IFAC calls for accrual-based accounting for governments and the need for institutional reform in public sector financial management. (www.worldeconomics.com)

The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), the global organization for the accountancy profession with members and associates in 127 countries, today released a revised version of Policy Position Paper 2, A Single Set of Auditing Standards: Audits Of Small- And Medium-Sized Entities.

“IFAC reaffirms its view that a single set of auditing standards that can be applied to all audits is in the public interest,” stated Ian Ball, chief executive officer of IFAC. “A key objective of financial reporting is to provide users with relevant and reliable information for decision making; a single set of standards gives users confidence that audits—whether small or large, simple or complex—have been performed to the same high standards.”

The use of International Standards on Auditing (ISAs) for audits of small- and medium-sized entities has again been brought into focus following the release of the European Commission’s proposed audit legislation late last year.

“The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB)’s ISAs are designed to be applied in a manner proportionate to the size and complexity of an entity,” continued Prof. Arnold Schilder, chairman of the IAASB. “IAASB is committed to addressing the needs of small- and medium-sized entities and small and medium practitioners.”

Policy Position Paper 2, A Single Set of Auditing Standards: Audits Of Small- And Medium-Sized Entities, was first issued by IFAC in 2008. The main revisions to the position paper include updated references to:

• the Clarified ISAs;
• other standards that the IAASB has issued and that are relevant to small and medium practitioners; and
• tools and guidance made available to practitioners by IFAC and the IAASB.

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 167 members and associates in 127 countries and jurisdictions, representing approximately 2.5 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.

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This paper discusses the public interest considerations relevant to the application of International Standards of Auditing (ISAs), set by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB), for audits of small- and medium-sized entities (SMEs). It highlights how IFAC and the IAASB take into account the needs and views of SMEs and small- and medium-sized accountancy practices (SMPs), as well as describing initiatives undertaken so that ISAs can be used cost-effectively for the financial statement audits of entities of all sizes.

La Federación Internacional de Contadores (IFAC), una organización mundial para la profesión contable con miembros y asociados en 127 países, celebra la traducción al español del Manual de Pronunciamientos Internacionales de Contabilidad del Sector Público, edición 2011.

Esta traducción al español fue realizada por profesores del Departamento de Contabilidad y Finanzas de la Facultad de Economía y Empresa de la Universidad de Zaragoza, España. Su revisión estuvo a cargo de un comité de revisión internacional integrado por expertos del sector público, procedentes de Argentina, Chile, México, España y Uruguay.

“Este Manual ofrece un conjunto integral de requisitos y directrices contables, creados específicamente para preparadores de estados financieros del sector público. Esta traducción al español se celebra especialmente debido al creciente aumento en el ritmo de adopción de estas normas en España y América Latina”, explica Andreas Bergmann, Presidente del Consejo de Normas Internacionales de Contabilidad del Sector Público (IPSASB).

El Director General de la IFAC, Ian Ball, expresó: “Contar con esta traducción facilitará y apoyará la adopción y la implementación de las Normas Internacionales de Contabilidad del Sector Público en países de habla hispana. Los problemas actuales de deuda pública que atraviesan muchos países de todo el mundo reflejan la profunda necesidad de reforma en el ámbito de los informes y la gestión financiera en el sector público. Esta traducción contribuirá a dicha reforma, como así también a mejorar la comparabilidad, la transparencia y la contabilidad en el sector público a nivel mundial”.

La IFAC presentará el seminario internacional: La crisis de la deuda pública: Una cuestión de urgencia. Desde las lecciones hasta la reforma, del 19 al 20 de marzo de 2012. El seminario contará con prestigiosos oradores invitados, entre los cuales se encuentran: Vincenzo LaVia, Director Financiero del Grupo del Banco Mundial; David Walker, Fundador y Director General de la iniciativa Comeback America y ex Contralor General de los Estados Unidos; y Göran Persson, ex Primer Ministro de Suecia. El seminario de dos días de duración incluirá debates sobre el papel de la adopción y la implementación de las Normas Internacionales de Contabilidad del Sector Público (IPSAS), el éxito de la contabilidad según el principio de devengo, el papel del profesional de las finanzas en la reforma y la convergencia, la complejidad de los informes de interés público y mucho más. Para obtener más información, escriba a sdseminar@ifac.org.

También se ha publicado, recientemente, la traducción al español del Estudio 14 del IPSASB: Transición a la base contable de acumulación (o devengo): Directrices para entidades del sector público.

Ambos proyectos fueron posibles gracias a la asistencia del Banco Mundial y a las contribuciones del Gobierno de España a través del Fondo Español para América Latina y el Caribe.  Estas publicaciones pueden descargarse gratuitamente en formato PDF de la página de Internet de la IFAC. Las publicaciones no se encuentran disponibles en formato impreso. La reproducción, distribución o difusión de estas publicaciones requiere el permiso de la IFAC. Para obtener más información, escriba a permissions@ifac.org. Para obtener un panorama general de las traducciones de publicaciones de la IFAC, visite la Base de datos de traducciones de la IFAC: www.ifac.org/about-ifac/translations-permissions/translations-database

Acerca del IPSASB
El Consejo de Normas Internacionales de Contabilidad del Sector Público (IPSASB) desarrolla normas contables y directrices para que utilicen las entidades del sector público. La IFAC facilita las estructuras y los procesos que respaldan las operaciones del IPSASB. El IPSASB recibe apoyo (tanto financiero directo como en especie) del Banco Mundial, el Banco Asiático de Desarrollo, las Naciones Unidas y los Gobiernos de Canadá, China, Nueva Zelanda y Suiza.

Acerca de la IFAC
La IFAC es la organización mundial para la profesión contable que se dedica a servir el interés público mediante el fortalecimiento de la profesión y la contribución al desarrollo de economías internacionales fuertes. La IFAC está compuesta por 167 miembros y asociados de 127 países y jurisdicciones, que representan a aproximadamente 2,5 millones de contadores en la práctica pública y en sectores como la educación, el Gobierno, la industria y el comercio.

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The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), the global organization for the accountancy profession with members and associates in 127 countries, welcomes the Spanish translation of the Handbook of International Public Sector Accounting Pronouncements – 2011 Edition.

This Spanish translation was undertaken by faculty members from the Department of Accounting and Finance, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, at the University of Zaragoza, Spain. It has been reviewed by an international committee consisting of public sector experts from Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Spain, and Uruguay.

“This Handbook provides a comprehensive set of accounting requirements and guidance developed specifically for preparers of public sector financial statements. Due to the increasing pace of adoption in Spain and Latin America of these standards, this Spanish language translation is especially welcome,” said Andreas Bergmann, Chairman of the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB).

IFAC’s Chief Executive Officer Ian Ball stated, “Availability of this translation will facilitate and support the adoption and implementation of the International Public Sector Accounting Standards in Spanish-speaking countries. The current sovereign debt issues in many countries around the world makes clear that financial management and reporting reform in the public sector is sorely needed. This translation will help contribute to that reform, as well as to enhanced comparability, transparency, and accountability in the public sector globally.” 

IFAC is presenting a global seminar, The Sovereign Debt Crisis, A Matter of Urgency—from Lessons to Reform, March 19-20, 2012.  The Seminar will feature prestigious guest speakers that include: Vincenzo LaVia, Chief Financial Officer of the World Bank Group; Hon. David Walker, Founder and CEO of the Comeback America Initiative and Former United States Comptroller General; and Göran Persson, Former Prime Minister of Sweden.  The two-day seminar will include discussions on the role of IPSAS adoption and implementation, the success of  accrual accounting, the role of the finance professional in reform and convergence, the complexity of public interest reporting, and more. For more information please contact sdseminar@ifac.org.

A Spanish translation of IPSASB’s Study 14 - Transition to the Accrual Basis of Accounting: Guidance for Governments and Government Entities was also recently published.

Both projects were made possible with the assistance of the World Bank and contributions from the government of Spain through the Spanish Fund for Latin America and the Caribbean. These publications can be downloaded free of charge in PDF format from the IFAC website. They have not been published in print format. Reproduction, distribution or dissemination of these publications requires permission of IFAC. Contact permissions@ifac.org for further information. For an overview of translations of IFAC’s publications, please visit the IFAC Translations Database: www.ifac.org/about-ifac/translations-permissions/translations-database.

About the IPSASB
The IPSASB develops accounting standards and guidance for use by public sector entities. The structures and processes that support the operations of the IPSASB are facilitated by IFAC. The IPSASB receives support (both direct financial and in-kind) from the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the United Nations and the governments of Canada, China, New Zealand, and Switzerland.

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 167 members and associates in 127 countries and jurisdictions, representing approximately 2.5 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.

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Ian Ball, IFAC’s Chief Executive Officer, recently attended the L'Institut des Réviseurs d'Entreprises’ European Study Day conference in Brussels, Belgium. Mr. Ball delivered a presentation on Auditing in the Public Sector, which details the societal role of the audit, the need for adoption of accrual-based accounting by governments and public sector institutions, and IFAC’s commitment to global convergence of international standards

The staff of the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) today released Professional Skepticism in an Audit of Financial Statements, a new question-and-answer (Q&A) publication that re-emphasizes to auditors the importance of an attitude of professional skepticism when performing their role.

“The IAASB’s International Standards on Auditing (ISAs) explicitly recognize the fundamental importance of professional skepticism,” states Prof. Arnold Schilder, IAASB Chairman. “Nevertheless, adopting and applying a skeptical mindset is ultimately a personal and professional responsibility to be embraced by every auditor. It is an integral part of the auditor’s skill set, is closely interrelated to the fundamental concepts of auditor independence and professional judgment, and contributes to audit quality. The auditor’s education, training, and experience are therefore critical. Audit firms themselves have an important role to play in cultivating a skeptical mindset in auditors, as do regulators, oversight bodies, and those charged with governance.”

“The public expects high-quality audits. While what that means depends on one’s perspective, a defining feature is the exercise of professional judgment together with a ‘healthy dose’ of professional skepticism by the auditor. A skeptical attitude enhances the auditor’s ability to identify and respond to conditions that may indicate possible misstatement due to error or fraud and critically assess audit evidence,” notes James Gunn, IAASB Technical Director.

The Q&A publication focuses on the requirements and application material in the ISAs and the IAASB’s quality control standard that are of particular relevance to the proper understanding and application of professional skepticism during an audit of financial statements. In addition, answers are provided regarding what audit firms and auditors can do to enhance awareness of the importance of professional skepticism, identify aspects of an audit where professional skepticism may be particularly important, and how professional skepticism can be evidenced.

About the 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 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. IFAC is comprised of 167 members and associates in 127 countries and jurisdictions, representing approximately 2.5 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.

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The International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) today released for public exposure proposed changes to the definition of “engagement team” in the IESBA Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (the Code).

The proposals address comments received by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board on its Exposure Draft (ED) on ISA 610, Using the Work of Internal Auditors. A number of respondents to that ED pointed out the perceived inconsistency between the independence requirements for external auditors under the Code and the use of internal auditors to perform external audit procedures.

“Through this Exposure Draft, the IESBA seeks to ascertain whether the proposed changes to the definition adequately clarify the term "engagement team" and eliminate the perception that the Code and the ISA are in conflict. The IESBA believes this will contribute to more consistent application of the Code, which is critical to our mission to support the global adoption and implementation of the Code of Ethics,” said Ken Dakdduk, chair of the IESBA.

How to comment
The IESBA invites all stakeholders to comment on its proposals in the Exposure Draft, Proposed Change to the Definition of “Engagement Team.” To submit a comment, visit the IESBA website at www.ifac.org/ethics. Comments on the Exposure Draft are requested by May 31, 2012.

About the IESBA
The International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) is an independent standard-setting board that develops and issues, in the public interest, high-quality ethical standards and other pronouncements for professional accountants worldwide. Through its activities, the IESBA develops the Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants, which establishes ethical requirements for professional accountants. The structures and processes that support the operations of the IESBA are facilitated by IFAC. Please visit www.ifac.org/ethics for more information.

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 167 members and associates in 127 countries and jurisdictions, representing approximately 2.5 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.

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