The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) today released a new resource, Auditing Accounting Estimates: ISA 540 (Revised) Implementation Tool. It will help auditors implement the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board’s International Standard on Auditing 540 (Revised), Auditing Accounting Estimates and Related Disclosures by providing an overview of steps practitioners could take and related considerations.

For entities of all types and sizes, management has to make accounting estimates, which have estimation uncertainty and may also be complex. Making these estimates involves selecting and applying a method using assumptions and data, which requires judgment. The nature, timing and extent of the audit procedures required will vary in relation to the estimation uncertainty and the assessment of the related risks of material misstatement.  

This implementation tool contains “what”, “why” and “how” suggestions. These are not all-encompassing and more or different considerations may apply depending on the circumstances of the engagement. The implementation tool also works in conjunction with the IAASB’s previously published ISA 540 (Revised) flowcharts showing the requirements flow. The choice of specific procedures an auditor decides to perform to meet the requirements of ISA 540 (Revised) and other relevant ISAs is a matter of professional judgement. This implementation tool does not replace the need to read ISA 540 (Revised), including its application and other explanatory material.

The publication is based on the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada) Implementation Tool and supports efforts to improve audit quality globally and, more broadly, international standards’ adoption and implementation. Additional guidance and resources are available on the dedicated Supporting International Standards section of the IFAC Knowledge Gateway.

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.

As the global voice of the accountancy profession, IFAC has supported the establishment of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) to develop a comprehensive global baseline of sustainability disclosures for investors and capital markets, endorsed by IOSCO and implemented around the world. This will lead the way to a harmonized, global system of consistent, comparable, reliable, and assurable information. 

Now, two new proposed standards from the ISSB address the urgency of the climate crisis and chart a course for companies and policymakers to transition to ISSB Sustainability Disclosure Standards as they become available. Importantly, they build upon TCFD recommendations and SASB Standards, in addition to the work of the Climate Disclosure Standards Board, the International Accounting Standards Board, the Value Reporting Foundation, and the World Economic Forum.

IFAC CEO Kevin Dancey said, “Alignment among various sustainability-related initiatives is important, so we strongly support the ISSB’s continued work with international organizations and jurisdictions so that these global baseline proposals can be incorporated into jurisdictional requirements and be compatible with disclosures that address broader stakeholder sustainability information needs. Following an inclusive and transparent due process, consistent with that of the IASB, will drive confidence and acceptance around the world.”

IFAC will be responding and encourages members of the accountancy profession to contribute their expertise and feedback by 29 July 2022 on these two proposals, as well as related jurisdiction-specific initiatives, so that global alignment and interoperability, connectivity to financial information, and the assurability of sustainability disclosures is achieved.

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.

The International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board® (IPSASB®) has today released for comment Exposure Draft (ED) 82, Retirement Benefit Plans. This ED is intended to increase the transparency and accountability of public sector entities regarding multi-employer retirement benefit obligations. Stakeholder comments on ED 82 are sought by August 1, 2022.

“Retirement benefit obligations can represent a significant but often hidden liability for the public sector,” said IPSASB Chair Ian Carruthers. “The draft Standard requires public sector employee retirement benefit plans to provide a complete view of their financial activities, assets and obligations. This increased transparency is intended to result in stronger public financial management and better-informed decision making.”

In developing principles for the public sector, the private sector requirements in IAS 26 were used as the starting point. The IPSASB adapted IAS 26, based on experience from around the world, to ensure the unique characteristics of the public sector are reflected in the ED. In particular, it has reviewed the existing policy choices available in IAS 26 and proposes to remove those that are not appropriate for the public sector or are inconsistent with existing IPSAS.

Comments will be reviewed and discussed by the IPSASB alongside other feedback to help shape the final International Public Sector Accounting Standard (IPSAS™) related to Retirement Benefit Plans.

How to Comment
To access the Exposure Draft, its summary At-a-Glance document, and the Request for Information or to submit a comment, visit the IPSASB website. Comments are requested by August 1, 2022. The IPSASB encourages IFAC members, associates, and Network Partners to promote the availability of this Consultation Paper to their members and employees.

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.

About the Public Interest Committee
The governance and standard-setting activities of the IPSASB are overseen by the Public Interest Committee (PIC), to ensure that they follow due process and reflect the public interest. The PIC is comprised of individuals with expertise in public sector or financial reporting, and professional engagement in organizations that have an interest in promoting high-quality and internationally comparable financial information.

The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) welcomes the U.S. SEC’s proposal on enhanced climate disclosures, as we continue our work in support of a global system for delivering consistent, comparable and assurable sustainability information.  The SEC’s action is one more important demonstration of the need to enhance and evolve corporate reporting.

Sustainability-related disclosure is now a core component of the corporate reporting ecosystem, as reflected in global and jurisdiction-specific initiatives.  Climate and other ESG matters are decision critical.  Regulatory frameworks must promote rigor, clarity, and consistency of information, both to meet investor demands and those of other stakeholders. 

The SEC’s proposal also acknowledges the importance of high-quality assurance—to bring confidence and trust to what is disclosed.  This is consistent with the work of IOSCO at the global level, which has identified independent assurance as a “key element of building trust in sustainability reporting.”  See IFAC’s Vision for High-Quality Assurance of Sustainability Information.

IFAC CEO Kevin Dancey said, “This SEC proposal allows policymakers and stakeholders worldwide to compare and contrast important initiatives that are taking place on climate-related disclosure, including the work of the newly established International Sustainability Standards Board under the IFRS Foundation, that of the European Union, and others. 

“Alignment among all these initiatives is imperative for decision-useful information. It’s critical that we create a harmonized, global system of sustainability and climate disclosure and avoid a patchwork of standards and regulations emerging across jurisdictions.  IFAC also supports regulations that promote narrative as well as performance-focused measurements and that better align sustainability disclosure with financial reporting.”

Read more about IFAC’s support for global sustainability-related standards 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 180 members and associates in 135 countries and jurisdictions, representing more than 3 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.

The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) today released a new resource, Exploring the IESBA Code, A Focus on Technology: Artificial Intelligence. This two-page publication highlights the application of the International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including International Independence Standards) (the Code), in particular, the relevance of the Code’s fundamental principles and its conceptual framework to addressing ethics issues that might arise when artificial intelligence (AI) is used or implemented by professional accountants. Specifically, the installment sets out an AI scenario to assist accountants in identifying, evaluating and addressing threats to compliance with the Code’s fundamental principles.

Originally launched in 2019, the Exploring the IESBA Code is a unique resource developed in collaboration with the staff of the IESBA. This installment focusing on AI has also benefited from input from the IESBA’s Technology Working Group. The Exploring the IESBA Code series is intended to promote awareness of the Code and support its global adoption and implementation. It is non-authoritative and is not a substitute for reading the Code. Each installment highlights important concepts and topics in the Code and seeks to help readers understand how to use and navigate the Code so that they can quickly identify and access the ethics and independence standards and guidance relevant to them.

Previous installments have been translated into multiple languages. Topics previously covered by the series include: the fundamental principles, the conceptual framework, auditor independence, conflicts of interest, inducements, responding to non-compliance with laws and regulations (NOCLAR), pressure, the role and mindset expected of the professional accountant with a focus on bias, and the “building blocks” structure of the Code. Click here to access this and previous installments.

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.

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 ethics standards, including auditor independence requirements, which seek to raise the bar for ethical conduct and practice for all professional accountants through a robust, globally operable International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including International Independence Standards) (the Code).

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.  

Together with ICAEW, The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) today released a new installment in its Anti-Money Laundering: The Basics educational series: Installment Seven: Virtual Assets.  

The publication is part of a series helping accountants enhance their understanding of how money laundering works, the risks they face, and what they can do to mitigate these risks and make a positive contribution to the public interest. Installment seven looks at the broad new class of assets that have emerged over the past decade known as virtual assets, including Bitcoin and NFTs (non-fungible tokens).

Anti-Money Laundering: The Basics is user-friendly, easily accessible, and will be a resource for Small and Medium Practices (SMPs) and accountants less familiar with AML, while also providing guidance for those looking for a quick refresher or reference. Future installments will examine trends in money laundering and tools to fight back illegal activities.

Anti-Money Laundering: The Basics is featured on both the IFAC (landing page) and ICAEW websites and available for download for free. To be globally relevant, the series uses the risk-based approach of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) – the global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog -- as a starting point. 

For more information about IFAC, visit www.ifac.org.

For more information about ICAEW, visit https://www.icaew.com/.

The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) today released First-time Implementation Guide for ISA 220, Quality Management for an Audit of Financial Statements. The guide will help stakeholders understand the standard and properly implement its requirements as intended.

Alongside the previously released implementation guides for International Standard on Quality Management (ISQM) 1 and 2, the new Guide will help stakeholders implement the IAASB’s suite of quality management standards. The suite of standards was released in December 2020 and come into effect on December 15, 2022.

These publications do not amend or override ISA 220 or ISQM 1 or 2, the text of which alone are authoritative. Reading these publications are not a substitute for reading the ISQMs. The IAASB encourages all practitioners to plan early for appropriate implementation, given the potential impact of the changes to firms’ quality management systems.

Accounting Today highlights the publication of IPSAS 43, Leases.