As ESG reporting moves to a more expected protocol, accounting firms are finding themselves at the center of the conversation.

With expertise in assurance, regulatory compliance, and risk management, CPAs are well positioned to help organizations navigate evolving frameworks, strengthen data quality, and provide independent assurance that stakeholders increasingly demand. 

According to Accounting Today, in 2024, 76 percent of ESG decision-makers surveyed by Moss Adams rated ESG disclosures as high priority, citing regulatory compliance, brand reputation, operational efficiencies, and stakeholder pressure as key drivers. While some companies remain in “wait-and-see” mode given political uncertainty in the US, others are adopting frameworks proactively to attract investors, access global markets, or gain a competitive edge. 

For firms, opportunity spans reporting, assurance and advisory. Regulations in California (SB 261 and SB 253) are set to require climate risk reporting and emissions disclosures beginning in 2026, creating immediate assurance needs for affected companies. At the same time, firms are helping clients address broader sustainability challenges, from managing energy costs driven by AI and crypto mining to identifying tax credits and incentives tied to clean energy investments. 

US companies with European operations are also preparing for the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive. Firms are helping clients manage energy costs, identify clean energy credits and incentives, and connect sustainability work to broader tax and advisory strategies.