The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) has named Berry Wammes Chair of its Professional Accountancy Organization (PAO) Development Advisory Group, succeeding outgoing chair Jelena Misita. Wammes was nominated by IFAC member the Royal Netherlands Institute of Chartered Accountants (NBA) and appointed by the IFAC Board as recommended by the IFAC Nominating Committee.
The PAO Development Advisory Group is comprised of experts with decades of experience working with and for PAOs and developing their capacity. Its members serve as important strategic advisors and contributors, helping IFAC develop strong, sustainable PAOs around the world through knowledge sharing, collaboration, and resource development.
Other advisory groups to IFAC include the International Panel on Accountancy Education, chaired by Sinéad Donovan; the Professional Accountants in Business Advisory Group, chaired by Josephine Okui Ossiya; and the Small and Medium Practices Advisory Group, chaired by Helene Agélii.
Jean Bouquot, IFAC President, said: “The PAO Development Advisory Group helps us understand the opportunities and challenges facing PAOs in very different environments and strengthens our ability to respond to what our members need. Bold and effective leadership will be essential for the group's continued success. I am delighted to welcome Berry, with his extensive experience leading a PAO, building partnerships, and driving organizational change. I look forward to what the group will achieve with his leadership in the years to come.”
Jelena Misita said: “Berry brings extensive experience in PAO leadership and a strong commitment to collaboration and organizational development. I have seen firsthand the value of that collaborative spirit through my work with PAO Development Advisory Group, and it has been a privilege to work alongside colleagues across the profession who are deeply committed to advancing PAOs around the world. I am delighted to see Berry appointed as the group’s chair and confident that, under his leadership, the advisory group will continue to support PAOs in building their capacity and enhancing the value they create for their members and the communities they serve.”
Berry Wammes said: “For PAOs, the ability to learn quickly and proactively collaborate with stakeholders is key in today’s environment. The PAO Development Advisory Group brings together leaders with deep experience of the opportunities and challenges PAOs face in their own jurisdictions. I look forward to learning from their perspectives and experience, while helping create more opportunities for PAOs to learn from one another. Working together, we can turn that shared knowledge into practical support that reflects local contexts and strengthens the profession globally.”
Wammes’ three-year term as chair begins January 1, 2027.
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 with the Forum of Firms and other key stakeholders to shape the future of the profession through learning, innovation, a collective voice, and commitment to the public interest.
IFAC has submitted our response to the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board’s proposed revised International Standard on Review Engagements 2410, Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity’s Annual Financial Statements. The proposed revisions seek to modernize the standard and establish a more consistent global baseline for interim review engagements.
IFAC has submitted our response to the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) public consultation survey on the post-implementation review (PIR) of ISA 540 (Revised), Auditing Accounting Estimates and Related Disclosures.
IFAC has submitted our response to the joint stakeholder survey conducted by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) and the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) on their strategic priorities and work plans for 2028–31.
In our response, we underscore the importance of a coordinated, forward-looking approach to standard setting that responds to rapidly evolving business, reporting, and assurance environments.
The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), in collaboration with the Pan African Federation of Accountants (PAFA) and Ordre National des Experts Comptables (ONEC) Algeria, open IFAC Connect Africa 2026 tomorrow, a high-level gathering of leaders from across Africa and the global accountancy profession focused on advancing trust, accountability, and strong institutions.
IFAC Connect Africa will bring together representatives of professional accountancy organizations, regulators, standard setters, international organizations, government institutions, and business leaders to explore the profession's role in addressing some of the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing Africa and the world under the theme Trust, Accountability, and Strong Institutions: Africa and the Global Profession.
"Strong institutions are fundamental to sustainable economic development, public trust, and resilient societies," said Lee White, Chief Executive Officer of IFAC. "Across Africa, professional accountancy organizations, regulators, standard setters, and regional institutions are advancing important work to strengthen accountability and transparency. By convening these voices, IFAC Connect creates opportunities to learn from one another, strengthen partnerships, and accelerate progress on issues that matter to the profession, policymakers, and the public."
Bridging perspectives on the role of strong institutions in supporting sustainable growth and public confidence, the event will open with remarks from IFAC President Jean Bouquot, PAFA President Walid Ben Salah, and Pr. Mayatta Ndiaye MBAYE, Permanent Secretary of Organization for the Harmonization of Business Law in Africa (OHADA), alongside senior representatives from the Government of Algeria. The program will also feature speakers and experts from the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board, the IFRS Foundation, the Public Interest Oversight Board, the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board, the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants, the African Development Bank, and professional accountancy organizations from across Africa.
The International Federation of Francophone Accountants (Federation Internationale des Experts-Comptables Francophone, or FIDEF) and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) will participate, reflecting the depth of collaboration across the accountancy profession and regional institutions.
IFAC, PAFA, FIDEF, and OHADA will sign a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening coordination, cooperation, and knowledge sharing in support of high-quality financial reporting, auditing, professional standards, and capacity development across Africa and the Francophone world.
“IFAC Connect Africa reflects the growing influence and leadership of the African profession in shaping global conversations on accountability, governance, reporting, and trust," said Walid Ben Salah, President of PAFA. "By bringing together diverse voices from across the continent and beyond, we can identify practical actions that strengthen institutions and support sustainable development."
"Africa has an important role to play in shaping the future of the global accountancy profession," said Abdelkrim Bouhouche, President of ONEC Algeria. "By hosting IFAC Connect Africa, we are creating a platform for meaningful dialogue on trust, accountability, and institutional strength while showcasing the expertise, innovation, and leadership that exist across the continent. We are proud to welcome participants from Africa and around the world to Algeria for these important discussions."
IFAC Connect Africa 2026 will conclude with a collaborative discussion on priorities for the profession over the next three to five years and opportunities for continued partnership between IFAC, PAFA, and African institutions.
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
The Pan African Federation of Accountants (PAFA) is the continental body for the accountancy profession in Africa and an IFAC Network Partner – Regional Organization. Representing 57 professional accountancy organizations in 47 African countries, PAFA works to strengthen the capacity and influence of the accountancy profession in Africa to enhance trade, the quality of services, and trust in institutions.
About ONEC Algeria
The Ordre National des Experts Comptables (ONEC) is the professional accountancy organization representing chartered accountants in Algeria. ONEC promotes high professional standards, ethical conduct, and the advancement of the accountancy profession in support of the public interest.
Strengthening PAOs Through Early-Career Professional Engagement
Early-career professionals are the future of the accounting profession. Yet too many feel disconnected from the very organizations that should be championing their development. For professional accountancy organizations (PAOs), this is not just a missed opportunity. It is a strategic risk to the leadership, relevance, and member commitment they depend on.
The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) today opens IFAC Connect LATAM 2026 in Buenos Aires, Argentina bringing together regulators, standard setters, investors, business leaders, and professional accountancy organizations from across the globe and Latin America to strengthen trust, transparency, and resilience in the region’s economic and reporting ecosystem.
Amid geopolitical fragmentation, IFAC convenes these leaders to collaborate across jurisdictions and sectors to strengthen the profession, advance high-quality global standards, respond to risks and opportunities in emerging areas like AI, and drive long-term economic growth through local action.
The two-day event is held in collaboration with the Asociación Interamericana de Contabilidad (AIC) and IFAC member Federación Argentina de Consejos Profesionales de Ciencias Económicas (FACPCE).
Lee White, IFAC Chief Executive Officer, said:
“For an international organization like us, global impact depends on the strength, insights, and leadership of our regions. IFAC Connect LATAM is an important opportunity to listen closely to our members and stakeholders, understand the priorities shaping the profession across Latin America, and work together to mobilize the accountancy profession in support of trust, transparency, and sustainable economic growth. By connecting regional perspectives with global priorities, we can ensure the profession remains relevant, responsive, and united in serving the public interest.”
A major focus of the event is strengthening Latin America’s voice, coordination, and influence within the global reporting ecosystem.
Silvia Giordano, IFAC Board Member, said:
“Latin America is navigating significant economic and institutional transformation, and the accountancy profession plays a critical role in supporting integrity, governance, and long-term resilience during this period of change. I am especially proud that Argentina is hosting IFAC Connect LATAM in Buenos Aires, bringing together regional and global leaders to strengthen cooperation and advance solutions that serve the public interest.”
Jose Simonella, FACPCE President, said:
“By bringing together leaders from across the region and the international community, IFAC Connect strengthens dialogue, cooperation, and the profession’s ability to support resilient economies, trusted institutions, and sustainable growth.”
Nelson Hahn, AIC President, said:
“This gathering reflects the strength of regional collaboration and the profession’s shared commitment to advancing high-quality standards and professional excellence across Latin America. Through continued cooperation among jurisdictions and institutions, the profession is helping build stronger economies, more transparent organizations, and greater public trust.”
IFAC Connect LATAM 2026 is part of the ongoing IFAC Connect series launched in 2024, which brings together global and regional leaders to address the most pressing issues shaping the future of the profession in the public interest. The next IFAC Connect will be held in Algiers, Algeria in June.
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 AIC
The Inter-American Accounting Association (AIC) is a non-profit civil organization, established in 1949 with the primary objective of uniting accountants throughout the Americas, undertaking the commitment to represent them within the hemisphere, and promoting the continuous enhancement of their professional quality, knowledge, and social responsibilities.
About FACPCE
The Federación Argentina de Consejos Profesionales de Ciencias Económicas (FACPCE) represents Argentina’s provincial professional councils in economic sciences and supports the development of the accountancy profession through professional excellence, ethical conduct, high-quality standards, and contributions to transparent and sustainable economic development.
Good governance ensures that public sector entities define and achieve their intended outcomes while acting in the public interest at all times. It enables them to serve with integrity, transparency, and accountability, building trust in public institutions and reducing the risk of fraud and corruption. Grounded in clear values, proportionate controls, and respect for the rule of law, good governance supports inclusive engagement, informed decisions, and the efficient and effective use of public resources.
The 2026 Edition updates the original 2014 Framework to reflect developments over the past decade and ensure its continued relevance in today’s environment, including progress in sustainability reporting. The Framework remains principles-based and structured around seven high-level, interrelated principles for good governance, designed to apply to all entities in the public sector.
Lee White, IFAC Chief Executive Officer, said: “The Framework reaffirms that good governance enables public sector entities to deliver meaningful outcomes for current citizens while protecting the interests of future generations. By providing a globally recognized benchmark, it supports IFAC members in advancing high-quality practices and strengthening trust in public institutions worldwide."
Owen Mapley, CIPFA Chief Executive Officer, said: “The 2026 Edition maintains the Framework’s clear focus on principles, but presents them in a more concise, practical, and action-oriented format. It provides governments and public sector leaders with an adaptable and accessible tool to support improvement and accountability.”
Each of the seven principles is accompanied by a set of questions designed to prompt critical thinking and meaningful discussion among leadership teams. The Framework is intended as a diagnostic and developmental tool to support entities, reviewers, and advisors in assessing governance practices, identifying areas of strength, and planning improvements. It complements jurisdictional or sectoral governance codes, serving as a useful reference to those developing, updating, or reviewing such codes.
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
The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) is the professional body for people in public finance, promoting excellence in public financial management and governance worldwide.
