Are you seeking an exceptional senior leadership opportunity that combines your understanding of the public interest role of auditing and assurance standards with your desire to make a difference on a global stage?

The accountancy profession is a truly global profession underpinned by high-quality international standards. The International Audit and Assurance Standards Board’s International Standards on Audit, which help support strong global financial markets and the world’s economy, are among the most important international standards.

“Working for the IAASB provides a rich and diverse experience, and the opportunity to help enhance the quality and consistency of practice throughout the world in the public interest,” according to James Gunn, Managing Director, Professional Standards.

Under the direction of the Technical Director, a team of 10 professionals assists the IAASB in serving the public interest by setting high-quality international standards for auditing, assurance, and other related areas, and by facilitating their adoption and implementation.

Beverly Bahlmann, IAASB Deputy Director, enjoys the collaborative, multi-cultural, and collegial environment. She says, “The IAASB’s agenda challenges me to stay abreast of developments and future trends, to think strategically, and to innovate. I have the opportunity to contribute significantly to the work of the IAASB, and interact with stakeholders from around the world.”

The IAASB is seeking a Technical Director. Based in New York, this uniquely impactful role requires deep knowledge of audit and assurance, strong understanding of standard setting, and exceptional leadership ability. In return, you will have the opportunity to:

• Engage with senior members of the global accountancy profession, the regulatory community, and other key stakeholders in support of, and to enhance, global public trust;
• Manage the international audit and assurance standard-setting program, and influence the direction, shape, and content of leading-edge standard-setting projects; and
• Lead and develop a dynamic team of high-quality individuals in a  diverse, and collegial environment, fostering strong relations with colleagues and peers who are passionate about international standard setting.

This is a role that makes a difference. For further information about the position and how to apply, please see the IAASB Technical Director job description.

The IAASB is one of four independent international standard-setting boards whose operating structures are supported by the International Federation of Accountants. Most standard setting staff positions for the IAASB and the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants are based in New York, US. Standard-setting staff positions that support the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board and International Accounting Education Standards Board are based in Toronto, Canada.

The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB)’s Integrated Reporting Working Group, dedicated to exploring emerging forms of external reporting (referred to as EER), has released a Discussion Paper, Supporting Credibility and Trust in Emerging Forms of External Reporting: Ten Key Challenges for Assurance Engagements.

“The IAASB needs to be at the forefront of the debates on external reporting and how professional accountants and other practitioners can contribute to enhancing credibility and trust,” said IAASB Chairman Prof. Arnold Schilder. “We hope this paper furthers the debate and helps us gain a deeper understanding of how the IAASB, as the global assurance standard setter, can contribute to the quality of different engagements, in the public interest, and where others can or need to play a role.”

The Discussion Paper explores:

• the factors that can enhance credibility and trust, internally and externally, in relation to emerging forms of external reports;
• the types of professional services covered by the IAASB’s international standards most relevant to these reports, in particular assurance engagements;
• the key challenges in relation to assurance engagements; and
• the type of guidance that might be helpful to support the quality of these assurance engagements.

The Discussion Paper also sets out the principal findings from research and outreach regarding developments in EER frameworks and professional services most relevant to EER reports, irrespective of whether such reports are part of the annual report or published as separate reports.

“External reporting is evolving and we know various professional services are being performed, including assurance engagements in accordance with the IAASB’s international standards,” said Merran Kelsall, IAASB member and Integrated Reporting Working Group Chair. “We have identified ten key challenges in relation to assurance engagements that we would like to explore further, recognizing the need for flexibility in these services as the external reporting environment continues to evolve and mature.”

The Working Group is seeking input from investors, preparers, those in governance roles, standard setters, practitioners, internal auditors, regulators, academics, and other stakeholders in the external reporting supply chain. The input will assist the IAASB in effectively responding to these developments in the public interest, including whether new or revised international standards or guidance may be necessary.

The Working Group has also developed materials to supplement the Discussion Paper, including FAQs. This material, as well as more information and updates on the project, are available on the IAASB’s project page.

Comments to the Discussion Paper are requested by February 3, 2017.

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.

The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) today released a survey consultation, The IAASB’s Work Plan for 2017‒2018 and Continuing Relevance of Its Strategic Objectives. Feedback to this consultation will assist the board in evaluating its priorities for 2017–2018 and allocating its resources—a full-time Chairman supported by a 17-person volunteer board and ten-person technical staff—in the best way possible.

“Our extensive outreach and consultation, most recently through our Invitation to Comment, leads us to believe we are already addressing the most pertinent topics in the public interest. We are prioritizing standard setting in relation to the fundamental topics of accounting estimates, professional skepticism, quality control, risk assessment, and group audits—while at the same time actively debating the implications for practitioners of developments in data analytics, integrated reporting, and emerging forms of external reporting,” explained Prof. Arnold Schilder, IAASB Chairman. “At the same time, we recognize we will soon be at the mid-point of our five-year strategy, so it is helpful to pause and reflect with our stakeholders about whether anything in the external environment indicates a need to change course or re-prioritize.”

The IAASB and its Consultative Advisory Group have considered a number of other topics that could warrant IAASB attention, which are highlighted in the survey. Respondents are asked for their views on how topics should be prioritized, recognizing that much of the board’s current standard-setting efforts will carry on into 2017 and beyond unless the IAASB decides to modify its current work plan. The IAASB would also like to understand whether its current strategic initiatives remain appropriate given its mandate.

“We look forward to hearing from a wide range of our stakeholders, and hope that by using a survey, we will hear from many around the world,” Kathleen Healy, IAASB Technical Director, noted. “We have designed the survey to allow respondents to quickly flag key priorities or, alternatively, tell us when certain topics are less relevant—as this will be helpful in deciding whether our focus should change from any of our current priorities to those that might be deemed more relevant from a public interest perspective.”

The survey will be open for responses through September 30, 2016, and must be submitted using the online tool. A PDF version of the survey has been provided to assist organizations that may need to consult internally in preparing their response before submitting it electronically.

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.