Today, IFAC submitted a response to the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) Public Consultation on Financial Inclusion.  The Consultation proposes targeted changes to the FATF Recommendations—which establish the global framework for anti-money laundering (AML) and counter terrorist financing (CFT)—to support financial inclusion by minimizing “ove

The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) welcomes the International Audit and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) publishing its International Standard on Sustainability Assurance (ISSA) 5000. The International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) has also issued its public statement of support. 

Lee White, IFAC Chief Executive Officer, said “In recent years there has been a significant transformation with the reporting of sustainability-related information. Assurance plays an essential role in ensuring the quality, comparability, and trustworthiness of this information, as it does with financial information. IOSCO has shown proactive leadership in the development of the sustainability transformation journey, and its support for the work of the IAASB on ISSA 5000 is another important step.” 

As a profession-agnostic standard, ISSA 5000 is available for use by practitioners outside of the accountancy profession.  If non-professional accountants assert to using ISSA 5000 for assurance, it is absolutely critical for investor and consumer protection that such providers are held by jurisdictional regulators to the same regulatory oversight and requirements that apply to professional accountants.

Mr. White continued, “IFAC’s professional accountancy member organizations around the globe, which represent millions of individual accountants, are champions of integrity and quality.  Our profession is united by a deep commitment to work with regulators, practitioners, and organizations globally to facilitate smooth and timely implementation of international standards, such as ISSA 5000, in order to serve the public interest need.”

IFAC has developed a high-level overview to help stakeholders – preparers, auditors, and investors – anticipate what to expect from sustainability assurance, especially in its early days.

For more information, and/or to be invited to future IFAC webinars or events on sustainability, please contact Communications@IFAC.org.

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 global search for volunteer members to serve on the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB) is underway. The IPSASB is an independent standard-setting body that works to strengthen public financial management globally through developing and maintaining accrual-based International Public Sector Accounting Standards® (IPSAS®), IPSASB Sustainability Reporting Standards™ (IPSASB SRS™), and other high-quality reporting guidance for use by governments and other public sector entities.

The Nominating Committee is seeking nominations from a wide range of relevant backgrounds, including:

• Public sector standard setters
• Preparers of accrual-based financial statements and/or public sector sustainability reports who may come from Ministries of Finance, Accountants Generals’ Departments, or other institutions
• Users of general-purpose financial reports, such as parliamentarians, budget offices, and credit-rating agencies
• Public sector external auditors
• Candidates from jurisdictions that are transitioning to or have already implemented IPSAS

Candidates should have relevant experience, potentially including a strong knowledge of issues related to financial and sustainability reporting, reporting standard-setting experience, direct experience with public financial reforms, and / or familiarity with the needs of financial statement users. Excellent English communication skills are required.

The initial term of service for these volunteers will be for three years, commencing on January 1, 2026, with the potential to renew for another three-year term.

All stakeholders, including from national, state, and local governments, national standard setters, IFAC member organizations, the Forum of Firms and their members from public accounting firms, other organizations, and members of the general public, are encouraged to nominate candidates or apply.

Nominations from all regions of the world are encouraged, with a particular emphasis on qualified candidates from Africa and Latin America (both Spanish and Portuguese-speaking countries) regions. Nominations of female candidates are strongly encouraged.

“IPSASB members have the unique opportunity to shape the future of public sector reporting and connect with colleagues from around the globe," said Ian Carruthers, IPSASB Chair. "As the IPSASB enters a new phase with an increased focus on the maintenance and application of the IPSAS suite of standards, along with the development of sustainability reporting standards, I strongly encourage jurisdictions that are using IPSAS, or actively transitioning to IPSAS, to nominate candidates.”

The deadline for submitting applications is January 31, 2025. Please see the Call for Nominations for more details and information on how to submit an application.

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®), IPSASB Sustainability Reporting Standards™ (IPSASB SRS™) and other high-quality financial reporting guidance for use by governments and other public sector entities. It also raises awareness of IPSAS and IPSASB SRS 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.