The IESBA will hold two interactive global webinars in the coming weeks to present the first global ethics standards on tax planning, released earlier this month.
The standards establish a comprehensive ethical framework to guide professional accountants when providing tax planning and related services. The framework stipulates the expected mindset and behaviors of professional accountants when they recommend or otherwise advise on tax planning arrangements to employing organizations or clients. The standards were developed in response to public interest concerns about tax avoidance and the role played by consultants in light of revelations in recent years such as the Paradise and Pandora Papers.
Moving away from a purely mechanical and legalistic approach and towards a principles-based framework will establish a consistent point of reference for all professional accountants when dealing with tax planning to ensure due consideration of public interest as well as potential reputational, commercial, and wider economic consequences for their employing organizations or clients. Beyond just the accountancy profession, all other tax advisers are strongly encouraged to follow the standards.
The 1.5-hour webinar will feature a high-level overview of the standards and provide an opportunity for stakeholders to participate in a questions-and-answers session with the presenters.
The webinars will be held in English and available on YouTube following the session.
Global Webinar #1
Timing: May 13, 2024 at 10:30 PM, EDT
Presenters:
- Laurie Endsley, IESBA Vice Chair
- Andy Mintzer, IESBA Member
- Channa Wijesinghe, IESBA Member
- Carla Vijian, IESBA Principal
Global Webinar #2
Timing: May 15, 2024 at 12:00 PM, EDT
Presenters:
- Jens Poll, Former IESBA Member and Chair of the Tax Planning and Related Services Task Force
- Laurie Endsley, IESBA Vice Chair
- Sanjiv Chaudhary, Former IESBA Member
- Carla Vijian, IESBA Principal