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.

For more information about CPA Canada, visit www.cpacanada.ca. 

Amid a rapidly changing world, the first digital native generation is entering the workforce. This joint report from ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) and IFAC (the International Federation of Accountants) draws upon the responses of 9,000+ 18-25 year olds to gain insights into how Generation Z’s top concerns may influence what they want from their careers, what attracts them to organizations, and their views on accountancy, business, and the impact of COVID-19.

A strong and well-governed professional accountancy organization (PAO) produces and sustains a strong accountancy profession that is able to serve the public interest and contribute to economic stability and growth. A successful PAO gains much of its strength from the sense of identity, benefits, and rights that members derive from membership; and from the contributions that individual members and firms make to the PAO in recognition of its public interest perspective.

• O programa final anunciado com o investimento de private equity nas firmas de auditoria e contabilidadee em destaque.
• As conferências principais contarão com Maria Luís Albuquerque (Comissária Europeia), Jean-Paul Servais (Presidente da IOSCO) e Joaquim Miranda Sarmento (Ministro de Estado e das Finanças de Portugal), acompanhados por mais de 20 líderes globais.
• Mais de 700 inscrições já foram confirmadas, representando 96 jurisdições em seis continentes, com mais de 250 participantes em Lisboa. As inscrições presenciais encontram-se encerradas, mas a participação virtual continua disponível.

O International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) anunciou hoje o programa final da sua Conferência inaugural de Ética e Independência, que terá lugar no dia 15 de setembro em Lisboa e online.

O programa ficou concluído com a confirmação dos oradores para o painel da tarde sobre o crescimento do investimento de Private Equity nas firmas de auditoria e contabilidade. O debate, moderado por Ken Siong, Diretor Sénior de Programas do IESBA, contará com Mark Babington, Diretor Executivo de Normas Regulatórias no UK Financial Reporting Council e Membro do Board do IESBA; Liam Boyle, Chief Risk Officer da Teneo; e Wendy Russel, Head of Audit da Grant Thornton UK.

Este será um dos seis debates temáticos que abordarão os principais desenvolvimentos que estão a moldar a profissão e os serviços financeiros. Entre estes incluem-se também os impactos das alterações regulatórias e da disrupção tecnológica e da inteligência artificial, cultura e governação nas empresas de auditoria e contabilidade, desenvolvimentos relacionados com a informação de sustentabilidade, ética em planeamento fiscal e o papel dos profissionais de contabilidade e auditoria no combate ao crime financeiro.

Os oradores principais incluem Maria Luís Albuquerque, Comissária Europeia para os Serviços Financeiros e para a União da Poupança e dos Investimentos, Jean-Paul Servais, Presidente da IOSCO, e Joaquim Miranda Sarmento, Ministro de Estado e das Finanças de Portugal. Juntam-se a um prestigiado painel com mais de 20 especialistas e líderes internacionais.

Mais de 700 participantes já se inscreveram, representando 96 jurisdições em seis continentes, com mais de 250 inscritos para assistir em Lisboa. Embora as inscrições presenciais estejam encerradas, a participação virtual permanece disponível.

O programa completo e os detalhes de inscrição podem ser consultados em www.ethicsboard.org/iesba-conference-2025.

Num momento em que a pressão regulatória evolui e a inovação acelera, a conferência oferece uma oportunidade para explorar o papel das práticas éticas e regras de independência  no reforço da competitividade, resiliência e confiança dos cidadãos e investidores nos setores da contabilidade e auditoria, nos mercados financeiros e na economia.

Esta  é a primeira conferência internacional dedicada à ética e à independência em serviços financeiros organizada pelo IESBA, refletindo o compromisso do Board com a promoção do diálogo com os seus stakeholders a nível internacional. Igualmente, visa contribuir para a adoção dos seus standards, consagrados no seu código internacional de ética de independência — um benchmark já adotado, utilizado ou usado como referência em mais de 130 jurisdições em todo o mundo.

A Conferência IESBA 2025 marca também o início da reunião do board do IESBA de setembro, que terá lugar em Lisboa, no campus do ISEG – Lisbon School of Economics and Management.

O evento conta com o apoio generoso do ISEG – Lisbon School of Economics and Management, bem como das duas organizações profissionais portuguesas do setor: a OCC – Ordem dos Contabilistas Certificados e a OROC – Ordem dos Revisores Oficiais de Contas.

Estes apoios são críticos para permitir a realização da conferência em Lisboa, evidenciando a associação destas organizações ao propósito desta iniciativa do IESBA de dinamização do diálogo internacional, ao mais alto nível, sobre temas de grande atualidade para o setor da contabilidade e auditoria, os mercados financeiros e a economia.

Sobre o IESBA

O International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) é um organismo independente de definição de normas internacionais. A sua missão é servir o interesse público através da definição de standards éticos internacionais de elevada qualidade (incluindo normas sobre independência), como base para o comportamento ético nos negócios e nas organizações, e para a confiança pública na informação financeira e não financeira — essencial ao funcionamento e sustentabilidade das organizações, dos mercados financeiros e das economias a nível global.

Juntamente com o International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB), o IESBA integra a International Foundation for Ethics and Audit (IFEA). As atividades do IESBA e do IAASB, bem como a adequação dos seus standards ao interesse público, são supervisionadas pelo Public Interest Oversight Board (PIOB).

Contactos para a Imprensa:

Rui Peres Jorge 

Director de Comunicação Estratégica 

International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) 

ruiperesjorge@ethicsboard.org | Directo: +351 966-301-383

David Johnson 

Assessor Sénior de Comunicação

IESBA Communications

davidjohnson@ethicsboard.org | Directo: +1 (212) 471-8732

Rita Dimas

Consultora de Comunicação

Dédalo

ritadimas@dedalo.pt| Directo: +351 937-675-656

• Final program announced with Private Equity in Accounting under the spotlight, alongside panels on regulatory shifts, market transparency, firm culture, technology & AI, and financial crime.
• Keynotes feature Maria Luís Albuquerque (European Commissioner), Jean-Paul Servais (IOSCO Chair), and Joaquim Miranda Sarmento (Portugal’s Finance Minister), joined by more than 20 global leaders.
• Over 700 registrants confirmed from nearly 96 jurisdictions across six continents, including more than 250 in Lisbon. In-person registration closed; virtual participation still open.

The International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) today unveiled the final program for its inaugural Ethics and Independence Conference, taking place on September 15 in Lisbon and online.

The program is complete, with the confirmation of speakers for the afternoon panel on the rise of private equity in accounting firms. The discussion, moderated by Ken Siong, IESBA Program and Senior Director, will feature Mark Babington, Executive Director of Regulatory Standards at the UK Financial Reporting Council and IESBA Board Member; Liam Boyle, Chief Risk Officer at Teneo; and Wendy Russel, Head of Audit at Grant Thornton UK.

This will be one of six targeted discussions covering key developments shaping the accounting services sector and financial markets. Panels will address regulatory shifts and their impact on accounting and capital markets, sustainability reporting, firm culture and governance, ethical tax planning, the accountant’s role in combatting financial crime, and the ethical implications of technological disruption and AI.

Keynote speakers include Maria Luís Albuquerque, European Commissioner for Financial Services and the Savings and Investments Union, Jean-Paul Servais, Chair of IOSCO, and Joaquim Miranda Sarmento, Portugal’s Minister of State and Finance. They join a distinguished line-up of more than 20 global experts and leaders.

More than 700 participants have registered, representing 96 jurisdictions across six continents, with over 250 registered to attend in Lisbon. While in-person registration is now closed, virtual participation remains available.

The full program and registration details can be found at www.ethicsboard.org/iesba-conference-2025.

As regulatory pressures intensify and innovation accelerates, the conference offers a timely platform to explore how ethics and independence can strengthen competitiveness, resilience, and public confidence in business, the accounting profession, and global financial markets.

This event marks IESBA’s first global conference on ethics and independence, reflecting the Board’s commitment to engaging with stakeholders worldwide and promoting the International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including International Independence Standards), a benchmark adopted or referenced in over 130 jurisdictions globally.

The conference also marks the beginning of the September 2025 IESBA Board Meeting, which will take place at the ISEG – Lisbon School of Economics and Management.

The event is made possible with the support of ISEG, as well as Portugal’s two professional accountancy organizations: OCC – Ordem dos Contabilistas Certificados and OROC – Ordem dos Revisores Oficiais de Contas.

Their support was critical to hosting the conference in Lisbon and reflects their alignment with IESBA’s mission to foster international dialogue on timely and pressing issues for the profession, financial markets, and the wider economy.

About IESBA

The International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (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.

Along with the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB), the IESBA is part of the International Foundation for Ethics and Audit (IFEA). The Public Interest Oversight Board (PIOB) oversees IESBA and IAASB activities and the public interest responsiveness of the standards.

Media Contacts:

Rui Peres Jorge

Director of Strategic Communications

International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA)

ruiperesjorge@ethicsboard.org | Direct: +351 966-301-383

David Johnson

Senior Manager

IESBA Communications

davidjohnson@ethicsboard.org | Direct: +1 (212) 471-8732

The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) is excited to announce that the World Congress of Accountants (WCOA) will be held November 17–20, 2026, in Seoul, South Korea. The Korean Institute of Certified Public Accountants (KICPA) and IFAC will serve as joint hosts, working closely to welcome professional accountants from around the world for the event.

Recognized as a preeminent event for the profession, WCOA brings together Professional Accountancy Organization (PAO) representatives from over 100 countries to strengthen the global accountancy community by sharing experiences, learning and deepening relationships across the profession.  

WCOA 2026 marks the launch of a new biennial format, wherein the event will be held every two years. All accountants, as well as interested members of the public, are invited to participate in WCOA virtually to hear about how the profession is positioning itself for the future. In-person participation will be invite-only and will bring together some of the most experienced and visionary leaders in our field. WCOA will continue to be scheduled alongside IFAC Council meetings.

In-person participants of WCOA 2026 will have the opportunity to join in plenary sessions, panel discussions, and hear from distinguished subject-matter experts. The event will include opportunities to attend networking events, in order to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange among professionals from various sectors. In-person WCOA 2026 attendees will be comprised of IFAC PAO leadership (staff and volunteers), professional services firms, standard-setters, regulators and other government officials, representatives of multilateral and development agencies, and the business and investor communities. Select sessions will be livestreamed so that virtual attendees are included in these important conversations.    

 Lee White, IFAC Chief Executive Officer, said:

"Seoul is a vibrant, innovative, and truly international city—an ideal host for WCOA 2026. At this Congress, the importance of a resilient, adaptable, and global accountancy profession will be front and center. We are honored to partner with our esteemed member, KICPA, to bring the world together here—leaders, colleagues, and friends united by our shared commitment to the public interest. The value of a strong, global profession has never been more pronounced, nor more needed.

We look forward to creating a Congress where every moment matters—whether on stage in a plenary or in a simple conversation between two new acquaintances—each connection will help shape the future of our profession. And of course, we will be engaging deeply on the drivers reshaping that future: sustainability, AI, and how we attract and empower the next generation of talent."

Mr. Woon-Youl Choi, KICPA President said:

“We are delighted that Seoul has been selected as the host city for WCOA 2026. I am confident that WCOA 2026 will serve as a meaningful platform not only to address priorities in accounting, auditing, and sustainability, but also to explore the challenges and opportunities of AI-enabled digital innovation.

Over the years, Korea has consistently strengthened transparency and trust amid a rapidly evolving domestic and global environment. Through this Congress, we look forward to sharing our experience with the global community while co-creating new value for future generations.

KICPA will work closely with IFAC—from program design through on-site delivery—to ensure a high-quality and rewarding experience for all participants. We also invite every participant to experience Seoul’s vibrant culture and dynamic innovation ecosystem during the Congress and to leave with forward-looking insights.”

IFAC looks forward to working with KICPA to deliver a world-class event in November 2026. Subscribe to IFAC newsletters and follow us on LinkedIn for more announcements in the coming months. For more information on WCOA 2026, please email WCOA@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.     

About KICPA

The Korean Institute of Certified Public Accountants (KICPA), established in 1954 under the Certified Public Accountants Act, is the statutory professional body representing Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) in Korea. Guided by the principle that sound accounting makes economic fundamentals sound, KICPA works to build trust and transparency in Korea's financial markets. Through setting professional standards, ensuring ethical conduct, and supporting continuous professional development, KICPA enables CPAs to serve the public interest, promote sound corporate governance, and contribute to Korea's economic development. KICPA is a member of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), the global home for the accountancy profession dedicated to serving the public interest.

• The IESBA Ethics & Independence Conference 2025 will bring together international leaders in Lisbon to discuss global trends and explore how ethics and independence can anchor trust, resilience, and competitiveness amid uncertainty.
• Sessions will explore how the accounting profession, business leaders, and regulators are responding to global challenges, navigating regulatory shifts, embedding ethical culture, adapting to tech and AI, and reinforcing integrity in the fight against financial crime.
• The conference will feature influential voices from across business, accounting, finance, regulation, and standard setting, leading figures shaping the future of ethics, governance, and audit independence on the global stage.

The IESBA Ethics & Independence Conference 2025 will bring together global leaders this September in Lisbon to address some of the most urgent ethical and public interest questions facing business, the accounting profession, and financial markets. Under the theme “Ethics and Audit Independence: Pillars of Resilience and Competitiveness in Turbulent Times,” the conference will feature senior leaders from across business, regulation, and professional services exploring how ethics can anchor the accounting profession in an era of disruption and major business transformations.

Across the globe, businesses, firms, regulators, and investors, are navigating growing public demands for transparency and integrity and accelerating advances in technology, amidst shifting regulatory environments. In some jurisdictions, new pressures around competitiveness have led to delayed or scaled-back regulation and oversight, particularly in areas like sustainability reporting. Meanwhile, technology and AI are rapidly evolving beyond existing paradigms, and recent financial failures have exposed gaps in ethics and accountability. In this context, ethics and audit independence emerge not only as foundational safeguards, but as strategic tools to guide innovation, reduce risk, and reinforce public confidence.

IESBA Chair Gabriela Figueiredo Dias said:

“This conference comes at a time when ethical leadership has never been more critical. As regulatory frameworks shift, uncertainty grows and public scrutiny intensifies, we must reaffirm our leaders’ commitment to ethical values. Upholding ethics and the public interest is not optional; it is a strategic imperative. Ethics is not a barrier to innovation or competitiveness; it is the foundation for growth, sustainability, and trust. For the accounting profession operating in today’s volatile environment, it’s also the most powerful key to earning or keeping the license to operate.”

Registration for the conference is open. Participants will join global leaders in business, accounting, finance, regulation and standard setting for a high-impact, one-day event exploring how ethical leadership and independent judgment can drive progress and safeguard public trust.

Participants can expect insightful keynotes and panel discussions covering the evolving regulatory landscape, ethical culture, sustainability, artificial intelligence, and financial crime. The program will feature a spirited debate on the dynamics between ethics and innovation, as well as global perspectives from business and accounting firm leaders, regulators, standard setters, and subject-matter experts. The conference also offers valuable networking opportunities with peers and thought leaders shaping the future of the profession.

The conference features a distinguished group of already confirmed speakers, listed below in alphabetical order: Neil Acres (MSCI), Maria Luís Albuquerque (European Commission), Gabriela Figueiredo Dias (IESBA), João Duque (ISEG – Lisbon School of Economics and Management), Paula Franco ( OCC), Alan Johnson (IESBA and IAASB Stakeholder Advisory Council), Gilly Lord (PwC), Virgílio Macedo (OROC), Maggie McGhee (ACCA), Joaquim Miranda Sarmento (Government of Portugal), Jens Poll (Accountancy Europe), Panos Prodromides (CEAOB), José Ranito (European Public Prosecutor’s Office), Pascal Saint-Amans (University of Lausanne, formerly OECD), Tom Seidenstein (IAASB), Jean-Paul Servais (IOSCO), Nandini Sukumar (World Federation of Exchanges), Lee White (IFAC), and Megan Zietsman (Deloitte). Information on additional speakers will be available on the IESBA’s website.

The IESBA Ethics and Independence 2025 Conference is part of the IESBA September Board Meeting, which will take place in Lisbon at the ISEG – Lisbon School of Economics and Management Campus.

The conference benefits from the generous support of ISEG – Lisbon School of Economics and Management, as well as the two Portuguese Professional Accountancy Organizations: OCC – Ordem dos Contabilistas Certificados and OROC – Ordem dos Revisores Oficiais de Contas.

For the full program, updates, and registration, please visit: https://www.ethicsboard.org/iesba-conference-2025

About IESBA

The International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (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.

Along with the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB), the IESBA is part of the International Foundation for Ethics and Audit (IFEA). The Public Interest Oversight Board (PIOB) oversees IESBA and IAASB activities and the public interest responsiveness of the standards.

The accountancy profession stands at a turning point with equally exciting opportunities and challenges. As Accountancy Europe and IFAC CEOs, we believe it is necessary to enhance cooperation for our members’ benefit. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to support our members and strengthen our profession.

As a culmination of previous engagement, we spent time together at Accountancy Europe’s office in Brussels and explored how to align our respective member value and identified four potential workstreams around:

• Trust in sustainability disclosures: high-quality sustainability reporting is essential, especially in an ever-evolving landscape. Our profession will continue to guide companies towards reliable and comparable sustainability information for global investors and stakeholders, to serve as a catalyst for more sustainable business models, ensuring that ethics, independence as well as quality are not compromised.
• Ethical technological transformation: technology and AI are transforming the way accountants work, offering new efficiencies and capabilities. Our profession must continue to embrace these advancements and leverage them to enhance services and deliver greater value.
• The profession’s future: rapidly evolving markets bring unprecedented opportunities and challenges to our profession’s growth. Funding of professional practices, incorporation and networking cooperation are part of evolving organisational models.
• Pathways to the profession: new pathways to attract diverse talent to the profession must be created to ensure future generations of accountants are well-equipped to meet evolving demands.

Through coordinated efforts on these key matters, we will provide stronger representation, better resources, and a clearer voice for our members.

Eelco van der Enden said: “In a time of global challenges and isolationism temptations, it is crucial to demonstrate that the accountancy profession is united. Regional and global efforts are not only complementary but essential. Global issues do not recognise regional borders, and neither should our response”.

“I am excited to work again with Eelco in his new role, and to innovate how we deliver greater cooperation and value for our members. There are multiple opportunities. I am also committed to strengthening our partnerships with regional network partners in Africa, Asia, and the Americas, ensuring that our members and the global accountancy profession is united and well-supported in every region of the world”, said Lee White.

Notes to Editors

Contacts:

For Accountancy Europe

Nha Vy Nguyen, Head of Communications

Email: nhavy@accountancyeurope.eu

For IFAC

Jennifer DiClerico, Head of Communications

Tel: +1-212-286-9344
Email: jenniferdiclerico@ifac.org

About Accountancy Europe

Accountancy Europe unites 49 professional organizations from 35 countries that represent 1 million qualified accountants, auditors and advisors. As Accountancy Europe, we translate professional accountants’ daily experience from across Europe to inform the European policy debate. Accountancy Europe is in the EU Transparency Register (No 4713568401-18). 

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.