Risk Appetite vs Risk Tolerance

CPA Management Accounting · 3:24

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Lyrics

[Verse 1]
The board sits down to map the way
How much risk can we take today
Appetite is what we choose to bear
For the rewards that we declare
It's the hunger for the upside gain
The level where we'll play the game

[Chorus]
Appetite asks "How much do we want?"
Tolerance says "How much can we hunt?"
A-P-P means the boundary we set
T-O-L means the limits we won't forget
Appetite's the target zone we seek
Tolerance is the maximum peak

[Verse 2]
When markets shift and pressures rise
Tolerance shows our compromise
It's the ceiling we cannot exceed
The safety net for every deed
Above this line we must retreat
Before the risk makes us complete

[Chorus]
Appetite asks "How much do we want?"
Tolerance says "How much can we hunt?"
A-P-P means the boundary we set
T-O-L means the limits we won't forget
Appetite's the target zone we seek
Tolerance is the maximum peak

[Bridge]
Communicate down every floor
Make sure everyone knows the score
Dashboard metrics, traffic lights
Green means go, red means flight
Yellow warns we're getting close
To the threshold that matters most

[Verse 3]
Establish thresholds crystal clear
Quantify what we hold dear
Revenue swings and credit loss
Operational risks we cannot cross
Document well and review each year
Keep the message loud and clear

[Chorus]
Appetite asks "How much do we want?"
Tolerance says "How much can we hunt?"
A-P-P means the boundary we set
T-O-L means the limits we won't forget
Appetite's the target zone we seek
Tolerance is the maximum peak

[Outro]
Two concepts working hand in hand
Appetite and tolerance planned
Guide the ship through stormy weather
Risk and reward bound together

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