DRSC
The Deutsches Rechnungslegungs Standards Committee (DRSC) is the national standard setter for accounting and corporate reporting in Germany. As an independent, not-for-profit organization, it develops and interprets financial reporting standards, advises policymakers, and represents German interests in international standard-setting bodies such as the IFRS Foundation. In recent years, the DRSC has played an increasingly important role in shaping sustainability reporting, contributing to the development of globally recognized disclosure standards.

In cooperation with Goethe University Frankfurt, the DRSC has established a Liaison Hub that closely connects academic research with international standard-setting activities. The hub aims to generate scientific evidence to inform the development of accounting and sustainability reporting standards, with a particular focus on the harmonization of sustainability reporting and its integration with financial reporting. Coordinated within the accounting department, this collaboration creates a unique platform for exchange between researchers, standard setters, and global institutions such as the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) .

Through this partnership, our department is directly involved in shaping the future of accounting and sustainability reporting, while providing doctoral students and researchers with exceptional opportunities to engage with policy-relevant research, contribute to international debates, and interact with leading experts at the forefront of global standard setting.

ISSB
The International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), part of the IFRS Foundation, is the global standard setter for sustainability-related corporate reporting. With one of its key offices located in Frankfurt, the ISSB plays a central role in developing internationally comparable disclosure standards that support transparency and informed decision-making in capital markets.

Our accounting department is closely embedded in the strategic cooperation between the ISSB and Goethe University Frankfurt. This collaboration is formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding that establishes a strong link between academic research and global standard-setting activities. The partnership aims to provide scientific evidence and interdisciplinary insights to support the development and implementation of ISSB standards, particularly in the area of sustainability reporting.

A key pillar of the cooperation is the creation of an international academic network centered around the ISSB’s Frankfurt office. Coordinated through the House of Finance and involving leading research institutions and policy partners, this network fosters exchange between academia, regulators, and practice. Regular joint activities—such as annual conferences, workshops, and training initiatives—bring together global experts to discuss the evolution and application of sustainability standards.

Through this collaboration, our department actively contributes to shaping the global sustainability reporting agenda. It offers researchers and doctoral students unique opportunities to engage with international standard setters, participate in high-level policy discussions, and conduct research with direct relevance for global financial and sustainability reporting practice.