Objective

(a)       The objective of this project is to develop provisions for the Code addressing threats that may be created when an individual who was previously involved in an

            audit or other assurance engagement (whether as the engagement partner or as another member of the engagement team) is appointed as the EQR on the

            same engagement.

IFAC today released the latest installment of its Exploring the IESBA Code educational series: The Conceptual Framework–Step 3, Addressing Threats.

Exploring the IESBA Code is a twelve-month series providing an in-depth look at the International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including International Independence Standards) (the Code). Each installment focuses on a specific aspect of the Code using real-world situations in a manner that is relatable and practical. Readers will gain a better understanding of the thought process behind important aspects of the Code through storytelling and expert analysis from professionals involved in developing the standards.

Previous installments of Exploring the IESBA Code looked at the Code’s five fundamental principles and key aspects of the conceptual framework, which is a specified approach that all professional accountants are required to use to identify, evaluate and address threats to compliance with those principles. Installment four focuses on addressing threats.

A professional accountant can often come across complex or challenging situations that are not black and white. These challenging situations require ethical considerations, some of which are expressly dealt with in the Code. This  unique and informational series was developed by IFAC in collaboration with the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) to help explain how the Code assists in navigating some of these challenges.

To read and download this and future installments, visit the IFAC website.

Exploring the IESBA Code was published by IFAC and does not form part of the Code. It is non-authoritative and is not a substitute for reading the Code.

For more information about the Code, please click here. 

The objectives of the project are two-fold:

(a)       To align the definition of the term “engagement team” in the Code with the revised definition of the same term in proposed ISA 220 (Revised) while ensuring that

            the independence requirements in the IIS are clear and appropriate and apply only to those individuals within the scope of the revised definition who must be

            independent in the context of the particular audit engagement; and