Enhanced collaboration across the accountancy profession’s global, regional, and national levels is a key success factor in achieving strong, sustainable professional accountancy organizations (PAOs), which are crucial to healthy economies. To encourage and support mutually beneficial partnerships that create stronger PAOs and strengthen the accountancy profession, the International Federation of Accountants^® (IFAC^®) today released Counting on Each Other: Establishing & Maintaining Effective PAO Partnerships.

“A healthy economy needs a well-functioning accountancy profession comprised of skilled professionals who contribute to high-quality, decision-useful, and publicly available financial and non-financial information,” commented Alta Prinsloo, Executive Director, Strategy, and Chief Operating Officer. “A strong PAO is essential to the development of skilled professionals. Harnessing the collective knowledge and experience of organizations across the global accountancy profession can help developing PAOs realize their potential.”

The guidance offers practical insights on how to approach partnerships between PAOs, drawing on real experiences and successes. It explores laying the foundations for fruitful collaboration and ideas for managing partnerships effectively.

“The right partnership can support a developing PAO’s journey to reach its full potential and take its place in the global accountancy profession,” continued Ms. Prinsloo. “Effective collaboration can bring clear and sustainable benefits for capacity building, not only to the parties directly involved but also to the broader national, regional, and global accountancy communities. As a profession and community, there is much we can learn from each other.”

The guidance was developed as part of the PAO Capacity Building Series, which includes guidance on PAO governance, PAO advocacy and public policy, and engaging professional accountants in business. The guidance also builds on one of the key findings of the MOSAIC PAO Global Development Report, which cited the effective and efficient nature of knowledge-sharing relationships between PAOs as a means of sharing expertise.

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. 

Are you seeking an exceptional senior leadership opportunity that combines your understanding of the public interest role of auditing and assurance standards with your desire to make a difference on a global stage?

The accountancy profession is a truly global profession underpinned by high-quality international standards. The International Audit and Assurance Standards Board’s International Standards on Audit, which help support strong global financial markets and the world’s economy, are among the most important international standards.

“Working for the IAASB provides a rich and diverse experience, and the opportunity to help enhance the quality and consistency of practice throughout the world in the public interest,” according to James Gunn, Managing Director, Professional Standards.

Under the direction of the Technical Director, a team of 10 professionals assists the IAASB in serving the public interest by setting high-quality international standards for auditing, assurance, and other related areas, and by facilitating their adoption and implementation.

Beverly Bahlmann, IAASB Deputy Director, enjoys the collaborative, multi-cultural, and collegial environment. She says, “The IAASB’s agenda challenges me to stay abreast of developments and future trends, to think strategically, and to innovate. I have the opportunity to contribute significantly to the work of the IAASB, and interact with stakeholders from around the world.”

The IAASB is seeking a Technical Director. Based in New York, this uniquely impactful role requires deep knowledge of audit and assurance, strong understanding of standard setting, and exceptional leadership ability. In return, you will have the opportunity to:

• Engage with senior members of the global accountancy profession, the regulatory community, and other key stakeholders in support of, and to enhance, global public trust;
• Manage the international audit and assurance standard-setting program, and influence the direction, shape, and content of leading-edge standard-setting projects; and
• Lead and develop a dynamic team of high-quality individuals in a  diverse, and collegial environment, fostering strong relations with colleagues and peers who are passionate about international standard setting.

This is a role that makes a difference. For further information about the position and how to apply, please see the IAASB Technical Director job description.

The IAASB is one of four independent international standard-setting boards whose operating structures are supported by the International Federation of Accountants. Most standard setting staff positions for the IAASB and the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants are based in New York, US. Standard-setting staff positions that support the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board and International Accounting Education Standards Board are based in Toronto, Canada.