Why is ESG on the agenda, and what does an ESG Controller do?
In a world where sustainability, social justice, and corporate ethics play an increasingly important role – not least due to legislation in the field, there is growing attention around ESG – Environmental, Social, and Governance. But what does it actually mean for companies? The answer is found, among other things, in the role of ESG Controller.
An ESG Controller is responsible for monitoring and managing an organization’s activities and performance within these three key areas. An ESG Controller ensures data collection and analysis for reporting as well as advising and ensures that the company complies with all relevant laws and regulations, develops internal policies, engages with stakeholders, and assesses potential risks.
License to operate – why the ESG Controller is important
It’s easy to think that ESG is “nice-to-have” rather than “need-to-have”. But in today’s business climate, ESG is more than that. It is a ’license to operate’, and this applies not only to companies subject to legal requirements for reporting in these areas but also very much to smaller companies that must meet ever-increasing requirements as subcontractors.
Performance in ESG has become an important factor for investors who look at sustainability and social responsibility as indicators of a healthy company. Furthermore, there is growing pressure from both consumers and employees, who expect companies to take active responsibility for their impact on the world. Lastly, an effective ESG strategy can lead to cost reductions through improved efficiency and resource utilization.
ESG Controller as an interim resource Many companies have not yet fully identified the extent of the need for ESG controlling. And we know that it can be a challenge to navigate the complex landscape of ESG requirements and expectations. Therefore, we now offer a dedicated ESG Controller service that can help your company meet these standards to the extent necessary.
Our Service Levels We are proud to offer ESG Controlling at three levels:
ASSISTANT ESG CONTROLLER
Data collection and data validation from relevant sources Reconciliation of data against the ERP system Identifying and calculating KPIs and following up on them.
ESG CONTROLLER
Data collection and data validation from relevant sources Controlling and validating data input Assistance with reporting Reconciliation against the ERP system Data analysis, ensuring audit trails and completeness
SENIOR ESG CONTROLLER
Value chain analysis and double materiality analysis Controlling, validating, and benchmarking of data input Reconciliation against the ERP system Review of the report Optimization of best practices for reporting Task management and project management In a time when sustainability and social responsibility are more than buzzwords, the role of ESG Controller has become indispensable. ESG Controllers are those who can ensure everything from compliance and reporting to advising on best practices, and now Keepers ApS can help you take the next step on your ESG journey.
Data are important to meet legislative requirements and to drive change in your businesses. Companies are meet by the requirement to collect up to 16 new data sets on top of their financial data and many companies are subject to audit on their ESG data as well. If not required by legislation the financial and commercial market conditions demand that companies are able to report on ESG data.
We assist companies in identifying the data points and collecting ESG data in your organization. ESG data collection and management is often put at the responsibility of the CFO. CFO’s are familiar with business controllers, now they also need ESG controller. Our ESG controllers come with a financial background and data excellence. We always focus on traceability and transparency ensure audit trails and documentation of data sources.
