The International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board® (IPSASB®) seeks nominations from individuals, or representatives from organizations, interested in serving as a member of the IPSASB Consultative Advisory Group (CAG).

The CAG is an integral part of the IPSASB’s formal process for consultation and a forum for the IPSASB to obtain the views of those interested in, or affected by, the development and maintenance of its high-quality International Public Sector Accounting Standards™ (IPSAS™) used by governments and public sector entities around the world. CAG members have an opportunity to get involved in shaping the development of IPSASB Standards.

CAG members serve an initial term of up to three years. The CAG formally meets twice a year in different locations across the globe and may be convened for additional discussions as requested by the IPSASB. Interested nominees should be committed to attending all meetings.

The IPSASB is particularly interested in nominees with skills and experience that include:

• The ability to perceive strategic public sector issues important to financial reporting, sustainability reporting, and the use of financial statements;
• A deep understanding of IPSASB Standards; such as those involved in their adoption and implementation; and/or
• A strong knowledge of public financial management.

The IPSASB values diverse perspectives and encourages qualified candidates that add to the CAG’s overall professional, geographic, and gender diversity. In pursuit of a globally representative advisory group, the IPSASB particularly encourages women and those from Africa, Asia, Middle East, and Latin America to apply.

How to Apply:

Those interested in CAG membership should submit their nominations by email to CAGChair@IPSASB.org. The nomination should include the CV and contact details of the nominee, as well as a cover letter that notes the reasons for their interest and the value they would add to the CAG.

Nominations are due by September 29, 2023.

About the IPSASB 

The International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board® (IPSASB®) works to strengthen public financial management globally through developing and maintaining accrual-based International Public Sector Accounting Standards® (IPSAS®) and other high-quality financial reporting guidance for use by governments and other public sector entities. It also raises awareness of IPSAS and the benefits of accrual adoption. The Board receives support from the Asian Development Bank, the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada, the New Zealand External Reporting Board, and the governments of Canada and New Zealand. The structures and processes that support the operations of the IPSASB are facilitated by the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC). For copyright, trademark, and permissions information, please go to permissions or contact permissions@ifac.org.  

In September 2023, the United Nations will mark the half-way point to the deadline set for achieving the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. This is an important juncture for global leaders to reflect on the progress we have made, the progress we have not made, and the challenges we face ahead.

Reflecting on the G20’s current theme of One Earth, One Family, One Future, IFAC, acting in its role as the global voice of the accountancy profession, highlights the importance of inclusivity in underpinning sustainable development in its 2023 Call to Action. We must approach sustainability, the public sector, small- and medium-sized entities (SMEs), and education with an inclusive approach to make sure that the opportunities of today and tomorrow are shared, and that economic and social development are truly sustainable.

“We have serious challenges ahead of us. Fortunately, the global accountancy profession is a committed partner, doing our part to drive sustainable development and demonstrating leadership as a truly global and inclusive profession,” said IFAC CEO Kevin Dancey.

IFAC calls on G20 leaders to:

1. Make Sustainability A Reality, Not Just a Goal

• Lead on achieving the UN SDGs and provide a foundation for net zero transitions
• Support the ISSB's global baseline for sustainability disclosures
• Support mandatory assurance of sustainability information pursuant to ISSA 5000
• Support the work of the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board to develop sustainability reporting standards for the public sector

2. Support Public Financial Management and Fight Corruption

• Support high-quality public financial management, professionalization in the public sector, and accrual accounting at all levels of government
• Continue to prioritize full adoption and implementation of global commitments on the fight against corruption, such as the G20 Anti-Corruption Action Plan

3. Create an Environment for SME Growth and Innovation

• Embed the unique needs of SMEs into global policy making
• Support access to digital infrastructure and skills for SMEs
• Provide a supportive regulatory environment for SMEs

4. No Inclusive Growth without Education

• Support equal access to education, including STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and accounting skills
• Support financial literacy globally and locally

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 more than 135 jurisdictions, representing millions of professional accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.

The International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) today released its 2022 Annual Report, Reinforcing Ethics and the Public Interest in a Rapidly Evolving World.

The digitally interactive report looks back at 2022 through the eyes of the international ethics standard-setting board, complete with detailed reports on the Board’s projects alongside reflective remarks from its leaders. The report showcases a board in transition, completing long-running projects aimed at further strengthening the IESBA’s International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including International Independence Standards) (the Code), addressing the ethical implications of rapid technological advances, and moving fast to develop the necessary ethics and independence standards for sustainability reporting and assurance, always working to serve the public interest.

“IESBA’s work in 2022 will ultimately strengthen the public’s trust in the professional accountant, corporate reporting and businesses more generally at a time of rapid change and complexity,” said IESBA Chair Gabriela Figueiredo Dias. “Collectively, we’ve ensured the necessary strategic adjustments to better serve the public interest in a context of complex developments that we face today, like sustainability and technology, through our actions to enhance our global ethics and independence standards, thereby raising the bar for ethical conduct and practice for all professional accountants and other service providers that may want to use our standards.”

Beyond the updates on IESBA projects, the 2022 IESBA Report features an overview of the Board’s extensive stakeholder outreach efforts and information about its efforts to promote global adoption and effective implementation of the Code. The Report also includes a message from the IESBA’s Consultative Advisory Group (CAG) Chair, Mr. Gaylen Hansen.

About IESBA

The International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants serves the public interest by setting high-quality ethics standards, including independence requirements, 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. For copyright, trademark, and permissions information, please visit Permissions.

The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) today issued its proposed International Standard on Sustainability Assurance (ISSA) 5000, General Requirements for Sustainability Assurance Engagements. With its focus on assurance on sustainability reporting, ISSA 5000, when approved, will be the most comprehensive sustainability assurance standard available to all assurance practitioners across the globe.

“Our proposed ISSA 5000 is a crucial step in enhancing confidence and trust in sustainability reporting. This proposal directly responds to the International Organization of Securities Commissions recommendations and complements the work of other standard setters, including the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants,” noted IAASB Chair Tom Seidenstein. “Corporate reporting, whether financial or sustainability focused, is more trusted when it receives external and independent assurance based upon globally accepted standards independently developed in the public interest.”

ISSA 5000 is a principles-based, overarching standard suitable for both limited and reasonable assurance engagements on sustainability information reported across any sustainability topic. The IAASB drafted the standard to work with sustainability information prepared under any suitable reporting framework. These frameworks include the many reporting frameworks already in place and those under development, including but not limited to those issued by the European Union, the International Sustainability Standards Board, the Global Reporting Initiative, the International Organization for Standardization, and others. The standard is profession agnostic, supporting its use by both professional accountant and non-accountant assurance practitioners when performing high quality sustainability assurance engagements.

The IAASB is committed to an extensive, high-level outreach plan to ensure broad stakeholder input. One core element of the outreach is a series of four roundtables beginning in September. The IAASB will also take part in virtual, regional, and national events, many held in partnership with other organizations, throughout the consultation period.

“Receiving the broadest range of views from our stakeholders will improve both the quality of and trust in the final standard. Our unprecedented commitment to outreach will allow us to engage directly with a much wider group of stakeholders to gather the valuable insights we need to finalize a high-quality robust standard,” noted IAASB Vice-Chair and Sustainability Task Force Chair Josephine Jackson.

For additional information on upcoming events, follow the IAASB on LinkedIn and/or Twitter and register/subscribe to our mailing list.

ISSA 5000 will be available French, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish in the coming weeks. The IAASB invites all stakeholders to comment on the proposed revisions via the IAASB website by December 1, 2023.

The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) plays a vital role in driving the development, adoption, and implementation of transparent and high-quality international standards. These standards for audit and assurance, ethics and independence, education, and public sector accounting are used by professional accountants and serve as a fundamental pillar within the global financial architecture.

The World Bank, an institution dedicated to providing financing, policy advice, and technical assistance to governments of developing countries, recently extended significant financial support to expand the accessibility of certain materials (noted below) into Spanish and French. This support broadens the availability of these publications to IFAC’s global audience and their stakeholders, and helps to promote greater economic growth, development, and accountability.

In jurisdictions where English is not an official or business language, one of the primary obstacles to successful adoption and implementation of international standards is the lack of access to translations in local languages. IFAC takes proactive steps to tackle this challenge by collaborating with member organizations in leveraging their technical expertise to provide translation support, as well as engaging with donors to help further facilitate the translation process.

IFAC CEO Kevin Dancey said, “IFAC thanks the World Bank and our member organizations for their generous financial support in expanding the accessibility of multilingual materials. Your invaluable contribution has made a profound impact on our efforts to foster the adoption and implementation of international standards on a global scale. Consequently, this will pave the way for driving progress, bolstering economic stability, and ensuring responsible financial practices worldwide.”

For more details on how to support translations, please reach out to Michelle Brody (MichelleBrody@ifac.org) or permissions@ifac.org.

View the newly translated publications in Spanish and French:

      ¹Spanish was not completed under the World Bank.

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

The endorsement by International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) of IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards S1 and S2, and its call to action to its member jurisdictions, are most welcome developments in the ever-important sustainability space.

We commend the IFRS Foundation, the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), and IOSCO who are dedicated to maintaining fair, efficient and transparent markets. Promoting consistent and comparable climate-related and other sustainability-related information is an important component of this work.

As sustainability reporting becomes increasingly mandatory in some jurisdictions, the focus must turn quickly to mandatory assurance. Without it, the quality of sustainability reporting will lag financial reporting, and there will continue to be issues with greenwashing, reliability, and credibility. The accountancy profession, underpinned by its Code of Ethics, is particularly well placed to provide assurance services across both sustainability and financial disclosure.

IFAC CEO Kevin Dancey said, "IFAC applauds IOSCO’s endorsement of IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards S1 and S2, and its call to action to its member jurisdictions. These are important and most welcome developments. Now, the focus must turn quickly to sustainability assurance. IFAC remains committed to advancing these important conversations with our many global stakeholders, including with our 180 member organizations that represent millions of professional accountants all around the 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. 

The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) and the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) applaud the efforts of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) and today’s International Organization of Securities Commissions’ (IOSCO) endorsement decision of the ISSB’s recently issued IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards S1 and S2. IOSCO determined that these standards are “appropriate to serve as a global framework for capital markets to develop the use of sustainability-related financial information in both capital raising and trading and for the purpose of helping globally integrated financial markets accurately assess relevant sustainability risks and opportunities.”

In commenting on the endorsement, Tom Seidenstein and Gabriela Figueiredo Dias, IAASB and IESBA Chairs, respectively, said, “IOSCO’s endorsement of IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards S1 and S2 and its call to action for member jurisdictions to move toward adoption and implementation are two more important steps in establishing a trusted reporting framework for sustainability information. We appreciate IOSCO’s leadership in coordinating global consistency in sustainability reporting, assurance and ethics standards.”

The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) and the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) applaud the efforts of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) and today’s International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) endorsement decision of the ISSB’s recently issued IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards S1 and S2. IOSCO determined that these standards are “appropriate to serve as a global framework for capital markets to develop the use of sustainability-related financial information in both capital raising and trading and for the purpose of helping globally integrated financial markets accurately assess relevant sustainability risks and opportunities.”

In commenting on the endorsement, Tom Seidenstein and Gabriela Figueiredo Dias, IAASB and IESBA Chairs, respectively, said, “IOSCO’s endorsement of IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards S1 and S2 and its call to action for member jurisdictions to move toward adoption and implementation are two more important steps in establishing a trusted reporting framework for sustainability information. We appreciate IOSCO’s leadership in coordinating global consistency in sustainability reporting, assurance, and ethics standards.”

Mark your calendars for August 2!

We will issue the proposed, landmark International Standard on Sustainability Assurance (ISSA) 5000, General Requirements for Sustainability Assurance Engagements, for public consultation on August 2.

When approved, ISSA 5000 will be the most comprehensive sustainability assurance standard available to all assurance practitioners across the globe. It will apply to sustainability information reported about any appropriate sustainability matter and prepared under any suitable framework. It will also apply for both limited and reasonable assurance engagements.

ISSA 5000 also benefits from close consultation and coordination with other global organizations, including IOSCO, FSB, IESBA, ISSB, and GRI.

From August 2 to December 1 is when we need to hear from you; your feedback on the proposed standard is crucial. We need to hear from those who:

• Prepare, use or provide assurance on sustainability information
• Use reported sustainability information to make decisions, including audit committee members, investors, and others.

Follow us on LinkedIn or on Twitter or register & subscribe on our website for updates on the proposed ISSA 5000’s release and for announcements about upcoming webinars and events.

The public sector is the largest sector in the global economy, and with complex finances, competing demands on public resources, and the need for transparency and accountability in the management of public funds, the demand for accounting and finance professionals is high. However, many public sector entities, including at national and local government levels, struggle to find suitable candidates with the right skills to fill these positions.

In collaboration with the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA), IFAC has published a case study on SAICA’s activities in the public sector, highlighting how a focus on the public sector supports its mandate to contribute to South Africa’s economic and social advancement. SAICA’s priorities include increasing the professionalisation of the public sector through multiple pathways to attract talent and grow its membership, as well as supporting members through professional development and by advocating on their behalf.

“Professional accountancy organizations (PAOs) have a critical role to play in the public sector,” said Stathis Gould, Director of Member Engagement at IFAC. “PAOs can promote the value of a professional workforce, advocate for accountants, and support members’ professional development, which will help the public sector do more with less, and ultimately reinforce trust in public services and spending. SAICA is an excellent example to learn from.”

Dive into SAICA’s methods in IFAC’s case study, Broadening the Accountancy Profession’s Reach in the Public Sector.

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.