The Forum of Firms (FoF, Forum) is an independent association of international networks of firms that have transnational audit appointments or are interested in accepting such appointments. The public interest objective of the Forum is to assist the users of financial statements by promoting consistent and high-quality standards of financial reporting and auditing practices worldwide. The Forum brings together member firms and involves them closely with the activities of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC).

Jac is the Head of the School of Business and Professor of Accounting at Charles Sturt University. Previously she was Deputy Dean and Head of the Department of Accounting and Finance at UWA. Jac is the current Vice President-Education at the International Association for Accounting Education and Research (IAAER). She is a past Australian President of the Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand (AFAANZ), past Chair of the Chairs in Accounting and Finance (CAFF) and has served on the International Accounting Education Standards Board Consultative Advisory Group (IAESB CAG)

Ms. Kotwal is the Chairperson of ICAP’s Digital Assurance and Accounting Board, as well as ICAP’s AML Board. She actively participates with global accounting bodies in CAPA, CAW and SAFA.

She is double qualified as a Fellow Chartered Accountant & Fellow Corporate Secretary. She is the Certified Director and Chairperson of the ICAP Audit Committee. She is the founder of a management consultancy, Aasman International, and has served as its Chief Executive since 2010.

The Lebanese Association of Certified Public Accountants' (LACPA) 22^nd International Congress: “Financial Inclusion for a Sustainable Economy” will take place in Beirut from 30 September to 2 October 2025. The three-day program convenes global and regional leaders to explore inclusion, digital transformation, sustainability reporting, public-sector reforms, and assurance. The participation fee is USD 250.

Keynote Speakers include:

The assurance engagement culminates in the practitioner’s conclusion about whether the sustainability information is free from material misstatement.  The practitioner’s conclusion and assurance report are the ultimate deliverables of the sustainability assurance engagement and are designed to enhance the degree of confidence of intended users about the entity’s sustainability information.

Being well prepared sets the tone for a successful sustainability assurance engagement. In this session, IAASB experts will walk participants through the fundamental concepts and underlying premises for applying ISSA 5000—explaining its scope, authority, and why it was developed—and addressing overarching matters in preparing to perform a high-quality sustainability assurance engagement, including making sound engagement acceptance decisions. 

Offered at two different times to accommodate a global audience, this webinar will cover: 

Wesal Alqarawi is a Communications and Public Relations Lead at the Saudi Organization for Chartered and Professional Accountants (SOCPA). In her role, she drives strategic communication initiatives that strengthen SOCPA’s influence in advancing the accounting and auditing profession in Saudi Arabia and internationally. She leads partnerships with key stakeholders, oversees high-profile events, and develops impactful communication strategies to enhance visibility and engagement.

With over a decade of experience spanning public relations, communications, and translation management, Wesal has held progressive leadership roles, including Team Lead at Vinnell Arabia, a Northrop Grumman subsidiary, where she spearheaded quality initiatives and contributed to successful ISO certifications.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English Translation from King Saud University and multiple certifications, including ISO 17100 & ISO 9001 Lead Auditor Training. Recognized for her excellence, Wesal has received several awards, including SOCPA’s Employee of the Year (2023) and Northrop Grumman’s Global Quality Award (2017).

Zaakirah Mohamed is a Chartered Accountant and Registered Auditor, currently serving as an Audit Inspector with the South African Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors (IRBA). In this role, Zaakirah is a vital part of the Audit Development Program (ADP), where she specializes in monitoring the environments at audit firm that are developing future Registered Auditors to ensure they are fit for purpose by evaluating firms’ compliance with the current quality standards.

Zaakirah holds a Bachelor of Accounting Sciences degree from Wits University, where she was also a member of the astute Golden Key Members and brings over a decade of experience in the auditing profession.

Zaakirah completed her articles at a Big Four firm, gaining expertise in the Mining and Natural Resources industry as well as specializing in Learning and Development, with a focus on both technical and interpersonal skills. She has worked in and out of practise, spending 2 years in Commerce as a Financial Manager in the Automotive industry, however, always finds her way back to the world of Auditing. Her career spans both practical and theoretical aspects of auditing, consistently demonstrating a commitment to excellence and a passion for the field.

Zaakirah’s work focuses on supporting firms in aligning their quality systems and structures with established standards and regulations, ensuring compliance and promoting best practices. She has extensive experience in both education and auditing, with her role at the IRBA allowing her to integrate these areas to strengthen the pipeline of auditors entering the profession.