Professionalizing the assurance of sustainability reports: the auditors’ perspective

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the professionalism and professionalization of sustainability assurance providers based on the experiences and perceptions of auditors involved in this activity. Design/methodology/approach The empirical study was based on 38 semi-directed interviews conducted with assurance providers from accounting and consulting firms. Findings The findings highlight the division of this professional activity between accounting and consulting firms, each of which question the professionalism of the other. The main standards in this area tend to be used as legitimizing tools to enhance the credibility of the assurance process rather than effective guidelines to improve the quality of the verification process. Finally, the complex and multifaceted skills required to conduct sound sustainability assurance and the virtual absence of recognized and substantial training programs in this area undermine the professionalization of assurance providers. Research limitations/implications This work has important practical implications for standardization bodies, assurance providers and stakeholders concerned by the quality and the reliability of sustainability disclosure. Originality/value This study shows how practitioners in this area construct and legitimize their professional activity in terms of identity, standardization and competences. The work contributes to the literatures on the assurance of sustainability reports, self-regulation through standardization and professionalization.

The revision of nonfinancial reporting directive: A critical lens on the comparability principle

“…However, our results will provide further insights into the differences between Big 4 and non-Big 4 firms. In particular, they confirm the impact of market competition on the assurance processes, with certain firms having achieved competitive advantage through their specialization in nonfinancial audits (Boiral et al, 2019;Fernandez-Feijoo et al, 2016).…”

Research on extended external reporting assurance: Trends, themes, and opportunities

“…As non‐financial reporting and assurance remain largely unregulated, a competitive market between accounting and non‐accounting assurers exists. The findings of Boiral et al (2019), Farooq and De Villiers (2019b), and O’Dwyer (2011) highlight the division between accounting and non‐accounting assurers, each of which question the professionalism of the other. The main standards in this area, namely ISAE 3,000 and AA 1,000 AS, tend to be used as legitimization tools to enhance the credibility of the assurance process rather than effective guidelines to improve the quality of the verification process.…”

“…While the entire Guidance provides useful reading to motivate research, we discuss research ideas emanating from certain chapters below. 13 Chapter 1 of the Guidance deals with the assignment of the engagement team with the necessary competence and capabilities needed to perform the assurance engagement. The Guidance recognizes that given the diverse nature of EER engagements, they often involve multidisciplinary engagement teams with different levels of assurance and subject matter expertise.…”

“…12 Readers who are interested in research ideas on EER that are not directly linked to the IAASB's project can refer to Cohen and Simnett (2015b), Farooq and De Villiers (2017), Maroun (2020), Simnett and Huggins (2015), and Velte and Stawinoga (2017). 13 The order of the chapters may change in the final guidance to be issued by the IAASB. Researchers should therefore link the chapters that we refer to the appropriate chapters in the final guidance.…”

La auditoría en los archivos

“…Dos aspectos esenciales en la formación de una persona profesional competente son la adquisición de conocimientos y sus habilidades prácticas, por ello en la formación de un auditor es conveniente «lograr una mezcla de habilidades prácticas y conocimiento académico» (Hassall et al 1996). Para Boiral et al (2019) el desarrollo de la profesionalidad y la profesionalización implica la integración de un conjunto de conocimientos y habilidades personales para garantizar la correcta ejecución de actividades específicas.…”