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Social Responsibility and SDG 8 during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Role of Chartered Accountants in Portugal

Author

Listed:
  • Ana Clara Borrego

    (VALORIZA—Research Center for the Enhancement of Endogenous Resources, 7300-555 Portalegre, Portugal
    Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre, Lugar da Abadessa, Campus Politécnico Politécnico, 10, 7300-555 Portalegre, Portugal
    The Centre for Organisational and Social Studies of the Polytechnic of Porto (CEOS.PP), Polytechnic Institute of Porto, 4465-004 São Mamede de Infesta, Portugal)

  • Francisco Alegria Carreira

    (CICE—Center for Research in Business Sciences, 2910-761 Setúbal, Portugal
    Polytechnic Institute of Setúbal, Campus do IPS-Estefanilha, 2910-761 Setúbal, Portugal
    CICF—Center for Research in Accounting and Taxation, Polytechnic Institute of Cávado and Ave, 4750-810 Vila Frescainha, Portugal)

  • Pedro Pardal

    (CICE—Center for Research in Business Sciences, 2910-761 Setúbal, Portugal
    Polytechnic Institute of Setúbal, Campus do IPS-Estefanilha, 2910-761 Setúbal, Portugal)

  • Rute Abreu

    (CICF—Center for Research in Accounting and Taxation, Polytechnic Institute of Cávado and Ave, 4750-810 Vila Frescainha, Portugal
    Polytechnic Institute of Guarda, Av. Dr. Francisco Sá Carneiro 50, 6300-559 Guarda, Portugal
    CISeD Research Centre in Digital Services, Politécnico de Viseu, 3504-510 Viseu, Portugal)

Abstract

The fragility of the Portuguese economy, the weight of sectors that were especially vulnerable to the crisis caused by the pandemic, and the small size of enterprises meant that their economic and financial structure was not capable of supporting the effects of the economic crisis, jeopardizing the achievement of the SDG 8. This research explores the perception of chartered accountants about their role in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal, based on a literature review and on a questionnaire. The results show that 70% of professionals consider that their clients evaluated their work positively during the first wave of the pandemic. However, most chartered accountants did not charge their clients for their extra-work and expenses and 30% even decreased their monthly fees. Portuguese chartered accountants, confronted with the economic–financial problem caused by the pandemic, focused on saving most of their clients from collapse and safeguarding many jobs. This research highlights the public utility and social responsibility of chartered accountants’ work, in the pandemic context in Portugal, as well as their central role for the efficient application of Government economic policies to maintain economic growth and decent work (SDG 8).

Suggested Citation

  • Ana Clara Borrego & Francisco Alegria Carreira & Pedro Pardal & Rute Abreu, 2022. "Social Responsibility and SDG 8 during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Role of Chartered Accountants in Portugal," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-22, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:14:p:8625-:d:862644
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Beata Bieszk-Stolorz & Krzysztof Dmytrów, 2023. "Decent Work and Economic Growth in EU Countries—Static and Dynamic Analyses of Sustainable Development Goal 8," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-18, September.

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