The B20 has tapped IFAC (International Federation of Accountants) as a Network Partner to its Compliance & Integrity taskforce focused on anti-corruption, and has added three IFAC leaders to taskforces on Integrity & Compliance, Financing Growth & Infrastructure, and SME Development.

Corruption undermines sustainable development and corrodes growth on a regional and global scale. In partnership, the B20 and IFAC are committed to anti-corruption efforts and effective policy critical to safeguarding integrity in the financial system.

“Grounded in a strong ethical code, accountants ensure the financial integrity of the organizations in which they work and are critical for the functioning of stable financial markets,” said IFAC CEO, Fayez Choudhury. “We are pleased to partner with the B20 to advance the global fight against corruption and to recognize the vital work being done every day by more than 3 million professional accountants that IFAC represents and supports.”

The B20 also adds to its taskforces three IFAC leaders to provide professional accountancy’s perspective on critical issues:

• Carol Bellringer, IFAC Board Member – Integrity & Compliance
• Dr. Richard Petty, IFAC Board Member – Financing Growth & Infrastructure
• Manoj Fadnis, IFAC SMP Committee Member – SME Development

“Finding real business and policy solutions to issues such as corruption requires input and commitment by leaders across sectors,” said Dr. Daniel Funes de Rioja, B20 Chair. “In developing the private sector’s voice on global issues, the perspective of accountants will prove indispensable in policy proposals to support both business and the public interest.”

With prominent changes in its business environment in recent years, Argentina’s B20 Presidency provides an amplified stage to advocate for the private sector’s role in advancing public interest outcomes that support healthy economies and societies. 

“Tackling corruption is essential to gain and maintain the public’s trust in business and government. We are eager to play a role in the fight against corruption as part of our global profession, and in this important year of Argentina’s G20 Presidency,” said Dr. José Luis Arnoletto, President of the Federación Argentina de Consejos Profesionales de Ciencias Económicas (FACPCE).

The B20 Argentina will focus on a variety of key challenges, including growth and infrastructure financing, promoting investment, ensuring food accessibility and addressing the challenges of the new industrial revolution.

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 over 175 members and associates in more than 130 countries and jurisdictions, representing almost 3 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.

About B20
The Business 20 is the private sector´s voice of the G20 community. It addresses global challenges and priorities defined by the G20 countries, by building solid consensus amongst business leaders, international organizations and civil society regarding how they should be approached. With more than 1000 business leaders from 38 countries, the B20 2018 Argentine cycle, has begun discussions regarding relevant topics such as: Digital Economy and Industry 4.0; Trade and Investment; Employment and Education; Financing Growth and Infrastructure; Sustainable Food Systems; Energy, Resource Efficiency and Sustainability; SME Development; and Integrity and Compliance. On the 4^th and 5^th of October, B20 will present its conclusions and policy recommendations to the G20 Leaders in the Buenos Aires Summit.

IFAC—the International Federation of Accountants—announced today that, after an extensive global search, Mr. Kevin Dancey, FCPA, FCA—former President and Chief Executive Officer of CPA Canada—has been selected as IFAC’s next Chief Executive Officer. He will succeed current IFAC Chief Executive Officer, Fayez Choudhury, whose term expires at the end of the year.

Kevin has a long history of leadership in both the accountancy profession and public service. In addition to leading CPA Canada and the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants, he has served as PwC’s Canadian Senior Partner and Chief Executive Officer. Prior to the firm’s global merger with Price Waterhouse, Kevin was Coopers & Lybrand’s national tax practice leader. Beyond the profession, Kevin has served Canada’s citizens in a variety of public service roles. He currently chairs Finance Canada’s Departmental Audit Committee and is National Coordinator of the CPA Canada Martin Family Initiative, which mentors Canadian indigenous youth. Kevin holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hon.) in Mathematics & Economics from McMaster University.

“Kevin’s deep experience running large and complex membership organizations and an accountancy firm provides outstanding foundations to take IFAC forward,” IFAC President, Rachel Grimes said. “His leadership qualities, and his global relationships, will help ensure IFAC continues to grow its leadership role on the world stage.”

“To be selected as the next IFAC Chief Executive Officer is a singular honor—a career capstone,” said IFAC Incoming Chief Executive Officer Kevin Dancey. “Accountants positively influence the global economy in a multitude of ways. I’m looking forward to being a passionate advocate for the 3 million professional accountants represented by IFAC’s more than 175 member organizations in over 130 jurisdictions.”

“IFAC is a vital organization representing the interests of an essential profession,” said IFAC Chief Executive Officer Fayez Choudhury. “I’ve known Kevin for a number of years and I’m delighted that someone with his stature, acumen and experience will take IFAC forward.”

Mr. Dancey joins on May 14, 2018, and will work closely with Mr. Choudhury to ensure a seamless leadership transition.

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 more than 175 members and associates in more than 130 countries and jurisdictions, representing almost 3 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.

Isabelle Tracq-Sengeissen is a former member of the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board. She served from 2018-2023, nominated by CNCC and CSOEC (France). Mrs. Tracq-Sengeissen was previously technical advisor to the IAASB from 2009 to 2014.

Mrs. Tracq-Sengeissen is an audit partner at EY in France, with 32 years of experience in auditing. She works for a variety of clients. Mrs. Tracq-Sengeissen is also passionately involved in the development of auditing and accounting profession in foreign countries, especially in French speaking African countries. Since 2022, she has been the EY Global Professional Practice Sustainability Leader.

Mrs. Tracq-Sengeissen is the chair of the auditing standard board of CNCC and has been a member of that board since 2000. She is a member of DIPAC executive committee (CNCC-CSOEC international affairs joint department). Mrs. Tracq-Sengeissen is also a board member of the Neoma Business School Alumni Association.

In July 2017, more than 80 representatives representing 15 professional accountancy organizations (PAOs) in the ASEAN region and neighboring Asia-Pacific countries, regional bodies, and donor and development agencies gathered in Hanoi, Vietnam to participate in a Statements of Membership Obligations (SMO) workshop, co-organized by the IFAC Quality & Development (Q&D) staff and the Vietnam Association of Certified Public Accountants (VACPA).

 Under the theme of Realizing the Power of PAOs: Credibility, Competency, and Collaboration, the one day workshop provided PAOs and key stakeholders the opportunity to take stock of the current state of the accountancy profession in the region and discuss challenges and successes affecting the profession. The main discussion points and conclusions from the workshop are available, which will be helpful to those working to strengthen PAOs.

Mrs Wydell is currently General Manager Professional Standards at Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) where she and her teams work to assist CA ANZ members by communicating, educating, helping, reviewing and, if necessary, disciplining members in relation to professional and ethical standards and behaviour.  Mrs Wydell is also responsible for forming policy positions on proposed ethical and professional standards and liaising with Australian regulators on issues relevant to the Accounting profession.  She engages with the Australian Accounting Professional and Ethical Standards Board on CA ANZ's behalf.

Mrs Wydell’s prior work experience was with two international network firms predominantly in the audit area of practice.  Mrs Wydell was previously a member of the Australian Auditing and Assurance Standards Board and is currently a director and chair of the Audit, Risk and Finance Committee for a large independent girl’s school.

Mrs Wydell has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and has been a member of CA ANZ for 25 years. 

Sundeep Takwani is ACCA’s Director of Regulation and is responsible for ethical and regulatory matters, including public practice and audit registration. Mr Takwani oversees ACCA’s regulatory responsibilities and its relationships with regulators, and also is responsible for servicing ACCA’s governance and public interest oversight arrangements for regulation and discipline. Additionally, Mr Takwani manages the updating of ACCA of the ACCA Rulebook; including ACCA’s Code of Ethics and Conduct, and represents ACCA on profession-wide ethics and regulatory forums.

Mr Takwani is a FCCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) and a member of Chartered Accountants Australia, and, New Zealand and The Chartered Institute of Taxation. Mr Takwani holds a BA (Hons) in Economics.

Greg Bedard became a member of the IFAC Professional Accountants in Business (PAIB) Advisory Group in January 2018. He was nominated by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).

Mr. Bedard is Vice President and Chief of Staff at Prudential Financial. Prior to this, Mr. Bedard was the VP of Internal Audit at Prudential where he had oversight repsonsibility for the strategy and execution of the internal audit program for financial management functions of the company. Mr. Bedard was also VP, Controller and Head of FP&A for the corporate segment and held previous financial mangement roles with progressive responsibility. 

Mr. Bedard has served in various volunteer leadership roles with the AICPA, including as a member of the AICPA's Governing Council, Assurance Services Executive Commmittee and Business and Industry Executive Committee. He is a chairperson of the annual AICPA Controllers Conference.

Mr. Bedard holds a Master of Philosophy in Economics from Oxford University. He earned an MBA in Accounting and Finance and Bachelor of Arts in Economics/Mathematics from Rutgers University. Mr. Bedard is a Certified Public Accountants (CPA) and a Certified Global Management Accountants (CGMA).

International standards for auditing and ethics play a critical role in the global financial infrastructure, assisting in promoting economic stability and international consistency, and in doing so, enhancing international financial and capital flows essential to a thriving global economy. This is especially important for emerging economies.