The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) released the International Standards: 2025 MENA Insights Snapshot to benchmark international accountancy standards adoption and implementation trends across the Middle East and North Africa from 2019–2024. The report was launched at IFAC Connect MENA 2025 in Riyadh, co-hosted with the Saudi Organization for Chartered and Professional Accountants (SOCPA). 

The snapshot, available in English and Arabic thanks to translation by SOCPA, shows that adoption of international standards has accelerated significantly across MENA in recent years. Nearly all jurisdictions in the region have taken steps to align with International Standards on Auditing, International Financial Reporting Standards, and the International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants. Several countries have made notable progress in embedding International Public Sector Accounting Standards into public sector reporting frameworks, reflecting growing recognition of the importance of transparency in government finances. 

Differences in regulatory oversight, technical capacity, and resourcing are opportunities for advancement, particularly in public sector reporting and among smaller professional accountancy organizations.  

Lee White, IFAC Chief Executive Officer, said: 
“The 2025 MENA Insights Snapshot demonstrates both the progress and the challenges in ensuring that adoption progresses into implementation. IFAC Connect MENA is the perfect platform to launch this work, because the discussions here are focused on turning commitments into action, aided by the leadership of the accountancy profession. Adoption is a first step and real impact comes when standards are embedded in practice and serve the public interest.” 

Dr. Ahmad Almeghames, CEO of SOCPA and IFAC Board Member, said: “We’re proud to see that Saudi Arabia is the only jurisdiction in the region to have adopted all seven baselines. This achievement reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to advancing the profession and aligning with the highest international benchmarks and serves as an example for the wider MENA region showing how strong leadership, investment in capacity, and collaboration across regulators, standard setters, and the profession can accelerate progress.” 

The report will inform IFAC’s ongoing work with MENA member organizations, regulators, and development partners to strengthen capacity, accelerate adoption, and ensure consistent, high-quality implementation across the region. 

Access the 2025 MENA Insights Snapshot in English and Arabic.  

About IFAC 
IFAC, by connecting and uniting its members, makes the accountancy profession truly global. 

IFAC member organizations are champions of integrity and professional quality, and proudly carry their membership as a badge of international recognition. 

IFAC and its members work together to shape the future of the profession through learning, innovation, a collective voice, and commitment to the public interest. 

The new International Public Sector Financial Accountability Index 2025 Status Report, published by the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) and Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) with support from the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB), highlights steady, gradual progress in governments worldwide moving from cash to accrual-based financial reporting.  

Accrual accounting provides governments with a clearer picture of their finances by recording the substance of transactions as they occur, rather than when cash transfers occur. This transparency helps inform decision-making and improves the ability to hold governments to account for their decisions. 

Key findings of the report: 

• By 2030, 56% of jurisdictions are projected to report on an accrual basis. This represents steady progress since the 2020 Index but at a slower pace than anticipated, reflecting the financial and operational strains governments faced during and after the pandemic. 
• In 2024, high-income jurisdictions made up the majority of accrual adopters (57%), but by 2030, the landscape will shift. 60% of jurisdictions using accrual are projected to come from middle- and low-income economies. 
• By 2030, 81% of accrual-reporting jurisdictions are expected to be applying International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) either directly, with modifications, or as the foundation for national standards. 

Lee White, Chief Executive Officer at IFAC said: "Accrual based reporting is essential for public sector transparency and accountability. It is also the foundation for the use of global IPSAS Standards. Our members fulfil a vital role in advising and supporting governments in their journey with the use of accrual accounting and global standards delivering clear accountability.” 

Owen Mapley, Chief Executive Officer at CIPFA said: “Strengthening public financial management through accrual reporting is fundamental to addressing today’s fiscal challenges and building sustainable futures. It is encouraging to see the shift from cash to accrual has continued despite the impact of the pandemic.” 

Ian Carruthers, IPSASB Chair said: “The increasing usage and influence of the IPSAS Standards underlines the importance of the shift in IPSASB’s new 5 year strategy towards maintenance of the standards suite, in particular through the recent establishment of the IPSASB Application Group.” 

Explore the report.  

About IFAC 

IFAC, by connecting and uniting its members, makes the accountancy profession truly global. 
 
IFAC member organizations are champions of integrity and professional quality, and proudly carry their membership as a badge of international recognition. 
 
IFAC and its members work together to shape the future of the profession through learning, innovation, a collective voice, and commitment to the public interest. 

About CIPFA 

CIPFA, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, is the professional body for people in public finance. Our 14,000 members work throughout the public services, in national audit agencies, in major accountancy firms, and in other bodies where public money needs to be effectively and efficiently managed. 

About the IPSASB

The International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB) works to strengthen public financial management globally through developing and maintaining accrual-based International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS Standards), IPSASB Sustainability Reporting Standards (IPSASB SRS™ Standards) and other high-quality financial reporting guidance for use by governments and other public sector entities. It also raises awareness of IPSAS Standards and IPSASB SRS Standards and promotes the adoption and implementation of these to enhance the quality and consistency of practice throughout the world and strengthen the transparency and accountability of public sector finances and sustainable development. The Board receives support from the Asian Development Bank, the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada, the New Zealand External Reporting Board, the government of Canada, and The World Bank. The structures and processes that support the operations of the IPSASB are facilitated by the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC®). For copyright, trademark, and permissions information, please go to permissions or contact permissions@ifac.org.   

The International Standards: 2025 MENA Insights Snapshot presents a regional overview of progress toward the adoption and implementation of international standards across audit, ethics, education, and public and private sector financial reporting, as well as the adoption and implementation of quality assurance systems and investigation and discipline mechanisms. The findings reflect both momentum in adoption progress while at the same time, identifying persistent barriers that are challenging the pace and depth of progress across the region.

IFAC welcomes the opportunity to comment on the consultation paper of the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) on narrow scope amendments to the International Standards for Quality Management (ISQMs) and International Standards on Auditing (ISAs) for the IAASB Public Interest Entity (PIE) Track 2 Project

In the face of global economic volatility, technological disruption, and climate and sustainability pressures, professional accountants in business (PAIBs) are playing critical strategic roles in building trust, enabling resilient organizations, and delivering long-term value creation.  

At our PAIB Advisory Group meeting hosted by the Japanese Institute of Certified Public Accountants (JICPA) in Tokyo, we convened a diverse group of PAIBs for a strategic discussion on how PAIBs are shaping the future of business and the public sector. With deep expertise, on-the-ground experience in leading organizations, and global reach across more than 20+jurisdictions, our global advisory group provides a unique and practical lens into how organizations navigate complexity, and the evolving priorities for our profession.

A new article from PAIB Advisory Group Chair Sanjay Rughani incorporates multiple insights and resources from the meeting into four actions that can redefine our profession’s role at the forefront of transformation: 

• Reframe the profession’s identity and value; 
• Leverage AI to lead, not follow; 
• Embrace modern talent models; and 
• Grow PAIB membership. 

Relevant to our members’ efforts in shaping the profession’s future, the article highlights how professional accountants are not only supporting business performance but actively shaping it, guiding strategic shifts through integrated thinking and sustainability leadership, integrating AI into finance and business processes to boost productivity and embedding risk culture to better navigate uncertainty. These insights are grounded in real-world examples, including transformations underway at Fujitsu, the UK Civil Service, and evolving roles for PAIBs across IPO markets in Japan, India, and the US. 

Share this resource to spark discussions and strategies, supporting your members in their various business and public sector roles.   

Read Shaping Business and Performance: Key Insights from the PAIB Advisory Group’s Meeting in Tokyo. 

About IFAC  
IFAC, by connecting and uniting its members, makes the accountancy profession truly global.    

IFAC member organizations are champions of integrity and professional quality, and proudly carry their membership as a badge of international recognition.    

IFAC and its members work together to shape the future of the profession through learning, innovation, a collective voice, and commitment to the public interest.    

About IFAC’s PAIB Advisory Group 
Formed in 1977, the PAIB Advisory Group is comprised of volunteers with experience and expertise in the world of business and the public sector, nominated by the professional accountancy organizations that make up IFAC’s membership.   

By bringing these experts together, IFAC delivers thought leadership, fosters collaboration, and equips its member organizations with tools and strategies to support their members in navigating complex, evolving business landscapes. 

IFAC welcomes the opportunity to comment on the IESBA’s consultation paper for auditor independence considerations for collective investment vehicles (CIVs) and pension funds.

As the global voice of the accountancy profession, IFAC connects and unites more than 180 professional accountancy organizations in 142 jurisdictions. IFAC’s members are champions of integrity and professional quality and are committed to the public interest.