary from EMBA professors at the University of Geneva. Their knowledge and research inform both current trends and future developments, offering valuable guidance for businesses and professionals alike.
Dr Franck Missonier-Piera is Professor of Accounting at the Geneva EMBA and teaches Financial Accounting on the first-year foundational course, as part of the Building Resilient Organizations track. Here he shares his thoughts on how EMBA teaching can—and should—evolve in response to today’s constantly shifting business landscape
Balancing business fundamentals with a changing world
The accounting course is delivered across two weekend intensives and it often surprises students with its dynamic content; they quickly discover that accounting is far more than ledgers, journal entries and tax optimization.
Accounting has changed dramatically in the last few decades. Now, large organizations must integrate financial reporting with non-financial metrics, meaning that the discipline is potentially being redefined. Evolving international financial reporting standards and discussions about non-financial disclosures all highlight a clear shift: a company’s financial health is not only confined to the balance sheet—but it can also be linked to its broader societal expectations and long-term responsibilities.
For an EMBA to stay relevant, it must weave emerging trends into its courses while staying grounded in core principles, and nowhere is this balance more evident than in accounting. That’s why we encourage participants to think beyond compliance and to see the bigger picture. We begin with fundamental questions: What is the purpose of accounting? What concepts underpin it? And how can it guide organizations through both performance targets and broader human impact?
Rethinking accounting: From ledgers to leadership
An EMBA isn’t about mastering technicalities; it’s about perspective. In accounting, this means seeing the balance sheet as a gateway to sharper decisions and stronger leadership. We invite students to challenge conventional thinking: Can human resources be seen as assets? Should environmental obligations be recognized as liabilities? These aren’t theoretical debates. They reflect how leaders must think critically, ethically, and strategically.
At its core, accounting is about accountability: knowing what can and should be measured, while recognizing that not everything of value fits into a ledger. By fostering open-mindedness, common sense, and a strong grasp of fundamentals, we prepare EMBA graduates to navigate complexity with confidence. The goal isn’t just to keep pace with change, but to lead it responsibly.
Because staying on the right side of history starts with understanding the story behind the numbers.
