South West chartered accountancy practice rewarded for progressive policies
Somerset-based accountancy firm Albert Goodman is celebrating after securing prestigious ‘B Corp’ status.
The Taunton-headquartered chartered accountants, tax consultants and financial planners have earned the coveted ‘B Corp’ status due to an enhanced commitment to environmental and social goals.
It follows a rigorous assessment of the firm’s commitment to its ‘Triple Bottom Line’ of people, planet and profit. As a Certified B Corporation, Albert Goodman, which recently opened a new Bristol city centre office, now forms part of the ‘B Corp’ movement which comprises 7,000 companies worldwide.
Iain McVicar, Managing Partner at Albert Goodman, said: “We are immensely proud to become one of the very first accountancy firms in the South West to secure ‘B Corp’ status, which is not only a huge honour but also a strong endorsement of our determination to be a business which is a true force for good.
“‘B Corp’ status confirms we are doing the right thing across governance, people, community, environment and clients. It will also help us to grow as a company and have a positive impact on the environment as we work towards Net Zero.”
Led by Albert Goodman Technical and Training Partner Sophie Parkhouse, the company launched its bid for ‘B Corp’ status as part of its efforts to work towards Net Zero by 2030, but also to be community-focused.
To achieve the sought-after seal of approval, a comprehensive assessment of the company’s practices required detailed evidence and supporting data.
Sophie said: “Albert Goodman prides itself on being trustworthy and impactful, progressive and collaborative, and we put this to the ultimate test by targeting ‘B Corp’ status.
“Assessment of our impact has been the most robust of processes to prove our credentials and while this accolade shows we are doing business correctly, we know it will also inspire our colleagues to strive for better things as we move towards Net Zero.
“We are delighted to be only the second South West-based accountancy practice to gain B Corp status. Albert Goodman is friendly, fair and forward-thinking and we are confident the company will continue to grow and attract great people who share our values.”
Among a range of ESG benchmarks, frameworks and certifications, B Corp set out to be a widely recognised gold standard, with businesses challenged to meet high levels of social and environmental performance.
Albert Goodman is currently working on a series of initiatives to enhance its environmental impact including:
- Leading the Blackbrook Green Forum to make the Taunton business park a better place to work
- Working with the Somerset Wildlife Trust to encourage local wildlife
- Introducing a Cycle to Work Day
- Recruitment, training and development of apprentices
- Helping other businesses to achieve their ESG ambitions
Chris Turner, executive director of B Lab UK, said: “We are delighted to welcome Albert Goodman to the B Corp community. This is a movement of companies who are committed to changing how business operates and believe it can be a powerful force for good. We know Albert Goodman will be a fantastic addition to the community and will continue driving the conversation forward.”
The firm’s new Bristol premises were fitted out by Space, who provided an environmentally-conscious design in addition to state-of-the-art facilities, including ergonomically friendly workstations and employee breakout areas.
Albert Goodman has been helping businesses across the South West for over a century. Its other locations include Yeovil, Weymouth and Weston-Super-Mare.
