The International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) today released its 2011 Annual Report, Ethics for the Global Accounting Profession—Building on the Groundwork.

The report describes the IESBA’s commitment to developing high-quality international ethics standards for the global accountancy profession as presented in the Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (the Code). It emphasizes the board’s long-term objective of facilitating the convergence of national and international ethics standards and continued work to support their consistent implementation.

The report summarizes the progress made on the IESBA's 2011 Work Plan, including key projects on conflicts of interest, addressing a breach of a requirement of the Code, and responding to a suspected illegal act. It also looks forward to 2012, outlining the board’s plans to add additional workstreams (summarized in a Staff Update) to its 2012 Work Plan in response to matters under consideration by the European Commission, US Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, and others.

“As significant changes to the Code took effect on January 1, 2011, we focused our 2011 outreach activities on helping those who had adopted the Code to understand these changes and implement the standards consistently,” said Ken Dakdduk, chair of the IESBA. “In issuing our first annual report, we aim to support our outreach activities by promoting transparency and communication with the board's stakeholders. The report highlights our achievements during 2011 and also the dynamic nature of the IESBA’s Work Plan. To best serve the public interest, the IESBA must continually review its activities and maintain the flexibility to respond to developments in the global regulatory and business communities.”

The report also includes a report from Richard Fleck, chair of the IESBA Consultative Advisory Group (CAG), which outlines the work of the CAG in providing input to the IESBA.

To access and download the 2011 IESBA Annual Report, visit www.ethicsboard.org.
 

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.

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In a letter submitted this week, the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), the global organization for the accountancy profession with members and associates in 127 countries, urged the G-20 Leaders at their June 2012 meeting in Mexico to focus on global solutions to global issues, to create sustainability and growth.

The letter, which is a follow-up to previous submissions in 2009, 2010, 2011, and earlier in 2012, recommends that the G-20 take action directed toward the priorities of the current Mexican Presidency to: achieve economic stabilization and structural reforms as foundations for growth and employment; strengthen the financial system and foster financial inclusion to promote economic growth; improve the international financial architecture in an interconnected world; and promote sustainable development, green growth, and the fight against climate change. The recommendations include:

• The adoption and implementation, across all jurisdictions, of:
  • International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS);
  • International Standards on Auditing (ISAs); and
  • Auditor independence requirements set out in the Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants, issued by the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA).
• That the G-20 works to support strengthened resourcing and governance arrangements of international regulatory organizations (including standard setters) that have clearly defined expectations and responsibilities. In this regard, IFAC reiterates its support for shared private sector/public sector arrangements for international standard setting for financial reporting, auditing and assurance, ethics, and accounting education.
• That the G-20 supports initiatives leading to greater transparency in the management of public resources, including improving financial reporting practices by governments, developing an international framework of governance for public sector organizations, combating money laundering and terrorist financing, and ensuring that taxation obligations are properly assessed and collected according to the law.
• That the G-20 formally signals its support for the work being undertaken by the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC) with respect to developing a framework for integrated reporting. The IIRC, in which IFAC participates, is an important initiative and represents a collaboration among a broad cross-section of corporate, investment, accounting, securities, regulatory, and academic leaders.
• That governments and regulators adhere to principles of high-quality regulation, especially economic impact assessment, in implementing evidence-based regulatory reform. In particular, they should recognize that regulatory reforms may affect parts of the economy differently; for example, changes targeting large and complex organizations may have unintended consequences when applied to small- and medium-sized entities.
• That G-20 nations support initiatives aimed at strengthening the accountancy profession in developing and emerging countries. In fulfilling its mission, IFAC contributes to the development of strong professional accountancy organizations and high-quality practices by professional accountants in many ways, including through its relationships with the donor community.

“Today’s global issues require global solutions, and the G-20 is uniquely positioned to support global sustainability and growth,” said IFAC Chief Executive Officer Ian Ball. “The current problems being confronted by the global community require enhanced management of public resources, improved non-financial reporting, and more sustainable organizations. The accountancy profession is well-placed to assist in finding and implementing these solutions.”

The letter to the G-20 with the full recommendations is posted on the IFAC website.

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.

The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) today released new International Standard on Assurance Engagements (ISAE) 3410, Assurance Engagements on Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Statements. This new standard addresses an increasingly relevant global assurance service in support of reliable emissions reporting, whether for regulatory compliance purposes or undertaken on a voluntary basis to inform investors, consumers, and others. 

“Today, there is clear and growing demand for companies to disclose their environmental impacts and initiatives and to report detailed emissions information, often through GHG statements. As this demand increases, public confidence in assured GHG emissions information becomes more significant, if not essential,” said Prof. Arnold Schilder, IAASB chairman. “In promulgating this new standard, the IAASB seeks to enhance the consistency and quality of assurance engagements on GHG information, recognizing the importance to the public interest of decisions being made on the basis of that information.”

New ISAE 3410 addresses practitioners’ responsibilities in identifying, assessing, and responding to risks of material misstatement when engaged to report on GHG statements. It sets out requirements and guidance on the work effort and reporting responsibilities of practitioners for both reasonable and limited assurance engagements, as demand for both is increasingly evident in the marketplace. The ISAE is applicable to a broad range of situations, from emissions from electricity used at a single office, to emissions from complex physical or chemical processes at several facilities across a supply chain.  

”ISAE 3410 is a landmark standard in many respects,” noted James Gunn, IAASB technical director. “It responds to societal demands for standards that support quality in assurance services in areas other than financial reporting. It deals with engagements that largely need to be undertaken by a multidisciplinary team, where the assurance practitioner needs to integrate experts—in engineering or environmental science, for example—into various stages of the engagement. Notably, it also covers reporting for both reasonable and limited assurance engagements. It provides illustrative reports with features that distinguish for readers the difference between reasonable and limited assurance engagements, and shows how limited assurance reports may be further tailored to enhance users’ understanding of the assurance obtained.”

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 Professional Accountants in Business (PAIB) Committee of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) has issued proposed International Good Practice Guidance, Eleven Principles for Effective Business Reporting Processes, for public comment. The aim of this guidance is to establish a benchmark for good practice in implementing effective business reporting processes in an organization. The guidance will help professional accountants in business and their organizations create a cycle of continuous improvement for their business reporting processes to assist stakeholders in making informed decisions about the organization.

“High-quality business reports are crucial for strong capital markets and sustainable economic growth,” said Roger Tabor, chair of the PAIB Committee. “And producing high-quality business reports requires organizations to have effective business reporting processes in place.”

With this guidance, the PAIB Committee aims to provide principles-based guidance that supports professional accountants in business by helping them apply good practices. This guidance is directed at all organizations wishing to enhance their reporting processes—no matter their size or structure, or whether they are private or public.

“This guidance will help professional accountants in business and their organizations ensure that they implement the most effective reporting processes,” said Karyn Brooks, chair of the PAIB Committee’s Business Reporting Task Force. “Implementing these processes will enable them to provide stakeholders—both internal and external—with high-quality financial and non-financial information.”

Professional accountants, their professional organizations, and other interested parties are encouraged to respond to the proposed guidance to help improve its applicability to professional accountants in organizations of all sizes.

How to Comment
The PAIB Committee invites all stakeholders to comment. To access the exposure draft and submit a comment, visit the PAIB Committee section of the IFAC website at www.ifac.org/paib. Comments on the exposure draft are requested by August 23, 2012.

About the PAIB Committee
The PAIB Committee serves IFAC member bodies and professional accountants worldwide who work in commerce, industry, financial services, education, and the public and the not-for-profit sectors. Its aim is to promote and contribute to the value of professional accountants in business by increasing awareness of the important roles professional accountants play, supporting member bodies in enhancing the competence of their members, and facilitating the communication and sharing of good practices and ideas. 

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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International Federation of Accountants Chief Executive Officer Ian Ball today praised the Pan African Federation of Accountants (PAFA) for its recent decision to adopt international standards in accounting and auditing, calling it “an important benchmark in underscoring the value of accountancy and the accountancy profession to governments and to business on the African continent.”

PAFA was launched in May 2011 and consists of 39 professional accountancy organizations from 34 African nations. Its General Assembly took the action at the inaugural meeting held May 4 in Tunis, Tunisia, resolving to adopt:

• International Standards on Auditing (ISAs) developed by the International Auditing and Assurance Board (IAASB);
• International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSASs) developed by the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB);
• International Education Standards (IESs) developed by the International Accounting Education Standards Board (IAESB);
• International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) developed by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB);
• International Financial Reporting Standards for Small and Medium Enterprises (IFRS for SMEs) developed by the IASB; and
• Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants developed by the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA).

“ISAs provide the framework against which the auditor examines a company’s financial statements and judges whether they can be relied upon by investors, capital market participants, and policymakers,” Ball said. “The adoption of IPSASs, along with international standards on education and ethics, is particularly important in Africa, and so this resolution by PAFA is an important milestone. A sound financial infrastructure—in the form of high-quality, recognized standards in auditing, ethics, public sector accounting, and related regulation—is the only way that sustainable economic development is truly achievable as Africa seeks a larger role in the global economy.”

PAFA’s resolution reflects strong support for IFAC’s Statements of Membership Obligations (SMOs), which form the basis of the IFAC Member Body Compliance Program. SMOs serve as a framework for credible and high-quality professional accountancy organizations focused on serving the public interest. PAFA’s resolution underscores the SMO requirements for IFAC members and associates to adopt and support implementation of international standards and maintain adequate enforcement mechanisms to ensure the professional behavior of their individual members.

The SMOs are issued under the IFAC Board’s authority, and the Compliance Advisory Panel (CAP), together with IFAC Compliance staff, is responsible for reviewing their continuing relevance and sufficiency.

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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La Federación Internacional de Contadores (IFAC), una organización mundial para la profesión contable con miembros y asociados en 127 países, celebra la traducción al español del Código de Ética para Profesionales de la Contabilidad del Consejo de Normas Internacionales de Ética para Contadores (IESBA).

Esta traducción única al español es el resultado de un proceso de colaboración de muchos organismos miembros de la IFAC. La traducción la realizó el Instituto de Censores Jurados de Cuentas de España y la revisó el Instituto Mexicano de Contadores Públicos, junto a la Federación Argentina de Consejos Profesionales de Ciencias Económicas y un comité de revisión compuesto por representantes de organismos miembros de la IFAC en Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, México, Panamá, Paraguay, Uruguay y otros interesados clave.

La publicación traducida incluye una Tabla de Equivalencias no oficial que muestra las diferencias entre la terminología utilizada en España y la comúnmente utilizada en América Latina.

Ian Ball, Director General de la IFAC dijo: “La IFAC recibió muchas consultas en relación a contar con una traducción al español del Código de Ética para Profesionales de la Contabilidad. Nos complace que estos organismos miembros de la IFAC hayan cooperado para poner esta importante declaración totalmente a disposición de los contadores hispanohablantes y demás partes interesadas”.

Esta publicación en formato PDF puede descargarse gratuitamente para uso personal de la página de Internet de la IFAC. La publicación no se encuentra disponible en formato impreso. La reproducción, distribución o difusión de la publicación requiere el permiso de la IFAC. Para obtener más información, escriba a permissions@ifac.org.

Para obtener un panorama general de las traducciones de publicaciones de la IFAC, visite la Base de datos de traducciones de la IFAC: www.ifac.org/about-ifac/translations-permissions/translations-database

Acerca del IESBA
El IESBA sirve el interés público al establecer las normas de ética de alta calidad para los profesionales de la contabilidad y al facilitar la convergencia de las normas de ética nacionales e internacionales, incluidos los requisitos para auditores independientes, a través del desarrollo de un código de ética sólido y adecuado a nivel internacional.

Acerca de la IFAC
La IFAC es la organización mundial para la profesión contable que se dedica a servir el interés público mediante el fortalecimiento de la profesión y la contribución al desarrollo de economías internacionales fuertes. La IFAC está compuesta por 167 miembros y asociados de 127 países y jurisdicciones, que representan a aproximadamente 2,5 millones de contadores en la práctica pública y en sectores como la educación, el Gobierno, la industria y el comercio.

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The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), the global organization for the accountancy profession with members and associates in 127 countries, welcomes the Spanish translation of the Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants of the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA).

This single, Spanish translation is the result of a collaborative effort by several IFAC member bodies. The translation was performed by Instituto de Censores Jurados de Cuentas de España and reviewed by Instituto Mexicano de Contadores Públicos, together with Federación Argentina de Consejos Profesionales de Ciencias Económicas and a review committee comprising representatives from IFAC member bodies in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay and Uruguay, and other key stakeholders.

The translated publication includes an unofficial Table of Equivalencies showing differences between terminology used in Spain and that commonly used in Latin America.

Ian Ball, IFAC Chief Executive Officer said, “IFAC has received many inquiries regarding the availability of a Spanish translation of the Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants. We are delighted that these IFAC member bodies have cooperated to make this important pronouncement widely available to Spanish-speaking accountants and other interested parties.”

This publication in PDF format can be downloaded free of charge for personal use from the IFAC website. It has not been published in print format. Reproduction, distribution or dissemination of the publication requires permission of IFAC. Contact permissions@ifac.org for further information.

For an overview of translations of IFAC’s publications, please visit the IFAC Translations Database: www.ifac.org/about-ifac/translations-permissions/translations-database

About the IESBA
The IESBA serves the public interest by setting high-quality ethical standards for professional accountants and by facilitating the convergence of international and national ethical standards, including auditor independence requirements, through the development of a robust, internationally appropriate code of ethics.

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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La Federación Internacional de Contadores (IFAC), una organización mundial para la profesión contable con miembros y asociados en 127 países, celebra la traducción al español del Manual de Normas Internacionales de Auditoría y Control de Calidad. 

Esta traducción única al español es el resultado de un proceso de colaboración de dos años y medio entre el Instituto de Censores Jurados de Cuentas de España (ICJCE), el Instituto de Contabilidad y Auditoría de Cuentas y un comité de revisión encabezado por la Federación Argentina de Consejos Profesionales de Ciencias Económicas (FACPCE), con representantes de organismos miembros de IFAC de Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, México, Panamá, Paraguay, Uruguay y otros interesados clave. 

La publicación traducida incluye una Tabla de Equivalencias no oficial que muestra las diferencias entre la terminología utilizada en España y la comúnmente utilizada en América Latina. También fue revisada por la Dirección General de Traducción (DGT) de la Comisión Europea para corroborar su aceptabilidad en la Unión Europea.

Según el presidente del ICJCE, Rafael Cámara, “los miembros del ICJCE están especialmente complacidos con la publicación y quieren felicitar a todos los participantes. Esta es la primera vez que se publica en España una traducción al español de estas normas internacionales de auditoría de alta calidad, y es la culminación de varios años de trabajo”.

Por su parte, Fermín del Valle, expresidente de la IFAC, afirmó: “Esta publicación es realmente un hecho memorable y será muy beneficiosa para los profesionales de América Latina. El español es un idioma importante a nivel mundial, que se habla en España y en alrededor de veinte países latinoamericanos. Muchos países latinoamericanos planean adoptar las Normas Internacionales de Auditoría y Control de Calidad y, para esto, será fundamental contar con una traducción al español”.

El Director General de la IFAC, Ian Ball, agregó: “Este proyecto es un excelente ejemplo de colaboración entre organismos miembros de IFAC para beneficio de toda la profesión contable y de auditoría. La IFAC agradece enormemente a todos los que aportaron recursos y esfuerzos para esta importante publicación. Esta traducción al español representa un paso esencial para promover la adopción e implementación de normas internacionales de alta calidad de auditoría y control de calidad de interés público”.

Los organismos miembros de la IFAC están trabajando juntos en varios proyectos relacionados. Recientemente, se firmó un acuerdo de cooperación entre el ICJCE, la FACPCE y el Instituto Mexicano de Contadores Públicos para publicar una traducción única al español del Código de Ética para Contadores Profesionales, emitido por el Consejo de Normas Internacionales de Ética para Contadores. Se espera que la traducción final se publique en la página de Internet de la IFAC en el 2012. También se ha preparado el borrador de un memorando de entendimiento entre estos tres organismos miembros de la IFAC con el objetivo de colaborar para lograr procesos sostenibles a más largo plazo para la realización de una traducción única al español de las normas internacionales y otras publicaciones de la IFAC.

La traducción fue publicada en España por el ICJCE y en América Latina por la FACPCE (Argentina). Para comprar copias impresas del manual traducido, comuníquese con el ICJCE enviando un mensaje de correo electrónico a auditoria@icjce.es o con la FACPCE a facpce@facpce.org.ar.

Acerca de la IFAC
La IFAC es la organización mundial para la profesión contable que se dedica a servir el interés público mediante el fortalecimiento de la profesión y la contribución al desarrollo de economías internacionales fuertes. IFAC está compuesta por 167 miembros y asociados de 127 países y jurisdicciones, que representan a aproximadamente 2,5 millones de contadores en la práctica pública y en sectores como la educación, el gobierno, la industria y el comercio.

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The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) today released its 2011 Annual Report, Foundations for the Future.

The annual report highlights the IAASB’s work in the public interest to strengthen audits globally and build robust standards for audit, assurance and related services, and its commitment to enhance the communicative value and relevance of auditor reporting.

The report covers new and enhanced international standards issued by the IAASB, and draws attention to the IAASB’s new guidance material and implementation support.  It also spotlights IAASB’s continual outreach activities, efforts to maintain strong platforms for dialogue with stakeholders, and to promote the adoption and effective implementation of the clarified International Standards on Auditing (ISAs).

“In 2011, the IAASB continued building on the clarified ISAs. It has explored many new and challenging auditing topics, from auditor reporting and financial statement disclosures to new pronouncements on auditing financial instruments and using the work of internal audit functions.  Our work has been propelled by the global financial crisis and the renewed importance of strong financial infrastructures to support financial stability,” said IAASB chairman Prof. Arnold Schilder. “Our efforts have also extended to new standards supporting other assurance and related services engagements, particularly those of relevance to practitioners serving the needs of smaller entities. I am pleased how proactive the board has been in helping to address a number of the important issues facing the profession and its many stakeholders today, while laying the foundation for further progress in the future,” added Schilder.

The annual report details over 100 outreach activities undertaken during 2011, including liaisons with regulators and investor groups whose input is critical to the future of auditing. It includes a report from Prof. Linda de Beer, the chairman of the IAASB Consultative Advisory Group (CAG), which outlines the work of the CAG in providing input to the IAASB.

The 2011 IAASB annual report can be downloaded at www.iaasb.org.

 
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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