Top 25 Firm Armanino has launched an environmental, social and governance advisory services practice to help guide clients in addressing ESG standards and concerns in their business operations.
San Ramon, California-based Armanino is well-positioned to guide companies in the process of meeting ESG standards and reporting activities as a certified B Corporation, a certification given by global nonprofit B Lab to companies meeting a standard of social and environmental performance. Armanino, No. 21 on Accounting Today’s 2021 Top 100 Firms list, is also the only Top 25 Firm to be B Corporation certified.
The new service line will help clients achieve their own B Corp and other industry certifications, as well as develop sustainability programs.
“As a certified B Corporation, Armanino cares deeply about sustainable and equitable business practices, and we’re excited to help clients with their ESG efforts,” said CEO Matt Armanino in a statement. “More than ever, business success is tied to responsible business practices, as consumers become increasingly aware of how companies can drive progress on environmental and social issues. We’re poised to make a positive impact on clients who want to lead the way in ESG and become resilient so that they can thrive no matter what environmental and social challenges come their way.”
The ESG advisory practice will offer corporate assessments to benchmark and provide insight into business areas in need of improvement. It will also provide roadmaps for ESG program development, program management and technology solution implementation, along with offering advanced tax strategy, internal audit, reporting technology and outsourcing capabilities.
“We are here to provide our clients with the confidence to proceed on their ESG journeys and set ambitious goals,” said Mary Tressel, executive director of the Armanino Foundation, who also serves as the leader of Armanino’s ESG advisory services team, in a statement. “Our experts help CFOs navigate an often-confusing sustainability landscape, counseling on which certifications are best for their company or industry and which tax credits they qualify for. We provide the comprehensive guidance and roadmaps they need to incorporate their ESG goals into their strategic plans and achieve material return on their investments.”
Also joining the ESG advisory services practice is Kris Russell, senior manager of environmental consulting, who comes to Armanino after serving as environmental program manager at the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, where he managed and implemented sustainability programs for more than 20 years.
The team will consult on ESG certifications and disclosure frameworks, helping clients meet B Corporation, Global Reporting Initiative, FSB Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures and Sustainability Accounting Standards Board certification requirements.
“Helping clients meet global sustainable development standards aligns with Armanino’s commitment to using business for good,” said Russell in a statement. “We also have a deep bench of experts who understand industry-specific challenges, tax credits and reporting requirements. Armanino truly partners with clients to create thriving ecosystems of business, communities and nature, and I’m thrilled to be a part of an entrepreneurial, innovative team that’s leading the way toward sustainability.”
