While sustainability may once have felt abstract, carbon accounting is now making it tangible and actionable for businesses of all sizes. With simple, credible tools and the right guidance, companies can measure, manage and reduce their carbon impact as part of everyday business strategy. Knowing their environmental footprint enables businesses to identify their emission hotspots, prioritise reduction strategies and make informed, evidence-based decisions to drive sustainability and profitability.

As climate reporting obligations for smaller entities approach, accounting firms that start the conversation early can guide their clients confidently and ensure they are ready for the future.

Here are two accounting practices that are already introducing carbon accounting services to their clients.

Start the sustainability conversation now

Sustainability is one of the core values at Brisbane-based chartered accountants and business consultancy Alexander and Co, and for director Victor Woll CA, it goes far beyond financial metrics.

“Sustainability has always meant more to us than the numbers on a balance sheet,” Woll explains. “We’re passionate about helping clients build strong, resilient businesses but we also know that none of that matters if we’re destroying the planet at the same time.”

Many of Alexander and Co’s small- and medium-sized clients aren’t yet affected by mandatory reporting rules, but that’s exactly why the firm is starting the conversation now.

“Mandatory reporting is coming,” Woll says. “Clients who prepare early will thrive, not scramble.”

The Australian Government’s scope 2 mandatory legislation sees smaller organisations phasing in climate-related risks and opportunities reporting from 1 July 2026. Scope 3 entities will be phased in from 1 July 2027.

Awareness is half the battle. “People don’t always realise how accessible carbon accounting actually is.”

To keep it visible, Woll brings it up in conversations, meetings and even in his email signature. “It’s a gentle nudge, a reminder that this is something businesses can and should be thinking about. If we don’t raise the conversation, who will?”

To make carbon measurement straightforward, Alexander and Co partnered with carbon accounting platform Trace. The platform allowed the firm to integrate carbon accounting seamlessly into its service offering, making it a natural part of future-focused business planning.

“We wanted a solution that was simple, credible and practical,” Woll says. “Trace gave us a platform that makes the process easy for our team and clients.”

Finding a champion

It’s still early days, says Matthew Davis CA, director of Ake Accounting, chartered accountants and business advisers in Whakatāne, the firm of 15 is currently exploring carbon accounting and engaging with clients.

From 31 March 2026 legislative changes in New Zealand will make climate-related reporting mandatory for listed climate reporting entities (CREs) with equity and debt issuers from NZ$1 billion. It’s the start of a bigger picture that will include smaller entities.

“It is part of our long-term strategy and we are starting with proactive conversations with our existing clients after being approached by a client interested in looking into their carbon accounting,” he says.

Understanding your clients’ current and future needs is a critical part of strategic advisory. For example, Ake Accounting has a strong base of Māori businesses and organisations who tend to be highly environmentally conscious, making carbon accounting a service that is likely to be both relevant and valued by them, says Davis.

“Sustainability is always front of mind for our iwi [tribe] clients and is quite a strong driver in their decision making. I think if they knew that this service was available, they would likely be willing to invest the time and resources to adopt it,” says Davis.

Platform selection is also very important, says Davis. During the research phase, he found they vary significantly in terms of cost and target audience – some are highly specialised and expensive, while others aim to be more mainstream and affordable.

His advice to other smaller practices is to research platforms carefully to make sure they deliver what is needed.

“The main takeaway is to understand who the platform is designed for, and what its pricing and offerings are. Otherwise, you can spend a lot of time exploring a solution only to realise it isn’t suited to your firm or what you’re trying to achieve.”

The other piece of advice is to find someone in the business who is interested and happy to take a lead.

“In a smaller firm, bringing in a new service offering like this often works best with a champion driving it, so they can upskill the rest of the team,” he says.

“They can test the processes in-house first, refine the offering and then bring the team up to speed. That way, when they’re speaking to clients, they know exactly what we’re talking about and can confidently explain the value.”

Build your sustainability skillset

Stay up to date with climate-related disclosures through CA ANZ’s Sustainability Resource Centre.

Build your skills and expertise in sustainability-related matters through CA ANZ’s range of sustainability courses.