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Baker Tilly has announced that it is the first member of the ACCA to achieve the Sustainability Assurance Service Provider (SASP) licence in Ireland.
The SASP licence accredits the firm for sustainable accounting and audit services in line with the requirements of the CSRD.
Firms considered ‘large’ under the CSRD are in-scope for the directive’s financial reporting rules, from the commencement of financial years beginning 1 January 2025. Reporting will be due in 2026.
These firms also meet two of the following two criteria: turnover greater than €50m (£41.5m); more than 250 employees; or a balance sheet greater than €25m (£20.7m).
Brendan Kean, audit and assurance partner at Baker Tilly Ireland, said: “Many Irish firms are now in-scope for CSRD reporting, and since obtaining our licence we have already received a large number of enquiries from companies seeking our assistance.
“As the first firm outside the big four to receive this licence in Ireland, we look forward to bringing more competition to the market. The registration of Baker Tilly Ireland as a SASP-accredited firm strengthens our service offering to our clients.”
The SASP licence provides for a limited assurance to be given on a company’s sustainability report, with Baker Tilly Ireland verifying the accuracy and completeness of these reports, in line with the requirements of the EU CRSD.
Baker Tilly Ireland is currently providing assurance services to companies with requirements under wave one of the directive, for financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2024, with demand rapidly increasing as the requirements expand to a greater number of entities in wave two.
The firm is supporting global clients with EU compliance needs, including those of MHA, the UK lead member firm for Baker Tilly International.
Mark Lumsdon-Taylor, partner and head of sustainability and ESG at MHA, added: “We are delighted to be registered as a SASP provider in Ireland through Baker Tilly Ireland.
“We took the decision to ensure that our global clients, who are often registered in the UK, can be provided with outstanding services for EU compliance, helping them to navigate the complex regulation of the EU taxonomy directives. Supporting the European markets is a fundamental part of our DNA and we look forward to meeting ESG needs now, and in the future.”
