For BDO, sustainability is not a trend, it is an imperative. As a business partner for sustainable development, we implement effective measures within our own organisation and support our clients through the sustainability services we deliver. We are proud that this year, for the first time, our sustainability report is fully aligned with the standards of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). This underscores our commitment to transparency and measurable progress.
About BDO
BDO Ltd is one of the leading audit, business services and advisory firms in Switzerland. We offer services in our core areas of expertise: audit, financial services, business services and outsourcing, tax and legal advisory, and management consulting. With 42 offices in Switzerland, our firm’s network offers the most extensive coverage in the industry. For BDO’s people – around 1,800 professionals – close links and expertise are the key to successful and lasting relationships with our clients. Our first fully digital office enables SMEs to also automate simple and standardised processes. BDO Ltd audits and advises industrial and service sector companies, including SMEs, listed companies, public authorities and non-profit organisations.
For clients with an international focus, BDO draws on a global organisation spanning more than 160 countries. BDO Ltd has its head office in Zurich and is an independent, legally separate Swiss firm belonging to the international BDO network, whose head office is in Brussels (Belgium).
1,765
people (+4.2%)
42
offices throughout Switzerland
281.8 million
revenue generated (in CHF) (+4.6%)
Annual Report 2024
98
Partners hold an 80.5 percent stake in BDO and the company is managed by Partners
Focus on material topics
In 2024, we conducted a comprehensive double materiality analysis to identify the topics most relevant to BDO. This structured process allowed us to better understand both the social and environmental impacts of our business activities as well as financial opportunities and risks. The results enable us to focus our resources where they can make the greatest contribution to sustainable development.
Governance: ethics meet innovation
Clear standards for business ethics and integrity strengthen trust along our entire value chain. In 2024, we stepped up our efforts to ensure responsible business not only within our own company but also among our clients and suppliers. Digitalisation throws up new challenges for us, but is also an opportunity to enhance the efficiency and security of our processes. We use innovative technologies to optimise processes, boost efficiency and develop new services that help our clients get ahead. We have adopted a comprehensive AI policy for the secure and responsible use of AI, which serves as a binding framework for all AI applications.
98%
of our people consider themselves personally responsible for the quality of the audits they perform (prior year: 94%)
Information security
Certification according to the new ISO 27001:2022 standard, enhanced by the BDO Baseline Security Requirements
A comprehensive AI policy
creates a binding framework for all our AI-related applications
At least 80%
of our main suppliers should comply with our Supplier Code of Conduct by 2027
Our people: the key to sustainable success
Our people are at the heart of our success and the central drivers of our sustainability strategy. Given the shortage of skilled workers, we took some important steps in 2024 to create attractive and flexible working conditions. From 2025, all our people will benefit from six weeks of annual leave along with the option to buy or sell an additional week – a model that supports individual work-life balance. At the same time, we have significantly expanded our training and professional development programmes to provide even more targeted support for our teams’ professional and personal development. These measures not only strengthen our innovative capacity, but also create an inspiring work environment with space for personal growth.
91 trainees
(+9.6%)
37.3
Average age (+-0%)
36.7%
Part-time employees (+0.5%)
86 out of 100
Employee satisfaction
48%
Proportion of women (-1%)
29%
Share of women in leadership (+1%)
5.7%
of revenue goes to employee training and development (+0.4%)
Our clients: tackling sustainability as partners
Sustainable change requires collective commitment. Many companies are facing challenges as a result of increasing regulatory requirements, such as the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the extended Swiss regulations on non-financial reporting. This is precisely where we come in: with our expertise in sustainability reporting and auditing, BDO supports clients with both advisory and assurance services as they work towards integrated sustainability management that meets all requirements. Our aim is not just compliance, but real added value.
26,795
Clients (+5.2%)
x 3
Our goal is to strategically expand our digital services and triple our internal capacity
x 5
BDO has set a target to increase revenue from sustainability services fivefold by 2027 compared to the baseline 2023
+55%
Revenue growth in sustainability advisory services in 2024
+13%
Revenue growth in ESG assurance services in 2024
Environment: ambitious climate targets
Last year for the first time, we recorded our greenhouse gas emissions in full in accordance with the requirements of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. This ensures transparency and comparability. As part of the global BDO network, we are committed to the net-zero targets of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), with the aim of reducing emissions along the entire value chain. With this in mind, we have defined medium-term reduction targets for all scopes that serve as a guideline for our climate strategy. Investments in renewable energies and sustainable mobility are key levers for further reducing our environmental footprint.
7,528 t CO2e
Total emissions (+8.9%)
87.5%
Share of renewable energies in total energy consumption
26.7 t CO2e
CO2 intensity of our activities across all scopes per million Swiss francs of revenue (prior year: 25.7 t CO2e)
-14.7%
Emissions from buildings and company cars for partners (Scope 1 & 2)
+6.8%
Emissions from business travel and employee mobility (Scope 3)
Sustainability Report
Read our sustainability report in full