Our approved sustainability auditors are ready to assist companies on their CSRD journey.

The audit industry will be playing a pivotal role in the green transition process as companies will need to supply their sustainability reporting efforts with a declaration from approved sustainability auditors. Not very different from the current assurance task on financial data, auditors must declare that the sustainability data included in companies' annual reports are accurately collected, registered and documented.

Despite the familiar nature of the task, sustainability data includes new and very different metrics compared to the financial data, which adds another level of complexity to the assurance process. Sustainability data involves metrics across environmental, social, and governance topics. These topics are based on a new knowledge framework, and it is therefore required of auditors to enrol in additional education before they are allowed to provide a declaration on this information.

“The assurance task originates from new EU legislation proposed by the CSRD, and it has created a demand for some expertise that has not previously been expected of auditors. As such, the green transition drives the audit industry into a new paradigm in which a renewal of the professional toolbox will be required" 
– Sustainability/ESG Consultant at Forvis Mazars, Amanda Stahlhut Hjorth.

It's a paradigm shift that we at Forvis Mazars embrace with great positivity and seriousness – as an audit firm as well as individuals. Though the subject of assurance is new, the auditor's task is still to ensure credibility, trust and transparency, which is just as vital on sustainability matters as it is on financial matters.

"At Forvis Mazars in Denmark, we've always prioritized sustainability, and it therefore seems like a natural next step to contribute to this important assurance task by investing in education of our employees" 
– Managing Partner at Forvis Mazars, Pia Lund Lillebæk.

Back in September 2023, our first group of auditors initially began their journey towards becoming certified sustainability auditors.

"During the fall 2023, I completed the Sustainability Academy at FSR - Danish Auditor. In addition to my own interest and passion for sustainability, the academy has equipped me with the expertise needed to advise clients and perform assurance tasks related to their sustainability reporting" 
– Director and Sustainability Auditor at Forvis Mazar, Monica Raavig Häckert.

This year, even more of our employees have completed the Sustainability Academy, and we can now celebrate that 67 percent of the state-authorised public accountants at Forvis Mazars are certified sustainability auditors. We are proud of this figure and expect it to reach 100 percent in the future.

As certified sustainability auditors, our auditors are authorized to provide assurance on sustainability statements prepared by companies in accordance with the CSRD. For financial year 2024, the CSRD scope applies to large, listed companies, and will soon include large companies in Reporting Class C as well. The scope will expand gradually over the next few years, and even for non-CSRD-reporting companies it is expected that they as well will have to report sustainability information to larger companies in their value chain.

Sustainability is and will therefore remain an area in which the audit industry must increasingly invest time and expertise to be able to moderate future challenges. At Forvis Mazars, we're prepared and ready to assist our clients.

Does your company need assistance with sustainability? We have the skills and availability to help you with a wide range of services within the ESG palette. Ranging from the initial strategy work and the double materiality assessment to the final preparation of the sustainability report and declaration in accordance with the CSRD.

If you would like to get in touch with us and learn more about our sustainability services, please contact us below.