Producing an audited set of social accounts is a three-step process.

Before starting though, it is worthwhile looking at other social accounts and considering the benefits and possible difficulties of producing your own accounts. Checking what information is already being collected, avoiding duplication of work, and deciding timescales and ownership for tasks has also proved to be worthwhile.

There is also a checklist of activities and procedures that all organisations should make a statement on.

Step 1: Social, Environmental and Economic Planning

At this stage a Mission, Values, Objectives and Activities Statement is produced for the organisation. A stakeholder ‘map’ is produced stating who the organisation affects or who has an interest in it. These will be both internal and external to the organisation, perhaps with no formal links.

Step 2: Social, Environmental and Economic Accounting

It is now time to collect information to prove that the organisation is carrying out the claimed activities and consult with stakeholders to demonstrate findings are not partisan. The findings are

Step 3: The Audit

A Panel is convened and the draft accounts checked and any queries resolved. The Chair (an approved Social Auditor) writes detailed notes which are used to amend the draft accounts. If the Chair is happy with the revisions he/she will issue a Social Audit Statement.

The SAA Process in one page