Instituut van de Bedrijfsrevisoren - Institut des Réviseurs d'Entreprises

The Belgian Institute of Registered Auditors (IBR-IRE) does not have legal authority to establish or operate the mandatory quality assurance review system for statutory audits, as this responsibility is vested in the Belgian Audit Oversight Board (BAOB) under the Act of 7 December 2016.

IBR-IRE continues to play an active and constructive role in supporting implementation of the jurisdiction’s quality assurance framework and assisting members in meeting the related requirements. The institute has supported the translation and dissemination of the International Standards on Quality Management (ISQM 1 and ISQM 2) and International Standard on Auditing 220 (Revised), and continues to issue technical guidance and professional support materials for members.

Recent public oversight publications confirm ongoing dialogue and collaboration between BAOB and IBR-IRE, including consultation on implementation of ISQM requirements, audit quality indicators, quality management systems, and annual reporting on delegated functions and continuing professional development compliance.

IBR-IRE also supports members through continuing professional development programs, implementation guidance, technical communications, and training focused on quality management, engagement quality reviews, and audit quality improvement.

Given the continued active support provided to members, the translation and implementation assistance relating to relevant standards, and the established ongoing coordination with the public oversight authority, fulfillment of Statement of Membership Obligations 1 is assessed as Sustain.

Current Status: Sustain

The Belgian Institute of Registered Auditors (IBR-IRE) continues to play an active role in supporting implementation of initial and continuing professional development requirements for statutory auditors within the framework established by the Act of 7 December 2016 and the Royal Decree of 17 August 2018 on access to the profession.

The legal framework establishes the core requirements for entry into the profession, including a master’s degree, a minimum of three years of practical training, successful completion of the prescribed theoretical and final professional examinations, and the statutory oath before the Court of Appeal. Equivalent foreign qualifications remain subject to additional aptitude requirements in relevant areas of Belgian law and professional ethics.

IBR-IRE supports fulfillment of these requirements through administration of professional examinations, oversight of practical training arrangements, and ongoing professional development activities. Members are required to complete 120 hours of continuing professional development over a rolling three-year period, with compliance monitored within the public oversight framework by the Belgian Audit Oversight Board.

IBR-IRE continues to support members through a robust continuing professional development program, including regular technical conferences, professional seminars, and information sessions delivered in both French and Dutch. Publicly available institutional materials confirm continued training offerings on auditing, ethics, quality management, sustainability reporting, and professional developments relevant to statutory auditors.

In addition, IBR-IRE remains actively involved in the Common Content initiative, which brings together several European professional accountancy bodies to support harmonization of professional qualifications and mobility across jurisdictions.

Given the established legal framework, ongoing education support activities, and sustained engagement in regional qualification initiatives, fulfillment of Statement of Membership Obligations 2 is assessed as Sustain.

Current Status: Sustain

The Belgian Institute of Registered Auditors (IBR-IRE) continues to play a significant role in supporting the adoption, translation, and implementation of International Standards on Auditing (ISA) and related pronouncements within the framework established by the Act of 7 December 2016.

IBR-IRE maintains an ongoing process for translating and incorporating new and revised standards issued by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board into the national framework in both French and Dutch. Recent updates continue to support implementation of the latest standards, including International Standard on Auditing 315 (Revised 2019), International Standard on Auditing 540 (Revised), International Standards on Quality Management 1 and 2, and International Standard on Auditing 220 (Revised).

The institute continues to provide a broad range of practical implementation support tools for members. These include Revidocs, which supports auditors in preparing audit reports and documentation, and the Petites Entités-Kleine Entiteiten package, which continues to support application of ISA requirements for small entities and smaller audit engagements.

IBR-IRE also provides technical guidance, implementation manuals, and continuing professional development courses focused on the practical application of auditing and quality management standards. Publicly available training calendars and professional resources confirm continued member support activities in these areas.

In addition, IBR-IRE remains engaged in regional standard-setting discussions and continues to contribute to international consultation processes through its participation in Accountancy Europe and related professional forums.

Given the sustained translation process, practical implementation support, continuing professional development activities, and ongoing contribution to international standard-setting consultations, fulfillment of Statement of Membership Obligations 3 is assessed as Sustain

Current Status: Sustain

The Belgian Institute of Registered Auditors (IBR-IRE) does not have direct legal authority to establish ethical requirements for statutory auditors, as these are established through the Act of 7 December 2016, the Code of Companies and Associations, and related legal and regulatory provisions.

Within this framework, IBR-IRE continues to support implementation and enforcement of the applicable ethical requirements for its members. The institute provides implementation guidance, technical communications, and continuing professional development activities on ethics and independence requirements. It also continues to contribute to legislative and regulatory consultations on ethical provisions when requested by the competent authorities and participates in regional consultation processes relating to the work of the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA).

Publicly available materials confirm that IBR-IRE continues to provide member support on professional ethics, independence, audit reform requirements, and related updates through training sessions and technical guidance resources.

At the jurisdiction level, the applicable ethical framework is not yet demonstrably aligned with the latest edition of the International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including International Independence Standards) issued by IESBA in effect as of the time of the assessment.

IBR-IRE is therefore encouraged to continue advocating with the relevant public authorities for timely incorporation of the latest IESBA revisions, including the 2025 Handbook, and to continue supporting members through updated guidance and training materials aligned with the most recent international ethical requirements.

Current Status: Execute

The Belgian Institute of Registered Auditors (IBR-IRE) does not have direct legal responsibility for the adoption of public sector accounting standards in Belgium. Public sector accounting requirements continue to be established through national laws and regulations at the federal and subnational levels.

IBR-IRE continues to play an active advocacy and technical support role in promoting accrual-based public sector reporting and alignment with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and European Public Sector Accounting Standards (EPSAS). The institute has maintained regular engagement with relevant government authorities and public sector stakeholders to promote awareness of international developments in public sector accounting.

IBR-IRE continues to support this area through technical publications, professional articles, working groups, and stakeholder dialogue focused on public sector accounting reform and accrual-based reporting practices.

The institute’s ongoing collaboration with the Institute for Tax Advisors and Accountants (ITAA) through dedicated public sector accounting initiatives and expert working groups continues to support awareness raising, technical discussion, and capacity building related to IPSAS and EPSAS developments.

Given the sustained advocacy efforts, technical support activities, and continued engagement with public authorities and stakeholders, fulfillment of Statement of Membership Obligations 5 is assessed as Sustain.

Current Status: Sustain

The Belgian Institute of Registered Auditors (IBR-IRE) no longer has direct legal responsibility for the investigation and discipline of statutory auditors, as these functions are exercised by the Belgian Audit Oversight Board (BAOB) under the Act of 7 December 2016. The BAOB conducts investigations and, where appropriate, refers matters for sanctioning through the competent public authorities, including the Financial Services and Markets Authority.

Within the limits of the legal framework, IBR-IRE maintains internal disciplinary procedures only for matters falling within its residual authority, such as membership-related issues including non-payment of fees. The institute continues to maintain regular communication and coordination with the BAOB and reviews the BAOB’s annual reports to identify findings relevant to the profession.

Based on these findings, IBR-IRE continues to support members through communication, technical guidance, training sessions, and webinars designed to address recurring deficiencies and reinforce compliance with professional requirements.

IBR-IRE has also undertaken self-assessment activities against the requirements of Statement of Membership Obligations (SMO) 6 and has identified areas for continued strengthening, including timeframe targets for case disposal, formal tracking mechanisms, independent review procedures for cases with no follow-up, liaison arrangements with external bodies, and periodic review of system effectiveness.

IBR-IRE is encouraged to continue strengthening its liaison with the BAOB and supporting continued alignment of the jurisdiction’s investigation and discipline framework with the requirements of SMO 6, particularly in relation to transparency, monitoring mechanisms, and independent review processes.

Current Status: Review & Improve

The Belgian Institute of Registered Auditors (IBR-IRE) does not have direct legal responsibility for the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS Accounting Standards), as these requirements are established through European Union Regulations and Directives as transposed into Belgian law. The Belgian Accounting Standards Board remains responsible for national standards applicable to other entities.

IBR-IRE continues to play an active role in supporting members with the implementation and application of IFRS Accounting Standards through continuing professional development courses, technical seminars, and regular communications on new and revised standards and emerging reporting developments.

The institute continues to support members through technical guidance, implementation tools, professional literature, and regular updates disseminated through its website and professional publications. These activities include monitoring pronouncements issued by the International Accounting Standards Board and promptly raising awareness of significant developments relevant to statutory auditors.

IBR-IRE also continues to contribute to standard-setting consultations through participation in national and regional technical forums and by providing input on exposure drafts and consultations relating to financial reporting standards.

Given the sustained member support activities, continued technical monitoring of developments, and ongoing contribution to consultation processes, fulfillment of SMO 7 is assessed as Sustain.

Current Status: Sustain