As part of the IAASB’s focus on professional skepticism, this publication provides an update on the IAASB’s efforts to appropriately reflect professional skepticism in its recently-issued, and soon-to-be-issued, standards and exposure drafts. It also includes other relevant news and information, and recent activities of the IESBA and IAESB, related to professional skepticism.

The IAASB revised its standard on accounting estimates, ISA 540 (Revised), Auditing Accounting Estimates and Related Disclosures, to respond to the rapidly evolving business environment. The revision ensures that the standard continues to keep pace with the changing market and fosters a more independent and challenging skeptical mindset in auditors.

ISA 540 (Revised) becomes effective for financial statement audits for periods beginning on or after December 15, 2019.

The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) today released International Standard on Auditing (ISA) 540 (Revised), its revised standard for the audit of accounting estimates and related disclosures.

Banks, insurers and other financial services firms have seen revolutionary change in their accounting practices as they moved to new accounting standards that changed the way they deal with loan provisions and insurance contracts. ISA 540 (Revised) reflects this rapidly evolving business environment and ensures that the standard continues to keep pace with the changing market.

This revised standard is the first to be completed as part of the IAASB’s broader program ‘Addressing the Fundamental Elements of an Audit’ and is an important part of the IAASB’s efforts to improve audit quality globally. Some of the significant revisions include:

• An enhanced risk assessment that requires auditors to consider complexity, subjectivity and other inherent risk factors in addition to estimation uncertainty. This will drive auditors to think more deeply about the risks inherent to accounting estimates.
• A closer link between the enhanced risk assessment and the methods, data and assumptions used in making accounting estimates, including the use of complex models.
• Specific material to show how the standard is scalable to all types of accounting estimates.
• Emphasis on the importance of applying appropriate professional skepticism when auditing accounting estimates to foster a more independent and challenging skeptical mindset in auditors.

ISA 540 (Revised) becomes effective for financial statement audits for periods beginning on or after December 15, 2019.

It is critical that all parties in the financial reporting supply chain, particularly regulators, national standard-setters and firms collaborate in the implementation of a standard with such far-reaching effects on the audit of financial statements. The IAASB will provide implementation support to help auditors navigate and apply the revised standard.  Please visit the IAASB website for more information.

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 the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC). For copyright, trademark, and permissions information, please go to permissions or contact permissions@ifac.org.

Mr. Martin Baumann has been appointed Chair of the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) for a three-year term beginning January 1, 2019. Mr. Baumann’s appointment was recommended by the Interim Nominating Committee after an extensive international search. The IFAC Board endorsed the Interim Nominating Committee’s recommendation, which was approved by the Public Interest Oversight Board (PIOB), which oversees the IAASB's activities. The Monitoring Group was informed of the recommendation.

“Martin Baumann is a leader who brings vision, a passion for the public interest and a depth of experience to the role of IAASB Chair," said Ryozo Himino, Interim Nominating Committee Chair. "As its next Chair, he will lead the IAASB during an important period of innovation and change as well as continuing the Board’s work developing high-quality international audit, assurance, quality control and related services standards that are accepted and used around the world."

As Chair, Mr. Baumann will lead the IAASB though an environment of rapid advances in current and emerging technology and changes in the breadth and complexity of information needed by investors and other stakeholders. He will be responsible for leading the finalization and implementation of IAASB’s strategic objectives; actively engaging key stakeholders around the world, including national standard setters, regulators, investors and firms of all sizes; and delivering timely high-quality standards in the public interest.

"The IAASB plays a vital role in the world's capital markets. High-quality professional standards developed in the public interest by the IAASB provide the markets with confidence in the important work done by auditors,” said Mr. Baumann. “I am committed to working tirelessly to ensure the IAASB meets its mandate, and continues to be recognized as a highly-regarded independent organization developing high-quality standards."

Mr. Baumann most recently served as Chief Auditor and Director of Professional Standards at the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB), where, with the Board, he was responsible for establishing auditing and related professional practice standards for audits of all companies registered with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. He also chaired the PCAOB’s Standing Advisory Group and served on the IAASB and International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants Consultative Advisory Groups. Previously he was Chief Financial Officer for Freddie Mac and a senior partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Mr. Baumann succeeds Prof. Arnold Schilder, whose term as IAASB Chairman concludes after a decade of service at the end of 2018. Prof. Schilder has led the IAASB with distinction, from new landmark assurance standards addressing key aspects of sustainability reporting, to innovative and groundbreaking new auditor reporting standards, to enhancements now underway to the standards that seek to fundamentally improve audit. There are now nearly 130 jurisdictions around the world using or in the process of adopting the clarified International Standards on Auditing. Mr. Baumann will work closely with the current Chair commencing October 29, 2018 to allow for a smooth transition.

The Interim Nominating Committee was formed by the Monitoring Group in February 2018 to conduct the process for the next IAASB Chair. The Committee was chaired by Ryozo Himino, Vice Minister for International Affairs, Financial Services Agency (Japan), and was comprised of four other members including Guy Andrade, Huguette Labelle, Lord Jonathan Hugh Mance and Sir David Tweedie, and two observers, Rachel Grimes and Eddy Wymeersch. The Interim Nominating Committee followed an open and transparent process to select the most suitable candidate for the position. It will disband now that its mandate has been completed.

For more information about the work of the IAASB, visit its home page at www.iaasb.org.

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 the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC). For copyright, trademark, and permissions information, please go to permissions or contact permissions@ifac.org.