Today, the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) released the second installment in a three-part publication series to help small- and medium-sized practices implement the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board’s (IAASB) quality management standards. Installment Two: Developing a Detailed Implementation Planprovides a step approach to identifying your quality objectives; completing your quality risk assessment process; identifying existing, or creating new, responses to those quality risks; and implementing, documenting, and communicating your system of quality management.
Installment Two also:
Addresses the eight components of the IAASB’s International Standard on Quality Management 1, Quality Management for Firms that Perform Audits or Reviews of Financial Statements, or Other Assurance or Related Services Engagements;
Contains an example case study to illustrate the transition from the International Standard on Quality Control 1, Quality Control for Firms that Perform Audits and Reviews of Financial Statements, and Other Assurance and Related Services Engagements; and
Includes multiple documentation aids covering independence, acceptance and continuance of clients and engagements, resources, and outside consultation, as well as a sample checklist for engagement quality reviews.
Installment One of the series addressed the mindset change the new standards require and the shift in focus from quality control to quality management. Installment Three, expected later this year, will cover monitoring and remediation. This series joins IFAC’s collection of available resources that support quality management implementation, including webinars, articles and videos, as well as the IAASB first-time implementation guides, all of which are available at ifac.org/qualitymanagement.
IFAC acknowledges and appreciates feedback from IFAC’s Small and Medium Practices Advisory Group and Forum of Firms representatives in the development of the series.
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 jurisdictions, representing more than 3 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce
As the global voice of the accountancy profession, IFAC has long supported the establishment of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) to develop a comprehensive global baseline of sustainability disclosures, endorsed by IOSCO, and used around the world. The goal is a global system for consistent, comparable, reliable, and assurable sustainability information that can be complemented by local standards or broader public policy needs.
With today’s release of its first two standards, the ISSB has answered stakeholders’ calls to move with pace, to focus on the needs of investors and capital markets, and to build upon existing and respected frameworks and standards.
IFAC CEO Kevin Dancey said, “In one sense, the finalization of S1 and S2 by the ISSB marks the beginning of the work to be done by the accountancy profession. All professional accountants—whether working in business, as preparers or auditors, or serving as leaders of professional accountancy organizations—must now advocate for and implement these standards so that high-quality corporate reporting of sustainability-related information becomes a reality. The ongoing work of the IAASB and IESBA will bring trust and confidence through high-quality—and hopefully mandatory—assurance.”
“To that end, IFAC calls on the global accountancy profession to work with local regulators and stakeholders to support the adoption of ISSB standards, to help build capacity for their implementation alongside any local complementary reporting requirements, and to continue to contribute our expertise and feedback to the ISSB as its important standard setting work continues.”
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.
Issues urgent call for global accountancy profession to drive adoption and use of standards
With the myriad of opportunities available to professional accountants across positions, locales and sectors with the ability to progress in many different roles, accountancy is a passport to meaningful and rewarding careers in both the private and public sectors. This was the theme of the latest meeting of IFAC’s Professional Accountants in Business (PAIB) Advisory Group held in New York City, which convenes a global and diverse group of professional accountants working in a variety of leadership positions in business and the public sector.
A new article from IFAC explores five opportunities identified by the PAIB Advisory Group available to professional accountants to shape a career for themselves with lasting impact. By enabling digital transformation, connecting organizational goals to corporate sustainability targets and the sustainability development goals (SDGs), and by helping to manage short and long-term trade-offs, professional accountants are contributing to more resilient and sustainable organizations and economies.
“The accountancy profession is evolving, and there has never been a better time to be an accounting and finance professional,” said Sanjay Rughani, IFAC PAIB Advisory Group Chair. "Professional accountants are critical to driving sustainable prosperity, and we are at a time of unprecedented opportunity to meet the increasing demands for finance and accountancy skills from our multiple stakeholders, including society at large.”
Explore the five opportunities that make accountancy a passport to meaningful careers in the private and public sectors.
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.
About the PAIB Advisory Group
Formed in 1977, the PAIB Advisory Group is comprised of volunteers with experience and expertise in the world of business and the public sector, nominated by the professional accountancy organizations that make up IFAC’s membership.
IFAC publishes takeaways from the Professional Accountants in Business Advisory Group’s Latest Meeting
Event will be held online July 13 from 1:00-2:00pm CEST / 7:00-8:00am EDT
According to a Global Guide for Professionalisation in Public Sector Finance published by ACCA and IFAC, achieving professionalisation brings multiple benefits to the economy, governments and individuals. Public financial management (PFM) reforms will only be achieved if finance professionals have the right skills and knowledge and if the public sector is able to attract and retain the right people.
But this is becoming more challenging in a world where the public sector is increasingly competing for talent, despite the tangible advantages of a finance career in the public sector, as highlighted in the latest ACCA’s Global Talent Trends 2023: Public Sector report.
Join ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) and IFAC (the International Federation of Accountants) for a live global webinar to explore:
How governments are professionalising their finance functions and building their capacity and capabilities to improve public service outcomes and ultimately deliver value for citizens.
How to make public employment and management systems better able to attract, recruit and retain the best talents to achieve successful professionalization.
Helen Brand, chief executive of ACCA, said: “Professionalising the public finance function requires political will, the right structures and governance, adoption of appropriate policies, and a commitment to continuous development and improvement. Achieving professionalisation brings multiple benefits to individual professionals, governments, and the wider economy. It means greater financial credibility, improved financial management in the public sector, and greater access to diverse career options for individuals.”
"The professionalisation of public sector finance functions is crucial for effective governance and sustainable economic development. By nurturing a highly skilled and accountable workforce, we can increase transparency, efficiency, and trust in the management of public finances”, said Kevin Dancey, IFAC CEO. “Attracting top talent is key to enhance the profession's capacity to navigate complex financial and social challenges and drive positive change in the public sector."
The event will feature:
Tracey Carroll, First Assistant Secretary, Financial Analysis, Reporting and Controlling, Federal Ministry of Australia
Lorena Rivero del Paso, Public Financial Management Advisor, IMF
Dónal Mulligan, Policy Analyst, Public Employment and Management, OECD
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
About ACCA
ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is the global body for professional accountants.
We’re a thriving global community of 241,000 members and 542,000 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
International public sector experts will share good practices in professionalisation of public sector finance, and discuss attraction and retention challenges and opportunities.
Last month, IFAC was accepted as an Affiliate Member of the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO). This marks a significant step in IFAC’s ability to work with other international organizations for the public interest, and to elevate the voice of the global accountancy profession with key global stakeholders. IFAC is the sole representative of the accountancy profession within the IOSCO membership.
IOSCO is the international body that brings together the world's securities regulators and is recognized as the global standard setter for the securities sector. IOSCO develops, implements and promotes adherence to internationally recognized standards for securities regulation. IOSCO was established in 1983 and has 238 Members.
IOSCO’s Ordinary members include securities regulators in over 130 jurisdictions. The Affiliate Membership category includes self-regulatory organizations (SROs), securities exchanges and markets infrastructure, and other international bodies with a direct interest in securities regulation.
Affiliate Member status enables IFAC to participate in the IOSCO Affiliate Members Consultative Committee (AMCC), which is a platform for Affiliate Members to provide important perspective into IOSCO’s regulatory policy work, as well as to share experiences and enhance cooperation amongst Affiliate Members. IFAC can also participate as an observer at the IOSCO Presidents Committee meeting.
“IOSCO is a global leader on key IFAC priorities like investor protection, corporate reporting, audit quality, sustainability and financial literacy,” said Kevin Dancey, Chief Executive Officer at IFAC. “By joining IOSCO as an Affiliate Member, IFAC looks to strengthening the accountancy profession’s engagement on these and other key topics at both the global and jurisdictional levels.”
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.
Membership Brings Voice of Accountancy Profession to Global Regulatory Community
New guidance to help professional accountants and finance professionals deliver robust greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting has been released today by the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) and We Mean Business Coalition (WMBC), in partnership with Accounting for Sustainability (A4S), Global Accounting Alliance (GAA) and World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).
The guidance is a response to rapidly escalating impacts of climate change and emerging mandatory requirements that companies disclose robust information about their GHG emissions and climate risks and opportunities to help investors allocate capital to the ‘greenest’ companies.
It aims to guide CFOs, accountants and finance professionals to build on existing systems and processes in order to undertake or enhance cost-effective and investor-grade GHG reporting.
The first part of the guidance, 8 Steps to Enhance GHG Reporting: A Roadmap for Accounting and Finance Professionals,provides finance and accounting professionals with a roadmap to engage with others across their business to prepare for GHG emissions reporting requirements aligned to financial reporting processes. While the second, GHG Reporting Building Blocks for Accountants, equips accountants with the technical guidance necessary to collect and enhance the quality of data related to all scopes of GHG emissions at individual entity and group levels.
The publications have been released in preparation for the upcoming international and jurisdictional standards and regulations that will make it mandatory for companies to advance GHG reporting to new levels and provide investors with decision-useful information related to climate risks and opportunities. These include the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) General Sustainability-related Disclosures (IFRS S1) and Climate-related Disclosures (IFRS S2), the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group's (EFRAG) European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) and proposed rules for climate change disclosures by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
"With their ideal positioning to champion an integrated mindset by connecting financial and emissions data and processes and analyses, professional accountants and finance professionals play a crucial role in providing decision-useful and trusted GHG reporting to management and capital markets,” said Kevin Dancey, IFAC CEO. “The release of this guidance is a significant step towards enabling these professionals to prepare for the increasing demand for investor-grade climate reporting by aligning GHG emissions accounting with financial accounting."
Maria Mendiluce, CEO, We Mean Business Coalition said: “This guidance demonstrates that robust GHG reporting is not an onerous task, but rather one that can be incorporated, at minimal cost, into existing systems and processes. By working together, finance and sustainability professionals can report in the most efficient way and, in doing so, attract greater investment from those capital providers looking for the most sustainable companies.”
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.
About WMBC We Mean Business Coalition (WMBC) is a global nonprofit coalition working with the world’s most influential businesses to take action on climate change. Together we catalyze business leadership to drive policy ambition and accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy. Our mission is to ensure that the world economy is on track to avoid dangerous climate change by 2020 while delivering sustainable growth and prosperity for all.
