The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) has launched a newly redesigned and expanded Publications and Resources website, featuring over 200 titles developed by IFAC and its standard-setting boards and committees. This new site improves the user experience through enhanced navigation and features, including links to recommended publications based on user's selection.

The website includes the following broad range of pronouncements and resources:

• IFAC policy position papers and special reports;
• International standards on auditing and assurance, accounting education, ethics, and public sector financial reporting developed by IFAC's independent standard-setting boards;
• Good practice guides on corporate governance, sustainability, and other topics of interest to professional accountants in business; and
• Videos, presentation slides, guides to assist small and medium accounting practices, and other tools and resources to facilitate the adoption and implementation of international standards.

Visitors will experience enhanced functionality and interactivity with the addition of a search engine to facilitate user search and retrieval of specific resources of interest. Located on the homepage, a listing of the most recent and most popular publications, along with links to recommended publications, helps professional accountants find publications that are relevant to the work they do.

Explore all the new features and download IFAC publications and resources for free.

About IFAC
IFAC (www.ifac.org) 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 159 members and associates in 124 countries and jurisdictions, representing more than 2.5 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.

Global accountancy leaders support the International Federation of Accountants' (IFAC) recommendations to intensify its efforts to strengthen small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and accounting practices (SMPs), IFAC announced today.

IFAC recently convened the chief executives of more than 40 accountancy organizations to discuss how to further alleviate the challenges arising from the recent global financial crisis--also identified in IFAC's 2009 Global Leadership Survey.

"Small- and medium-sized businesses around the world, and the accounting practices that serve them, are struggling to recover from the global financial crisis," said IFAC President Robert Bunting. "IFAC and its member organizations must continue to take the lead in addressing the challenges facing SMEs and SMPs, including the need to avoid over-regulation."

The following areas were at the top of the list for the chief executives who attended IFAC's annual meeting:   

• Expand monitoring of global regulatory reform to ensure its suitability for SMEs and SMPs
• Increase the visibility and voice of SMEs and SMPs
• Collaborate with IFAC members to develop guides and resources to provide practical assistance to SMPs

The chief executives also agreed that IFAC should consider how to increase the participation of SMEs and SMPs in its standard-setting activities.

The chief executives backed IFAC's proposal to increase emphasis on sustainability reporting and corporate governance-related matters in its priorities for future action.

IFAC will take a stronger role in urging businesses to integrate sustainability throughout the whole of an organization's decision-making processes. The chief executives supported IFAC's co-operative work with the Prince of Wales' Accounting for Sustainability Project and its development of an international connected reporting committee to advance decision making and reporting on sustainability.

The chief executives agreed corporate governance was essential to effective financial reform and that IFAC should press for the implementation of good corporate governance principles, both in the private and public sectors. The accountancy profession's support for national financial frameworks that embrace corporate governance will be discussed at a joint conference hosted by IFAC and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development in April in Geneva.

Other topics discussed in the chief executives' meeting included the issues facing the profession in developing and emerging economies and actions to reinforce the invaluable role of professional accountants in business.

The input received from the chief executives will be considered by the IFAC Board as it develops its strategic plan for 2011-2014.

About IFAC
IFAC (www.ifac.org) 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 159 members and associates in 124 countries and jurisdictions, representing more than 2.5 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.

The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) is encouraged that the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) today confirmed its intent to support adoption of global accounting standards for US companies and reduce uncertainty about the future use of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs). We are disappointed that it is not seeking an adoption date closer to the ambitions of the G-20--by June 2011--and urge the SEC to allow for early adoption of IFRSs for severely affected multinational companies.

It is vital that all governments adopt and implement common global standards, not only for accounting, but also for auditing and for auditor independence. These standards are crucial, as having consistent financial information around the world strengthens capital markets, enhances cross-border activity, and reduces risks and uncertainties in the capital markets. Continuing on the path of convergence is a helpful interim step, but a commitment to adoption is necessary for the world to truly have access to a single set of global standards.

Robert L. Bunting, President

Global accountancy leaders want the International Federation of Accountants to increase pressure for adoption, implementation, and enforcement of standards.   

Investors and all consumers of financial information deserve clear, reliable, and consistent information, IFAC organizations from around the world asserted in a survey by the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC).

The adoption, implementation, and enforcement of international financial standards is crucial, according to the latest IFAC Global Leadership Survey, which polled its membership of 157 accountancy organizations in 123 countries.^* The presidents and chief executives responding to the survey said that IFAC needs to continue to lead the convergence of standards developed by its independent standard-setting boards, relating to auditing and assurance, education, ethics and public sector accounting, and to support the implementation of those standards.

The IFAC Global Leadership Survey announced in a revised version today the accountancy profession's leadership views of top priorities as:

• Increase confidence in international standards for accounting and auditing, in both the private sector and the public sector
• Adopt but also implement international standards, including principles of good corporate governance
• Urge the G-20 to not place unreasonable burdens on small and medium-sized enterprises through new regulations or re-regulation

"To move beyond the current crisis and ensure protection for all investors and taxpayers, the necessary parties around the world need to adopt and implement high-quality global standards," says IFAC CEO Ian Ball. "It is crucial for governments and regulators to take decisive actions in their countries and put in place their international commitments to converged standards."

The survey also found that the demand for professionals in public practice, business, and the public sector is expected to be high in the next three years. Student interest in accountancy has increased dramatically over the past three years, according to survey results. The profession was rated "Very attractive" or "Attractive" to university-level students, as well as experienced professionals and graduates who recently entered the field.

This version of the survey includes responses from more than 110 presidents and chief executives of IFAC members and regional accountancy organizations and groupings around the world.

About IFAC
IFAC (www.ifac.org) 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 159 members and associates in 124 countries and jurisdictions, representing more than 2.5 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.

IFAC has issued the revised results of the Third Annual Global Leadership Survey. Key findings cover a wide-range of topics, including the need to support small and midsize businesses in the current environment, the increasing importance of adoption and implementation of international standards, and the improvements made in the area of corporate governance.

The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) has posted a notice to alert its members, recognized regional organizations, acknowledged accountancy groupings, and the public of the withdrawal of the report on the 2009 Third Annual Global Leadership Survey. The report was issued on January 15, 2010.

The report has been withdrawn to incorporate additional responses and update the list of respondents. The report will be re-issued within the next few weeks.

If you have any questions, please contact Alta Prinsloo, Director, Governance and Operations, at altaprinsloo@ifac.org or Sylvia Barrett, Acting Deputy Director, Communications at sylviabarrett@ifac.org.

About IFAC
IFAC (http://www.ifac.org/) 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 159 members and associates in 124 countries and jurisdictions, representing more than 2.5 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.

The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) has announced the promotion of two senior staff who lead its Quality and Member Relations initiatives focused on enhancing the capacity of the profession and addressing the needs of audit practices around the world.

The appointments are:

• Russell A. Guthrie, CPA, to the position of Executive Director - Quality and Member Relations; and
• Sylvia Barrett, CA, to the position of Director - Quality and Member Relations.

Mr. Guthrie and Ms. Barrett will focus on IFAC's initiatives supporting global practice quality and the role of IFAC's member bodies, which are professional accountancy organizations. IFAC plans to continue to address emerging issues facing practitioners and to further increase opportunities for collaboration with key stakeholders, including development agencies.

Russell Guthrie appointed to Executive Director - Quality and Member Relations
In his new position, Mr. Guthrie, who joined IFAC in March 2001, will have a prominent role in the IFAC Management Team and lead the strategy for the Quality and Member Relations initiatives. His key areas of focus will be stakeholder relations, the continued implementation of the Member Body Compliance Program, and enhancing IFAC's efforts to support the growth of the accountancy profession in developing and emerging economies.

"Promotion to the role of Executive Director recognizes the broad range of Russell's responsibilities," states Ian Ball, IFAC Chief Executive Officer. "His extensive experience within IFAC and the global profession ideally positions him to lead IFAC's quality initiatives as well as develop and maintain positive relationships with external groups and stakeholders."

Sylvia Barrett appointed to Director - Quality and Member Relations
Ms. Barrett will utilize her knowledge about the roles and needs of professional accountants and her experience in implementing strategic programs to advance IFAC's activities for small and medium practices, transnational audit practices, and the adoption, translation, and implementation of global standards. Ms. Barrett first joined IFAC in April 2002, as a Technical Manager with the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB). In her current position as Deputy Director of Member Body Development, Ms. Barrett supports IFAC's Member Body Compliance Program, Developing Nations Committee, and is currently acting as head of the Communications Department.

"Sylvia not only has made significant contributions to IFAC's success over the past several years, but she also has extensive knowledge of the challenges facing the global accountancy profession," notes Mr. Ball. "Sylvia's promotion to Director and to the IFAC Management Team reflects the expansion of her job responsibilities and the important role she will play in advancing the next phase of key IFAC programs." Ms. Barrett will transition into her new position and responsibilities during the second quarter of 2010.

About IFAC
IFAC (www.ifac.org) 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 159 members and associates in 124 countries and jurisdictions, representing more than 2.5 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.

As world economies recover from the global financial crisis, the Third Annual Global Leadership Survey of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) revealed its membership as vocal advocates for small and midsize businesses, as well as for the adoption of global accounting and auditing standards. It also highlighted corporate governance enhancements in jurisdictions around the world.As world economies recover from the global financial crisis, the Third Annual Global Leadership Survey of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) revealed its membership as vocal advocates for small and midsize businesses, as well as for the adoption of global accounting and auditing standards. It also highlighted corporate governance enhancements in jurisdictions around the world.

"Our members took action to assist their jurisdictions during the crisis, lending their expertise to governments and businesses. Through a variety of outreach programs, they also let the public know what a valuable role the professional accountant plays in all the sectors we serve, especially in a time of crisis," says IFAC Chief Executive Officer Ian Ball. Mr. Ball noted that, in October and November 2009, IFAC received 105 responses to its online survey from the presidents and chief executives of accountancy institutes, and regional accountancy organizations and groupings. He adds, "Survey respondents believe that continued emphasis on effective implementation of international accounting and auditing standards and good corporate governance principles are critical issues for the future."

Public sector finance improvements. Because the financial crisis led to many governments' assuming an interventionist role in their economies through providing a range of guarantees and undertaking bailouts of major banks and other institutions, among other actions, the survey sought information on efforts to improve the transparency and accountability of governments for public sector finance. Many respondents reported their countries were in the process of adopting the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSASs), which can provide the reliable information about government finances that is so important in the context of the crisis.

Corporate governance enhancements. When survey participants were asked whether there had been enhancements to corporate governance in their jurisdictions, the majority reported that there had either been improvements, that actions were in process, or that such changes were being considered. In particular, they reported the adoption of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD) good governance principles, but there was an extensive range of responses, from making it mandatory for companies of a certain size to create an audit committee, to introducing codes specific to small businesses.

Demand for accountants. IFAC's survey also asked about the demand for accountants throughout the broad spectrum of sectors in which they work, and found that the profession remains attractive to students and those already in the field. According to survey responses, the demand for accountants remains high, worldwide, with growing interest in the government and academic sectors. Participants believe the demand for accountancy professionals will grow in the coming years.

Unity of the profession. Finally, respondents believe in the importance of maintaining the unity of the accountancy profession, in order to play a role in the changing regulation of the financial sector internationally. They said that they believe that IFAC should continue in its roles as a voice of the global profession--such as its memoranda to the G-20 leaders on reform of the global financial system, including special consideration for the needs of SMEs (small and medium entities)--and as a global standard-setter for auditing and public sector accounting, and professional ethics and education. 

The full report is available in the Policy Position Papers and Reports section of IFAC's Publications and Resources site.

About IFAC
IFAC (www.ifac.org) 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 159 members and associates in 124 countries and jurisdictions, representing more than 2.5 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.

The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) has posted an announcement to alert its members, the Forum of Firms, international organizations, and the public about its Call for Nominations to IFAC Boards and Committees in 2011.

Both the Call for Nominations and a companion guide, Developing a Nominations Strategy, are designed to help IFAC find the best person for each available position on its boards and committees, while also achieving a gender, regional, and professional balance. These extensive publications contain strategic and practical advice for nominating organizations, allowing them to make better informed decisions in selecting their nominees and to understand what is expected of them.

Nominations may be submitted from January 15 to March 15, 2010, by sending the completed Candidate Information Form via email to nominations@ifac.org. This form, along with more information about the nominations process and the Help Sheet, which includes detailed information on filling out the form, can be downloaded from the Nominating Committee section of the IFAC website: www.ifac.org/NominatingCommittee. 

If you have any questions, please contact Laura Buijs, Governance Manager, at laurabuijs@ifac.org.   

About IFAC
IFAC (www.ifac.org) 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 159 members and associates in 124 countries and jurisdictions, representing more than 2.5 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.