Today, the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) published an exposure draft of its new, stand-alone standard for audits of financial statements of less complex entities. This landmark new draft standard responds to demands to have a set of high-quality requirements tailored for the needs of less complex entities (LCEs). The new standard for audits of financial statements of LCEs will provide a globally consistent approach at a time where several jurisdictional-specific LCE standards or related initiatives are arising. The release of the exposure draft is part of a broader effort to reduce complexity, improve understandability, and make International Standards on Auditing (ISAs) more scalable and proportionate to circumstances of audited entities.

“Smaller, less complex entities play a vital role in the world’s economy. The IAASB has prioritized addressing the needs of stakeholders representing these entities over the last eighteen months,” said IAASB Chair Tom Seidenstein. “Our new proposed standard’s objective is appropriately focusing the work of auditors through requirements designed to be proportionate to the typical nature and circumstance of less complex entities. We are not compromising on the quality of the audit.”

The IAASB strongly encourages all interested stakeholders to provide their feedback 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. The IAASB is also planning outreach on the new draft standard; an outreach plan will be available on the IAASB’s website in late August 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.

Today, IFAC released a Point of View: Greater Transparency and Accountability in the Public Sector. 

The public sector is facing a myriad of competing priorities, including an unprecedented global health crisis and climate emergency, and must make critical decisions that will affect generations to come. In this environment, helping citizens understand how public funds are being managed and spent, as well as the reasoning behind and consequences of decisions made, can meet the heightened need for transparency and accountability necessary to retain and grow stakeholder trust.

IFAC’s Point of View explores the need for strong governance and public financial management (PFM), so that governments and public sector entities around the world can make informed, data-driven decisions for people, the planet, and the economy. It also outlines how the accountancy profession, with its public interest mandate, can support the public sector in achieving long-term financial sustainability and resilience, to help create a better world with stronger economies and fairer societies.

“Our latest POV focuses on actionable steps that professional accountants in the public sector can take to foster trust and increase resilience globally,” said Kevin Dancey, IFAC CEO. “Calls for transparency and accountability in the public sector are not new, but we have outlined systems, processes, and practices the public sector can integrate to achieve the strong financial management necessary to build a sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous future for all of us.”

Read IFAC’s latest POV here.

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 180 members and associates in 135 countries and jurisdictions, representing more than 3 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.