Green Accounting Firms

From the Oct. 2007 Issue

First of all, let me apologize for probably being the last guy in the world who should be writing an article on this subject. While I know the benefits of going green, preserving the environment, reducing pollutants, and, more importantly, showing a little environmental and social conscience while saving some green ($) at the same time, I don’t really walk the walk. The biggest blasphemy of them all is that I drive a Suburban for goodness sakes. In any event, it is my task to have a brief discussion about what’s going on out there in the way of greening up firms.

Discussion Areas
This warrants a discussion in several areas. To start with, we have the direct form of greening — changing the way we do business so that we take advantage of technology to help preserve resources and protect the environment. Next, we can explore ways to conserve energy and reduce costs through physical means. Namely, that means building improvements, updating heating and air conditioning systems, etc. Finally, we should take a brief look at what’s going on out there in the realm of community planning because it should be interesting to see how communities are also moving towards preserving the environment.

The Green Movement
Everywhere I look, I see articles and news items that detail how firms and communities are embracing the “green” movement. I always thought green referred to eyeshades or legal tender. Boy, was I wrong. It encompasses everything from emissions, energy consumption, cleaning products to telecommuting. In this week alone, I read an article about how Warwick Memorial United Methodist Church (my church) hosted a regional workshop on The Green Church Initiative. It dealt with utilizing green products and technology in the Church as well as pushing the initiative out to the congregation. From ceramic dishes instead of paper plates to energy star appliances and lighting, little changes can make huge differences in both costs of operation and ownership and energy/environmental conservation. In our firm, we provide ceramic mugs to staff and clients for coffee. They are washed and reused. Additionally, the mugs display our logo and are given to clients as a promotional item. The advantage of such ceramic mugs over Styrofoam cups is that the energy used in washing is far less than that required to recycle or dispose of the cups.

Cleaning Supplies & Geo-Thermal Heating
Even such luminaries as Don Imus (the former radio personality) have gotten on the green wagon. His wife formed a company devoted to promoting the use of organic and natural cleaners instead of toxic chemical cleaners like chlorine-based cleaners and such. Many hospitals, doctors’ offices and other businesses have adopted such supplies, as well. They feel it is better for both the environment as well as their employees. Her website (www.dienviro.com/index.aspx) includes examples of the use of green technology in construction and building. Energy efficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems are a great way to save money and help the environment. Geo-thermal heating systems have been used since Roman times and certainly have generated substantial interest as energy prices soar. Such systems utilize loops of pipes buried underground that help heat in the winter and cool in the summer. If you have ever been in a basement or cave, you can see the benefits. Most basements or caves stay a relatively constant temperature in all seasons. Using that temperature to cool or heat the fluids in your heating system utilizes very little energy. While such systems are more costly than traditional systems, there is a definite payback in energy bill savings.