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An environmental accountant helps businesses reduce their environmental impact and operating costs by encouraging cleaner practices. They analyze financial numbers related to pollution control and work closely with management to develop greener production guidelines. A bachelor’s degree in accounting and national certification are required.
An environmental accountant is a certified accounting specialist who helps your business make smart decisions on green issues. An accountant assesses current standards and practices in relation to pollution production, industrial development and environmental management. It determines the best ways to reduce a company’s environmental impact and operating costs by encouraging cleaner and more resourceful practices. Most environmental accountants are employed full-time by large oil and gas corporations, factories and refineries, although some professionals work for government agencies and consulting firms.
One of the main objectives of an environmental accountant is to accurately analyze and report financial numbers related to pollution control and environmental protection policies. It helps determine how much it costs the company to comply with industry codes and whether or not money can be saved by making changes to production techniques. Most environmental accountants are able to see beyond financial concerns; they understand the importance of sustainability from both a corporate and general perspective. They can help their companies remain profitable while making a conscious effort to improve the environment.
An environmental accountant typically works closely with company management and executives to explain the importance of developing greener production guidelines. The accountant creates detailed reports, charts and presentations that describe the current state of affairs and often provide predictions about future impacts, both financial and ecological. He tries to convince executives that while investing in green technology or alternative fuel systems may be expensive in the short term, making the conversion pay off tremendously over time. The accountant can cite changes in government standards and general public support for cleaner industry to help convince bosses to make large-scale changes.
When business owners decide to initiate policy changes, the environmental accountant assists with financial planning and project budgeting. He or she estimates costs for different elements of a project and allocates funds accordingly. Once a new system is implemented, the accountant regularly evaluates the profitability of the improvements made.
In most countries, a person who wants to become an environmental accountant needs to obtain at least a bachelor’s degree in accounting and pass a national certification exam. Most environmental accountants start their careers in general accounting positions in companies and consultancies and eventually move into the specialty as they gain experience and prove their skills. As companies increase awareness of ecological issues and stricter government regulations are implemented, the opportunities for environmental accountants continue to grow.
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