The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) today released two guides to help stakeholders implement its suite of quality management standards. The guides will help stakeholders understand the standards and properly implement the requirements in the manner intended:

• First-time Implementation Guide for International Standard on Quality Management (ISQM) 1, Quality Management for Firms that Perform Audits or Reviews of Financial Statements, or Other Assurance or Related Services Engagements
• First-time Implementation Guide for ISQM 2, Engagement Quality Reviews

The IAASB will also issue an implementation guide for International Standard on Auditing 220 (Revised), Quality Management for an Audit of Financial Statements, in Q3. The suite of quality management standards come into effect on December 15, 2022.     

These publications do not amend or override the International Standards on Quality Management (ISQMs), the texts of which alone are authoritative. Reading the publications are not a substitute for reading the ISQMs.

The IAASB encourages all practitioners to plan early for appropriate implementation, given the potential impact of the changes to firms’ systems of quality management.

In 2015, the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) released new auditor reporting standards to enhance the communicative value, transparency and relevance of the auditor’s report in the public interest. Today, the IAASB published a feedback statement after a public consultation. Stakeholders expressed broad support for the standards, and the resulting auditor’s report, and indicated that the standards have met the IAASB’s objectives.

The stakeholder feedback statement summarizes key themes and views shared with the IAASB through the 2020 Auditor Reporting Post-Implementation Survey as well as a roundtable discussion held in September 2020. The survey, roundtable, and related outreach solicited perspectives on implementation and specific aspects of the revised auditor reporting standards. Three of the key areas of focus for stakeholders were key audit matters, going concern and other information in the auditor’s report. The IAASB’s Auditor Reporting Implementation Working Group is considering the feedback in developing its post-implementation review recommendations for the IAASB’s consideration in September 2021.

The IAASB in collaboration with IFAC invite you to join our quality management webinar series on June 24, July 29, and August 5 and 18 on Zoom with livestreaming on the IAASB’s YouTube channel. The webinars will take a deep dive into aspects of the IAASB’s International Standard on Quality Management 1, Quality Management for Firms that Perform Audits or Reviews of Financial Statements, or Other Assurance or Related Services Engagements.

ISQM 1 is part of the IAASB’s suite of quality management standards, issued in late 2020. The standards strengthen and modernize how firms approach quality management. They also mark an evolution from a traditional, more linear approach for quality control to an integrated quality management approach.

The webinars will be held in English and will be available on the IAASB’s YouTube Channel following the session. Participants joining live via Zoom will be able to submit questions.

• Webinar One: All You Need to Know about the Firm’s Risk Assessment Process
  • June 24, 11 am–12 pm GMT
  • Featuring IAASB members Julie Corden and Chun Wee Chiew and IAASB Deputy Director Natalie Klonaridis
  • Register Now
• Webinar Two: Resources: Expectations for Firms and Engagement Partners
  • July 29, 11 am–12 pm GMT
  • Featuring IAASB members Josephine Jackson and Sue Almond and IAASB Deputy Director Natalie Klonaridis
  • Discussion will include the linkage between ISQM 1 and  International Standard on Auditing 220 (Revised), Quality Management for an Audit of Financial Statements
  • Register Now
• Webinar Three: What’s New for Firms’ Monitoring and Remediation Processes
  • August 5, 11 am–12 pm GMT
  • Featuring IAASB member Chun Wee Chiew,  IAASB technical advisor Denise Weber, and IAASB Deputy Director Natalie Klonaridis
  • Register Now
• Webinar Four: Bringing it All Together: Exploring all the Components of a Quality Management System
  • August 18, 11 am–12 pm GMT
  • Featuring IAASB members Julie Corden and Sachiko Kai and IAASB Deputy Director Natalie Klonaridis
  • Register Now

This webinar series is part of the IAASB’s implementation support efforts. Looking for additional resources on the suite of quality management standards? Check out the IAASB’s dedicated web page: iaasb.org/quality-management

IFAC is committed to supporting our member organizations and the development, adoption, and implementation of high-quality international standards.

The IAASB in collaboration with IFAC invite you to join our quality management webinar series on June 24, July 29, and August 5 and 18 on Zoom with livestreaming on the IAASB’s YouTube channel. The webinars will take a deep dive into aspects of the IAASB’s International Standard on Quality Management 1, Quality Management for Firms that Perform Audits or Reviews of Financial Statements, or Other Assurance or Related Services Engagements.

ISQM 1 is part of the IAASB’s suite of quality management standards, issued in late 2020. The standards strengthen and modernize how firms approach quality management. They also mark an evolution from a traditional, more linear approach for quality control to an integrated quality management approach.

The webinars will be held in English and will be available on the IAASB’s YouTube Channel following the session. Participants joining live via Zoom will be able to submit questions.

• Webinar One: All You Need to Know about the Firm’s Risk Assessment Process
  • June 24, 11 am–12 pm GMT
  • Featuring IAASB members Julie Corden and Chun Wee Chiew and IAASB Deputy Director Natalie Klonaridis
  • Register Now
• Webinar Two: Resources: Expectations for Firms and Engagement Partners
  • July 29, 11 am–12 pm GMT
  • Featuring IAASB members Josephine Jackson and Sue Almond and IAASB Deputy Director Natalie Klonaridis
  • Discussion will include the linkage between ISQM 1 and  International Standard on Auditing 220 (Revised), Quality Management for an Audit of Financial Statements
  • Register Now
• Webinar Three: What’s New for Firms’ Monitoring and Remediation Processes
  • August 5, 11 am–12 pm GMT
  • Featuring IAASB member Chun Wee Chiew,  IAASB technical advisor Denise Weber, and IAASB Deputy Director Natalie Klonaridis
  • Register Now
• Webinar Four: Bringing it All Together: Exploring all the Components of a Quality Management System
  • August 18, 11 am–12 pm GMT
  • Featuring IAASB members Julie Corden and Sachiko Kai and IAASB Deputy Director Natalie Klonaridis
  • Register Now

This webinar series is part of the IAASB’s implementation support efforts. Looking for additional resources on the suite of quality management standards? Check out the IAASB’s dedicated web page: iaasb.org/quality-management

On Tuesday, June 1 at 9 AM EDT, as part of the United Nations Special Session of the General Assembly Against Corruption (#UNGASS), the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) and the International Bar Association (IBA) will be co-hosting the event Independent Professions Fighting Corruption, a live virtual roundtable discussion about how the legal and accountancy professions fight corruption and promote the rule of law.

The global legal and accountancy professions are vital allies in the fight against corruption, in every country around the world.  In this live event, distinguished leaders from both professions will discuss how their professions contribute to the fight, with a focus on ethics and independence.  While the “professional enablers” narrative has attracted significant attention recently, this event looks to highlight the important role the professions play as allies, as well as to strengthen the dialogue with key stakeholders and enhancing the professions’ contributions as committed partners. 

Panelists include:

• Srinivas Gurazada, Head of Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (PEFA) Initiative Secretariat
• Leopoldo Pagotto, Co-Chair, IBA Anti-Corruption Committee
• Stephen Revell, Freshfields Bruckhaus Derringer and co-vice chair of the IBA Law Firm Management Committee
• Dr. Stavros Thomadakis, Chair, International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA)
• Co-Moderator, Sara Carnegie, Director of Legal Projects, IBA
• Co-Moderator, Scott Hanson, Director of Public Policy & Regulation, IFAC

Join the webinar on Tuesday, June 1, at 9:00 AM EDT here.

IFAC’s Professional Accountants in Business (PAIB) Advisory Group has compiled insights on key global trends impacting the future readiness of the accountancy profession in a new report Enabling Purpose Driven Organizations: PAIBs Leading Sustainability and Digital Transformation.

This report includes highlights from the PAIB March 2021 meeting, focusing on:

• Enabling value creation and sustainability 
• Delivering on climate change 
• How procurement and supply chain operating models are changing the role of finance functions 
• The changing nature of work and remote finance Gen Z and the future of accountancy 
• Public sector priorities to support COVID-19 recovery

IFAC PAIB Advisory Group Chair Sanjay Rughani says: “It is important we continue to drive forward the key areas of the PAIB agenda and share our learnings across the global accountancy profession. Together, we can enable a PAIB-relevant profession that is attractive to the new generation entering the workforce.”

Access the report and additional insights.

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 180 members and associates in 135 countries and jurisdictions, representing more than 3 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.

For more information about CPA Canada, visit www.cpacanada.ca. 

The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) today issued a survey on its Work Plan for 2022–2023. Guided by its strategic objectives for 2020-2023, the IAASB’s current—and future—work is tailored to serve the public interest. The survey is designed to help the IAASB develop its Work Plan for 2022–2023 through understanding what is important to its stakeholders.

The survey asks respondents for their views on the IAASB’s ongoing projects and possible future topic priorities. It will be open until Thursday, August 5, 2021. Respondents must submit their views using our survey online tool.

To help stakeholders thoughtfully consider and respond, and conduct any appropriate outreach to consolidate feedback, a Word version of the survey is available on the IAASB website to share questions and prepare responses. The IAASB and this work plan survey will benefit from the new Framework for Activities, developed to provide clearer criteria and increased transparency for project selection and prioritization.

Today, the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) published a revised building blocks approach to reporting sustainability information—enhancing its previously issued roadmap, The Way Forward. IFAC hopes to foster discussion on how this approach can deliver a global system for consistent, comparable, and assurable sustainability-related information that best meets the needs of investors and other stakeholders.

IFAC CEO Kevin Dancey said, “As the IFRS Foundation continues to consider establishing a new International Sustainability Standards Board and as jurisdiction-specific initiatives progress, IFAC is lending its voice to clarify how components can best fit together to meet the needs of all stakeholders. The IFRS initiative—as well as jurisdiction-specific initiatives—should build on what already exists, help create or contribute to a global system, and accommodate different views of what information stakeholders require. The building blocks approach makes this possible.”

IFAC supports a new standard-setting board under the IFRS Foundation that can lead to the coordination and harmonization of reporting and provide a baseline of requirements addressing sustainability information that is material to enterprise value. The IFRS Foundation has proposed amendments to the Constitution of the Foundation as it continues to consider establishing a new board. IFAC encourages its member organizations to submit comments to this IFRS Foundation consultation.

IFAC welcomes feedback on the building blocks approach and plans to engage with stakeholders at future IFAC events addressing the broader journey to an enhanced corporate reporting world.

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 180 members and associates in 135 countries and jurisdictions, representing more than 3 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.

After consultations with the Public Interest Oversight Board, the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) has published a revised detailed work plan that supersedes the work plan published on February 1, 2021.

The IAASB revised the work plan to account for the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on both board operations and stakeholders’ capacity to implement new standards and participate in the IAASB’s due process. Facing the reality of reduced plenary time resulting from remote plenary meetings throughout the remainder of the calendar year, the IAASB is prioritizing the on-time completion of two significant public interest documents—the finalization of ISA 600 (Revised) on Group Audits (expected after the December 2021 IAASB meeting) and a proposed standard for Audits of Financial Statements of Less Complex Entities for public consultation (expected after the June 2021 IAASB meeting).

Other updates include that the IAASB will now discuss project proposals for Fraud and Going Concern in September 2021 and March 2022, respectively. The shift in the dates of the project proposals should not materially impact the work timelines for those two projects. The revised work plan also includes an exposure draft for ISA 500 (Audit Evidence) in September 2022.