As a global systemic risk, climate change has become a focal point for corporate sustainability disclosure. Getting to Net Zero: A Global Review of Corporate Disclosures analyzes disclosure trends in emissions reduction targets and transition plans of the 40 largest exchange-listed companies in 15 jurisdictions, for a total of 600 companies. The jurisdictions include G7 countries and 8 non-G7 countries for the 2020 reporting year.
With the emergence of widespread economic and political uncertainty in 2022 in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, IFAC highlights the interconnection between global cooperation, the sustainability agenda, the need for strong public financial management (PFM) and the fight against corruption. IFAC’s 2022 G20 Call to Action builds off the four priorities from IFAC’s 2020 G20 Call to Action and the two key actions set out in 2021 to emphasize that we cannot make progress on any of these issues in isolation.
“Tremendous interconnectivity is required if we are to make any significant progress toward achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. This is not just within the accountancy profession, but also between the profession and other UN SDG stakeholders. We commend the efforts of the G20, and also call on G20 leaders to do even more,” said CEO Kevin Dancey.
“At the same time, the accountancy profession will continue to deploy its unique skills and competencies to support strong and sustainable public and private sector organizations, and strong and sustainable financial markets and economies. This is our public interest mandate.”
IFAC’s 2022 Call to Action and its focus on sustainability-related reporting standards, public financial management, and anti-corruption aligns with IFAC’s IMPACT approach. Introduced earlier this year, the IMPACT approach identifies the most important issues currently facing the accountancy profession, private & public organizations, and global financial markets & economies, and provides a framework for the profession to be able to work together to help drive constructive change. The IMPACT approach is a guide for where the accountancy profession should be headed, and a tool for increased collaboration and cohesion within the profession.
To strengthen global economies, societies, and the environment, and to continue to address challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, IFAC calls on G20 leaders to:
1. Make Sustainability a Reality, Not Just a Goal
Support the IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards
Implement policies for an inclusive transition
Balance climate with broader ESG and reporting
Recognize the role of professional accountants in developing decision-useful sustainability information
2. Support Public Financial Management and Fight Corruption
Support professionalization in the public sector and adoption of IPSAS
Implement crucial multilateral commitments against corruption and related issues
Look to the global accountancy profession as central partners
3. Work Together for Collective Prosperity
Minimize regulatory fragmentation to drive economic growth
Understand the importance of global public health and its interplay with PFM
Resolve global conflicts and focus on long-term issues
About IFAC IFAC is the global organization for the accountancy profession dedicated to serving the public interest by strengthening the profession and contributing to the development of strong international economies. IFAC is comprised of 180 members and associates in 135 countries and jurisdictions, representing more than 3 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.
Sustainability-Related Reporting Standards, Public Finance Management, Fighting Corruption, and Collaboration All Crucial to Achieving Sustainable Development Goals.
Today, the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) released the first installment in a three-part publication series to help small- and medium-sized practices implement the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board’s (IAASB) new quality management standards. The IAASB’s suite of quality management standards were issued in December 2020 and come into effect on December 15, 2022.
Installment One: It is time to get ready for the new quality management standards addresses the mindset change the new standards require and the shift in focus from quality control to quality management. It also includes developing a project implementation plan, an introduction to quality objectives, the risk assessment process, and assigning roles and responsibilities. Helpful meeting agenda templates practitioners can use with their colleagues are also included.
The three-part series will provide tips and guidance for practical implementation of the IAASB’s standards. Installment two will focus on developing a detailed implementation plan and installment three will address monitoring and remediation. Installment One joins IFAC’s collection of available resources that support quality management implementation, including webinars, articles and videos, as well as the IAASB first-time implementation guides, all of which are available at ifac.org/qualitymanagement.
IFAC acknowledges and appreciates feedback from IFAC’s Small and Medium Practices Advisory Group and Forum of Firms representatives in the development of the series.
About IFAC IFAC is the global organization for the accountancy profession dedicated to serving the public interest by strengthening the profession and contributing to the development of strong international economies. IFAC is comprised of 180 members and associates in 135 jurisdictions, representing more than 3 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.
It is time to get ready for the new quality management standards
This is the first installment in a three-part publication series to help small- and medium-sized practices implement the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board’s new quality management standards. The IAASB’s suite of quality management standards were issued in December 2020 and come into effect on December 15, 2022.
With the emergence of widespread economic and political uncertainty in 2022 in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, IFAC highlights the interconnection between global cooperation, the sustainability agenda, the need for strong public financial management and the fight against corruption in this new G20 Call to Action.
Workshop series focused on IFAC member requirements
Beginning in October 2021, the ASEAN Federation of Accountants (AFA) hosted a series of seven monthly workshops focusing on IFAC’s requirements for member organizations, the Statements of Membership Obligations (SMOs). The last workshop was held in May 2022.
The SMPAG supports the IAASB approach to undertake the project on listed entity and PIE as two tracks with the ED focused on narrow scope amendments to ISA 700 (Revised) and ISA 260 (Revised) to support operationalizing the IESBA transparency requirement with an effective data that aligns with the revisions to the IESBA Code, followed by a separate track dealing with other issues that would have a later effective date.
In late 2020, the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) issued three new and revised quality management standards. The standards strengthen and modernize how a firm of any size or level of complexity approaches quality management. This document provides links to IFAC and IAASB materials that can help firms implement the new standards.
IFAC and A4S hosted their Climate Week NYC event Finance Leaders Plugging the Net-Zero Information Gap: Exploring the critical role of CFOs and finance teams in the climate transition two weeks ago. The event brought together finance and accounting leaders to better understand how they're enabling their organization’s decarbonization strategies and transition planning and what obstacles they’re facing.
“The task to decarbonizeeconomies is no mean feat,” said Kevin Dancey, IFAC CEO. “The quality of sustainability-related data and reporting processes must be improved to meet the demands of investors, regulators, and policy makers and the urgency of the climate crisis itself. Leveraging the skills of professional accountants to identify risks and opportunities and enhance climate-related information is an essential starting point.”
IFAC is the global organization for the accountancy profession dedicated to serving the public interest by strengthening the profession and contributing to the development of strong international economies. IFAC is comprised of 180 members and associates in 135 jurisdictions, representing more than 3 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.
