The International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) today released the 2024 Handbook of the International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including International Independence Standards). This handbook replaces the 2023 edition and incorporates the following:

• The revisions relating to the definition of a public interest entity which, among other matters, specifies a broader list of mandatory public interest entity categories, including a new category “publicly traded entity” to replace the category of “listed entity.”
  • The revised public interest entity definition and related provisions will be effective for audits of financial statements for periods beginning on or after December 15, 2024.
• Changes to the definitions of “audit client” and “group audit client” in the Glossary arising from the approved revisions to the definitions of listed entity and public interest entity.
  • The revised definitions will be effective for audits of financial statements and group financial statements for periods beginning on or after December 15, 2024.
• Technology-related provisions of the Code.
  • The technology-related revisions to Parts 1 to 3 will be effective as of December 15, 2024.
  • The technology-related revisions to Part 4A will be effective for audits and reviews of financial statements for periods beginning on or after December 15, 2024.

The back of the 2024 Handbook contains the IESBA-approved revisions to the Code addressing Tax Planning and Related Services, which will become effective after June 2025.

Click here to learn more about the IESBA Code.

Reproducing and Translating the IESBA Handbook
To help adoption and implementation of the IESBA standards, stakeholders are invited to submit requests for permission to reproduce or translate the IESBA Handbook online via the Online Permissions Requests or Inquiries system on the IFAC website.

About IESBA
The International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) is an independent global standard-setting board. The IESBA’s mission is to serve the public interest by setting high-quality, international ethics (including independence) standards as a cornerstone to ethical behavior in business and organizations, and to public trust in financial and non-financial information that is fundamental to the proper functioning and sustainability of organizations, financial markets and economies worldwide.

Along with the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board, the IESBA is part of the International Foundation for Ethics and Audit. The Public Interest Oversight Board (PIOB) oversees IESBA and IAASB activities and the public interest responsiveness of the standards. 

 This handbook replaces the 2023 edition and incorporates the following:

For more information about the IESBA Conference 2025, to be held in Lisbon, Portugal on September 15, please visit the following the link: https://www.ethicsboard.org/events

Natashia Soopal is the Executive of Ethics Standards and Public Sector at the South African Institute of Chartered  Accountants (SAICA) where she is responsible for overseeing the development of thought leadership, technical updates, technical resources and technical support for members, as well as advocacy for both ethics standards and public sector.  She plays a significant role in developing and implementing an integrated ethics plan and professionalizing the public sector plan at SAICA. She is also responsible for maintaining the SAICA Code of Professional Conduct and its alignment with the IESBA Code.

Prior to joining SAICA, Natashia Soopal was an audit manager at the Auditor General of South Africa and a Chief Financial Officer at a public entity.

Natashia Soopal is a chartered accountant and a member of SAICA and has a Bachelor of Accounting (Hons) degree.

Deepa Agarwal became a Technical Advisor for Mr. Amarjeet Singh in July 2024.  An Assurance Partner at S.R.Batliboi & Associates LLP (member firm of Ernst & Young Global, UK), Deepa has over 20 years of experience in Auditing, Accounting, Indian Companies Act, Quality and Risk Management, Sustainability Reporting & Assurance and Regulatory matters.  She is the Sustainability Assurance Professional Practice Leader for India and is part of EY’s global Sustainability Professional Practice Group involved in the formulation of policies, methodology & comment letters.  She also oversees guidance and training for the firm’s assurance practice, advising practitioners on the application of professional standards, and regulatory requirements.  

Deepa is a Chartered Accountant and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. Over the years, working with regulators and large professional service firms, Deepa has led and participated in the preparation of standards and implementation guidance and comment letters on behalf of industry bodies in India and the implementation of ISQM.  She is an author & speaker at various public forums & conferences. She is also a Certified Public Accountant (Australia).