Momentum is gathering for increased sustainability/environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting requirements for companies. Investors, policymakers, and a broad range of stakeholders seek higher quality, increasingly standardized reporting on companies’ performance on non-financial measure. And with this, demand for assurance engagements that enhance the degree of confidence of the intended users of sustainability/ESG reporting is growing.

We at the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB), the independent audit and assurance standard setter serving more than 130 countries, expect the drive for added corporate reporting and disclosure on sustainability and climate-related information only to accelerate. We see the trend moving from voluntary reporting commitments to requirements mandated by jurisdictions throughout the world. The European Union’s proposed Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive is an important example in that direction. The establishment of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) by our counterpart organization, the IFRS Foundation, enhances the likelihood of a trusted and independent source developing globally accepted reporting standards as the basis of requirements.

As with financial reporting, the IAASB believes that market participants are best served when financial and other reported information benefits from external assurance, provided by professionals committed to the public interest and highest ethical standards. For this reason, in the past the IAASB has devoted significant energy to creating standards to govern assurance of non-financial information. We have a well-established umbrella standard, International Standard on Assurance Engagements (ISAE) 3000 (Revised), Assurance Engagements Other than Audits or Reviews of Historical Financial Information, and subject-matter specific standards such as, ISAE 3410, Assurance Engagements on Greenhouse Gas Statements. In April of this year, we published guidance aimed at helping assurance professionals apply our umbrella standard to sustainability and other non-financial (or extended external reporting) assurance engagements.

We know that our work is only the beginning, a solid foundation to build upon. This is why we committed to do more work to enhance the assurance of sustainability/ESG reporting when we approved our new 2022-2023 work plan last week.

The IAASB agreed to dedicate capacity and resources to the assurance of sustainability/ESG reporting. Information gathering and research activities, using dedicated staff resources, to determine future IAASB action will commence in January 2022. This initial work will also determine the precise scope and timing of the IAASB’s efforts. The initial work will also include a willingness to collaborate with key stakeholders throughout the world, including the standard-setting and regulatory communities.

We recognize that our initial consultations could lead to:

• Developing new subject-matter specific standard(s) that build on and supplement ISAE 3000 (Revised);
• Targeted enhancements to ISAE 3000 (Revised), as necessary; or
• Other related actions that are necessary in the public interest. For example, revising our existing guidance or developing new guidance.

Our March 2022 IAASB meeting will the first opportunity to provide feedback, share views and discuss next steps (you can listen to our discussions via YouTube).

We are conscious that demand for enhanced requirements and guidance is high; it is why we are positioning the IAASB to act in a coordinated and responsive manner. 

The Technology Working Group of the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) today released non-authoritative support material to help auditors understand how to plan an audit under International Standard on Auditing (ISA) 300, Planning an Audit of Financial Statements, when using automated tools and techniques (ATT).

The publication does not amend or override the ISAs, the texts of which alone are authoritative. Reading the publication is not a substitute for reading the ISAs. 

This publication highlights the impact of technology when applying certain aspects of the International Standards on Auditing (ISAs). It focuses on specific considerations for planning an audit in accordance with ISA 300, Planning an Audit of Financial Statements, that may be relevant when using automated tools and techniques.

This publication does not amend or override the ISAs, the texts of which alone are authoritative. Reading the publication is not a substitute for reading the ISAs.

In late July, the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) opened a six-month public consultation on its landmark new proposed standard for audits of financial statements of less complex entities (LCEs).

While the IAASB encourages all interested stakeholders to respond to the consultation in writing, it recognizes that some may not have the time or resources to do so. To help, the International Federation of Accountants and the IAASB developed a survey to offer an alternative way to participate in the consultation and provide your views. The survey is open until January 14, 2022 and is available in English, French and Spanish by clicking the language selector in the survey’s top right corner.

Survey responses will be analyzed by the IAASB alongside all other feedback and help shape the final standard; individual survey responses are confidential.

Join the IAASB for the final LinkedIn Live session discussing the recently proposed new standard for audits of less complex entities on November 17 at 8 am EST. The session will feature IAASB Member Julie Corden, LCE Reference Group Member Andrew Brathwaite, and IAASB LCE Task Force Member Brendan Murtagh discussing what the proposed new standard could mean for audit firms and practitioners that serve less complex entities, including the benefits of the standard and what firms, engagement partners and teams need to consider when deciding to use it.

The previous sessions in the series are available on LinkedIn and YouTube. The first session addressed the journey to the proposed new standard and its key principles (watch on LinkedIn or YouTube). The second session addressed for which entities the proposed standard can be used, who makes decisions regarding use of the standard, and how those decisions are made (watch on LinkedIn or YouTube).

The IAASB strongly encourages all interested stakeholders to provide their feedback on the proposed new standalone standard for audits of less complex entities 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.

The first fully digital International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) handbook of pronouncements is now live on a new web application, e-International Standards (eIS). The first iteration of the platform marks a milestone in the IAASB’s commitment to improving the usability of and access to its standards by harnessing technology. For the first time, users will be able to benefit from optimized search functions, cut and paste capabilities, and easy navigation.

“The launch of our digital standards platform responds to the demand for increased accessibility and is another step in pursuing our strategic objective of benefiting from technological innovation,” said IAASB Chair Tom Seidenstein. “Over time, we will continue to improve e-International Standards to account for user feedback and improve the usability of the platform and of the IAASB standards.”

eIS was launched by the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) and developed collaboratively with IAASB, the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA), and the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB). Designed to meet stakeholders’ needs, the platform allows for quick reference to other standard-setting boards’ standards and related resources, driving a strong connection between adherence to IAASB standards and the IESBA’s International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants.

The platform is accessible via the IAASB website or at eis.international-standards.org.

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.

The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) announces the following new appointments and re-appointments to take effect on January 1, 2022:

New Members

• Mr. William Edge, Chair, Australian Auditing and Assurance Standards Board
• Dr. Warren Maroun, Professor, School of Accountancy, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa

Re-appointed Members

• Mr. Kai Morten Hagen, Technical Director at Den norske Revisorforening (Norwegian Institute of Public Accountants)
• Ms. Sachiko Kai, Technical Director, Japanese Institute of Certified Public Accountants
• Mr. Eric Turner, Former Director, Canadian Auditing and Assurance Standards Board

"It is a pleasure to welcome the new IAASB members and congratulate re-appointed members,” said Tom Seidenstein, IAASB Chair. “One of the IAASB’s hallmarks is our diversity in thought and experiences that strengthen our deliberations. I look forward to these new voices adding to that diversity and expanding our conversations.”

The IAASB also announces the re-appointment of Mr. Len Jui as its deputy chair for 2022.

“I am also extremely pleased that Len will continue serving as IAASB deputy chair," said Mr. Seidenstein. “Len’s dedication to the IAASB is tireless and we are collectively stronger because of his efforts.”

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.

Join the IAASB for the second LinkedIn Live session discussing the recently proposed new standard for audits of less complex entities on October 20 at 8 am ET. The session will feature IAASB Member Chun Wee Chiew, IAASB Consultative Advisory Group Member Claes Norberg, and IAASB Technical Director Willie Botha discussing on which entities the proposed standard can be used, who makes decisions regarding using the standard, and how those decisions are made. They will also discuss how the standard will be received by users of the financial statements. IAASB Technical Advisor and Member of the IAASB LCE Task Force Viviene Bauer will moderate the discussion.

The third and final livestream discussion in this series will air on November 17 at 8 am ET. It will feature IAASB Member Julie Corden, LCE Reference Group Member Andrew Braithwaite, and IAASB LCE Task Force Member Brendan Murtagh discussing what the proposed new standard means for audit firms and practitioners, including the benefits of the standard, what firms, engagement partners and teams need to consider in decision making, and the potential impact on small- and medium-sized practices. The first session in the series, which addressed the journey to the proposed new standard and its key principles, is available on LinkedIn and YouTube.

The IAASB strongly encourages all interested stakeholders to provide their feedback on the proposed new standalone standard for audits of less complex entities 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.

The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) today released an updated version of the First-time Implementation Guide for International Standard on Quality Management (ISQM) 1, Quality Management for Firms that Perform Audits or Reviews of Financial Statements, or Other Assurance or Related Services Engagements, which was previously issued on June 14, 2021.

The update was made in response to questions the IAASB received on the illustrative table on page 89 of the original guide illustrating some scenarios relating to the evaluation of the firm’s system of quality management and related possible conclusions in accordance with paragraph 54 of ISQM 1. The table was intended to illustrate how the combination of various factors outlined in the table may affect what conclusion is reached. It was not intended to be definitive on the conclusions reached in each circumstance.

Given a number of questions from various sources about how to interpret the table, the following revisions were made to provide further context and clarification when evaluating the system of quality management:

• The section “How the Evaluation is Undertaken, Including What Information is Considered” (pages 89–92) was revised.
• Limited conforming changes were made to the section “Evaluate the Remedial Actions, and if Necessary, Take Further Action” (page 79).

The suite of quality management standards come into effect on December 15, 2022. This guide, and the first-time implementation guide for ISQM 2, do not amend or override the International Standards on Quality Management, the texts of which alone are authoritative. Reading the publications are not a substitute for reading the ISQMs. The IAASB encourages all practitioners to plan early for appropriate implementation, given the potential impact of the changes to firms’ systems of quality management.

Join the IAASB for a three-part discussion series on LinkedIn on the proposed new standard for audits of less complex entities. In the first session IAASB Chair Tom Seidenstein, IAASB Member and Less Complex Entities (LCE) Task Force Chair Kai Morten Hagen, and IAASB Deputy Director Beverley Bahlmann will address the journey to the proposed new standard, its key principles, how it compares to the existing suite of International Standards on Auditing (ISAs) and why it is important for stakeholders. The first discussion will livestream on LinkedIn on September 28 at 8 am ET.

The second livestream discussion will follow on October 20 at 8 am with IAASB Technical Director Willie Botha, IAASB Member Chun-Wee Chiew and IAASB Consultative Advisory Group Member Claes Norberg addressing on which entities the proposed standard can be used, who makes decisions regarding using the standard, and how those decisions are made. IAASB Technical Advisor and LCE Task Force Member Viviene Bauer will moderate the discussion.

The third and final livestream in this series will air on November 17 at 8 am. It will feature IAASB Member Julie Corden, LCE Reference Group Member Andrew Braithwaite, and IAASB LCE Task Force Member Brendan Murtagh discussing what the proposed new standard means for audit firms and practitioners, including the benefits of the standard, what firms and engagement teams need to consider in decision making, and the potential impact on small- and medium-sized practices.

The IAASB strongly encourages all interested stakeholders to provide their feedback on the proposed new standalone standard for audits of less complex entities 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.