• The percentage of companies engaged in sustainability reporting remained unchanged at 98%
• 73% of companies obtained assurance on at least some of their sustainability disclosures
• Greenhouse gas emissions remain the most widely assured category of sustainability information

Almost 3-in-4 of the largest global companies sought assurance on some aspect of their sustainability disclosures, according to an updated report from the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) and AICPA & CIMA. The study marks the fifth annual benchmark that now includes 2023 data.

Seventy-three percent of large companies from G20 countries obtained assurance on their sustainability disclosures in 2023, up from 69 percent the previous year, according to the report, The State of Play: Sustainability Disclosure and Assurance, (Five-Year Trends and Analysis, 2019-2023). Five years ago, that number stood at 51 percent. Most of the assurance then and now is of limited scope.

Audit firms—as opposed to consultants or other service providers—continue to lead (55 percent) in providing assurance on sustainability disclosures by large global companies, with broad variations country to country. Audit firms’ overall share of the market declined from 58 percent in 2022, although there are mitigating factors for the drop, including:

• Consolidation of reports – In the European Union, where audit firms historically provide the majority of sustainability assurance, firms began issuing a single assurance report instead of a series of separate ones, lowering the raw number of reports issued, albeit for  an increased number of assurance clients..
• Consultants and non-audit firm service providers are more likely to issue multiple greenhouse gas-related assurance reports (for example, an average 2.5 assurance reports were generated per company in South Korea during 2023).
• When companies obtain assurance for the first time, they typically focus on greenhouse gas-related information and start by engaging other service providers who specialize in that area.

The report notes the increased use of audit firms over the prior year in several major markets in 2023, including Singapore (+6 percentage points), South Africa (+4), the United Kingdom (+5) and United States (+5). In the latter instance, audit firms’ share of sustainability assurance rose from 23 percent to 28 percent.

“Auditors have extensive education requirements, adhere to strict independence rules and possess a deep and holistic view of an organization’s business, processes and risk profile,” said Susan Coffey, CPA, CGMA, the CEO of public accounting for AICPA & CIMA  “That makes them ideal candidates to perform sustainability assurance engagements, and we’re seeing many boards and audit committees endorsing that view as corporate reporting matures.”

More than three-quarters of companies now report sustainability information with financial disclosures in annual or integrated reports. Organizations that include sustainability information with their annual or integrated reports overwhelmingly use their statutory auditor to provide assurance over those disclosures.

“The largest global companies have responded well to voluntary systems of sustainability reporting and assurance, driven by investor demand,” said IFAC Chief Executive Officer Lee White. “With new global standards in place, regulators now have the toolkits to move from voluntary to mandatory disclosures over time, which we expect will further drive high-quality, consistent and comparable sustainability-related information for the investing public and all stakeholders. IFAC and our members, including AICPA & CIMA, remain committed to supporting this shift—advancing trust, good governance, and global alignment in sustainability disclosure, united in shaping a future where sustainability information earns the same level of trust as financial reporting.”

Among other highlights of the updated study:

• Almost all companies (98 percent) report some information on sustainability. This is unchanged from last year.
• Use of sustainability information in annual reports continues to rise. Some 44 percent of companies included it in their annual report, up from 18 percent five years ago.
• Five jurisdictions had double-digit increases in sustainability assurance in 2023: Hong Kong, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia and Saudi Arabia.  

About the Study
IFAC and AICPA & CIMA partnered to understand sustainability reporting and assurance practices on a global basis by capturing reports containing environmental, social and governance (ESG) information in 22 jurisdictions. Some 1,400 companies were reviewed—100 from each of the largest six economies, with 50 companies reviewed in the remaining 16 jurisdictions. The current report includes data from 2019-2023. Full methodology is available in the study. 

About AICPA & CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants
AICPA & CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (the Association), advance the global accounting and finance profession through our work on behalf of 597,000 AICPA and CIMA members, candidates and registrants in 188 countries and territories. Together, we are the worldwide leader on public and management accounting issues through advocacy, support for the CPA license, the CGMA designation and specialized credentials, professional education and thought leadership. We build trust by empowering our members, candidates and registrants with the knowledge and opportunities to be leaders in broadening prosperity for a more inclusive, sustainable and resilient future. 

About the International Federation of Accountants
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.

Building on the success of pilot programs in Burkina Faso and Ghana, IFAC is expanding its efforts to strengthen public sector accountancy in Africa with the support of a $1M Grant from the Global Fund with private sector support.  

Over the next two years, the program will continue activities in Burkina Faso and Ghana and expand to Tanzania and Togo. IFAC, with the help of the grant and its long-time collaborator in the region, the Pan African Federation of Accountants (PAFA), will strengthen professional accountancy organizations (PAOs), develop the public sector accountancy workforce, and improve public financial management (PFM) systems in all four countries.  

IFAC announced the grant at the Annual General Meeting of the PAFA General Assembly held alongside the Africa Congress of Accountants 2025 in Kigali, Rwanda. 

This initiative contributes to the work of the African Professionalization Initiative (API), a continent-wide partnership between the accountancy profession, accountants general, and Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs). The API aims to provide the tools needed to professionalize the public sector accountancy workforce across Africa. 

Lee White, IFAC Chief Executive Officer said: “This grant, with the implementation support of our partner PAFA, will allow us to continue to address the shortage of qualified professionals in the public sector by developing and implementing comprehensive and sustainable training programs that build technical expertise, ethical standards, and leadership skills. Professionals with this background contribute to better PFM and they’re leaders in the fight against corruption on the continent.” 

Alta Prinsloo, PAFA Chief Executive Officer said: “The success of our initiatives in Burkina Faso and Ghana demonstrates the impact that can be achieved when local leadership, a strong continental partner like PAFA, and a global body like IFAC work together. With support from the Global Fund, we are well positioned to expand this collaborative model to Tanzania and Togo – strengthening PFM and ultimately creating sustainable value for the citizens of Africa.” 

Adda Faye, Chief Financial Officer at the Global Fund said: “The Global Fund invests in strategic partnerships with organizations such as IFAC and PAFA to help countries strengthen their public health systems, making them more transparent, efficient, and self-sustaining. These investments not only enhance the impact of health outcomes but also contribute to the development of resilient and sustainable health systems. Our partnership is a demonstration of the Global Fund’s commitment to aid effectiveness and long-term sustainability of our programs. We are proud to continue our collaboration with IFAC and PAFA in driving progress—supporting countries in strengthening public financial management through well-equipped and capable human resources.” 

The expanded program will focus on strengthening national PAOs in Tanzania and Togo, embedding professional learning programs, and enabling public sector institutions to recruit and retain qualified professionals who can lead on integrity, performance, and good governance. 

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 PAFA 

PAFA is an IFAC Network Partner and Regional Organization, representing the accountancy profession in Africa. PAFA has 57 member organizations in 47 countries in Africa and five international affiliates. PAFA’s vision is sustainable value creation for the citizens of Africa. This is achieved by strengthening the capacity and influence of the accountancy profession to enhance trade, the quality of services, and trust in institutions. 

About the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria 

The Global Fund is a worldwide partnership to defeat HIV, TB and malaria and ensure a healthier, safer, more equitable future for all. We raise and invest more than US$4 billion a year to fight the deadliest infectious diseases, challenge the injustice which fuels them and strengthen health systems in more than 100 of the hardest hit countries. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have invested an additional US$4.3 billion to fight the new pandemic and reinforce systems for health. We unite world leaders, communities, civil society, health workers and the private sector to find solutions that have the most impact, and we take them to scale worldwide. Since 2002, the Global Fund partnership has saved 50 million lives. 

This edition of The State of Play marks five years of benchmarking data and corresponding analysis. Our analysis reveals that almost three in four of the largest global companies sought assurance over some aspects of their sustainability disclosures.

The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) and the Pan African Federation of Accountants (PAFA) today reaffirmed their strategic partnership, committing to amplify their collective impact, deliver greater value for their members, and support Africa’s economic transformation and growth. 

IFAC and PAFA’s collaboration will be spotlighted at ACOA 2025, which is being hosted by the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Rwanda (ICPAR) in association with PAFA.  At the Congress, which is being held in Kigali, IFAC will co-host an Expert Forum with the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) in collaboration with PAFA and the African Organisation of English-speaking Supreme Audit Institutions (AFROSAI-E). The purpose is to deepen discussions and explore successful public sector accountancy professionalization initiatives. 

Alta Prinsloo, Chief Executive Officer of PAFA, said: “IFAC has been a key partner in PAFA’s journey from its establishment to today, supporting our efforts to strengthen Africa’s accountancy profession and amplify its contribution to sustainable development. Our collaboration reflects a shared commitment to building a profession that meets Africa’s needs and global expectations, and to ensuring Africa’s voice helps shape the future of accountancy. Together, we are deepening the profession’s impact across the continent and globally.” 

Attending PAFA’s Board Meeting today, Lee White, IFAC Chief Executive Officer, said: “Our deepened collaboration with PAFA will enable our two organizations to optimize resources and ensure consistency in global messaging to help our profession speak with one recognized and trusted voice for the benefit of all our members. Separately, in times of turbulent international relations and economic uncertainty such as we are experiencing today, the value of and need for a global profession is especially recognized. A strong accountancy profession remains a harbour of stability and an imperative for all economies globally.” 

PAFA continues to mirror IFAC’s strategic priorities, aligning Africa’s accountancy profession with global trends and priorities while addressing the continent’s unique needs and opportunities. By amplifying Africa's voice, advancing international standards, and building a future-ready profession, PAFA is ensuring that Africa’s accountancy profession can contribute meaningfully to the global agenda and deliver value at scale. 

IFAC and PAFA’s joint publication, The Accountancy Profession Enabling Africa’s Transformation, highlights the pivotal role of the accountancy profession in advancing sustainable economic growth and societal progress across the continent. 

Keeping momentum strong, IFAC, PAFA, and the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) will co-host IFAC Connect™ in Nairobi, Kenya in August 2025. IFAC Connect is a global event series that brings together leaders of the accountancy profession, investors, regulators and other key stakeholder to tailor global solutions for regional realities. 

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 PAFA 

PAFA is an IFAC Network Partner and Regional Organization, representing the accountancy profession in Africa. PAFA has 57 member organizations in 47 countries in Africa and five international affiliates. PAFA’s vision is sustainable value creation for the citizens of Africa. This is achieved by strengthening the capacity and influence of the accountancy profession to enhance trade, the quality of services, and trust in institutions. 

The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), hosted by the Japanese Institute of Certified Public Accountants (JICPA), convened the IFAC Professional Accountants in Business (PAIB) Advisory Group meeting in Tokyo, Japan this week. The meeting brought together leading finance professionals, industry experts, and global standard-setters to discuss the most pressing issues facing PAIBs, including chief financial officers and finance functions, boards and their audit committees, and their role in shaping the future of corporate governance, sustainability, and risk management. 

As an integral part of IFAC’s commitment to supporting its member organizations and the global accountancy profession, this meeting reinforced the value that IFAC delivers to its members through thought leadership, knowledge sharing, and advocacy, helping IFAC shape the future of the profession, ensuring it remains globally connected, enabling strong and sustainable financial markets and economies. 

The two-day event explored a range of critical topics, including: 

• The impact of global geopolitical and economic trends on business and finance professionals; 
• Advancing corporate and sustainability disclosures to meet investor expectations; 
• Strategies for enhancing integrated thinking and governance for business transformation and resilience;
• Innovating in enterprise risk management to enhance decision-making and risk reporting; and
• Growing the profession by attracting and retaining top talent. 

Sessions featured distinguished speakers from international organizations, including the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), and leading financial institutions and companies. The discussions provided valuable insights into how accountants can navigate an increasingly complex global environment and deliver long-term value for their organizations. 

Lee White, Chief Executive Officer, IFAC, said: “Our member value focuses on supporting our members with contemporary resources, tools and insights. Our members use these resources to help their members, professional accountants in business and the public sector navigate developments and best practices to shape the future of the profession and our contribution to society. The IFAC PAIB Advisory Group plays a vital role in leading and developing our work with the evolving global needs of professional accountants in business for stronger economic prosperity for all.” 

Tetsuya Mogi, Chairman and President of JICPA, stated: “JICPA was honored to host this important meeting, which brought together global PAIB leaders to bring a united voice to the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of our profession. As the role of accountants in business continues to evolve, collaboration through IFAC’s advisory groups ensures that we can collectively enhance governance, reporting, and strategic decision-making to create a more sustainable and resilient economy.” 

Sanjay Rughani, Chair of the IFAC PAIB Advisory Group, said: “This meeting provided an invaluable forum for PAIBs to collaborate, share insights, and drive meaningful change. Our global collaboration and collective voice provide insights on innovating sustainability, governance, and risk management practices to drive business transformation and accountability. As finance professionals, we must lead the way in fostering long-term value creation and resilience in the organizations we serve.” 

The outcomes of this meeting will inform IFAC’s ongoing efforts to support PAIBs worldwide and strengthen the profession’s ability to respond to the mega trends reshaping global business priorities.  

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 JICPA 
The Japanese Institute of Certified Public Accountants (JICPA) is the professional accounting body in Japan, committed to upholding the highest standards of professional excellence and ethics. JICPA plays a critical role in ensuring the integrity and transparency of financial reporting and corporate governance in Japan. 

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.

IES 2, 3, and 4 have been revised to embed sustainability throughout aspiring professional accountants' training. These updates reinforce the accountancy profession’s role in supporting high-quality sustainability reporting and assurance while upholding integrity and professional quality.

The revisions to IES 6, Formal Assessment of Professional Competence, reflect global changes, modernizing and clarifying the standard to ensure its relevance and longevity.

The revisions to IES 6, Formal Assessment of Professional Competence, reflect global changes, modernizing and clarifying the standard to ensure its relevance and longevity. This fact sheet provides an overview of these changes.

As demand for sustainability-related disclosures increases globally, the accountancy profession must ensure that all professional accountants are able to meet these evolving expectations. IFAC has revised the International Education Standards to embed sustainability—spanning analysis, reporting, and assurance—across aspiring professional accountants’ training. This fact sheet provides an overview of the revisions to IES 2, 3, and 4 addressing initial professional development.