Expected publication Date: 2026-09-01

Expected publication Date: 2026-07-31

The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) has launched a public consultation survey as part of its post-implementation review of International Standard on Auditing (ISA) 540 (Revised), Auditing Accounting Estimates and Related Disclosures.

ISA 540 (Revised) established more robust requirements and appropriately detailed guidance to foster audit quality by driving auditors to perform appropriate procedures in relation to accounting estimates and related disclosures. The standard was effective for audits of financial statements for periods beginning on or after December 15, 2019.

This survey seeks input from a broad range of stakeholders and includes questions tailored to differing perspectives and experiences of various stakeholder groups. Survey feedback will help the IAASB assess whether:

• ISA 540 (Revised) has achieved its intended objective, including improvements or benefits arising from its application, as well as any practical challenges or questions encountered; and
• Any further actions by the IAASB are needed to address matters identified.

The survey focuses on three principal areas:

• Overall views on ISA 540 (Revised), including related to non-authoritative guidance and tools that were issued to support implementation of the standard;
• Perceived benefits resulting from implementation of the revised standard; and
• Potential issues, challenges, or impacts experienced or observed relating to ISA 540 (Revised).

Stakeholders may respond to all questions or only those most relevant to their perspectives. All responses will form part of the public record. The survey is open until June 15, 2026, and can be accessed online here.

About the IAASB
The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board develops auditing, assurance, related services, and quality management standards and guidance in the public interest that support consistent performance of quality engagements. Along with the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants, the IAASB is part of the International Foundation for Ethics and Audit. The Public Interest Oversight Board oversees IAASB and IESBA activities and the public interest responsiveness of the standards. For copyright, trademark, and permissions information, please visit Permissions.

The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) today published a summary of feedback from its global Technology Quality Management roundtables, which explored how emerging technologies—including artificial intelligence—are affecting audit and assurance engagements and the application of the IAASB’s quality management standards.

The roundtables, held in the second half of 2025, brought together more than 240 stakeholders from six continents, including auditors, regulators, standard setters, firms, and technology specialists. Discussions focused on current and emerging uses of technology in audit and assurance, related governance and risk management challenges, and stakeholder expectations for maintaining trust and consistency in the use of emerging technological tools, including AI-enabled tools in engagements. This starts with robust quality management of such tools.

“At a time when the use of AI in audit and assurance is expanding rapidly, stakeholders told us clearly that global consistency and practical clarity matter,” said Tom Seidenstein, IAASB Chair. “The roundtable feedback confirms that our quality management standards remain robust and principles-based, while highlighting areas where additional non-authoritative guidance could support consistent application as technologies continue to evolve.”

Participants broadly agreed that the IAASB’s quality management standards—particularly International Standard on Quality Management (ISQM) 1 and International Standard on Auditing (ISA) 220 (Revised)—provide a strong foundation for managing technology-related risks. At the same time, stakeholders noted that the IAASB could assist by developing additional practical guidance to help address challenges associated with emerging technologies.

The IAASB will use the roundtable feedback, along with other stakeholder feedback, to inform its future work on Technology Quality Management. In December 2025, the IAASB approved the development of non-authoritative material. At its March meeting, the IAASB will discuss a proposed action plan that includes the objective and scope of the initiative, identification of possible themes or topics to be addressed, the proposed development process and coordination with the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) and other organizations.

The summary report, Technology Quality Management Roundtables: Outcomes and Next Steps, is available on the IAASB website.

More information about the Technology Quality Management initiative, including ongoing updates, is available on the IAASB’s project web page.

About the IAASB
The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board develops auditing, assurance, related services, and quality management standards and guidance in the public interest that support consistent performance of quality engagements. Along with the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants, the IAASB is part of the International Foundation for Ethics and Audit. The Public Interest Oversight Board oversees IAASB and IESBA activities and the public interest responsiveness of the standards. For copyright, trademark, and permissions information, please visit Permissions.

This feedback summary shares the results of the IAASB’s global Technology Quality Management roundtables, which explored how emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, are affecting audit and assurance engagements and the application of the IAASB’s quality management standards.

Expected publication Date: 2026-02-02

• Launches the strategic planning process for both boards’ next strategies and work plans
• Reflects deepened IESBA-IAASB coordination through a single, streamlined consultation that reduces stakeholder burden
• Announces a coordinated 2026 consultation calendar to support effective and meaningful engagement

The International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) and the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) today launched a joint global stakeholder survey, marking the beginning of work toward their respective Strategies and Work Plans (SWPs) for 2028–2031—a period of expected significant change in the global audit, assurance and ethics landscape.

The joint survey represents the first step in the boards’ strategic planning process and will help inform the development of their respective Consultation Papers, targeted for approval at the end of 2026. By launching a single, coordinated survey, IESBA and IAASB are reinforcing their close collaboration while streamlining engagement and reducing duplication for stakeholders, who are invited to contribute to one  rather than parallel surveys.

The survey seeks input from a broad and diverse range of stakeholders, reflecting the global reach and public interest role of both boards. Responses will help the boards better understand how the environment for audit, assurance, ethics, and independence is evolving, and how the public interest can best be served in a rapidly changing global reporting ecosystem.

“As the global audit, assurance, and ethics landscape continues to evolve, it is essential that our strategies are informed by diverse stakeholder perspectives,” said Gabriela Figueiredo Dias and Tom Seidenstein, Chairs of the IESBA and IAASB, respectively. “This joint survey reflects our shared commitment to listening carefully, coordinating closely, and ensuring our work continues to serve the public interest in a rapidly changing environment.”

The survey focuses on three principal areas:

• Strategic positioning for 2028–2031, including how the boards should assess success by the end of the next strategy period;
• Key environmental trends shaping the future of audit, assurance, ethics, and independence, such as digital transformation, geopolitical and regulatory developments, sustainability expectations, and evolving business models of accounting firms; and
• Opportunities for joint or parallel action, where closer coordination between IESBA and IAASB could enhance impact and effectiveness.

Stakeholders may respond to all questions or only those most relevant to their perspectives. All responses will form part of the public record and will be published on the boards’ websites in accordance with their due process.

The survey is open until May 15 and can be accessed online here.

Reducing Consultation Fatigue through Coordination

The joint survey also reflects a deliberate effort by IESBA and IAASB to coordinate their consultation activities, particularly during 2026, a year expected to include a significant volume of consultations.

While the boards often consult similar stakeholder groups, they recognize that individuals within those groups may respond to either ethics-focused consultations or audit and assurance-focused consultations, notwithstanding that some issues or topics may be of common relevance to both boards. Through careful planning, including staggering consultation timelines, the boards aim to avoid multiple consultations closing at the same time, supporting more effective participation and higher-quality feedback.

Anticipated 2026 IESBA and IAASB Public Consultations

Joint

• Joint SWP Stakeholder Survey, January 21–May 15

IESBA

• Role of CFOs Survey, February 2–April 24
• Post-Implementation Review of the Restructured Code Survey, April 1–July 3
• Post-Implementation Review of the Provisions on Responding to Non-Compliance with Laws and Regulations (NOCLAR) Survey, April 1–July 30

IAASB

• Post-Implementation Review of ISA 540 (Revised) Survey, February 17–June 15
• Exposure Draft for Proposed ISRE 2410 (Revised), Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity, May 6–September 3
• Exposure Draft for the Maintenance of the ISA for Less Complex Entities, July 16–October 29
• Exposure Draft for Proposed Revisions to ISA 330, The Auditor’s Responses to Assessed Risks, ISA 500, Audit Evidence, and ISA 520, Analytical Procedures, July 28–December 15

About IAASB and IESBA
The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board^© and the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants^© are part of the International Foundation for Ethics and Audit (IFEA) ^©, a nonprofit organization that supports high-quality, international ethics, audit, and assurance standards in the public interest. The IAASB and IESBA develop and issue their standards independently and in accordance with an approved due process and the Public Interest Framework, overseen by the Public Interest Oversight Board.

The IAASB develops auditing, assurance, related services, and quality management standards and guidance in the public interest that support consistent performance of quality engagements.

The IESBA is an independent global standard-setting board. The IESBA’s mission is to serve the public interest by setting high-quality, international ethics (including independence) standards as a cornerstone to ethical behavior in business and organizations, and to public trust in financial and non-financial information that is fundamental to the proper functioning and sustainability of organizations, financial markets and economies worldwide.

The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) is pleased to welcome James Ferris following his appointment by the Public Interest Oversight Board (PIOB) in November 2025.

Mr. Ferris is Director of Audit Policy at the UK Financial Reporting Council and served as the Chair of the International Forum of Independent Audit Regulators (IFIAR) Standards Coordination Working Group until December 2025. He has been appointed for a three-year term.

“I am honored to join the IAASB at a time of significant change for the global audit and assurance profession,” said Mr. Ferris. “I look forward to contributing to the IAASB’s work in strengthening high-quality international standards and supporting trust and confidence in audit and assurance in the public interest.”

The IAASB also congratulates current member Greg Schollum on his re-appointment for a three-year term. Greg is the former Deputy Controller and Auditor-General of New Zealand. His career includes serving as a member of the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board, the New Zealand Accounting Standards Board, and the Financial Reporting Standards Board of the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants (now Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand).

In addition to welcoming Mr. Ferris and congratulating Mr. Schollum, the IAASB also welcomes the appointment of Edo Kienhuis as its new Vice-Chair for a one-year term. Mr. Kienhuis is a Partner in the PwC Audit and Assurance practice in Amsterdam and a member of the Dutch firm’s National Office. He has been a member of the IAASB since January 2021.

The PIOB’s invitation for application for terms of service beginning in January 2027 is expected to open in March 2026. The IAASB encourages qualified candidates to apply.

About the IAAS
The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board develops auditing, assurance, related services, and quality management standards and guidance in the public interest that support consistent performance of quality engagements. Along with the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants, the IAASB is part of the International Foundation for Ethics and Audit. The Public Interest Oversight Board oversees IAASB and IESBA activities and the public interest responsiveness of the standards. For copyright, trademark, and permissions information, please visit Permissions.