Recent events in a number of major jurisdictions involving professional accountants have raised concerns with many stakeholders and the public about whether the accountants’ conduct was straightforward and honest, free from conflicts of interest, in accordance with confidentiality requirements, or in the public interest. A number of these events have resulted in government inquiries, significant regulatory penalties or other adverse consequences for the professional accountants or their firms, and undermined public trust in the accountancy profession.

Among all professions, the global accountancy profession stands apart in having a comprehensive and robust code of ethics in the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants’ (IESBA) International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including International Independence Standards) (the Code) that it must apply. The Code is developed in accordance with a rigorous due process and under the oversight of the Public Interest Oversight Board (PIOB). The strength and global acceptance of the Code are evidenced by its adoption or use in over 130 jurisdictions, and adoption by the 34 largest international networks of accounting firms for transnational audits.

“Ethics is fundamental to public trust in the work of all professional accountants and it must always be at the heart of their judgments, decisions, and actions when performing professional activities or services,” said Gabriela Figueiredo Dias, IESBA Chair. “The high-quality ethics standards in the Code are a cornerstone to ethical behavior in business and organizations, and they underpin the accountancy profession’s longstanding good reputation. It is therefore crucial that all accountants fully understand and comply with all their ethical obligations under the Code.”

Professional accountants must act in all business and professional dealings or relationships in accordance with the five fundamental principles of the Code:

• Integrity by being straightforward and honest;
• Objectivity by not being compromised by bias, conflict of interest, or undue influence of, or undue reliance on, individuals, organizations, technology or other factors;
• Professional competence and due care by maintaining professional knowledge and skill at the level necessary to competently perform their work, and acting diligently;
• Confidentiality by respecting the confidentiality of information acquired as a result of professional and business relationships; and
• Professional behavior by complying with relevant laws and regulations, behaving in a manner consistent with the profession’s responsibility to act in the public interest, and avoiding any conduct that might discredit the profession.

The fundamental principles clearly establish the standard of behavior expected of all professional accountants. The Code also contains detailed provisions specifying the conduct and mindset expected of all professional accountants, including demonstrating an inquiring mind and having the strength of character to act appropriately, even when facing pressure or potential adverse personal or organizational consequences.

Importantly, the Code sets a clear expectation for professional accountants, especially those in leadership or managerial roles, to promote an ethical culture within their organizations.

Upholding the fundamental principles and complying with the specific requirements of the Code enable professional accountants to meet their responsibility to act in the public interest. These obligations are in no way lightened or diminished by the types of activities or services they undertake. The Code applies to professional accountants in all their professional activities, whether it is audit, tax, consulting or other advisory services, or in business. Non-compliance with ethical requirements not only creates a risk of adverse consequences for accountants from a professional or regulatory standpoint, but also may result in profound negative consequences for firms, employing organizations, clients, other stakeholders, and the public at large. Ethical failures can also damage the profession’s reputation.

Ethics is central to the proper functioning of organizations, financial markets, and economies worldwide. The fundamental principles are the foundation to ethical behavior within organizations and underpin the integrity and credibility of financial and non-financial information. An organizational culture that integrates an ethical approach strengthens public trust in professional accountants’ work, safeguards the well-being and sustainability of organizations, and ultimately serves to protect the public interest.

The Public Interest Oversight Board’s (PIOB) Standard-Setting Nominations Committee has opened the Invitations for Application [https://bit.ly/PIOB-SAC] period for the new Stakeholder Advisory Council. This newly established global forum will provide strategic advice to the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) and the International Ethics Standards Board (IESBA). The SAC will replace the IAASB Consultative Advisory Group (IAASB CAG) and the IESBA Consultative Advisory Group (IESBA CAG), which complete their remits in late 2023.

The Invitation for Application outlines the opportunity for experienced individuals from various relevant stakeholder groups and the expectations for SAC members. Through the open and interactive forum, SAC members will have the opportunity to actively participate in providing strategic input and shape the future of global standard setting. The PIOB encourages applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds, including different geographic regions, genders, and professional backgrounds.

Full details of the Invitation for Applications and the SAC’s role are available on the PIOB website. Applications are welcome until September 30, 2023.

The Public Interest Oversight Board’s (PIOB) Standard-Setting Nominations Committee has opened the Invitations for Application period for the new Stakeholder Advisory Council. This prestigious global council, a key element of recent governance reforms, will provide strategic advice to both the IAASB and International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) in developing standards. It replaces the IAASB and IESBA Consultative Advisory Groups.

The Invitation for Application outlines the opportunity for experienced individuals from various relevant stakeholder perspectives and the expectations for SAC members. Through the open and interactive forum, SAC members will have a chance to actively participate and shape the future of standard setting. The PIOB encourages applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds, including different geographic regions, genders, and professional backgrounds.

Full details of the Invitation for Applications and the SAC’s role are available on the PIOB website. Applications are welcome until September 30, 2023.

As the global voice of the accountancy profession, the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) supports corporate reporting that better addresses a company’s ability to create long-term value and is decision useful for investors and other stakeholders. Specific regulatory requirements are necessary to harmonize reporting practice and deliver consistent, comparable, assurable, and decision useful sustainability information.

To this end, IFAC has submitted feedback in response to the European Commission’s European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). In its response, IFAC welcomes the standards while noting significant concerns regarding the need for interoperability that supports a global system for reporting. In addition to the ESRS, IFAC has also welcomed the International Sustainability Standards Board’s (ISSB) new standards and other important jurisdiction or regional initiatives, notably the U.S. SEC’s proposed climate disclosure rule. However, these approaches must align key concepts, terminologies, and metrics to avoid regulatory fragmentation, especially on matters of materiality.

“We strongly support efforts by the European Commission and ISSB to find areas of interoperability in their standards, starting with climate. However, substantive differences remain, so collaboration must continue. This is crucial for investors and all stakeholders who want interoperable ESRS and ISSB standards and connectivity between sustainability and financial information,” said IFAC CEO Kevin Dancey. “ISSB standards should function as a global baseline for all jurisdictions, including the EU for financial materiality, to adopt or align with. This is also why we need transparency—a navigation tool to help stakeholders know where the areas of alignment exist.”

Implementation by companies and enforcement by regulators of the new standards are essential to ESRS success. IFAC urges additional transitional reliefs to allow companies sufficient time to implement governance, processes, reporting capacity, and internal controls—all essential for high quality disclosure and its assurance.

As assurance brings trust and confidence to corporate reporting, IFAC encourages the European Commission to participate in ongoing stakeholder engagement with the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) toward the goal of requiring use of the IAASB’s forthcoming new International Standard on Sustainability Assurance (ISSA) 5000 under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive. The International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants’ (IESBA) work on establishing ethics and independence requirements for sustainability assurance practitioners is also vital to producing high-quality, reliable information.

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 more than 135 jurisdictions, representing more than 3 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.

The International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) today announced that a Sustainability Reference Group (SRG) has been established to support the work of its Sustainability Task Force. 

The SRG members have been selected based on a series of criteria, including their background, experience or expertise in sustainability reporting or assurance, stakeholder groups, and geographical location. The members will act as a “sounding board” to the Sustainability Task Force, providing insights, expertise, or advice relating to the development of global ethics and independence standards for sustainability reporting and assurance. 

The SRG will be chaired by Mr. Channa Wijesinghe, IESBA Member and Sustainability Task Force Member. The SRG Members are: 

• Kenneth Amaeshi, European University Institute, Africa
• Antonio Astone, DNV, Europe 
• Michael Bray, Deakin University, Oceania 
• Charlotte Drain, Deloitte LLP, Europe 
• Dongsoo Kim, AccountAbility, Asia 
• Kristian Koktvedgaard, Confederation of Danish Industry and EFRAG Sustainability Reporting Board Member, Europe
• Olga Rivas, Independent International Organisation for Certification, Global 
• Samantha Ross, AssuranceMark, North America 
• Michael Tang, SGX Group, Asia 

To learn more about IESBA’s work on sustainability, please refer to our focus page. 

The IAASB is excited to announce that it has approved by unanimous vote the draft International Standard on Sustainability Assurance (ISSA) 5000, General Requirements for Sustainability Assurance Engagements, for public consultation. The consultation will be open by early August until early December 2023.

With the increasing global demand for corporate reporting and disclosure on sustainability, ESG (environmental, sustainability, and governance), and climate-related information, we are proud to have risen to the occasion by developing this new proposed standard. This proposed standard aims to enhance confidence in sustainability reporting, responds to IOSCO recommendations, and complements the work of other standard setters, including the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants, EFRAG, International Sustainability Standards Board and IFRS Foundation, Global Reporting Initiative, and others.

Once finalized, ISSA 5000 will serve as a comprehensive, stand-alone standard suitable for limited and reasonable sustainability assurance engagements. It will apply to sustainability information reported across any sustainability topic and prepared under multiple frameworks. Moreover, the standard will be profession-agnostic, enabling its use by professional accountants and other professionals performing sustainability assurance engagements.

As the IAASB works toward the release of the draft standard in the coming weeks, it is also in the process of finalizing extensive outreach plans. These plans include a series of four roundtable discussions, as well as virtual, regional, and national events held in partnership with other organizations throughout the consultation period. To stay updated on the latest information and upcoming events, please follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn and consider registering or subscribing to our mailing list via the IAASB website.

Today, the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) released the second installment in a three-part publication series to help small- and medium-sized practices implement the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board’s (IAASB) quality management standards. Installment Two: Developing a Detailed Implementation Plan provides a step approach to identifying your quality objectives; completing your quality risk assessment process; identifying existing, or creating new, responses to those quality risks; and implementing, documenting, and communicating your system of quality management.

Installment Two also:

• Addresses the eight components of the IAASB’s International Standard on Quality Management 1, Quality Management for Firms that Perform Audits or Reviews of Financial Statements, or Other Assurance or Related Services Engagements;
• Contains an example case study to illustrate the transition from the International Standard on Quality Control 1, Quality Control for Firms that Perform Audits and Reviews of Financial Statements, and Other Assurance and Related Services Engagements; and
• Includes multiple documentation aids covering independence, acceptance and continuance of clients and engagements, resources, and outside consultation, as well as a sample checklist for engagement quality reviews.

Installment One of the series addressed the mindset change the new standards require and the shift in focus from quality control to quality management. Installment Three, expected later this year, will cover monitoring and remediation. This series 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

In preparation for its 4^th Research Forum, which will be co-hosted by Comparative International Governmental Accounting Research Network (CIGAR) at its June 2024 conference, the IPSASB is calling for scholarly contributions from the academic community. This is an opportunity for researchers to have a significant impact on accounting standards used by governments and public sector entities across the globe.

Coordinated through the Academic Advisory Group, which includes independent scholars from all parts of the world, as well as the IPSASB members who have an academic background, the IPSASB is offering a grant of USD $2,000 for selected scholarly papers submitted covering three research areas. Up to six grants are available in total [one of the Research Area 2 grants will be funded by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)]. 

The research areas of interest are:

Research Area 1: Research on Practical IPSAS Implementation Challenges

• Natural Resources 
• Presentation of Financial Statements

Research Area 2: Sustainability Reporting Focused Research

• Climate Change and Public Sector Reporting Related to Sustainability 
• Accounting for Biodiversity in the Public Sector

Research Area 3: Research on Adoption and Implementation of Specific IPSAS

• IPSAS 31, Intangible Assets
• IPSAS 33, First-Time Adoption of Accrual Basis IPSAS
• IPSAS 42, Social Benefits

The grant recipients, as well as other scholars, will present the first drafts of their full papers at the 2024 Research Forum (June 2024). As a first step, academics are invited to submit abstracts by September 1, 2023. (Extended until September 17, 2023) For more information, see the IPSASB’s Call for Papers.

Learn more about the Academic Advisory Group and submit.

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®) and other high-quality financial reporting guidance for use by governments and other public sector entities. It also raises awareness of IPSAS and the benefits of accrual adoption. The Board receives support from the Asian Development Bank, the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada, the New Zealand External Reporting Board, and the governments of Canada and New Zealand. 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.  

The International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) congratulates the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance on the announcement today of the launch of a new Code of Ethics and Independence for Auditors in Italy. This new Italian Code of Ethics (Codice italiano di etica e indipendenza dei revisori legali dei conti), which is based off IESBA’s International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including International Independence Standards) (the Code) with specific adaptations and localizations for compatibility and operability with the Italian and European regulatory frameworks, replaces the country’s previous code of ethics, adopted in 2018.

“On behalf of IESBA, I applaud the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance for this important commitment to ethics and independence, and to the public interest,” said Gabriela Figueiredo Dias, IESBA Chair, who was invited to speak at the announcement event in Rome today. “This code will provide statutory auditors with a stronger ethics and independence framework, significantly elevating the ethical bar for an important group of professionals who are formally provided with public faith in reviewing financial statements and whose work is, therefore, critical to create trust in corporate information and to support sound business relations and a well-functioning economic system.”

The IESBA Code places a responsibility on all professional accountants to act in the public interest. The strength and global acceptance of the Code are evident as it has been adopted or is used in over 130 jurisdictions, translated into about 40 languages, and adopted by the 34 largest international networks of accounting firms for transnational audits.

About the IESBA

The International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants serves the public interest by setting ethics standards, including independence requirements, as a cornerstone to ethical behavior in business and organizations, and to public trust in financial and non-financial information. Along with the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board, the IESBA is part of the International Foundation for Ethics and Audit. The Public Interest Oversight Board (PIOB) oversees IESBA and IAASB activities and the public interest responsiveness of the standards. For copyright, trademark, and permissions information, please visit Permissions.

Congratulations to the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) for achieving a major milestone today, releasing its #sustainability-related disclosure standards S1 and S2! These new standards establish a holistic framework that will drive greater consistency, accuracy, and comparability in sustainability information disclosures at a global level.    
                  
IESBA believes strong reporting and assurance standards must work under the umbrella of equally strong #ethics standards to foster public confidence in sustainability information. Therefore, to complement the achievements of the ISSB and the new sustainability assurance standards being developed by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB), IESBA is on track to develop robust ethics and independence standards on #sustainabilityreporting and assurance that can be used by all sustainability information preparers and assurance practitioners worldwide.

Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/e-pt3wnh