The Professional Accountants in Business (PAIB) Committee of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) has issued proposed International Good Practice Guidance, Eleven Principles for Effective Business Reporting Processes, for public comment. The aim of this guidance is to establish a benchmark for good practice in implementing effective business reporting processes in an organization. The guidance will help professional accountants in business and their organizations create a cycle of continuous improvement for their business reporting processes to assist stakeholders in making informed decisions about the organization.

“High-quality business reports are crucial for strong capital markets and sustainable economic growth,” said Roger Tabor, chair of the PAIB Committee. “And producing high-quality business reports requires organizations to have effective business reporting processes in place.”

With this guidance, the PAIB Committee aims to provide principles-based guidance that supports professional accountants in business by helping them apply good practices. This guidance is directed at all organizations wishing to enhance their reporting processes—no matter their size or structure, or whether they are private or public.

“This guidance will help professional accountants in business and their organizations ensure that they implement the most effective reporting processes,” said Karyn Brooks, chair of the PAIB Committee’s Business Reporting Task Force. “Implementing these processes will enable them to provide stakeholders—both internal and external—with high-quality financial and non-financial information.”

Professional accountants, their professional organizations, and other interested parties are encouraged to respond to the proposed guidance to help improve its applicability to professional accountants in organizations of all sizes.

How to Comment
The PAIB Committee invites all stakeholders to comment. To access the exposure draft and submit a comment, visit the PAIB Committee section of the IFAC website at www.ifac.org/paib. Comments on the exposure draft are requested by August 23, 2012.

About the PAIB Committee
The PAIB Committee serves IFAC member bodies and professional accountants worldwide who work in commerce, industry, financial services, education, and the public and the not-for-profit sectors. Its aim is to promote and contribute to the value of professional accountants in business by increasing awareness of the important roles professional accountants play, supporting member bodies in enhancing the competence of their members, and facilitating the communication and sharing of good practices and ideas. 

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 167 members and associates in 127 countries and jurisdictions, representing approximately 2.5 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.

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International Federation of Accountants Chief Executive Officer Ian Ball today praised the Pan African Federation of Accountants (PAFA) for its recent decision to adopt international standards in accounting and auditing, calling it “an important benchmark in underscoring the value of accountancy and the accountancy profession to governments and to business on the African continent.”

PAFA was launched in May 2011 and consists of 39 professional accountancy organizations from 34 African nations. Its General Assembly took the action at the inaugural meeting held May 4 in Tunis, Tunisia, resolving to adopt:

• International Standards on Auditing (ISAs) developed by the International Auditing and Assurance Board (IAASB);
• International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSASs) developed by the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB);
• International Education Standards (IESs) developed by the International Accounting Education Standards Board (IAESB);
• International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) developed by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB);
• International Financial Reporting Standards for Small and Medium Enterprises (IFRS for SMEs) developed by the IASB; and
• Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants developed by the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA).

“ISAs provide the framework against which the auditor examines a company’s financial statements and judges whether they can be relied upon by investors, capital market participants, and policymakers,” Ball said. “The adoption of IPSASs, along with international standards on education and ethics, is particularly important in Africa, and so this resolution by PAFA is an important milestone. A sound financial infrastructure—in the form of high-quality, recognized standards in auditing, ethics, public sector accounting, and related regulation—is the only way that sustainable economic development is truly achievable as Africa seeks a larger role in the global economy.”

PAFA’s resolution reflects strong support for IFAC’s Statements of Membership Obligations (SMOs), which form the basis of the IFAC Member Body Compliance Program. SMOs serve as a framework for credible and high-quality professional accountancy organizations focused on serving the public interest. PAFA’s resolution underscores the SMO requirements for IFAC members and associates to adopt and support implementation of international standards and maintain adequate enforcement mechanisms to ensure the professional behavior of their individual members.

The SMOs are issued under the IFAC Board’s authority, and the Compliance Advisory Panel (CAP), together with IFAC Compliance staff, is responsible for reviewing their continuing relevance and sufficiency.

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 167 members and associates in 127 countries and jurisdictions, representing approximately 2.5 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.

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La Federación Internacional de Contadores (IFAC), una organización mundial para la profesión contable con miembros y asociados en 127 países, celebra la traducción al español del Código de Ética para Profesionales de la Contabilidad del Consejo de Normas Internacionales de Ética para Contadores (IESBA).

Esta traducción única al español es el resultado de un proceso de colaboración de muchos organismos miembros de la IFAC. La traducción la realizó el Instituto de Censores Jurados de Cuentas de España y la revisó el Instituto Mexicano de Contadores Públicos, junto a la Federación Argentina de Consejos Profesionales de Ciencias Económicas y un comité de revisión compuesto por representantes de organismos miembros de la IFAC en Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, México, Panamá, Paraguay, Uruguay y otros interesados clave.

La publicación traducida incluye una Tabla de Equivalencias no oficial que muestra las diferencias entre la terminología utilizada en España y la comúnmente utilizada en América Latina.

Ian Ball, Director General de la IFAC dijo: “La IFAC recibió muchas consultas en relación a contar con una traducción al español del Código de Ética para Profesionales de la Contabilidad. Nos complace que estos organismos miembros de la IFAC hayan cooperado para poner esta importante declaración totalmente a disposición de los contadores hispanohablantes y demás partes interesadas”.

Esta publicación en formato PDF puede descargarse gratuitamente para uso personal de la página de Internet de la IFAC. La publicación no se encuentra disponible en formato impreso. La reproducción, distribución o difusión de la publicación requiere el permiso de la IFAC. Para obtener más información, escriba a permissions@ifac.org.

Para obtener un panorama general de las traducciones de publicaciones de la IFAC, visite la Base de datos de traducciones de la IFAC: www.ifac.org/about-ifac/translations-permissions/translations-database

Acerca del IESBA
El IESBA sirve el interés público al establecer las normas de ética de alta calidad para los profesionales de la contabilidad y al facilitar la convergencia de las normas de ética nacionales e internacionales, incluidos los requisitos para auditores independientes, a través del desarrollo de un código de ética sólido y adecuado a nivel internacional.

Acerca de la IFAC
La IFAC es la organización mundial para la profesión contable que se dedica a servir el interés público mediante el fortalecimiento de la profesión y la contribución al desarrollo de economías internacionales fuertes. La IFAC está compuesta por 167 miembros y asociados de 127 países y jurisdicciones, que representan a aproximadamente 2,5 millones de contadores en la práctica pública y en sectores como la educación, el Gobierno, la industria y el comercio.

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The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), the global organization for the accountancy profession with members and associates in 127 countries, welcomes the Spanish translation of the Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants of the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA).

This single, Spanish translation is the result of a collaborative effort by several IFAC member bodies. The translation was performed by Instituto de Censores Jurados de Cuentas de España and reviewed by Instituto Mexicano de Contadores Públicos, together with Federación Argentina de Consejos Profesionales de Ciencias Económicas and a review committee comprising representatives from IFAC member bodies in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay and Uruguay, and other key stakeholders.

The translated publication includes an unofficial Table of Equivalencies showing differences between terminology used in Spain and that commonly used in Latin America.

Ian Ball, IFAC Chief Executive Officer said, “IFAC has received many inquiries regarding the availability of a Spanish translation of the Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants. We are delighted that these IFAC member bodies have cooperated to make this important pronouncement widely available to Spanish-speaking accountants and other interested parties.”

This publication in PDF format can be downloaded free of charge for personal use from the IFAC website. It has not been published in print format. Reproduction, distribution or dissemination of the publication requires permission of IFAC. Contact permissions@ifac.org for further information.

For an overview of translations of IFAC’s publications, please visit the IFAC Translations Database: www.ifac.org/about-ifac/translations-permissions/translations-database

About the IESBA
The IESBA serves the public interest by setting high-quality ethical standards for professional accountants and by facilitating the convergence of international and national ethical standards, including auditor independence requirements, through the development of a robust, internationally appropriate code of ethics.

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 167 members and associates in 127 countries and jurisdictions, representing approximately 2.5 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.

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La Federación Internacional de Contadores (IFAC), una organización mundial para la profesión contable con miembros y asociados en 127 países, celebra la traducción al español del Manual de Normas Internacionales de Auditoría y Control de Calidad. 

Esta traducción única al español es el resultado de un proceso de colaboración de dos años y medio entre el Instituto de Censores Jurados de Cuentas de España (ICJCE), el Instituto de Contabilidad y Auditoría de Cuentas y un comité de revisión encabezado por la Federación Argentina de Consejos Profesionales de Ciencias Económicas (FACPCE), con representantes de organismos miembros de IFAC de Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, México, Panamá, Paraguay, Uruguay y otros interesados clave. 

La publicación traducida incluye una Tabla de Equivalencias no oficial que muestra las diferencias entre la terminología utilizada en España y la comúnmente utilizada en América Latina. También fue revisada por la Dirección General de Traducción (DGT) de la Comisión Europea para corroborar su aceptabilidad en la Unión Europea.

Según el presidente del ICJCE, Rafael Cámara, “los miembros del ICJCE están especialmente complacidos con la publicación y quieren felicitar a todos los participantes. Esta es la primera vez que se publica en España una traducción al español de estas normas internacionales de auditoría de alta calidad, y es la culminación de varios años de trabajo”.

Por su parte, Fermín del Valle, expresidente de la IFAC, afirmó: “Esta publicación es realmente un hecho memorable y será muy beneficiosa para los profesionales de América Latina. El español es un idioma importante a nivel mundial, que se habla en España y en alrededor de veinte países latinoamericanos. Muchos países latinoamericanos planean adoptar las Normas Internacionales de Auditoría y Control de Calidad y, para esto, será fundamental contar con una traducción al español”.

El Director General de la IFAC, Ian Ball, agregó: “Este proyecto es un excelente ejemplo de colaboración entre organismos miembros de IFAC para beneficio de toda la profesión contable y de auditoría. La IFAC agradece enormemente a todos los que aportaron recursos y esfuerzos para esta importante publicación. Esta traducción al español representa un paso esencial para promover la adopción e implementación de normas internacionales de alta calidad de auditoría y control de calidad de interés público”.

Los organismos miembros de la IFAC están trabajando juntos en varios proyectos relacionados. Recientemente, se firmó un acuerdo de cooperación entre el ICJCE, la FACPCE y el Instituto Mexicano de Contadores Públicos para publicar una traducción única al español del Código de Ética para Contadores Profesionales, emitido por el Consejo de Normas Internacionales de Ética para Contadores. Se espera que la traducción final se publique en la página de Internet de la IFAC en el 2012. También se ha preparado el borrador de un memorando de entendimiento entre estos tres organismos miembros de la IFAC con el objetivo de colaborar para lograr procesos sostenibles a más largo plazo para la realización de una traducción única al español de las normas internacionales y otras publicaciones de la IFAC.

La traducción fue publicada en España por el ICJCE y en América Latina por la FACPCE (Argentina). Para comprar copias impresas del manual traducido, comuníquese con el ICJCE enviando un mensaje de correo electrónico a auditoria@icjce.es o con la FACPCE a facpce@facpce.org.ar.

Acerca de la IFAC
La IFAC es la organización mundial para la profesión contable que se dedica a servir el interés público mediante el fortalecimiento de la profesión y la contribución al desarrollo de economías internacionales fuertes. IFAC está compuesta por 167 miembros y asociados de 127 países y jurisdicciones, que representan a aproximadamente 2,5 millones de contadores en la práctica pública y en sectores como la educación, el gobierno, la industria y el comercio.

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The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) today released its 2011 Annual Report, Foundations for the Future.

The annual report highlights the IAASB’s work in the public interest to strengthen audits globally and build robust standards for audit, assurance and related services, and its commitment to enhance the communicative value and relevance of auditor reporting.

The report covers new and enhanced international standards issued by the IAASB, and draws attention to the IAASB’s new guidance material and implementation support.  It also spotlights IAASB’s continual outreach activities, efforts to maintain strong platforms for dialogue with stakeholders, and to promote the adoption and effective implementation of the clarified International Standards on Auditing (ISAs).

“In 2011, the IAASB continued building on the clarified ISAs. It has explored many new and challenging auditing topics, from auditor reporting and financial statement disclosures to new pronouncements on auditing financial instruments and using the work of internal audit functions.  Our work has been propelled by the global financial crisis and the renewed importance of strong financial infrastructures to support financial stability,” said IAASB chairman Prof. Arnold Schilder. “Our efforts have also extended to new standards supporting other assurance and related services engagements, particularly those of relevance to practitioners serving the needs of smaller entities. I am pleased how proactive the board has been in helping to address a number of the important issues facing the profession and its many stakeholders today, while laying the foundation for further progress in the future,” added Schilder.

The annual report details over 100 outreach activities undertaken during 2011, including liaisons with regulators and investor groups whose input is critical to the future of auditing. It includes a report from Prof. Linda de Beer, the chairman of the IAASB Consultative Advisory Group (CAG), which outlines the work of the CAG in providing input to the IAASB.

The 2011 IAASB annual report can be downloaded at www.iaasb.org.

 
About the IAASB
The IAASB develops auditing and assurance standards and guidance for use by all professional accountants under a shared standard-setting process involving the Public Interest Oversight Board, which oversees the activities of the IAASB, and the IAASB Consultative Advisory Group, which provides public interest input into the development of the standards and guidance. The structures and processes that support the operations of the IAASB are facilitated by IFAC.

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 167 members and associates in 127 countries and jurisdictions, representing approximately 2.5 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.

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In a letter submitted this month, the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), the global organization for the accountancy profession with members and associates in 127 countries, urged the G-20 Deputies and Finance Ministers at their April 2012 meeting in Mexico to take action to encourage governments to seriously address the quality of public sector financial management systems and institutions. The letter, which is a follow-up to previous submissions to the G-20 in 2009, 2010, and 2011, focuses solely on public sector financial management, transparency, and accountability.

In March this year IFAC convened a seminar titled The Sovereign Debt Crisis, a Matter of Urgency―from Lessons to Reform, which included presentations, debates, and discussion involving key decision makers, politicians, and public sector finance management leaders[1]. Outcomes from the seminar included the identification of the compelling and urgent need for governments to address seriously the quality of public sector financial management systems and institutions. There was a call for the adoption of accrual accounting and budgeting to better measure and manage fiscal positions; noting that the current crisis emphasized the deficiencies associated with cash-based arrangements. A common theme that emerged was that, in many countries, the risks associated with the poor fiscal measurement and management exposed by the sovereign debt crisis are amplified by the fiscal risks associated with the aging population.

Urgent and fundamental work is needed to determine the nature of institutional change required in public sector financial management, transparency, and accountability

The four key recommendations in the letter are in line with IFAC’s mission to contribute to the development, adoption, and implementation of high-quality international standards; and by doing so, contribute to the development of strong international economies.

• IFAC recommends that the G-20 facilitate urgent and fundamental work, to be conducted or commissioned by the Financial Stability Board (FSB), to consider the nature of institutional changes that are needed in public sector financial management to protect the public and investors in government bonds.
• IFAC encourages the G-20 to make explicit that the FSB’s role encompasses public sector arrangements, as part of its aim "to coordinate at the international level the work of national financial authorities and international standard setting bodies and to develop and promote the implementation of effective regulatory, supervisory and other financial sector policies". In acknowledging the importance of the public sector as part of the FSB’s role, IFAC encourages the establishment of a working group within the FSB architecture, which is specifically tasked with examining enhanced public sector financial reporting, transparency and accountability.
• IFAC recommends that the G-20 actively encourage and facilitate the adoption of accrual-based accounting by governments and public sector institutions, which promotes greater transparency and accountability in public sector finances, and allows for   monitoring of government debt and liabilities for their true economic implications.
• IFAC recommends that the G-20 encourage FSB to include International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSASs) as a set of standards key for sound financial systems and deserving of timely implementation.

“For the last ten years IFAC has consistently promoted the need for better financial reporting and financial management in the public sector. The sovereign debt crisis has given rise to a very significant number of policy developments at an international level, but this issue has yet to be adequately addressed. The use of IPSASs by governments worldwide will improve the quality of financial information reported by public entities, which is critical for investors, taxpayers, and the general public,” said IFAC Chief Executive Officer Ian Ball.

The letter to the G-20 with the full recommendations is posted on the IFAC website.

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 167 members and associates in 127 countries and jurisdictions, representing approximately 2.5 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.

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The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), the global organization for the accountancy profession with members and associates in 127 countries, welcomes the Spanish translation of the Handbook of International Standards on Auditing and Quality Control.

This single Spanish translation is the result of a two-and-a-half-year-long collaborative effort by Instituto de Censores Jurados de Cuentas de España (ICJCE) and Instituto de Contabilidad y Auditoría de Cuentas, and a review committee led by Federación Argentina de Consejos Profesionales de Ciencias Económicas (FACPCE), with representatives from IFAC member bodies in Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, and Uruguay, and other key stakeholders.

The translated publication includes an unofficial Table of Equivalencies showing differences between terminology used in Spain and that commonly used in Latin America. It has also been reviewed by the Directorate General of Translations (DGT) of the European Commission for its acceptability in the European Union.

According to Rafael Cámara, president of ICJCE, “ICJCE is especially delighted with the publication and would like to congratulate all those involved. This publication represents the first time a Spanish translation of these high-quality international auditing standards has been published in Spain, and is the culmination of several years of work.”

Fermín del Valle, former president of IFAC, said, “This publication is indeed a significant milestone and will be of great benefit to professionals in Latin America. Spanish is a significant world language, spoken in Spain as well as in some 20 Latin American countries. Many Latin American countries have plans to adopt the International Standards on Auditing and Quality Control, and availability of the Spanish translation will be essential in this regard.”

Ian Ball, IFAC chief executive officer, added, “This project is an excellent example of cooperation between IFAC member bodies for the benefit of the global accounting and auditing profession. IFAC is extremely grateful to all those who have contributed resources and efforts to this very important publication. This Spanish translation represents an essential step in furthering the adoption and implementation of high-quality international auditing and quality control standards in the public interest.”

IFAC member bodies are working together on a number of related projects. A cooperation agreement was recently signed between ICJCE, FACPCE, and Instituto Mexicano de Contadores Públicos to publish a single Spanish translation of the Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants, issued by the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants. The final translation is expected to be published on the IFAC website in 2012. A draft memorandum of understanding between these three IFAC member bodies has also been prepared with the objective of collaborating to achieve longer-term, sustainable processes for a single Spanish translation of the international standards and other IFAC publications.

The translation was published in Spain by ICJCE and in Latin America by FACPCE (Argentina). Contact ICJCE at auditoria@icjce.es or FACPCE at facpce@facpce.org.ar to purchase printed copies of the translated handbook.

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 167 members and associates in 127 countries and jurisdictions, representing approximately 2.5 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.

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The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), the global organization for the accountancy profession with members and associates in 127 countries, has submitted, on behalf of the Private Sector Taskforce (PSTF), an update to the report Regulatory Convergence in Financial Professions and Industries (”2011 Report”), issued to the G-20 Deputies in September 2011.

The PSTF strongly encourages the G-20 to implement all of the 15 recommendations presented in its 2011 Report with a strong emphasis on its first two recommendations, encouraging the G-20 to:

• Continue to focus on regulatory convergence in the financial sector, ensuring that G-20 nations work together to identify and narrow gaps in regulatory practice; and
• Discourage nations from implementing unilateral national regulatory reforms that are inconsistent with international standards and that widen—rather than narrow—the convergence gap.

In support of these recommendations, the update provides a discussion of matters that have arisen since the report was issued―including examples of where regulatory convergence has moved forward, such as the introduction of Legal Entity Identifiers (LEI), adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), and the adoption of International Standards on Auditing (ISAs). The update also notes examples where international regulatory arrangements have become more fragmented.

The update includes additional recommendations regarding public sector financial management and reporting, transparency, and accountability. Over the last year this has been brought into greater focus as a consequence of the sovereign debt crisis, and growing global financial instability. Other important matters are identified which the taskforce suggests will require closer attention by the G-20 in 2013 and beyond.

“It is imperative the G-20 follow through on the PSTF's initial 15 recommendations outlined in the 2011 report.  It is equally important the G-20 evaluate and respond to crucial matters that have become even more critical since the report was issued, such as the sovereign debt crisis. The taskforce and its member organizations would be pleased to assist the G-20 in any way they can,” said IFAC Chief Executive Officer Ian Ball.

The PSTF was established in May 2011 at the request of the Presidency of the G-20.  The initial report provided the G-20 with an analysis of the development of financial policy and regulation, with the aim of facilitating economic stability in the world’s capital markets. The benefits of regulatory convergence were identified, as well as the inefficiencies and associated costs created by regulatory gaps. A range of possible scenarios and associated risks were analyzed and explored, specific examples were given, and a set of recommendations provided.

Coordinated by the International Federation of Accountants, the taskforce includes CFA Institute (CFA I); INSOL International; Institute of International Finance (IIF); International Accounting Standards Board (IASB); International Actuarial Association (IAA); International Corporate Governance Network (ICGN); International Insurance Society (IIS); and International Valuation Standards Council (IVSC).

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 167 members and associates in 127 countries and jurisdictions, representing approximately 2.5 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.

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