IFAC calls on the G20 to focus on two key actions—where the global accountancy profession is a strongly committed partner—that will move the needle on sustainability, inclusivity, and prosperity.
IFAC’s new framework for implementing global sustainability standards set by an International Sustainability Standards Board builds on the previously issued Building Blocks Approach. This framework examines how existing mechanisms already in place for adopting IFRS Standards used in financial reporting may be appropriate or adapted for sustainability-related reporting.
The latest edition of the handbook includes:
In preparation of its 3rd Research Forum, which will be co-hosted by Comparative International Governmental Accounting Research Network (CIGAR) at its June 2022 conference, the IPSASB is calling for scholarly contributions from the academic community.
Coordinated through the Academic Advisory Group, which includes independent scholars from all parts of the world, as well as the IPSASB members who have an academic background, IPSASB is offering a grant of USD $1,500 for selected scholarly papers submitted covering three research areas with up to six grants available in total.
The research areas of interest are:
Research Area 1: Research on Practical IPSAS Implementation Challenges
Research Area 2: Research on Adoption and Implementation of Specific IPSAS
Research Area 3: Broad Future Focused Research
The grant recipients, as well as other scholars, will present the first drafts of their full papers at the 2022 Research Forum (date TBD). For more information, see the the IPSASB’s Call for Papers.
Learn more about the Academic Advisory Group.
About the IPSASB
The International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board® (IPSASB®) works to improve public sector financial reporting worldwide through the development of IPSAS®, international accrual-based accounting standards, for use by governments and other public sector entities around the world.
Research grants of USD $1,500 available
To continue to drive engagement and solicit feedback on its public consultation on a proposed new standard for audits of financial statements of less complex entities (LCE), the IAASB has published a targeted outreach plan. This plan details the IAASB’s focused efforts to facilitate feedback from different stakeholder groups through roundtables, presentations and other related activities. The plan is expected to evolve and will continue to be updated as events and activities are added or confirmed.
The landmark proposed new standard for audits of financial statements of less complex entities responds to demands to have a set of high-quality audit requirements tailored for the needs of less complex entities. The proposed new standard aims to provide a globally consistent approach at a time where several jurisdictional-specific less complex entities standards or related initiatives are arising.
The IAASB strongly encourages all interested stakeholders to provide their feedback on the proposed standard by January 31, 2022. The standard is relevant to users of financial statements, owners, management and those charged with governance of entities, preparers of financial statements, legislative or regulatory authorities, relevant local bodies with standard-setting authority, professional accountancy organizations, academics, regulators and audit oversight bodies, and auditors and audit firms, among others.
Stakeholders can submit responses through the “Submit Comment” button online. The Exposure Draft will also be available in French and Spanish in early September 2021.
About the IAASB
The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board 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). For copyright, trademark, and permissions information, please go to permissions or contact permissions@ifac.org.
Many stakeholders, including IFAC and ACCA, have advocated for relevant, reliable, and comparable sustainability-related information, including enhanced climate risk assessment and disclosure. Professional accountants have an essential role to play as companies strive to meet rapidly increasing demands from investors, policy-makers, and other stakeholders for enhanced information addressing the global climate crisis.
To better understand the information gap between business and investors and what might be done to address it, IFAC and ACCA are partnering to host a Climate Week NYC event, Plugging the Net-Zero Information Gap: The role of investors, accountants and capital markets, to be held virtually September 20, 2021 at 9:00am EDT.
The event will include a panel discussion moderated by Patrick Temple-West, Journalist, Financial Times and feature:
"The significant impact of climate-related matters on organizations’ business models, cash flows, financial performance, and resiliency requires immediate attention not only due to increasing pressure from investors, regulators, and policy makers, but the urgency of the climate crisis itself,” said Kevin Dancey, IFAC CEO. “Climate scenario analysis and risk assessment can be complex, and accountants can help translate those risks and opportunities into numbers able to initiate much-needed action.”
Helen Brand, chief executive of ACCA added: “Collaboration is key to tackling the existential threats and risks that face economies and societies due to climate change. Professional accountants are therefore an essential part of this necessary joined-up thinking to drive good decision-making, and make the necessary links with the investment community and other stakeholders. Accountants’ skills and knowledge around around integrated reporting, encompassing capitals be they natural, financial, manufactured, human, social/relationship or intellectual, have a vital role in this global effort.”
Register now to join online September 20. A recording of the event will be available after the event.
About Climate Week NYC
Hosted annually by international non-profit the Climate Group in conjunction with the United Nations, and in partnership with the COP26 and the City of New York, Climate Week NYC is a global opportunity to come together to accelerate climate action and assess progress ahead of COP26.
About ACCA
We’re a thriving global community of 233,000 members and 536,000 future members based in 178 countries and regions, who work across a wide range of sectors and industries. We uphold the highest professional and ethical values.
We offer everyone everywhere the opportunity to experience a rewarding career in accountancy, finance and management. Our qualifications and learning opportunities develop strategic business leaders, forward-thinking professionals with the financial, business and digital expertise essential for the creation of sustainable organisations and flourishing societies.
Since 1904, being a force for public good has been embedded in our purpose. In December 2020, we made commitments to the UN Sustainable Development Goals which we are measuring and will report on in our annual integrated report.
We believe that accountancy is a cornerstone profession of society and is vital helping economies, organisations and individuals to grow and prosper. It does this by creating robust trusted financial and business management, combating corruption, ensuring organisations are managed ethically, driving sustainability, and providing rewarding career opportunities.
And through our cutting-edge research, we lead the profession by answering today’s questions and preparing for the future. We’re a not-for-profit organisation. Find out more at accaglobal.com
About IFAC
IFAC (the International Federation of Accountants) 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.
Comprised of over 175 members and associates in more than 130 countries and jurisdictions, IFAC represents more than 3 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce. Over four decades, IFAC has represented the global profession and supported the development, adoption, and implementation of international standards that underpin the contributions of today’s global accountancy profession.
IFAC has maintained a long-term approach to building and strengthening a global accountancy profession that supports transparent, accountable, and sustainable organizations, financial markets, and economies. More information is here www.ifac.org
This paper is the first of four thought leadership pieces that build on a collaborative exploratory paper and global roundtable event held jointly with Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS), entitled Ethical Leadership in an Era of Complexity and Digital Change. The exploratory paper, a summary of the event, and an on-demand recording are available here.
As the world becomes more complex, maintaining ethical standards becomes both more challenging and increasingly important. To help guide financial professionals, the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada), the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS), and the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) have released Complexity and the professional accountant: Practical guidance for ethical decision-making, the first in a series of four thought leadership pieces.
“We’re on a journey to reimagine the future of the accounting profession,” said Charles-Antoine St-Jean, president and CEO, CPA Canada. “Digital disruption and shifting societal expectations are redefining the role of professional accountants around the world. Our collective response to these opportunities, challenges, and ethical implications will impact our ability to remain trusted leaders, on the forefront of change. This paper, and those to follow, contribute to important conversations as we adapt and help shape the future.”
This initial publication developed by CPA Canada builds on a collaborative exploratory paper and global roundtable event, called Ethical Leadership in an Era of Complexity and Digital Change, held in conjunction with ICAS and IFAC. The first of the series addresses key themes presented in the exploratory work, leveraging the event discussions and recommendations, to offer practical guidance for professional accountants, accounting organizations, educators and employers.
“Ethical leadership is crucial to the future success of the accountancy profession, and the global financial system as a whole,” said Kevin Dancey, CEO of IFAC. “As a profession, it is our core ethical foundation, coupled with our skills and competencies, that enable us to navigate the opportunities and challenges of the digital age, while maintaining our public interest responsibility.”
The development of Complexity and the professional accountant: Practical guidance for ethical decision-making was also informed by the ongoing work of the Technology Working Group of the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) and the diverse views of stakeholders gathered through its extensive outreach.
“The accounting profession needs to continually evolve to address changing stakeholder needs while continuing to meet its’ public interest responsibility” notes, Bruce Cartwright CA, ICAS CEO, adding: “The only certainty is that there will be more regular advancements in technology. It is therefore imperative that we properly consider the associated ethical implications of technology and help shape the future.”
Complexity and the professional accountant: Practical guidance for ethical decision-making, along with the collaborative exploratory paper, a summary of the February 2021 event, including an on-demand recording and additional resources, are all available on the IFAC Knowledge Gateway.
The upcoming papers in the series will cover the following interconnected but distinct topics:
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About CPA Canada
Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada) works collaboratively with the provincial, territorial and Bermudian CPA bodies, as it represents the Canadian accounting profession, both nationally and internationally. This collaboration allows the Canadian profession to champion best practices that benefit business and society, as well as prepare its members for an ever-evolving operating environment featuring unprecedented change. Representing more than 220,000 members, CPA Canada is one of the largest national accounting bodies worldwide. cpacanada.ca
About ICAS
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) is the global professional body for Chartered Accountants. We educate, examine and lead, enabling excellence whilst always working for the wider public good. All 23,000 ICAS members have earned our world-class CA designation of Chartered Accountant, the qualification that’s shaped an international business community spanning industries and continents, full of local heroes and corporate leaders. And we continually foster the bonds between our members, so CAs at all stages of their careers can learn from shared experience and connect their ambitions to success. For further information please visit – icas.com.
About IFAC
The International Federation of Accountants (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. Comprised of 180 members and associates in more than 130 countries and jurisdictions, IFAC represents more than 3 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry and commerce.
Over four decades, IFAC has represented the global profession and supported the development, adoption, and implementation of international standards that underpin the contributions of today’s global accountancy profession. IFAC has maintained a long-term approach to building and strengthening a global accountancy profession that supports transparent, accountable, and sustainable organizations, financial markets, and economies.
