policies certificates & Licences

Policies

Below is a list of our external policies, scroll further down to review each.

• Sustainability and Net Zero Carbon Statement
• Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement
• Health and Safety Statement
• Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Statement
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Statement
• Quality Assurance Statement
• Data Privacy and Security Policy
• Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy

Licences and Certificates

Below is a list of our licences, scroll further down to review each.

• Cyber Essentials Certificate
• Data Protection Registration Certificate
• VAT Certificate
• AICPA – CIMA Practicing Certificate
• FreeAgent Practitioner Certificate
• RISQS Supplier Qualification Certificate
• Rail Supply Group Charter Certificate
• Prompt Payment Charter Certificate
• Trust Pilot

Sustainability and Net Zero Target

CFBL Consulting is proud and committed to achieving Net zero carbon emissions by 2030. In this statement, we express our increased ambition and demonstrate our commitment to net zero emissions in the future. We are dedicated to enhancing this foundation and work together to share our experiences and methods with others. We are aware that we cannot change the world in an immersion, so CFBL Consulting is dedicated to making small changes that can be the starting point for a large -scale impact.

Key Action Steps

We intend to achieve our Net Zero commitment and contribution by doing one or more of the following:

Environmental Sustainability

1. Energy Efficiency: Utilise energy-efficient systems such as high-performance insulation, LED lighting, and energy-efficient HVAC systems to reduce energy consumption.

2. Renewable Energy: Incorporated renewable energy sources, such as solar panels or geothermal systems, to offset energy use and reduce carbon emissions to enhance sustainability. implementing practices that support biodiversity and resource conservation. *if we have one*
3. Sustainable Materials: We manage waste responsibly and use eco-friendly, recycled, or locally sourced materials for repairs and renovations to minimize the carbon footprint associated with materials transport and production.
4. Water Conservation: We have Implemented water-saving technologies and practices, such as rainwater harvesting to reduce water usage. *if we have any*

We believe these minor proactive approaches can also contribute to a healthier planet, enhancing both a company’s financial performance and its societal impact.

Social Sustainability

As a business, we also focus on creating an impact on society and the well-being of communities. This involves

1. We promote fair labou practices, ensuring diversity and inclusion in the workplace
2. Supporting employee development and contributing positively to local communities.
3. Engaging with local communities to support social development and address social inequalities,
4. Meeting regarding enhancing mental health and well-being
5. Remote work arrangements

By prioritising social responsibility, we aim to foster strong relationships with stakeholders, enhance their reputation, and create lasting positive change.

Sustainability Governance

We address our strong governance by the following actions

1. Maintaining transparency, accountability, and ethical business practices that encompass policies on executive compensation, board diversity, shareholder rights, and compliance with regulations.
2. We exhibit robust governance structures as it helps us better to mitigate risks, navigate challenges effectively, and maintain investor trust.

Sustainability Partners

We are delighted to partner with the UK’s pioneers in sustainability positive action. Our partners offer a comprehensive service, beginning with mapping out our carbon footprint and helping our company achieve, or as close to as possible, net zero. With a focus on scope 1 and 2, we measure our carbon footprint, create a roadmap for our business to implement changes that will deliver measurable reductions in our company’s carbon footprint. We develop a tailor-made carbon reduction strategy for the company to identify quick wins in the short- and medium- and long-term.

Sustainability Reporting

CFBL contributes to climate change and sustainable development by developing a methodology to ensure the publication of non-financial reports on the audit of financial reports to help CFBL audit teams consider the effects of climate-related risks on financial outcomes. In this way, we help companies understand the broader value impacts and outcomes, identify opportunities, and support the publication of non-financial performance risk reports to their stakeholders. Additionally, we collaborate with partners, advisors and clients on sustainability, climate, energy transition and environmental, social and governance (ESG) to lead a wave of innovation and economic growth that protects the planet and promotes sustainable development. We are delighted to be working with some of the UK’s leading sustainability action pioneers. Our partners provide a comprehensive service that starts with mapping our carbon footprint and helps our operations achieve net zero emissions, or as close to it as possible. CFBL Consulting is a signatory to SME Climate Hub and is proud to be an ambassador working with Compare your Footprint to support businesses in achieving this.

Sustainability Roadmap

With a focus on scope 1 and 2, we measure the carbon footprint and create a roadmap for the business to implement changes that will lead to a measurable reduction in the businesses’ carbon footprint. We develop a tailored carbon emissions reduction strategy to help business achieve rapid success in the short, medium, and long term. We leverage our net zero commitment by leading other businesses in sustainability, attracting eco-conscious clients and projects. Furthermore, we are enhancing our brand reputation through effective marketing of its sustainability initiatives, engage in partnerships with like-minded organisations, and participate in industry forums, thus increasing visibility and competitiveness in a market increasingly focused on environmental responsibility.

Sustainability and ESG Finance

Additionally, we also dedicate ourselves to along with a carbon coach to provide training and guide staff through any proposed changes, provide comprehensive support to accurately quantify the company’s carbon reduction for reporting. Consequently, we are actively driving changes within organisations that have minimal impact on the operations but have a positive impact on the company’s carbon footprint and potentially the energy costs. We support our customers and suppliers in transforming their activities to reach net zero. However, we also recognise the importance of actively reducing the climate impact of our own operations, including Scope 3 emissions from the supply chain.

 Decarbonisation Targets by 2030

• Scope 1 – To reduce direct emissions generated by the company’s activities by 85%
• Scope 2 – To reduce indirect emissions associated with energy purchased and transition to 100% renewable energy across 85% of territories
• Scope 3 – To reduce other indirect emissions associated with the company’s supply chain activities and absolute business travel emissions by 85%

We are adapting our core ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) services with every client to include consideration of environmental issues. This ranges from the inclusion of climate empowerment in our Assurance methodologies and processes, diversity and equity in the workforce, transparency report and sustainability-focused transformation programs in Consulting, among many others.

We offer specialized services to help organizations develop their own net zero strategies, advise them on best practices, and promote case studies of successful implementations to share. Explore more about our commitments in our website https://www.cfbusinesslinks.com/

With our sustainability practices, we aim to help organizations plan, source, deliver, finance, and measure the broader impact of products and services. We help businesses ensure their sustainability by making them more resilient, agile, and sustainable. We will accomplish this through a comprehensive strategy that includes reducing our emissions by…..% by [year], investing in renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, and offsetting remaining emissions through verified carbon offset projects. We recognize the importance of transparency and accountability and will report our progress annually.”

By following these strategies, CFBL believes to contribute to The Paris Agreement’s central’s aim to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change by keeping a global temperature rise this century well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

The Modern Slavery Act of 2015 

The Modern Slavery Act came into force on 26 March 2015. The Act clarifies the existing offences of slavery and human trafficking and introduces tougher penalties. 

The Act includes a new requirement for commercial organisations such as CFBL to publish a statement each financial year setting out the steps we have taken to ensure that no slavery or trafficking is taking place in our business and supply chain. 

The term ‘modern slavery’ describes exploitation so severe that people are not able to leave their place of work. ‘Slavery’ refers to the condition of treating another person as if they were property, something to be bought, sold, traded, or even destroyed. Victims may be ‘owned’ by their employers and controlled through means including massive recruitment debts that they are unable to pay off, and threats of harm if they try to leave. The significant characteristic of all forms of slavery is that they involve one person depriving another person of their freedom. 

Situations that may present a particular risk of modern slavery include: 

• Where workers have fewer protections through inadequate laws and regulations, weak or non-existent enforcement, and poor business and government accountability. 

• Where there are high levels of poverty among workers. 

• Where there is widespread discrimination against certain types of workers (e.g. women and ethnic groups); 

• Where there is the widespread use of migrant workers. 

• In conflict zones, and. 

• In some specific high-risk industries (typically industries involving raw materials). 

The risk of modern slavery affects almost every industry globally. As well as the potential for legal sanction, companies that fail to take effective action may also suffer severe reputational damage and loss of market share. CFBL takes this risk very seriously. 

Measures to address modern slavery in CFBL’s supply chains 

– CFBL has undertaken the following measures to manage the associated risks of modern slavery in its supply chain: 

CFBL Consulting’s Policy 

CFBL Consulting has adopted the following policy on modern slavery: 

CFBL Consulting is committed to upholding the highest ethical and professional standards, and to maintaining public confidence in management accounting. As part of that commitment, we will use our best endeavours to identify and mitigate the risks of modern slavery and human trafficking by: 

• Never supporting or dealing with any business knowingly involved in slavery or human trafficking. 

• Ensuring our suppliers and business partners understand our expectations of what acceptable business behaviour is, including this policy; 

• Where necessary asking our suppliers and business partners to adopt suitable anti-slavery and human trafficking policies and procedures; and 

• Encouraging the reporting of concerns and provide appropriate protection for whistleblowers. 

CFBL Consulting’s leadership team will ensure that staff are aware of this policy statement and that any further steps are implemented to prevent slavery and human trafficking within CFBL and its supply chains. 

This policy will be reviewed annually. 

Staff are made aware of the Modern Slavery Policy and encouraged to report concerns to the Senior Leadership Team. 

Supplier policy 

All supplier policies dealing with modern slavery will be vetted during any procurement processes to ensure that they align with CFBL Consulting’s own policy. 

Contract Provisions 

CFBL Consulting will ensure that its contractual arrangements with new or existing suppliers support its modern slavery policy.   

Whistleblowing 

CFBL Consulting will continue to encourage whistleblowing to identify breaches of policy and contractual provisions in respect of modern slavery. Reporting systems are in place to ensure that whistle-blowers identities are protected and that they have HR, Procurement and Senior Leadership support. 

Supply Chain Assessment and Reviews 

CFBL Consulting will seek to identify vulnerabilities through supply chain assessment and reviews. While it is impractical for CFBL Consulting to audit and monitor each supplier in its entire supply chain at all levels, CFBL Consulting will identify key vulnerabilities and will take a risk management approach to ethical procurement and contracting. CFBL Consulting will ensure that its tender processes assist in assessing supplier compliance with the law. 

Action Planning 

For situations where corrective action is required, CFBL Consulting management will seek to address any issues with the appropriate level of management within the supplier. As a last resort, it may be necessary to terminate a relationship with a supplier. 

Report on the latest Financial Year 

CFBL is not aware of any breach of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 in the context of its business operations or amongst its current supply chain during the current financial year. 

All members who wish to engage in public practice, as defined in CIMA’s member-in-practice rules, must hold a current practising certificate. 

The CFBL practising certificate is a license to practice and is issued following admission to CIMA’s member in-practice register or following successful annual renewal.  

CIMA has an obligation to protect the public; who must have confidence in the integrity and standards of those who are licensed by the Institute. 

CIMA is aware that circumstances change. To ensure that only registered and monitored members in practice are licensed; practising certificates are only valid for one calendar year. A replacement practising certificate will be re-issued once your annual member-in-practice renewal is completed.   

A mark of professionalism 

CIMA members in practice achieve and maintain professionalism through compliance with regulations around CPD, anti-money laundering and mandatory requirement policies. The practising certificate highlights that the holder has attained a level of competency to offer management accountancy services to the public and does so in an ethical and professional manner.    

Conditions of use 

Holders of CIMA practising certificates are entitled to call themselves chartered management accountants. Find out more about the use of the title. 

To maintain their practising certificate members must renew their member in-practice status annually with CIMA. Failure to do so when requested can result in losing members in practice status, and a full reapplication being required to regain entry onto CIMA’s register.   

All members working in practice must be compliant with CIMA’s mandatory requirements. CIMA conducts quality assurance checks on these documents and selected members are required to send in copies as confirmation of compliance and to ensure they meet CIMA’s quality criteria. 

Any member found to be providing accounting services whilst not registered as a member in practice will be in breach of the Member in Practice Rules (Rule 12) and may be liable to disciplinary action by the institute.