UDC 657.3
DOI: 10.36871/ek.up.p.r.2025.06.01.007

Authors

Daniil A. Zelentsov,
Financial University under the Government of Russia

Abstract

The article considers the directions of expanding the information support of the procedure of assurance of non-financial statements of mining companies based on the analysis of the Russian rating practice. Despite sanctions and strained foreign policy relations, the topic of sustainable development continues to be relevant for both Russian business and its stakeholders. In order to provide this area with a systematic basis that would allow for a sufficiently reliable assessment of certain trends both in terms of individual companies and the country as a whole, the ECG rating was developed. This system is constantly being improved, but is still at the stage of development, potential ways of practical application are still being considered by specialists from various industries. In order to assess the relevance of sustainability for Russian organizations and the practical significance of the ECG-rating, including when considering the issue of non-financial reporting assurance, an analysis was made on the basis of non-financial reporting publications by companies in the mining industry. The analysis of published non-financial reporting, statistical data and scientific publications revealed trends describing the attitude of Russian mining companies to the assurance of non-financial reporting. The study of the components of sustainability reports allowed us to identify a number of key sections and disclosures that are universal for organizations in the industry, as well as to establish a correlation between qualitative and quantitative information in published reports. Problems limiting the current practice of assurance engagements were structured, especially in terms of qualitative indicators of reporting. Recommendations were developed to modify the procedures used by auditors to express a reasonable level of assurance on the assurance results of non-financial reporting by integrating additional sources of evidence, including national ECG rating data.

Keywords

sustainable development, non-financial reporting, ECG rating, audit, independent assurance, information field, audit evidence