ACA Launches Global ESG Advisory Practice to Support Clients

ACA Compliance Group today announced the launch of a specialist global environmental, social, and governance (ESG) advisory practice. This dedicated team will provide ESG advisory services to support the sustainable investment ecosystem. ACA’s ESG practice underlines ACA’s investment and commitment to an area that is increasingly important to ACA’s global financial services clients and their investors.

Sustainability and responsible investing increasingly appear on the agendas of global political leaders, regulators, and firms alike. President-elect Joe Biden stated the U.S. will hold a world climate summit within the first 100 days of his presidency and the SEC has already begun to turn their attention to ESG-focused strategies, taking a “particular interest” in these strategies as part of their 2020 OCIE priorities. Meanwhile in Europe, the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) comes into play on 10 March 2021, imposing new manager and product-level disclosure obligations related to ESG and sustainability. 

Research and investment management firm, Morningstar, revealed that ESG investments funds hit 80.5 billion USD in the third quarter of 2020 pushing the total invested in these funds to over 1 trillion USD. According to a poll taken at ACA’s Virtual Fall Conference, almost two-thirds (63.5%) of respondents feel increased pressure from allocators on ESG and impact issues. Additionally, the ESG sector grew steadily throughout the COVID-19 pandemic along with the number of investors turning to sustainable business models, which are considered better able to endure market shocks.

As part of this move, Dan Mistler joined ACA to head up its ESG practice. Before joining ACA, Mistler was partner at ESG and environment firm, Bridge House Advisors, as well as founder of ESG specialist advisory firm, ESG Edge. He also previously led ESG services at multiple other large and boutique consulting firms, including EY and Environmental Resources Management.

Dan Mistler, Partner, ESG, ACA Compliance Group, said: “The ESG movement has gained significant momentum in recent years, with an uptick in investors across the board turning to their investment managers to plan out and achieve responsible investment goals. Additionally, there is green financial regulation coming through globally, which will further push along what has been developed through organic demand. By working with ACA, firms benefit from a trusted and experienced partner with an in-depth knowledge of the market, regulations, and sustainable investment. Our strong heritage of compliance expertise, as well as performance and verification, and cybersecurity, is perfectly placed to support firms with ESG across their entire investment lifecycle. With a dedicated and innovative suite of ESG services and solutions designed to meet the needs of companies of all sizes, we are committed to helping firms mitigate risks, make informed choices, and grow profitably and sustainably.”

Crista DesRochers, a partner at ACA focused on performance and GIPS® compliance verification and member of the CFA Institute ESG Verification Sub-Committee, will join Dan to lead the practice. 

Dani Williams joins the team from ACA’s UK regulatory compliance practice to focus on ESG in financial regulation. Dani brings 10 years of in-house and consulting experience to this role, having worked with investment managers providing compliance guidance in sustainability and green finance. 

ACA’s ESG advisory practice complements the existing governance, risk, and compliance offerings of the firm. The ESG team, offering ESG program development, portfolio oversight, and assurance services, is supported by the wider ACA community, which provides cyber, risk, and regulatory technology solutions alongside UK, European, and U.S. regulatory compliance advisory services. 

For further information

ACA – U.S.
Krissy Kennedy, Managing Director of Marketing
acamarketing@acaglobal.com 

ACA  - Europe
Gobnait Will, Senior Marketing Manager
gobnait.will@acaglobal.com 
 +44 (0) 7825 943522