The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic rapidly changed the course of life in all countries around the world. A state of chaos and hysteria rapidly spread out (Agoramoorthy 2020; Taufiq Hail 2020) as different official media, social networks applications, and governments’ officials updated the number of cases and the new regulations to cope with the unprecedented event. Furthermore, the loss caused by the novel COVID-19 pandemic affected all business sectors, government agencies, stock markets, information technology sectors, and more. The lockdown of cities and the new regulations imposed combined with social distance measures escalated the economic situation in all counties. In essence, the private sector was no exception. This unexpected outbreak and the extensions of the closure of the business entities not only affected these entities, but also the workers and employees. The Accounting environments, finance applications, sustainability goals, governance practices were heavily affected by this sudden change, and new challenges emerged. One of the challenges is the application of accounting standards, governance standards and the need for sustainability developments to protect the people, and reduce the burden and social responsibilities of this crisis. However, this emerging situation significantly and negatively affected business and companies worldwide, and exposed their internal control and management measures. Especially reflecting their crisis preparedness and readiness for this sudden change and the new burdens, challenges, and new requirements to meet the “New normal”. All these issues will be investigated through this book of COVID-19 and Accounting, Finance, Sustainability, and Governance practices.
The readers will gain comprehensive understanding of the COVID-19 crisis and its social and economic impacts. The book will also provide various solutions and measures that would help business and companies to be better prepared and act during similar crises. There are numerous writings and views in the social medias on related issues of the subject (COVID-19 and Accounting, Finance, Sustainability, Governance in selected Countries), but no significant socio-economic and financial solutions with academic/refereed writings (book / article / paper) has so far been observed in focusing deeply on impact of COVID-19 on Accounting, Finance, Sustainability, and Governance yet. Thus, this title is expected to be a unique in treating the niche area of COVID-19 and Accounting, Finance, Sustainability, and Governance.