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BARNS Logo
BARNS Logo
BARNS Logo
BARNS Logo
English
Bright office corridor representing structured reporting transformation and the implementation of new financial and sustainability reporting requirements.

AREA OF FOCUS

AREA OF FOCUS

Financial & Sustainability
Reporting.

Financial &
Sustainability
Reporting.

Financial & Sustainability
Reporting.

Structured. Focused.

Structured. Focused.

Structured. Focused.

New reporting requirements – whether mandatory or voluntary – and changes in an organisation’s reporting landscape often affect more than technical accounting. They can impact reporting processes, data, internal controls, governance and disclosures. BARNS advises organisations from initial assessment through implementation and first-time reporting.

New reporting requirements – whether mandatory or voluntary – and changes in an organisation’s reporting landscape often affect more than technical accounting. They can impact reporting processes, data, internal controls, governance and disclosures. BARNS advises organisations from initial assessment through implementation and first-time reporting.

WHERE BARNS CAN HELP

WHERE BARNS CAN HELP

Areas of support across financial and sustainability reporting

Areas of support across financial and sustainability reporting

Areas of support across financial and sustainability reporting

BARNS advises organisations on financial and sustainability reporting requirements, reporting processes, data, systems, internal controls, governance and disclosures.

01

Reporting requirements & compliance

Reporting requirements & compliance

Analysis of new and evolving financial and sustainability reporting requirements and their implications.

Analysis of new and evolving financial and sustainability reporting requirements and their implications.

02

Reporting processes, data, systems & tools

Reporting processes, data, systems & tools

Advise on development and improvement of reporting processes, data flows and supporting systems and tools for data collection, aggregation and consolidation.

Advise on development and improvement of reporting processes, data flows and supporting systems and tools for data collection, aggregation and consolidation.

03

Internal controls, governance & documentation

Internal controls, governance & documentation

Advice on reporting-related controls, responsibilities, governance structures and documentation.

Advice on reporting-related controls, responsibilities, governance structures and documentation.

04

Implementation & reporting

Implementation & reporting

Advisory support during implementation and in structuring and preparing financial and sustainability reporting disclosures.

Advisory support during implementation and in structuring and preparing financial and sustainability reporting disclosures.

Hot topics

Hot topics

Hot topics

Financial reporting

Sustainability reporting

IFRS 18 - Presentation and disclosues in financial statements

Mandatory from 2027, IFRS 18 introduces significant changes to the presentation and disclosure of financial performance.

IFRS 16 - Leases


Lease accounting continues to raise practical questions around accounting judgements, data, processes and disclosures.

New and amended IFRS and HGB requirements

New and amended requirements may affect accounting, disclosures and existing reporting processes.

Modern meeting room representing reporting transformation and the implementation of new financial and sustainability reporting requirements.

Financial reporting

Sustainability reporting

IFRS 18 - Presentation and disclosues in financial statements

Mandatory from 2027, IFRS 18 introduces significant changes to the presentation and disclosure of financial performance.

IFRS 16 - Leases


Lease accounting continues to raise practical questions around accounting judgements, data, processes and disclosures.

New and amended IFRS and German GAAP requirements

New and amended requirements may affect accounting, disclosures and existing reporting processes.

Modern meeting room representing reporting transformation and the implementation of new financial and sustainability reporting requirements.

Financial reporting

Sustainability reporting

IFRS 18 - Presentation and disclosues in financial statements

Mandatory from 2027, IFRS 18 introduces significant changes to the presentation and disclosure of financial performance.

IFRS 16 - Leases

Lease accounting continues to raise practical questions around accounting judgements, data, processes and disclosures.

New and amended IFRS and HGB requirements

New and amended requirements may affect accounting, disclosures and existing reporting processes.

Modern meeting room representing reporting transformation and the implementation of new financial and sustainability reporting requirements.

TYPICAL SITUATIONS

TYPICAL SITUATIONS

You're facing a new requirement - and the complexity is real

You're facing a new requirement - and the complexity is real

You're facing a new requirement - and the complexity is real

Organisations reach out at different stages. These are the situations we most commenly encounter.

Organisations reach out at different stages. These are the situations we most commenly encounter.

MANDATORY IFRS REPORTING REQUIREMENT FROM FY 2027

MANDATORY IFRS REPORTING REQUIREMENT FROM FY 2027

IFRS 18 is coming - where do we start?

IFRS 18 is coming - where do we start?

The standard applies and the first reporting date is approaching. You need to understand the impact, align the organisation and prepare for first-time reporting.

The standard applies and the first reporting date is approaching. You need to understand the impact, align the organisation and prepare for first-time reporting.

Explore more

Explore more

MANDATORY SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING

MANDATORY SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING

We need to report under CSRD — or further develop our existing reporting.

We need to report under CSRD — or further develop our existing reporting.

Whether preparing for first-time reporting or further developing an existing report, new requirements (e.g. ESRS revised 2026) need to be implemented, existing structures reviewed and disclosures presented clearly and coherently.

Whether preparing for first-time reporting or further developing an existing report, new requirements (e.g. ESRS revised 2026) need to be implemented, existing structures reviewed and disclosures presented clearly and coherently.

Explore more

Explore more

MID-PROJECT CHALLENGE

MID-PROJECT CHALLENGE

We started the project - but have lost track of priorities and ownership.

We started the project - but have lost track of priorities and ownership.

An implementation is underway but technical questions, stakeholder alignment and decisions are piling up without clear resolution.

An implementation is underway but technical questions, stakeholder alignment and decisions are piling up without clear resolution.

VOLUNTARY SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING

VOLUNTARY SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING

We want to report voluntarily — but need a pragmatic, proportionate approach.

We want to report voluntarily — but need a pragmatic, proportionate approach.

Whether Voluntary Standard (VS, former VSME), ISSB or a stakeholder-driven framework: you've decided to take on reporting, but need clarity on scope, effort and the right structure.

Whether Voluntary Standard (VS, former VSME), ISSB or a stakeholder-driven framework: you've decided to take on reporting, but need clarity on scope, effort and the right structure.

Explore more

Explore more

A TYPICAL PROJECT JOURNEY

A TYPICAL PROJECT JOURNEY

From assessment to implementation and first-time reporting

From assessment to implementation and first-time reporting

From assessment to implementation and first-time reporting

Every situation is different — but most projects follow a recognisable arc. The depth and focus of each phase depends on the specific standard, organisation and starting point.

Every situation is different — but most projects follow a recognisable arc. The depth and focus of each phase depends on the specific standard, organisation and starting point.

1

Requirement & initial impact assessment

2

Detailed technical assessment & addressing gaps

3

Reporting framework design

4

Implementation & coordination

5

Training & knowledge transfer

6

Dry-run & validation

7

First time reporting & audit readiness

Requirement & initial impact assessment

Understanding the new reporting requirements and translating them into an initial impact assessment. Reviewing the current reporting landscape, identifying key stakeholders and establishing the basis for the transformation ahead.

Requirements review

Initial impact analysis

Project scoping

1

Requirement & initial impact assessment

2

Detailed technical assessment & addressing gaps

3

Reporting framework design

4

Implementation & coordination

5

Training & knowledge transfer

6

Dry-run & validation

7

First time reporting & audit readiness

The auditor's perspective – built in from the start:

Led by a licensed Wirtschaftsprüfer (German Public Auditor / CPA equivalent), BARNS understands not only how new reporting requirements are implemented, but also how they may later be challenged in an assurance context.

The auditor's perspective – built in from the start:

Led by a licensed Wirtschaftsprüfer (German Public Auditor / CPA equivalent), BARNS understands not only how new reporting requirements are implemented, but also how they may later be challenged in an assurance context.

OUTCOMES

OUTCOMES

What organisations gain

What organisations gain

What organisations gain

Clarity on requirements and impact

Clarity on requirements and impact

A clearer understanding of what reporting requirements mean for the organisation, its reporting and the changes that may be needed.

A clearer understanding of what reporting requirements mean for the organisation, its reporting and the changes that may be needed.

Aligned stakeholders

Aligned stakeholders

Finance, management and other key stakeholders share a common understanding of the transformation, its implications and their respective responsibilities.

Finance, management and other key stakeholders share a common understanding of the transformation, its implications and their respective responsibilities.

Structured implementation

Structured implementation

A structured approach to translating reporting requirements into processes, data, controls, governance and disclosures.

A structured approach to translating reporting requirements into processes, data, controls, governance and disclosures.

Reporting with assurance in mind

Reporting with assurance in mind

Reporting processes, documentation and technical positions developed with future assurance requirements and auditor discussions in mind.

Reporting processes, documentation and technical positions developed with future assurance requirements and auditor discussions in mind.

Stronger reporting structures

Stronger reporting structures

Reporting processes, documentation and responsibilities designed to support consistent and transparent reporting.

Reporting processes, documentation and responsibilities designed to support consistent and transparent reporting.

Knowledge and documentation that remain

Knowledge and documentation that remain

Documented decisions, processes and knowledge that can be retained and used within the organisation beyond the project.

Documented decisions, processes and knowledge that can be retained and used within the organisation beyond the project.

IN FOCUS

Further insights on this topic

Further insights on this topic

Further insights on this topic

Finance and reporting process from data collection and accounting to aggregation, consolidation and financial reporting
Getting the Numbers Right Is Not Enough: What Makes a Good Financial Close?

Getting the Numbers Right Is Not Enough: What Makes a Good Financial Close?

A practical look at effective finance processes and how accounting, financial reporting, data, systems and tools can work together.

Voluntary Sustainability Reporting – What Does It Mean in Practice?

Voluntary Sustainability Reporting – What Does It Mean in Practice?

A practical introduction to the new Voluntary Standard (VS), formerly VSME, and how companies can approach voluntary sustainability reporting.

Digital Product Passport (DPP) for Companies: Understanding Before Planning

Digital Product Passport (DPP) for Companies: Understanding Before Planning

The EU Digital Product Passport is becoming mandatory across more industries. Why it's rarely a technical challenge, and why an early, structured look pays off.

How Much Effort Does the Voluntary Standard Involve in Practice – and How Can It Be Implemented Efficiently?

How Much Effort Does the Voluntary Standard Involve in Practice – and How Can It Be Implemented Efficiently?

How much time and resource the Voluntary Standard as a voluntary sustainability report realistically requires, and how implementation can be approached efficiently.

Value Chain Cap – What CSRD Companies Can Still Request From Their Supply Chain

Value Chain Cap – What CSRD Companies Can Still Request From Their Supply Chain

What CSRD-obligated companies need to consider when collecting supply-chain data, and where scope for further requests remains.

Value Chain Cap – What Suppliers Will No Longer Have to Provide

Value Chain Cap – What Suppliers Will No Longer Have to Provide

The Value Chain Cap limits what CSRD-obligated companies may request from smaller suppliers for their own reporting.

Voluntary Assurance Under the Voluntary Standard – When It Might Be Worth It

Voluntary Assurance Under the Voluntary Standard – When It Might Be Worth It

External assurance isn't required under the Voluntary Standard – when voluntary validation might still be worth considering.

Voluntary Standard (formerly VSME) vs. CSRD/ESRS – Where Are the Differences?

Voluntary Standard (formerly VSME) vs. CSRD/ESRS – Where Are the Differences?

Materiality, assurance, scope: an overview of the key differences between the Voluntary Standard and mandatory ESRS reporting.

From VSME to Voluntary Standard: What Has Changed

From VSME to Voluntary Standard: What Has Changed

From non-binding guidance to a delegated regulation: what appears to have changed as the VSME evolved into the Voluntary Standard.

What is the Voluntary Standard (formerly VSME)? A Quick Overview

What is the Voluntary Standard (formerly VSME)? A Quick Overview

The Voluntary Standard succeeds the VSME, giving companies outside CSRD scope a structured framework for voluntary sustainability reporting.

From start up to listed company
Are Your Reporting Processes Still Keeping Pace With Your Company?

Are Your Reporting Processes Still Keeping Pace With Your Company?

How to tell whether your reporting processes are still keeping pace with your company's growth and what to do next.

Glass memory representing IFRS 18 classification
IFRS 18: A Checklist and Roadmap for Implementation

IFRS 18: A Checklist and Roadmap for Implementation

A structured checklist and roadmap for implementing IFRS 18 – from the initial impact assessment through systems and processes to first-time application in 2027.

Minimalist 3D illustration of voluntary sustainability reporting, featuring a transparent glass report, a glass globe and a small green plant on a light stone platform.
Voluntary sustainability reporting: What's the point, and when does it make sense?

Voluntary sustainability reporting: What's the point, and when does it make sense?

Voluntary Standard: when does voluntary sustainability reporting make sense for companies outside CSRD scope? A practical starting point.

Minimalist 3D illustration of IFRS 18 showing structured financial reporting, transparent glass layers and the presentation of financial information.
IFRS 18 Implementation: Why Companies Should Start Preparing in 2026

IFRS 18 Implementation: Why Companies Should Start Preparing in 2026

IFRS 18 introduces major changes to financial statement presentation. Learn which companies are affected and why implementation should start in 2026.

FAQ

FAQ

Common questions

Common questions

Common questions

At what point should we bring in external support?

How does working with BARNS relate to our existing auditor?

Do you support the full project or only specific phases?

How long does a reporting transformation typically take?

We already have a project running — can BARNS still help?

Does BARNS implement ERP systems or reporting tools?

Let's discuss your situation.

Let's discuss your situation.

Every organisation faces different reporting, accounting and transformation challenges. We would be happy to discuss how BARNS can support your specific circumstances.

Every organisation faces different reporting, accounting and transformation challenges. We would be happy to discuss how BARNS can support your specific circumstances.

BARNS Logo.

Advisory for reporting, accounting and transformation.

© 2026 BARNS GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft. All rights reserved.

BARNS Logo.

Advisory for reporting, accounting and transformation.

© 2026 BARNS GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft. All rights reserved.

BARNS Logo.

Advisory for reporting, accounting and transformation.

© 2026 BARNS GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft. All rights reserved.

BARNS Logo.

Advisory for reporting, accounting and transformation.

© 2026 BARNS GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft. All rights reserved.