Use of Experts

The IESBA is committed to developing revisions to the Code to address the specific ethics and independence issues that might arise when experts work alongside professional accountants (PAs) in business (PAIBs) and in public practice (PAPPs), including in tax planning, technology-related activities and sustainability reporting and assurance. The objectives of the projects are to address:

• Ethics and independence provisions considerations for the use of an external expert in audit and assurance engagements;
• Ethics considerations regarding the involvement of an expert (both internal or external to the employing organization or firm) in the preparation and presentation of financial and non-financial information, including sustainability information, and other activities; and
• Ethics considerations regarding the involvement of an expert (both internal or external to the employing organization or firm) in the provision of other services (such as tax planning and technology-related activities). 

Although the scope of this project is broad, it will be progressed broadly in tandem with IESBA’s Sustainability Project given that the use of experts is critical in the preparation and presentation of sustainability information, including the assurance and audit of such information.

PROJECT CONTACT

Kam Leung

WORKING GROUP

Laurie Endsley, Chair, IESBA Vice Chair

Saadiya Adam, IESBA Member

Sanjiv Chaudhary, IESBA Member

Andrew Mintzer, IESBA Member

Luigi Nisoli, IESBA Member

IESBA March 2023 Meeting Highlights 

The IESBA considered and supported the Task Force’s preliminary thinking regarding (a) a possible ethics framework to guide professional accountants’ judgments, decisions and actions as to the use of experts in their professional activities or services; and (b) a potential approach to addressing considerations relating to the ethical behavior (including independence) expected of experts when their work is used by professional accountants in the preparation and presentation of financial and non-financial information, as well as in the context of audit and other assurance engagements, including sustainability assurance engagements.

The IESBA will consider the Task Force’s proposals at its June 2023 meeting