ESG Assurance for Financial Institutions

Transforming ESG Oversight: A Deep Dive into Assurance and Performance

Date: 9^th February 2026
Venue: DoubleTree by Hilton Kuala Lumpur

Classroom Training

COURSE INTRODUCTION

Introduction to Internal Controls and ESG Performance
Sustainability assurance enables organizations to determine whether their internal controls and governance mechanisms are sufficiently robust to manage Environmental, Social, and Governance performance effectively. As ESG disclosure becomes a regulatory and investor expectation, financial regulators increasingly require listed companies to assure the credibility of their ESG performance data published in annual reports and sustainability statements. These disclosures play a critical role in strengthening stakeholder confidence and demonstrating management accountability. Functions across an organization, including sustainability, finance, compliance, risk management, and internal audit all contribute to this assurance ecosystem. Together, they ensure that ESG performance information is reliable, verifiable, and aligned with strategic objectives and stakeholder expectations. High-quality assurance also enhances the Statement on Risk Management and Internal Controls (SORMIC), reflecting how effectively ESG risks are managed and integrated into the broader risk management framework.

New Sustainability Assurance Standard: ISSA 5000
In 2024 the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) issued the International Standard on Sustainability Assurance (ISSA) 5000, setting out global requirements for sustainability assurance engagements. This standard strengthens the credibility and comparability of ESG disclosures, supporting the global move toward consistent, trustworthy sustainability reporting. Professionals involved in sustainability, finance, and governance should develop a strong understanding of ISSA 5000’s principles, requirements, and practical applications. The standard applies to both accountant and non-accountant assurance practitioners, promoting a unified global approach. When used alongside the sustainability-related ethics and independence standards issued by the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA), ISSA 5000 provides a robust framework to ensure reliable ESG data that supports sound stakeholder decision-making. To build trust, ESG performance data and analytics must be verified for accuracy, completeness, and consistency, ensuring that reported results are grounded in reality and supported by transparent processes.

Key Takeaways and Learning Objectives:
- This course equips participants with the skills and knowledge to design, evaluate, and strengthen ESG assurance processes within financial institutions and beyond. Participants will learn how to:
  - Interpret and apply ESG assurance principles and standards
  - Assess the adequacy of internal controls supporting ESG performance
  - Identify data quality and integrity issues in sustainability reporting
  - Develop actionable insights that improve performance, compliance, and stakeholder confidence

Learning Outcomes:
- Understand key principles and concepts in ESG performance reporting and auditing
- Develop practical techniques to assess ESG-related controls and data integrity
- Identify ESG materiality issues across different sectors and align performance scope accordingly
- Integrate ESG performance assurance into broader governance, risk, and compliance frameworks
- Use templates and tools to perform ESG performance testing and documentation
- Navigate regional regulatory requirements for ESG assurance and sustainability compliance
- Prepare and review ESG Assurance Statements and management reports
- Recognize and prevent ‘greenwashing’ through evidence-based assurance practices
- Apply assurance findings to improve operational performance and risk management
- Use data analytics to highlight ESG risk mitigation and cost implications

AGENDA

Module 1: ESG Assurance Fundamentals

Sustainability performance assurance requirements by financial regulators
Global sustainability assurance frameworks and standards
Case studies on ESG assurance practices
Reviewing and evaluating ESG assurance statements
Tools and digital solutions for managing ESG audits and reporting

Module 2: Core Principles of ESG and Financial Assurance

Fundamentals of financial assurance and audit principles
Core principles of ESG assurance and auditing
Evaluating a company’s sustainability performance
Understanding the sustainability assurance approach
Interpreting and assessing an ESG assurance statement

Module 3: Assessing ESG Credibility and Performance

Determining the credibility of ESG performance
Testing ESG factors: goals, roadmaps, strategies, policies, and procedures
Identifying performance gaps and areas for improvement
Case study: decarbonization strategy evaluation
Case study: identifying critical ESG gaps

Module 4: ESG Risk, Opportunity, and Impact

Linking ESG performance gaps to risk management capabilities
Mapping and prioritizing critical ESG risks
Identifying ESG -driven opportunities for value creation
Preparing findings and recommendations that strengthen financial outcomes
Leveraging digital tools for ESG assurance and reporting

Module 5: Executing Effective ESG Assurance Engagements

Understanding the organizational impact of ESG audits
Establishing guardrails for ESG assurance engagements
Asking critical questions during ESG assessments
Recordkeeping and validation of evidence

Module 6: Reporting, Compliance, and Continuous Improvement

Testing ESG internal controls (qualitative and quantitative)
Preparing management reports and assurance documentation
Developing ISSA 5000–compliant ESG assurance statements
Embedding continuous improvement in ESG assurance practices

Final Discussion and Wrap-up

EXPERT COURSE DIRECTOR

Sunita Devi is a seasoned Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) professional with extensive experience in sustainability strategy, assurance, and regulatory compliance. She works with listed companies and financial institutions to develop and execute ESG roadmaps and Net Zero strategies that align board mandates with stakeholder expectations, investor requirements, and global disclosure standards. Her work focuses on integrating ESG into corporate governance and financial decision-making, ensuring that sustainability performance is credible, measurable, and value-driven. She collaborates closely with senior management teams to enhance ESG readiness, improve performance scores, and strengthen transparency in reporting. Sunita’s domain expertise spans multiple industries and includes:

Advising Boards on material ESG issues, risk trends, and long-term business impacts
Navigating ESG-related stakeholder engagements and regulatory disclosures
Establishing corporate sustainability reporting systems that comply with stock-exchange and assurance requirements
Designing ESG and GHG dashboards for data monitoring and verification
Managing responsible supply-chain benchmarking (SMETA, RBA, Ecovadis, CDP)
Developing compliance tools for material regulations and traceability (CBAM, Critical Raw Materials, PFAS, Plastics, SVHC, EUDR, etc.)
Identifying financial efficiencies and opportunities arising from ESG initiatives

An active contributor to international sustainability platforms, Sunita regularly participates in engagements with UN PRI, EU Chamber, S&P Global, World Economic Forum, CDP, GRI, and ISSB. Sunita focused on The Impact of ESG Reporting on Public Listed Companies (2016–2026). She is a Certified Sustainability Reporting Assurer (ICSP) qualified under ISSA 5000, ISAE 3000, and AA1000 frameworks.
Her further qualifications include:

Climate Risk Valuation and Investment Analyst, Chartered Finance Accountants, UK
Law & Sustainability Stakeholder Expert, Smith Business School, Oxford University UK
Specialist, Sustainability Reporting and Assurance, Institute of Certified Sustainability Practitioners.
Masters Degree in Knowledge Management, Asia-e University
PHd Grant Projects (EU Switch Asia, Barometer and Policy Sustainable Consumption Production)

Her award-winning research (Asia Pacific Economic Sector Barometer) and ongoing contributions to ESG R&D and editorial publications underscore her commitment to advancing sustainability assurance as a discipline. Combining technical precision with strategic insight, Sunita Devi empowers organizations to strengthen governance, transparency, and long-term resilience through credible ESG assurance and responsible performance practices.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

This program is ideal for professionals involved in sustainability, finance, governance, assurance, and risk management who contribute to ESG strategy, reporting, or performance verification. In particular:
- Board Members and Senior Executives
- Chief Sustainability Officers (CSOs) and Sustainability Managers
- Chief Financial Officers (CFOs), Finance Directors, and Controllers
- Risk Management, Compliance, and Governance Professionals
- Internal and External Auditors, and Audit Committee Members
- ESG Assurance Practitioners and Consultants
- Investor Relations and Corporate Communications Managers
- Legal and Regulatory Affairs Professionals
- Supply Chain, Procurement, and Operations Managers
- Environmental, Climate, and Net Zero Specialists
- Human Resource and Social Impact Leaders
- Data, Technology, and Reporting Officers
- Academics, Researchers, and Policy Advisors
The course will be highly beneficial to participants from financial institutions, listed companies, consulting firms, and public-sector organizations seeking to enhance ESG performance auditing, assurance, and ISSA 5000 implementation.

FEE

Fee per participant: RM2,600/US$700

Please note that the Ringgit price is applicable to Malaysia-domiciled participants only. Discounts are available for group bookings. Please contact us for more details.

IN-HOUSE/GROUP TRAINING

If you are looking for an in-house training program or wish to send a group to an existing public program, kindly please contact Andrew Tebbutt at [email protected] or +603 2162 7802.
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