9 Easy Ways for Accountancy Practices to Be More Eco-friendly

In this blog, you will learn

• What it means to be eco-friendly
• Why it’s important for businesses to be eco-friendly
• 9 ways accountancy practices can be more eco-friendly
• How to find and apply for the best accountancy jobs

Being eco-friendly is becoming increasingly important in the fight against climate change. Climate change is already having visible and life-changing effects on the world. The Earth is warming, rainfall patterns are changing, and sea levels are rising. 

Between 2022 and 2026, the average global temperature is expected to increase by almost 50%. These changes can increase the risk of heatwaves, floods, droughts, and fires. 

With expected worsening conditions for climate change, more and more businesses look to reduce their carbon footprint and protect the planet from man-made damage. Eco-friendly businesses are attracting more customers with a competitive edge over unsustainable businesses. For accountancy practices, being eco-friendly is one way to do their bit and lead the greener way for businesses.

In this blog, we will explore how accountancy practices can embrace sustainability and adopt more eco-friendly approaches to protect the planet, provide greater value to their clients and stay ahead of the curve.

What does it mean to be eco-friendly?

Eco-friendly is a term used to describe living in a way that is not harmful to the environment. Being eco-friendly means adapting practices, products, or activities that promote a healthier planet by minimising man-made harm to the planet. Eco-friendly actions contribute to the conservation of resources, reduction of pollution and protection of ecosystems. 

Why is it important for businesses to be eco-friendly?

In a rapidly evolving industry, businesses and clients are increasingly aware of the importance of sustainability, and accountancy practices are no exception. 

According to research by Sustainable Consumer, a third of consumers look for brands with strong sustainable (34%) and ethical (30%) credentials. Consumers are seeking out eco-friendly businesses, a way of life that is becoming increasingly important and gives businesses an advantage over others. 

Which accountancy practices have green credentials?

Running sustainable and ethical accountancy practices is an innovative way of protecting the environment and providing greater value to clients. Here are three ethically based accountancy practices that have adapted an eco-friendly approach:

• Tax Care is a paperless accounting firm that utilises digital processes to minimise paper usage and waste. 
• Sprout provides support services to ethical, sustainable and purpose-led businesses to allow them to implement a positive impact on the planet. 
• Green & Moore are vegan and eco-friendly accountants with a green initiative. This means they have eco-friendly schemes such as supporting ethical businesses and buying and using refurbished technology.

9 ways an accountancy practice can be more eco-friendly

There are 9 easy ways for an accountancy practices to be more sustainable including:

• Embrace technology and reduce paper
• Educate on the importance of being eco-friendly
• Implement sustainable practices in the workplace
• Conserve energy within the office
• Partner with sustainable suppliers
• Encourage remote working
• Choose digital communications
• Provide educational resources
• Plant trees

1. Embrace technology and reduce paper

The most obvious and most effective change which an accountancy could make is to join the paperless accounting revolution! According to Tax Care, approximately 1.4 billion trees end up in landfills every year due to paper waste and product packaging. 

Traditional accounting practices consume substantial amounts of paper. An online or paperless account would conserve natural resources and play a part in saving trees. 

If printing is absolutely necessary, choose sustainable office supplies, including recycled paper, refillable ink cartridges, and energy-efficient electronics. 

2. Educate on the importance of being eco-friendly

Socially responsible companies improve their brand, attract and retain top talent, and improve customer and community relationships. To promote sustainability in your team, inform them of its importance, offer resources, set clear goals, lead by example and integrate it into long-term plans and values. Encourage open discussions to get feedback, advice and more information to boost morale. 

When employees work for a company that is committed to sustainability and shares their values, they are more likely to remain loyal, be happy and therefore more productive. 

When it comes to the values that workers prioritise, sustainability was found to be a key issue, with nearly two-thirds (63%) of respondents believing employers should try to be sustainable in everything they do. 

3. Implement sustainable practices in the workplace

According to BusinessWaste.co.uk 67% of employees want their workplaces to become more sustainable. An easy way for accountancy practices to be more eco-friendly is to provide effective strategies and schemes. Some workplaces choose to have a ‘green captain,’ an individual or team to direct employees towards sustainability initiatives and champion eco-friendly actions. Not only will these actions streamline your office towards sustainability but they will also benefit your practice

Strategies to implement sustainable practices in the workplace

• Implement a recycling program or provide eco-friendly office supplies
• Introduce walking or cycling to work schemes
• Offer resources or reward efforts
• Conduct training workshops

4. Conserve energy within the office

Simple actions such as switching off the lights and electronic equipment around the office during closing-hours will help to conserve energy resources. Switching to energy efficient bulbs and even keeping the lights off when a room isn’t in use can help to reduce energy consumption.

Clean vents, fans and air conditioning filters and move filing cabinets, workbenches and other pieces of work furniture that are blocking your radiators. Furniture can absorb some of the heat and cost your practice that little bit more to run.

Conserving energy in the office will not only help make your accountancy practice eco-friendly, but it will also save on your electric bill in the process! 

5. Partner with sustainable suppliers

An eco-friendly choice would be to opt to do business with green-friendly companies and suppliers. Conduct research into suppliers or potential partners to see if they align with your vision and values regarding sustainability.

It is important to consider their ethical labour practices, use of renewable materials, and waste reduction efforts before committing to a partnership. Some energy suppliers provide a mix of energy sources, and some guarantee 100% renewable energy. Collaborating with sustainable suppliers reinforces your practices commitment to corporate social responsibility.

6. Encourage remote working

A relatively popular and easy eco-friendly choice your accounting practice can make is to offer and encourage remote working. According to the Office of National Statistics, as of May 2023, 39% of workers in Great Britain had worked from home at some point in the previous 7 days. Encouraging remote or hybrid work minimises unnecessary travel, cuts down on emissions and is crucial in the fight against climate change. Transition your workplace to fully remote or hybrid to cut emissions. 

If that isn’t possible or realistic, support your team members in taking alternative modes of transportation to the office such as walking, cycling or carpooling with fellow colleagues. Why not offer incentives for employees who use public transportation, carpooling, cycling, or walking to work?

7. Choose digital communications

Utilise telecommuting to share information with clients and colleagues. Digital communications reduce the need for physical mail, thereby decreasing carbon emissions.

Digital communications are quick and easy to implement, saving time, money and energy. 

Accountants could encourage clients to attend virtual meetings instead of face-to-face meetings to reduce carbon emissions caused by unnecessary or excessive commuting.

8. Provide educational resources

If you're informing or advising your employees, why not do the same with your clients?. Advise clients on ethical investment opportunities, to help clients make informed choices that reflect their commitment to sustainability. 

Provide educational resources, articles and reports to help clients make informed choices that reflect their sustainability goals and empower them to make a positive contribution to the environment.

9. Plant trees

A simple way to become a greener accountancy practice is to plant trees!  Planting more trees has been cited as a potential solution. Trees play a vital role absorbing carbon dioxide, helping to reduce the concentration of greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. However, relying on planting trees will not solve the problem of climate change.

Planting trees not only helps combat climate change, but also enhances biodiversity and creates sustainable habitats. Support UK climate and forestation projects by participating in tree-planning initiatives. As an example, accountancy practices could plant a tree per employee or new customer acquired.

(Spencer Clarke Group is proud to plant 5 trees per employee each month which absorbs a whopping 11.25 tonnes of C02.)  

With the growing importance of sustainability in business, accountancy practices need to adapt more eco-friendly approaches to continue to thrive in a rapidly evolving industry. This way of life is becoming increasingly important to contribute to the conservation of resources, reduction of pollution, and protection of ecosystems.

Accountancy recruitment solutions

As leaders within accountancy recruitment, we understand the challenges which every accountancy practice faces in this day in age. 

Alongside committing to sustainable business practices, one of the biggest hurdles to jump is securing the best talent to help your firm grow and thrive! That’s where we can help. 

With years of experience recruiting in the accountancy sector, we have exclusive access to some of the most qualified and experienced Accountants, Bookkeepers, Audit Managers, Audit Seniors (and more) out there! 

Why not reach out to our Managing Consultant, Matt Byrne-Fraser on 01772 954200 to have a totally confidential chat about the options and recruitment services available to you. 

Meet Matt Byrne-Fraser

Who is Spencer Clarke Group?

Since 2017, we've been changing the face of recruitment. From our employees, to the way we do business, to the culture within our office, we're determined to make a difference and create a positive impact on everyone around us.

Recruitment to us isn't just about matching candidates and clients; we’re passionate about finding candidates the perfect job which has the ability to boost their salary and standard of living, better their work life balance and improve their mental health. 

Similarly, we understand the impact which an experienced and skilled employee can make to a business and we love seeing clients thrive through the hard work of candidates which we have placed with them. 

Searching for your next accountancy job? Start your job search now or upload your CV to be contacted about the latest opportunities.