# Can the consultant who prepared our carbon inventory also verify it?

Canonical: https://senseible.earth/answers/verifier-independence-who-cannot-verify

No. A verifier must be independent of the work they check, so the firm or person who prepared or advised on your inventory should not verify it. ISO 14064-3 and accreditation rules require impartiality. Use a separate accredited body, and expect them to ask about any past consulting.

## Conflicts to avoid

- The same firm built the inventory or chose the factors.
- The verifier sells you software or credits linked to the result.
- Fees that depend on the outcome.

## What is allowed

A verifier can explain requirements and point out findings. Designing your system or writing your figures crosses the line.

## Ask before you sign

Request the verifier's accreditation and a written statement of independence.

## What Senseible does here

Senseible keeps every figure linked to its source invoice or bill with a fingerprint, so a verifier can trace a total back to the documents it came from.

- [Who can verify in India](https://senseible.earth/answers/who-can-verify-iso-14064-1-inventory-india)
- [CCTS accredited verification agencies](https://senseible.earth/answers/ccts-accredited-carbon-verification-agency)
- [Changing verifiers](https://senseible.earth/answers/should-we-change-verifier-every-year)

Sources: [ISO 14064-1, 14064-3 and 14067 (iso.org)](https://www.iso.org), [GHG Protocol Corporate Standard](https://ghgprotocol.org/corporate-standard), [GHG Protocol standards](https://ghgprotocol.org/standards)

Last reviewed 2026-10-22.