The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) today released its 2014/2015 Biennial Report, Championing Change in the Public Interest. The report highlights key outputs from the board in the past two years, including the Framework for Audit Quality and the new and revised Auditor Reporting standards.

Commentary from IAASB Chairman Prof. Arnold Schilder, IAASB Technical Director Kathleen Healy, and IAASB Consultative Advisory Group Chair Matthew M. Waldron explains how the IAASB is responding to the ever-evolving environment in which audits and other assurance services are conducted.

“As the independent global auditing and assurance standard setter, we have accomplished much in the last two years, delivering against stakeholders’ expectations while adhering to a rigorous due process,” highlighted Prof. Schilder. “Our efforts outlined in our Strategy for 2015 – 2019 are well underway. We continue to forge ahead—intensely focused on outreach and collaboration to understand in particular where our international standards can and should be revisited in order to enhance audit quality.”  

“This report represents our initial attempt to demonstrate integrated thinking in how the board conducts itself and uses its limited resources to best serve the public interest, in light of our focus on innovation in reporting,” noted Ms. Healy. “At the same time, we hope this report will better acquaint investors and audit committees with our mission and efforts, stimulating further interest in our current agenda and opportunities for increased interactions with our stakeholders.” 

The report also outlines the status of the board’s key priorities and provides links to where further information is available on the IAASB’s website.

One of the current priorities is the IAASB’s Invitation to Comment, Enhancing Audit Quality in the Public Interest, which addresses the topics of professional skepticism, quality control, and group audits. The deadline for comments is May 16, 2016.

Additionally, the IAASB is investing substantial efforts in a project to revise the International Standard on Auditing addressing accounting estimates, including fair values.

About the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) 
The IAASB develops auditing and assurance standards and guidance for use by all professional accountants under a shared standard-setting process involving the Public Interest Oversight Board, which oversees the activities of the IAASB and the IAASB Consultative Advisory Group, which provides public interest input into the development of the standards and guidance. The structures and processes that support the operations of the IAASB are facilitated by the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC).

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. It 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.

The Applicability of IPSASs and a revised Preface to International Public Sector Accounting Standards (Preface), change how the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board communicates the type of public sector entities that it considers when developing an IPSAS or Recommended Practice Guideline (RPG). 

The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) 2014/2015 Biennial Report, Championing Change in the Public Interest, explains how the IAASB is responding to the ever-evolving environment in which audits and other assurance services are conducted.