Sustainability, Simplified: IFAC's New Tool Puts Accountants in the Driver's Seat
This article will count 0.25 units (15 minutes) of unverifiable CPD. Remember to log these units under your membership profile.
Sustainability isn’t just for the big guys anymore. The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), has just launched a game-changing online checklist built specifically for small businesses. And spoiler alert: it’s built for YOU.
Say hello to The Small Business Sustainability Checklist
This is an interactive, self-assessment tool that helps SMEs track, benchmark, and boost their sustainability game. Whether you're deep into ESG or just starting to dabble, this checklist meets you where you are, factoring in your industry, lifecycle stage, and business model.
Why does it matter? Because the world is changing. Fast. And SMEs need to keep up with global sustainability standards — or risk getting left behind. This tool helps accountants become proactive advisors, not just number crunchers.
How Does the Checklist Work?
This isn't just a tick-box exercise. The checklist guides you through a series of specific questions covering environmental, social, and governance (ESG) areas. Based on your responses, you'll get a score across three progress stages: Limited, Underway, and Maturing. If your score falls into Limited or Underway, no stress, the tool gives you tailored suggestions to level up and unlocks expert-backed resources drawn from over a decade of global sustainability work.
The checklist isn't just for your own firm either. Once you’ve used it internally to benchmark and enhance your own sustainability efforts, it becomes a powerful client-facing advisory tool. Use it to spark meaningful conversations, assess client risks, and guide them in integrating sustainability into their business.
Why does it matter? Because the world is changing. Fast. And SMEs need to keep up with global sustainability standards — or risk getting left behind. This tool helps accountants become proactive advisors, not just number crunchers.
Lee White, IFAC’s CEO, nails it:
“This checklist is a practical tool to help small businesses benchmark and track their sustainability efforts.”
What you get
A simple framework to identify sustainability risks and opportunities
A scored assessment with actionable steps and resources
Peer-led videos with real-world examples
A way to show clients you're ahead of the curve (and why they should be too).
Ready to future-proof your practice and your clients? Check out the checklist now on IFAC’s website.
Still not sure? Download CIBA’s Sustainability Checklist that is also available in the member profile.
