The IAASB has released two new resources to further support jurisdictions and stakeholders in adopting and implementing the International Standard on Sustainability Assurance (ISSA) 5000, General Requirements for Sustainability Assurance Engagements.

1. Extracts from ISSA 5000 for Limited and Reasonable Assurance Engagements

In response to stakeholder requests, the IAASB has prepared reference extracts containing only the material in ISSA 5000 relevant to limited assurance engagements and, separately, reasonable assurance engagements. These extracts are designed to help regulators, standard setters, and other stakeholders more easily identify the requirements and application material most relevant to their jurisdictional decisions. They do not amend or override ISSA 5000, the authoritative text of which remains the full standard.

2. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Document on ISAE 3000 (Revised) and ISAE 3410

The IAASB has published FAQs clarifying that, for jurisdictions adopting IAASB standards, ISAE 3000 (Revised) and ISAE 3410 will no longer apply to sustainability assurance engagements once ISSA 5000 becomes effective in December 2026. These FAQs aim to support a smooth transition and consistent application of the new standard.

In addition, the IAASB has updated the adoption information on its website, reflecting the growing global momentum toward adoption of ISSA 5000.

Together with previously published materials, these publications underscore the IAASB’s commitment to supporting adoption and implementation of ISSA 5000 and fostering high-quality, globally consistent sustainability assurance practices.

Access the extracts, FAQs, and adoption information, as well as previously published materials, on the IAASB website here.

The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) has released a new non-authoritative publication—How the IAASB’s Revised Going Concern and Fraud Standards Reinforce Professional Skepticism—to assist stakeholders in understanding how the revisions to ISA 570 (Revised 2024) and ISA 240 (Revised) strengthen the consistent application of professional skepticism throughout the audit.

This publication, developed with input from the IAASB’s Professional Skepticism Consultation Group, highlights key enhancements to both standards reflecting the IAASB’s efforts to reinforce professional skepticism by addressing, among other matters, how auditors are expected to maintain a questioning mindset, consider contradictory evidence, and appropriately challenge management assumptions.

The revised standards are effective for audits of financial statements for periods beginning on or after December 15, 2026.

The International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) has released Firm Culture and Governance: Summary of Feedback from Global Roundtables, a publication that captures stakeholder perspectives from six global roundtables held earlier this year as part of the Board’s Firm Culture and Governance (FCG) project.

Held in New York, Melbourne, Brussels, and Kuala Lumpur, with virtual sessions for Africa and Latin America, the roundtables brought together 168 participants from across the global regulatory, investor, standard setting, accounting firm, professional accountancy and academic communities. Discussions centered on eight core elements of an ethical firm culture: ethical leadership, oversight and governance, provision of independent input, accountability, incentives and rewards, open discussion and challenge, continuous education and training, and transparency about ethical performance.

These roundtables formed part of the IESBA’s ongoing efforts to ensure its decision-making is informed by a balanced and broad-based representation of all relevant stakeholders, in line with its mandate to serve the public interest by setting global ethics, including independence, standards for the accounting profession. The publication of this report reflects the IESBA’s strong commitment to transparency and responsiveness to stakeholder feedback – both of which are essential to fostering trust among all parties involved in the development of the highest ethics standards for the profession.

The insights gathered through these discussions have directly contributed to the IESBA’s recent decision to remain firmly committed to taking decisive steps to address the cultural and governance dimensions within accounting firms, recognizing their critical impact on ethical behavior. These insights will also shape the IESBA’s future work, referenced in a recent IESBA communication on the topic, including:

• the development of a series of IESBA Viewpoints addressing eight key elements to a Firm Culture and Governance Framework, such as ethical leadership, accountability, and incentives and rewards;
• the preparation of a comprehensive plan, to be launched in 2026, for practical guidance and other initiatives to help firms foster an ethical culture and embed values that sustain long-term public trust in them; and
• the decision to consider, by mid-2026, the appropriate approach to developing a Firm Culture and Governance Framework, aimed at guiding firms in strengthening their ethical culture and related governance practices.

To read the publication, visit: Firm Culture & Governance - IESBA Summary of Feedback from Global Roundtables | Ethics Board
 

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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 International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) welcomes the announcement by Australia's Accounting Professional & Ethical Standards Board (APESB) of the adoption of the IESBA’s Global Ethics Sustainability Standards. With this move, Australia becomes the first jurisdiction to formally embed ethics and independence standards for sustainability reporting and assurance into its national framework. 

Gabriela Figueiredo Dias, IESBA Chair, said:
“Australia’s leadership has sent a powerful signal: ethics and independence must be at the heart of how sustainability information is developed, assured, and trusted. This is more than a milestone, it’s the start of a global movement. As more jurisdictions follow, we’re helping to lay the ethical foundation around the world for a sustainability reporting system that serves the public interest, builds confidence, and drives meaningful change.”

Released in January 2025, the IESBA’s sustainability-related ethics and independence standards include the International Ethics Standards for Sustainability Assurance (IESSA), along with new provisions on sustainability reporting and the use of external experts. Together, they establish globally consistent expectations for ethical conduct and independence in sustainability reporting and assurance. 

For more on IESSA and implementation resources, click here.

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 first global Ethics Standards on Tax Planning, launched by the IESBA in April 2024, become effective today.

The landmark standards are designed to provide a robust ethical framework to guide professional accountants when providing tax planning services or performing tax planning activities, thereby enabling them to make ethical judgments and decisions in this complex area.

Instead of relying solely on a technical or rules-based approach, professional accountants apply a principles-driven framework that offers consistent guidance for tax planning services or activities. This framework may also be followed by other tax practitioners who wish to adhere to a high ethical benchmark.

The objective of the framework is to help ensure that tax planning decisions take into account the public interest, including that they have a credible basis in laws and regulations and that they take into consideration the potential reputational, commercial, and broader economic consequences to which the tax planning arrangement could give rise.

Given the growing public scrutiny of certain tax avoidance practices which can undermine public trust in companies and damage reputations, these standards help accounting firms and tax practitioners by offering a sound ethical foundation for advising on tax planning. In doing so, they contribute to building public and institutional confidence in tax – an area that sits at the heart of the implicit social contract between individual and corporate taxpayers and the societies in which they live or operate.

“Today marks an important milestone for IESBA and the global accounting profession," said Gabriela Figueiredo Dias, IESBA Chair. "The Global Ethics Standards on Tax Planning provide a vital tool to help firms and professionals navigate the complex and often grey areas of tax planning, ensuring the public interest remains at the forefront. I commend all those who are leading the way by adopting or working towards the adoption of these standards”.

The IESBA is pleased to recognize and congratulate the following jurisdictions, which have already adopted the standards: Australia, Hong Kong SAR, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and South Africa.

“The adoption of IESBA’s new global tax planning standards into the Australian Code constitutes a significant enhancement to the ethical framework governing the behavior of the accounting profession providing tax services in Australia, and upholds the paramount principle of serving the public interest.”

Nancy Milne OAM, Chair, Accounting Professional & Ethical Standards Board (APESB)

“At HKICPA, we uphold the public interest and professional integrity and are committed to proactively aligning with international benchmarks. Embracing the IESBA’s Tax Planning Standards strengthens trust in our profession and bolsters the credibility of our members and tax professionals as ethical, trusted advisors.”

Edward Au, President, Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA)

“As part of SOCPA’s commitment to serve the public interest and ensure harmony with the international professional and ethical standards, we adopted the Tax Planning standards as we found them providing additional clear guidance for professionals to act in accordance with the Ethical Requirements (approved IESBA Code of Ethics) in Saudi when dealing with complex tax issues.”

Dr. Ahmed bin Abdullah Al-Meghames, CEO, Saudi Organization for Chartered and Professional Accountants (SOCPA)

“ISCA is proud to be among the early adopters of IESBA’s Tax Planning and Related Services standards. The standards provide a clear, globally applicable ethical framework for professionals navigating complex tax issues, serving as a practical guide to help them comply with the IESBA’s Code of Ethics. This is a step forward in promoting responsible tax conduct and upholding the reputation of the profession.”

Ms. Fann Kor, CEO, Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA)

“We are proud to be among the first jurisdictions to adopt these standards, affirming our leadership in global ethics and governance. Harmonizing with the IESBA Code underscores our role as a forward-looking jurisdiction that supports transparency and global accountability.”

Imre Nagy, CEO, Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors (IRBA)

Other jurisdictions, such as India and Japan, are also making significant progress toward adopting, or actively considering adopting, the standards, which helps build momentum toward further alignment around a global ethical foundation and baseline for tax planning.

Implementation Support Resources

The IESBA encourages all professional accountants to familiarize themselves with the standards in order to uphold the profession’s commitment to ethical tax practices. Implementation support resources, including IESBA Staff Questions & Answers, can be accessed on the IESBA website.

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 International Foundation for Ethics and Audit (IFEA) is now accepting applications for its 2025 Staff Fellows Program—a unique opportunity for accomplished professionals to work with the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) or the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) on a temporary, seconded basis.

Staff Fellows are seconded from their current employer to work alongside IAASB or IESBA staff on a variety of international standard-setting projects, including research and analysis, drafting, project management, and global stakeholder engagement. Fellowships typically begin in September and last from six months to two years.

The program offers numerous benefits to both Fellows and their sponsoring organizations, including strengthened global networks, enhanced knowledge of international standards, and valuable professional development. Relocation to New York is encouraged but not required.

IFEA welcomes applications from professionals with a proven track record, technical expertise, and a collaborative mindset. Interviews for the 2025 cohort will take place in June and July. Interested organizations should submit candidate CVs to ifeahumancapital@ethicsandaudit.org by July 31, 2025.

Learn more about the program and current and alumni Fellows on the IFEA website here.

The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) has published a new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document to support stakeholders as they implement International Standard on Auditing 570 (Revised 2024), Going Concern.

The FAQ document addresses key questions on the enhanced auditor reporting model for going concern that is included in the revised standard. Specifically, it focuses on the implications for the auditor’s report when reporting entity specific going concern matters in a section titled ‘Going Concern’ or ‘Material Uncertainty Related to Going Concern.’ It also provides an illustrative example of an auditor’s report that provides a description of how the auditor evaluated management’s assessment of going concern.

Background on ISA 570 (Revised 2024), Going Concern

Published in April, ISA 570 (Revised 2024) introduced several key changes to strengthen the auditor’s work in evaluating management’s assessment of going concern. These include:

• More robust risk assessment procedures that support auditors in determining, on a timely basis, whether events or conditions have been identified that may cast significant doubt on the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern.
• Enhanced evaluation of management’s assessment of going concern, including the significant judgments on which such evaluation is based.
• Required evaluation of management’s assessment of going concern that covers a period of at least twelve months from the date of approval of the financial statements.
• Reinforced communications and increased transparency in reporting going concern matters.

This FAQ does not amend or override ISA 570 (Revised 2024); the text of the standard remains authoritative. The FAQ is not exhaustive and is intended to complement the standard, which takes effect on or after December 15, 2026.

The Staff of the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) today released a questions and answers (Q&A) publication to support the adoption and implementation of the IESBA Tax Planning and Related Services Standards. The standards provide a principles-based framework and a global ethical benchmark to guide professional accountants in public practice and in business when they provide tax planning services or perform tax planning activities, respectively.

The Q&A publication is designed to highlight, illustrate, or explain aspects of the standards and is intended to complement the Basis for Conclusions for the final pronouncement. It will assist firms, jurisdictional standards setters, and professional accountancy organizations in adopting and/or implementing the standards, and individual professional accountants in applying them. The Q&As will also assist tax authorities, the corporate governance community, investors, business preparers, educational bodies or institutions, and other stakeholders in understanding the standards.

The development of the Q&As has been informed by the IESBA’s extensive discussions and consultations with a wide range of stakeholders and the IESBA’s own deliberations during the development and finalization of the standards.

The Tax Planning and Related Services standards come into effect July 1, 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 International Auditing and Assurance Standards Boards (IAASB) has approved the withdrawal of International Standard on Assurance Engagements (ISAE) 3410, Assurance Engagements on Greenhouse Gas Statements.

This decision follows the approval and certification in 2024 of the International Standard on Sustainability Assurance (ISSA)^TM 5000, General Requirements for Sustainability Assurance Engagements. ISSA 5000 addresses assurance of all types of sustainability information, including greenhouse gas emissions, regardless of how that information is presented.  It is effective for assurance engagements on sustainability information reported for periods beginning on or after December 15, 2026, or as at a specific date on or after December 15, 2026.

Consequently, the withdrawal of ISAE 3410 will take effect from the effective date of ISSA 5000.

The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) has opened a public consultation on narrow-scope amendments to its standards to maintain interoperability between IAASB standards and the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants’ International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including International Independence Standards) (IESBA Code). These proposed amendments address recent revisions to the IESBA Code related to using the work of an external expert.

The targeted amendments focus on the following IAASB standards:

• ISA 620, Using the Work of an Auditor’s Expert
• ISRE 2400 (Revised), Engagements to Review Historical Financial Statements
• ISAE 3000 (Revised), Assurance Engagements Other than Audits or Reviews of Historical Financial Information
• ISRS 4400 (Revised), Agreed-upon Procedures Engagements

How to Comment
The IAASB invites all stakeholders to comment using the digital Response Template, which is available on the IAASB website. Feedback is requested by July 24, 2025.

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