ESG Accounting

Q: How is ESG accounting different from ESG reporting?

ESG accounting is about accurately measuring and recording underlying data, while ESG reporting presents that data in disclosures aligned with frameworks. Accounting comes first and feeds reporting, as reliable reports depend on sound accounting.

Q: Why does ESG data need financial-grade rigour?

ESG disclosures are increasingly scrutinised and in some cases externally assured, so the data must be accurate, consistent, controlled, and traceable - the same qualities expected of financial data - to be credible and defensible.

Q: What kind of ESG data do you help capture?

We help capture environmental metrics such as emissions, energy, and water use; social metrics such as workforce and community indicators; and governance indicators, focusing on those most relevant to your stakeholders and applicable frameworks.

Q: Do I need good ESG accounting before assurance?

Yes. Assurance providers examine the data and controls behind it, so without accurate measurement, consistent methods, and reliable controls, obtaining assurance is difficult. Establishing good ESG accounting first makes assurance smoother and stronger.

Bringing Financial-Grade Rigour to the Measurement of Your ESG Data

You cannot report or improve what you do not accurately measure. ESG accounting is the discipline of capturing, measuring, and recording environmental, social, and governance data — such as emissions, energy and water use, workforce metrics, and governance indicators — with the same rigour applied to financial numbers. Reliable ESG accounting is the foundation on which credible ESG reporting and assurance are built, and increasingly it must stand up to external scrutiny.

Our ESG accounting services help you establish sound systems and processes to measure and record ESG data accurately, consistently, and in a way that supports reporting and assurance. We bring the controls and discipline of financial accounting to your non-financial information. This service underpins our ESG reporting frameworks and ESG audit work, and sits within our wider ESG services.

Our ESG Accounting Services

Data Identification

Identifying the ESG metrics relevant to your business and stakeholders.

Measurement Systems

Setting up systems and methods to measure ESG data accurately.

Emissions & Environmental Data

Capturing emissions, energy, water, and other environmental metrics.

Social & Governance Data

Recording workforce, community, and governance indicators.

Controls & Consistency

Building controls so ESG data is consistent, reliable, and traceable.

Report-Ready Data

Preparing ESG data in a form ready for reporting and assurance.

Benefits of Sound ESG Accounting

Accurate, reliable measurement of your ESG performance
A solid foundation for credible reporting and assurance
Consistent, traceable data that stands up to scrutiny
Controls that reduce the risk of errors and misstatement
Data ready to feed recognised reporting frameworks
A clear baseline against which to track improvement

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ESG accounting?

ESG accounting is the process of measuring, capturing, and recording a company's environmental, social, and governance data with rigour comparable to financial accounting. It covers metrics such as emissions, resource use, workforce data, and governance indicators, providing the reliable base needed for ESG reporting and assurance.

How is ESG accounting different from ESG reporting?

ESG accounting is about accurately measuring and recording the underlying data, while ESG reporting is about presenting that data in disclosures aligned with recognised frameworks. Accounting comes first and feeds reporting — reliable reports depend on sound accounting, just as financial statements depend on proper bookkeeping.

Why does ESG data need financial-grade rigour?

ESG disclosures are increasingly scrutinised by investors, regulators, and assurance providers, and in some cases must be externally assured. That means the data must be accurate, consistent, controlled, and traceable — the same qualities expected of financial data. Applying this rigour makes your ESG information credible and defensible.

What kind of ESG data do you help capture?

We help capture a range of data depending on your business and reporting needs — including environmental metrics such as emissions, energy, and water use; social metrics such as workforce and community indicators; and governance indicators. We focus on the metrics most relevant to your stakeholders and applicable frameworks.

Do I need good ESG accounting before assurance?

Yes. Assurance providers examine the data and the controls behind it. Without sound ESG accounting — accurate measurement, consistent methods, and reliable controls — obtaining assurance is difficult. Establishing good ESG accounting first makes the assurance process smoother and the outcome stronger.

Measure Your ESG Data with Confidence

ESG accounting services that bring financial-grade rigour to your ESG measurement.