Sustainability Advisory Framework
A practical framework to help accountants support clients with sustainability - confidently and consistently.
The Sustainability Advisory Framework provides a structured, step‑by‑step approach to sustainability advisory work. Designed specifically for accountancy firms, it helps you understand, assess and support your clients’ sustainability position - without needing to develop your own methodology from scratch.
Whether you’re exploring sustainability as a new service line or responding to growing client expectations, Sustainability Advisory Framework gives you the clarity and confidence to get started.
Built for accountants
Sustainability is becoming an increasingly important consideration for organisations of all sizes - driven by regulation, investor expectations, supply‑chain requirements and stakeholder scrutiny.
As trusted advisers, accountants are often the first point of contact when clients begin asking questions around sustainability and ESG. The Sustainability Advisory Framework is designed to help you respond with confidence, providing a clear, consistent framework you can adapt to your clients’ needs.
Developed by Mercia’s sustainability and assurance specialists, the Sustainability Advisory Framework removes uncertainty and lowers the barrier to entry into this fast‑growing advisory area.
What the Sustainability Advisory Framework helps you do
Understand what matters
- Identify how sustainability and ESG topics affect an organisation
- Explore environmental, social and governance considerations
- Establish a foundation for informed decision-making
Assess current position
- Perform a structured sustainability gap analysis
- Understand existing controls, policies and behaviours
- Identify risks, weaknesses and improvement opportunities
Support strategic planning
- Help clients plan a route from current performance to future ambition
- Embed sustainability into strategy and operations
- Provide practical, actionable insights
External expectations
- Support clients facing increasing sustainability scrutiny
- Assist with supply‑chain sustainability requests
- Prepare clients for evolving reporting and regulatory expectations
Who is Sustainability Advisory Framework for?
Ideal for:
- Accountancy firms looking to add sustainability to their service offering
- Firms responding to increasing client ESG questions
- Practices that want a practical, structured starting point
- Firms of all sizes looking to explore sustainability advisory work
See the Sustainability Advisory Framework in action
Watch a short demo to see how the Sustainability Advisory Framework provides a clear, step‑by‑step structure for sustainability advisory engagements and supports practical client work.
Training to support your sustainability journey
Mercia offers a range of sustainability‑focused training courses to help accountants build knowledge and confidence alongside the Sustainability Advisory Framework. Whether you’re introducing sustainability services or developing internal expertise, our training supports real‑world application.
Sustainability Reporting - An Update on the Changing Legislative Environment
Time: 1 hour
In this one-hour webinar, you will better understand the implications of recent changes in ESG legislation and practices from an accounting and assurance perspective in the UK.
ESG - An introduction to Taxation Issues
Time: 1 hour
This topical course considers how tax plays a part in the ESG agenda both from the perspective of tax incentives and disincentives but also an increased focus on socially responsible tax planning and reporting.
Introduction to Sustainability Reporting
Time: 1 hour
Aimed at those early in their career, this one-hour course covers the importance of Sustainability on the accountancy profession and the impact Sustainability Reporting will have both now and in the future.
Start your sustainability journey
If you’re considering sustainability advisory work - or responding to growing client expectations - the Sustainability Advisory Framework can help you take the first step with confidence.
Complete the form below to request a demo or speak to our team about whether the Sustainability Advisory Framework is right for your firm.
Not sure which sustainability tool is right for your firm?
Both Sustainability products are designed to support accountants. The right choice depends on where your firm is in its sustainability journey.
Sustainability Advisory Framework
A practical starting point
Best suited to firms that:
- Are exploring sustainability advisory work
- Are responding to early client questions around ESG and sustainability
- Want a clear framework to understand and assess client needs
- Are building confidence before offering structured engagements
Ideal for getting started.
Sustainability Management Framework
Structured tools for delivery
Best suited to firms that:
- Are delivering sustainability‑focused engagements
- Are undertaking formal assessments or producing client deliverables
- Need working papers, templates and reporting outputs
- Want consistent, repeatable approaches across multiple clients
Ideal for delivering sustainability work at depth.
Unsure which is right?
Speak to our team and we can help you decide which solution best fits your firm and your clients.