A strong and well-governed professional accountancy organization (PAO) produces and sustains a strong accountancy profession that is able to serve the public interest and contribute to economic stability and growth. A successful PAO gains much of its strength from the sense of identity, benefits, and rights that members derive from membership; and from the contributions that individual members and firms make to the PAO in recognition of its public interest perspective.

This third edition of the guide features enhancements to the two sample manuals, as well as other refinements for clarity and consistency with International Standard on Quality Control (ISQC) 1. The guide contains the requirements set out in ISQC 1 in addition to implementation guidance, including discussion material and an integrated case study that can be used as the basis for education and training.

The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) and International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) have established a joint User Advisory Group (UAG), creating a dedicated channel for users of financial statements and other external reporting to directly inform global standard setting.

The UAG represents a step forward in how user perspectives are brought into the standard-setting process – moving from consultation to more continuous, structured dialogue. Through the UAG, users will provide timely, practical input on the IAASB’s and IESBA’s priorities, projects, and broader initiatives, helping to ensure that standards remain relevant, decision-useful, and responsive to evolving market needs.

“High‑quality global standards depend on our ability to listen carefully to those who rely on them every day. We are delighted to establish this joint group, a key milestone that brings us closer to users and firmly grounds our work in their lived experience and expectations,” said Gabriela Figueiredo Dias and Tom Seidenstein, Chairs of the IESBA and IAASB, respectively. “Through this ongoing exchange, we are better positioned to understand the real‑world implications of our standards and ensure they serve the public interest.”

This shift is already underway. The UAG held its inaugural meeting on April 2, 2026, bringing together a globally diverse group of users with a wide range of perspectives and experience. Discussions focused on how the group will engage in practice and shaping input on key IAASB and IESBA projects. The UAG is expected to meet periodically throughout the year, providing an ongoing forum for user insight and dialogue.

Additional information about the UAG, including membership and its Terms of Reference, is available online.

About IAASB and IESBA
The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board^© and the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants^© are part of the International Foundation for Ethics and Audit (IFEA)^©, a nonprofit organization that supports high-quality, international ethics, audit, and assurance standards in the public interest. The IAASB and IESBA develop and issue their standards independently and in accordance with an approved due process and the Public Interest Framework, overseen by the Public Interest Oversight Board.

The IAASB develops auditing, assurance, related services, and quality management standards and guidance in the public interest that support consistent performance of quality engagements.

The 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.

The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) and International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) have established a joint User Advisory Group (UAG), creating a dedicated channel for users of financial statements and other external reporting to directly inform global standard setting.

The UAG represents a step forward in how user perspectives are brought into the standard-setting process – moving from consultation to more continuous, structured dialogue. Through the UAG, users will provide timely, practical input on the IAASB’s and IESBA’s priorities, projects, and broader initiatives, helping to ensure that standards remain relevant, decision-useful, and responsive to evolving market needs.

“High‑quality global standards depend on our ability to listen carefully to those who rely on them every day. We are delighted to establish this joint group, a key milestone that brings us closer to users and firmly grounds our work in their lived experience and expectations,” said Gabriela Figueiredo Dias and Tom Seidenstein, Chairs of the IESBA and IAASB, respectively. “Through this ongoing exchange, we are better positioned to understand the real‑world implications of our standards and ensure they serve the public interest.”

This shift is already underway. The UAG held its inaugural meeting on April 2, 2026, bringing together a globally diverse group of users with a wide range of perspectives and experience. Discussions focused on how the group will engage in practice and shaping input on key IAASB and IESBA projects. The UAG is expected to meet periodically throughout the year, providing an ongoing forum for user insight and dialogue.

Additional information about the UAG, including membership and its Terms of Reference, is available online.

About IAASB and IESBA
The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board^© and the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants^© are part of the International Foundation for Ethics and Audit (IFEA)^©, a nonprofit organization that supports high-quality, international ethics, audit, and assurance standards in the public interest. The IAASB and IESBA develop and issue their standards independently and in accordance with an approved due process and the Public Interest Framework, overseen by the Public Interest Oversight Board.

The IAASB develops auditing, assurance, related services, and quality management standards and guidance in the public interest that support consistent performance of quality engagements.

The 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.

IESBA’s snapshots provide short, non-technical overviews of IESBA projects or workstreams. They explain the purpose, direction, and current focus in clear and accessible terms, alongside more detailed technical materials.

This Snapshot focuses on IESBA’s Post-Implementation Reviews (PIRs).

Q1. What is a Post-Implementation Review (PIR)?

A PIR is a process that aims to assess whether a given IESBA standard is achieving its intended objectives by identifying benefits achieved and implementation challenges, and to inform any actions the IESBA may need to take in response.

For further details of how and when a PIR might be initiated, please refer to paragraphs A42 to A44 of the IESBA’s Integrated Due Process and Public Interest Framework (PIF) Operating Procedures.

Q2. Why is the IESBA undertaking these two PIRs?

As part of its 2024–2027 Strategy and Work Plan, the IESBA committed to conducting PIRs to evaluate whether certain key standards are operating as intended in practice. Standards to be covered by these PIRs included:

• The Responding to Non-Compliance with Laws and Regulations (NOCLAR) provisions released in July 2016 and effective July 2017.
• The Restructured Code released in April 2018 and effective June 2019.

The PIRs also respond to calls from stakeholders to evaluate the real-world effectiveness of the implementation of major ethics standards.

Q3. What is the NOCLAR^® Standard? Why was it developed?

The NOCLAR standard establishes a first-of-its-kind framework to guide professional accountants in how best to respond to actual or suspected NOCLAR committed by a client or employer, those working in a management or governance role within the client or employer, or others working for or under its direction, in the public interest.

It provides a clear, globally consistent path for professional accountants to respond to instances of NOCLAR or suspected NOCLAR, taking into account their responsibility to act in the public interest.

Q4. What were the main changes and objectives of the Restructured Code?

The Restructured Code enhanced the clarity, usability, and enforceability of the IESBA Code through a more intuitive structure, clearer drafting conventions, and the use of plain English.

Its objectives were to improve understanding and consistent application of the fundamental principles of ethics, facilitate global adoption and translation, and strengthen confidence in the Code as the international benchmark for ethical behavior in the accountancy profession.

Q5. How will the PIRs be undertaken?

Planning commenced in Q3 2025, including coordination with the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) to align objectives and approaches for PIRs. Information will be gathered through:

• Public surveys (released on April 1, 2026, for 90–120 days) designed for key stakeholder groups, including regulators, standard setters, professional accountancy organizations, firms, professional accountants, preparers, those charged with governance, investors, and other users.
• Targeted outreach to gain a deeper understanding of real-world impacts.
• Desktop research to supplement survey and outreach findings.

Q6. How will the surveys be conducted and what feedback will be asked?

The surveys will be customizable by stakeholder type and structured to allow respondents to comment on one or both PIRs.

The surveys will gather insights on:

• Adoption – whether and how the provisions have been adopted, including any modifications and reasons for such modifications;
• Implementation – challenges faced and lessons learned;
• Enforcement – enforcement responsibilities at the local level; and
• Impact – benefits and outcomes achieved and factors influencing success.

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Q7. What are the expected outputs and timeline for the project?

The key expected outputs of the project include:

• April 1, 2026 – Launch of public surveys (open for 90–120 days).
• December 2026 – Final Restructured Code PIR report and recommendations to the IESBA.
• March 2027 – Final NOCLAR PIR report and recommendations to the IESBA.

Q8. How will the findings of the PIRs be used?

The results will inform the IESBA’s assessment of whether any further actions are necessary regarding these standards.

Based on the findings, the IESBA may conclude that no further action is required or take one or more of the following actions:

• Undertake further information-gathering;
• Initiate standard-setting; or
• Develop non-authoritative materials or other initiatives.

Q9. Where can stakeholders find more information?

To learn more about these projects, explore their project pages:

• Responding to Non-Compliance with Laws and Regulations (NOCLAR)
• Restructured Code

Q10. Who can stakeholders contact?

For any queries, please reach out to: Kam Leung, IESBA Director, at kamleung@ethicsboard.org.

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

• Global stakeholders are invited to share practical experience on whether the NOCLAR^® provisions in the IESBA Code, as well as the Restructured Code, work as intended in the public interest.
• Survey insights will inform IESBA’s assessment of whether any further actions are necessary regarding these standards.
• The Post-Implementation Reviews reflect a commitment within IESBA’s current 2024–2027 Strategy and Work Plan, as well as calls from stakeholders, to evaluate the real‑world effectiveness of major ethics standards.

The International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) today launched two stakeholder surveys as part of its Post-Implementation Reviews (PIRs) of the provisions of the Code addressing Responding to Non-Compliance with Laws and Regulations (NOCLAR), and the Restructured Code.

The surveys aim to assess whether the NOCLAR provisions and the Restructured Code are achieving their intended objectives by identifying benefits and implementation challenges, and to inform any actions the IESBA may need to take in response.

Among other matters, the surveys seek information in the following areas:

• The approach to jurisdictional adoption of the NOCLAR provisions and/or the 2018 or later edition of the Restructured Code, and related enforcement responsibilities.
• Benefits to applying the NOCLAR framework and any specific implementation challenges.
• Whether the Code’s 2018 restructuring has improved the clarity and usability of the Code, thereby leading to more consistent application and more effective enforcement of the Code.

“Understanding the real‑world impact of standards is as important as setting them. These surveys give stakeholders a vital opportunity to share their practical experience regarding the implementation of the standards,” said Gabriela Figueiredo Dias, Chair of the IESBA. “The PIRs will help the IESBA determine whether further action is needed to ensure that the standards are operating as intended, which is key to upholding the public interest.”

How to Participate in the Surveys

The surveys are open to all stakeholder groups, including individual professional accountants, firms, professional accountancy organizations, regulators, oversight bodies, standard setters, preparers, those charged with governance, investors, and other users of financial and nonfinancial information.

Click on the links below to respond to each survey:

• Survey on the Restructured Code (deadline: July 3, 2026)
• Survey on NOCLAR (deadline: July 30, 2026)

Building a Robust Evidence Base for Future Decisions

The public surveys are also complemented by targeted outreach to inform the PIRs, as well as supporting desktop research, to ensure a broad and well-rounded evidence base.

The PIR results will be analyzed to provide feedback to the IESBA, develop any recommended actions, and inform the IESBA’s future strategy and work plan.

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

Contact Information:

Rui Peres Jorge 
Director, Strategy and Communications 
International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) 
ruiperesjorge@ethicsboard.org | Direct: +351 966-301-383

Zsolt Bobis 
Lead, Communications 
International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) 
zsoltbobis@ethicsboard.org

The International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) has launched this stakeholder survey as part of its Post-Implementation Review (PIR) of the Restructured Code.