Ian Ball, CEO of IFAC, calls on accountants to pressure governments to be transparent about their accounting and management of taxpayers’ money.

The staff of the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) today released Professional Skepticism in an Audit of Financial Statements, a new question-and-answer (Q&A) publication that re-emphasizes to auditors the importance of an attitude of professional skepticism when performing their role.

“The IAASB’s International Standards on Auditing (ISAs) explicitly recognize the fundamental importance of professional skepticism,” states Prof. Arnold Schilder, IAASB Chairman. “Nevertheless, adopting and applying a skeptical mindset is ultimately a personal and professional responsibility to be embraced by every auditor. It is an integral part of the auditor’s skill set, is closely interrelated to the fundamental concepts of auditor independence and professional judgment, and contributes to audit quality. The auditor’s education, training, and experience are therefore critical. Audit firms themselves have an important role to play in cultivating a skeptical mindset in auditors, as do regulators, oversight bodies, and those charged with governance.”

“The public expects high-quality audits. While what that means depends on one’s perspective, a defining feature is the exercise of professional judgment together with a ‘healthy dose’ of professional skepticism by the auditor. A skeptical attitude enhances the auditor’s ability to identify and respond to conditions that may indicate possible misstatement due to error or fraud and critically assess audit evidence,” notes James Gunn, IAASB Technical Director.

The Q&A publication focuses on the requirements and application material in the ISAs and the IAASB’s quality control standard that are of particular relevance to the proper understanding and application of professional skepticism during an audit of financial statements. In addition, answers are provided regarding what audit firms and auditors can do to enhance awareness of the importance of professional skepticism, identify aspects of an audit where professional skepticism may be particularly important, and how professional skepticism can be evidenced.

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 IFAC.

About IFAC
IFAC is the global organization for the accountancy profession dedicated to serving the public interest by strengthening the profession and contributing to the development of strong international economies. IFAC is comprised of 167 members and associates in 127 countries and jurisdictions, representing approximately 2.5 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.

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The International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) today released for public exposure proposed changes to the definition of “engagement team” in the IESBA Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (the Code).

The proposals address comments received by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board on its Exposure Draft (ED) on ISA 610, Using the Work of Internal Auditors. A number of respondents to that ED pointed out the perceived inconsistency between the independence requirements for external auditors under the Code and the use of internal auditors to perform external audit procedures.

“Through this Exposure Draft, the IESBA seeks to ascertain whether the proposed changes to the definition adequately clarify the term "engagement team" and eliminate the perception that the Code and the ISA are in conflict. The IESBA believes this will contribute to more consistent application of the Code, which is critical to our mission to support the global adoption and implementation of the Code of Ethics,” said Ken Dakdduk, chair of the IESBA.

How to comment
The IESBA invites all stakeholders to comment on its proposals in the Exposure Draft, Proposed Change to the Definition of “Engagement Team.” To submit a comment, visit the IESBA website at www.ifac.org/ethics. Comments on the Exposure Draft are requested by May 31, 2012.

About the IESBA
The International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) is an independent standard-setting board that develops and issues, in the public interest, high-quality ethical standards and other pronouncements for professional accountants worldwide. Through its activities, the IESBA develops the Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants, which establishes ethical requirements for professional accountants. The structures and processes that support the operations of the IESBA are facilitated by IFAC. Please visit www.ifac.org/ethics for more information.

About IFAC
IFAC is the global organization for the accountancy profession dedicated to serving the public interest by strengthening the profession and contributing to the development of strong international economies. IFAC is comprised of 167 members and associates in 127 countries and jurisdictions, representing approximately 2.5 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.

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This IAASB Staff Q&A publication focuses on the requirements and application material in the International Standards on Auditing (ISAs) and the IAASB’s quality control standard that are of particular relevance to the proper understanding and application of professional skepticism during an audit of financial statements.

The International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) is proposing changes to its Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (the IESBA Code) to provide additional guidance to professional accountants in business and in public practice concerning conflicts of interest, and to make revisions to provide more comprehensive guidance in identifying, evaluating, and managing conflicts of interest.

The IESBA approved this project in October 2009.  It examined two sections of the IESBA Code that address conflicts—Section 220, for professional accountants in public practice, and Section 310, for professional accountants in business. In the IESBA’s view, the approach to be taken by a professional accountant in public practice and a professional accountant in business should be broadly similar.  The proposal recognizes, however, that conflicts of interest will typically arise in different circumstances for accountants in public practice, particularly because a conflict of interest may arise from professional services provided by other members of the accountant's firm.

Ken Dakdduk, IESBA Chair, notes, “The proposed changes will provide more specific requirements and guidance for a professional accountant in applying the conceptual framework when identifying, evaluating, and managing conflicts of interest. This includes a clearer description of what is meant under the IESBA Code by the term ‘conflict of interest.’ The changes should assist professional accountants in early identification of a potential conflict of interest, and prompt accountants to evaluate their ability to be objective in that situation and meet the other fundamental principles in the IESBA Code.  From the perspective of the public, timely identification of potential conflicts of interest can provide affected parties with more time to engage an alternative service provider.”

The proposed guidance also calls for professional accountants in business to be alert to interests and relationships that a reasonable and informed third party would be likely to conclude might compromise compliance with the fundamental principles. Further, the IESBA proposal would strengthen the guidance on threats created by compensation and incentive arrangements.

How to comment
The IESBA invites all stakeholders to comment on its proposals. To access the exposure draft and submit a comment, visit the IESBA website at www.ethicsboard.org. Comments on the exposure draft Proposed Changes to the Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants Addressing Conflicts of Interest are requested by March 31, 2012.

About the IESBA
The International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) is an independent standard-setting board that develops and issues, in the public interest, high-quality ethical standards and other pronouncements for professional accountants worldwide. Through its activities, the IESBA develops the Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants, which establishes ethical requirements for professional accountants. The structures and processes that support the operations of the IESBA are facilitated by IFAC. Please visit www.ethicsboard.org for more information.

About IFAC
IFAC is the global organization for the accountancy profession dedicated to serving the public interest by strengthening the profession and contributing to the development of strong international economies. IFAC is comprised of 167 members and associates in 127 countries and jurisdictions, representing approximately 2.5 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.

This an update on the initiative the IAESB has undertaken to revise and redraft its suite of eight International Education Standards (IESs).

Over 60 representatives from 12 Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Baltic countries met with leadership and staff of the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB), the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), and the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) to discuss adoption and implementation of International Standards on Auditing (ISAs) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs).

The event—jointly hosted by IFAC and the International Financial Reporting Standards Foundation (IFRS Foundation) on November 28 and 29, 2011, in London, with the support of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW)—was an excellent example of the constructive cooperation in regard to the development, adoption, and implementation of high-quality auditing, assurance, and financial reporting standards. The event involved a series of meetings to discuss areas of particular interest for each country delegation, including translation and adoption of standards and membership of IFAC. These meetings were preceded by a half-day seminar with presentations by key IAASB and IASB members. The event was attended by representatives from Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Latvia, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. Delegates included IFAC member bodies and associates, professional accountancy organizations, national standard setters, ministries of finance, regulators and securities market authorities, national banks, donor organizations, and other key stakeholders. The meeting was convened under the leadership of Mr. David Damant, former chair of the IAASB Consultative Advisory Group and former board member of the International Accounting Standards Committee (predecessor to the IASB).

During his presentation on the IAASB’s activities, Chairman Arnold Schilder spoke about development of audit and assurance standards and audit quality. He said, “In developing high-quality audit standards, achieving effective implementation, and enhancing audit quality, we need to have a strong dialogue and cooperation with users and with regulators.” Prof. Schilder highlighted the constructive relationship between the IAASB and the IASB, and gave examples of this cooperation, including mutual attendance at meetings and commenting on relevant exposure drafts. Prof. Schilder also discussed the activities of the IAASB to respond to the needs of small- and medium-sized entities (SMEs); current initiatives in areas including auditor reporting, reviews and compilation engagements, disclosures, and reporting on greenhouse gases; possible future efforts addressing professional skepticism and proportionality of International Standard on Quality Control 1; and the IAASB’s monitoring of emerging developments on integrated reporting. 

Jon Grant, IAASB member, discussed the adoption and implementation of the ISAs and some key success factors, including effective planning, cooperation with relevant stakeholders, and high-quality translations.

IASB Vice Chair Ian Mackintosh presented an overview of the IASB’s current work plan and its ongoing consultation on the future agenda. Over 100 countries now require or permit the use of IFRSs. Russia is expected to adopt IFRSs in the very near future. Mr. Mackintosh also discussed the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding between the IASB and IFAC, which outlines the bodies’ commitment to continue to work together and further their constructive dialogue.

Wei-Guo Zhang, IASB member responsible for the relationship with the CIS, discussed ongoing IASB projects in the areas of revenue, leases, financial instruments, and insurance. 

Paul Pacter, IASB member, informed the group about the IFRS for SMEs. Released in 2009, this self-contained International Financial Reporting Standard is designed to meet the needs and capabilities of SMEs.  To date more than 70 jurisdictions have adopted the standard.

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 IFAC.

About the IASB
The IASB was established in 2001 and is the standard-setting body of the IFRS Foundation, an independent, private sector, not-for-profit organization. The IASB is committed to developing, in the public interest, a single set of high quality global accounting standards that provide high quality transparent and comparable information in general purpose financial statements. In pursuit of this objective the IASB conducts extensive public consultations and seeks the co-operation of international and national bodies around the world. The IASB has 15 full-time members drawn from 11 countries and a variety of professional backgrounds. By July 2012 the Board will be expanded to 16 members. Board members are appointed by and accountable to the Trustees of the IFRS Foundation, who are required to select the best available combination of technical expertise and diversity of international business and market experience. In their work the Trustees are accountable to a Monitoring Board of public authorities. For more information visit www.ifrs.org.

About IFAC
IFAC is the global organization for the accountancy profession dedicated to serving the public interest by strengthening the profession and contributing to the development of strong international economies. IFAC is comprised of 167 members and associates in 127 countries and jurisdictions, representing approximately 2.5 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.

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The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) today released its plan for a post-implementation review of the clarified International Standards on Auditing (ISAs). In 2009 the IAASB concluded its five-year Clarity project to redraft and revise the ISAs. The post-implementation review is the second phase of the IAASB’s efforts to monitor the implementation of these standards. The review is focused on whether the clarified ISAs are being consistently understood and implemented in a way that achieves the IAASB’s goals in revising and redrafting them.

“With extensive uptake of the clarified ISAs throughout the world, in already more than seventy-five countries, now is the time to gain a deeper understanding of how the clarified ISAs are being used and implemented,” said Prof. Arnold Schilder, Chairman of the IAASB. “When this review is completed in 2013, the IAASB will be better able to assess whether there is need for further changes to the ISAs. Timely feedback on the clarified ISAs from a variety of stakeholders is therefore essential for this purpose and the IAASB’s objective of ensuring that its standards continue to be of the highest quality.”

Features of the post-implementation review, which involves gathering information about the use of the clarified ISAs during 2012, are set out in the IAASB’s Plan for a Post-Implementation Review of the Clarified International Standards on Auditing.

Recognizing the broad range of stakeholders that may be interested in providing feedback to the IAASB about the clarified ISAs and their implementation, the IAASB encourages and welcomes input from all interested parties for the purpose of the review.

How to Comment

To access the plan and details on how to provide input, visit the IAASB’s website. Input for the purpose of the review is requested by no later than October 31, 2012.

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 IFAC.

About IFAC
IFAC is the global organization for the accountancy profession dedicated to serving the public interest by strengthening the profession and contributing to the development of strong international economies. IFAC is comprised of 164 members and associates in 125 countries and jurisdictions, representing approximately 2.5 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.

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