Assurance on Sustainability Reports: Characteristics of Assurance Frameworks
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Author
Rao, Sunita
Publisher
Washburn University. School of Business
Sponsor
Kaw Valley Bank
Issue Date
August 2015
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Alternative Title
Abstract
An important way of adding credibility to sustainability reports published by companies is obtaining assurance on them (Simnett, Vanstraelen and Chua, 2009). This study investigates and develops a taxonomy for the characteristics of assurance frameworks associated with sustainability reporting. Assurance frameworks are a set of systematic guidelines used by the assurance provider when conducting audits on companies; sustainability reports. Previous research suggests that assurance frameworks bear resemblance to generally accepted auditing standards (GAAS) (O'Dwyer 2011, p. 1254). Differences in origin of assurance framework provides a compelling reason behind the classification.This study also documents various relationships among the parameters and discusses reasons behind them. For example, nearly 75% of the sustainability assurance reports issued by Big4 audit firms use international assurance guidelines, such as ISAE3000 and AA1000AS. I identify relationships and parameters that provide a taxonomy, structure, and a critical foundation related to the sphere of sustainability assurance.