- The role of CFOs is evolving rapidly, as organizations face growing uncertainty, accelerating technological change, sustainability demands, and other structural shifts.
- IESBA is inviting CFOs and other stakeholders who work with or oversee CFO functions to take part in dedicated global surveys examining the evolving role of CFOs and the ethical challenges that accompany this evolution, up until April 24.
- Insights from the surveys, together with IESBA’s global outreach activities, will inform IESBA’s decision on whether enhancements to the IESBA Code, guidance or other support for CFOs is warranted, with a decision expected by September.
The IESBA today launched two extended global stakeholder surveys to inform its Role of CFOs initiative, focusing on the evolving role of CFOs and equivalent senior finance leaders, the ethical challenges resulting from this evolution, and whether the IESBA Code remains clear, fit-for-purpose, and practical in the public interest.
Building on its CFO Pulse Survey conducted over the Summer of 2025, the two surveys are directed at CFOs or equivalent senior finance leaders, and at stakeholders who interact with or oversee CFOs.
The surveys explore four areas of interest:
- How the role of CFOs and other equivalent senior finance leaders has evolved and the ethical challenges they face;
- How effectively the IESBA Code supports ethical responsibilities and expectations;
- The nature and extent of involvement of individuals in CFO roles who are not members of a professional accountancy organization (PAO); and
- Potential actions the IESBA could take, including enhancements to the IESBA Code, guidance or other resources, or other initiatives to support ethical leadership in finance functions.
“The role of CFOs and other senior finance leaders continues to evolve beyond traditional financial stewardship. Given the importance and centrality of this role within companies and organizations, these surveys will enable the IESBA to better understand the realities of the role today, the ethical challenges individuals in this role face, and how the IESBA can continue to support their ethical leadership,” said Gabriela Figueiredo Dias, Chair of the IESBA.
CFOs or equivalent senior finance leaders (regardless of title or membership of any PAO), stakeholders who interact with or oversee CFOs (including PAOs), other professional organizations, regulators and oversight bodies, investors and stewardship groups, accounting firms, jurisdictional standard setters, those charged with governance, governance specialists, and academics are invited to respond to the surveys up until April 24.
The surveys are anonymous and take approximately 10 to 15 minutes each to complete. They can be accessed here.
Outreach plans provide additional support to decision
The Role of CFOs initiative will also be informed by roundtables and focus group meetings in key markets during the first half of 2026, including Europe, North America, Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
The initiative aims to support CFOs and equivalent senior finance leaders in upholding high ethical standards that safeguard the integrity and reliability of financial and non-financial information on which investors, markets, regulators, and the public depend, and public trust in their organizations.
Informed by the survey results and stakeholder input, the project team will present preliminary findings at the June 2026 IESBA meeting, followed by a final report and recommendations at the September 2026 IESBA meeting.
To learn more about IESBA's role of CFOs initiative and follow updates, visit the Role of CFOs Focus Page.
About IESBA
The International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) is an independent global standard-setting board. The IESBA’s mission is to serve the public interest by setting high-quality, international ethics (including independence) standards as a cornerstone to ethical behavior in business and organizations, and to public trust in financial and non-financial information that is fundamental to the proper functioning and sustainability of organizations, financial markets and economies worldwide.
Along with the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB), the IESBA is part of the International Foundation for Ethics and Audit (IFEA). The Public Interest Oversight Board (PIOB) oversees IESBA and IAASB activities and the public interest responsiveness of the standards.