The International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board® (IPSASB®) has released its Mid-Period Work Program Consultation Summary. The Consultation Summary confirms the projects added to the IPSASB’s work program, and explains the process followed to obtain stakeholder feedback on the Board’s original proposals, as well as the reasons for the IPSASB’s decisions.

“In determining which projects to add to its 2022 work program, the IPSASB has had to balance delivery of its current financial reporting work program with the strong support for the projects proposed in the 2021 Mid-Period Work Program Consultation, and the demands from stakeholders for sustainability reporting guidance,” said IPSASB Chair Ian Carruthers. “The Board’s decision to add four projects to its 2022 work program reflects the balancing act needed to address the diverse needs of the IPSASB’s many stakeholders.”

The four projects added to the IPSASB’s work program where work will be undertaken during 2022 are:

(a)        Presentation of Financial Statements;

(b)        Differential Reporting;

(c)        Reporting Sustainability Program Information (Limited-scope project); and

(d)        Global Consultation on Advancing Public Sector Sustainability Reporting.

The IPSASB originally proposed to add another four limited-scope projects. These all received strong stakeholder support, so the projects below have been added as pre-commitments for the IPSASB’s future Work Program, with work to start as resources become available from 2023 onwards:

(a)        IPSAS 21, Impairment of Non-Cash Generating Assets;

(b)        IPSAS 31, Intangible Assets;

(c)        IPSAS 33, First Time Adoption of Accrual Basis IPSASs; and

(d)        Practice Statement: Making Materiality Judgements.

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.

About the Public Interest Committee
The governance and standard-setting activities of the IPSASB are overseen by the Public Interest Committee (PIC), to ensure that they follow due process and reflect the public interest. The PIC is comprised of individuals with expertise in public sector or financial reporting, and professional engagement in organizations that have an interest in promoting high-quality and internationally comparable financial information.

The International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board^® (IPSASB^®) has released a Consultation Paper (CP), Natural Resources, which considers the issues relating to the recognition, measurement, and presentation of natural resources by public sector entities.

Natural resources are generally understood to be resources such as sunlight, air, water and land that exist without the actions of humankind. They account for a significant proportion of the economic resources in many jurisdictions. However, governments often lack sufficient information on the monetary value of natural resources, and as a result, grant rights to these resources without regard to financial and environmental sustainability, or intergenerational fairness.

Currently, there is no explicit International Public Sector Accounting Standard (IPSAS™) guidance on accounting for natural resources in their original state. The IPSASB is now working to address this gap. The first phase of its work focuses on the financial reporting of tangible, naturally occurring resources, including subsoil resources, water, and living resources, which are in their natural state. This consultation paper is the first project output, and considers whether natural resources can be recognized as assets in general purpose financial statements or should be disclosed in broader financial reports.

“The issue of accounting for natural resources is important for the public sector in most jurisdictions. The recognition and measurement of natural resources impacts not only on financial reporting, but also potentially for many governments on policy decisions and public financial management.” said IPSASB Chair Ian Carruthers. “This consultation paper is the IPSASB’s first step in developing guidance for this important area.”

The IPSASB welcomes comments on all the matters discussed in this Consultation Paper by October 17, 2022. Feedback on the CP will guide the IPSASB in determining the approach to developing an Exposure Draft on the topic which will in turn shape a final IPSAS related to Natural Resources.

How to Comment

To access the Consultation Paper, Natural Resources, or to submit a comment, visit the IPSASB website. The IPSASB encourages IFAC members, associates, and Network Partners to promote the availability of this Consultation Paper to their members and employees.

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.

About the Public Interest Committee

The governance and standard-setting activities of the IPSASB are overseen by the Public Interest Committee (PIC), to ensure that they follow due process and reflect the public interest. The PIC is comprised of individuals with expertise in public sector or financial reporting, and professional engagement in organizations that have an interest in promoting high-quality and internationally comparable financial information.

The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) today released non-authoritative guidance, The Fraud Lens – Interactions Between ISA 240 and Other ISAs. The guidance illustrates the relationship and linkages between International Standard on Auditing (ISA) 240, The Auditor’s Responsibilities Relating to Fraud in an Audit of Financial Statements, and other ISAs when planning and performing an audit engagement and reporting thereon.

The IAASB recently approved a project proposal to revise ISA 240 to enhance or clarify an auditor’s responsibilities on fraud in an audit of financial statements. In the interim, this non-authoritative guidance illustrates how extant ISA 240 is to be applied in conjunction with the full suite of ISAs. As part of the project, additional non-authoritative guidance may be developed to further support the implementation and application of the proposed revised standard, once developed.

To help users of its standards adapt to the clarified and updated definition of “engagement team”, the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) has released a new fact sheet. The new fact sheet addresses the clarified definition and its possible impacts, including recognition that engagement teams may be organized in a variety of ways, including across different locations or by the activity they are performing. The fact sheet also includes a diagram that walks users through who specifically is included and excluded.

This new engagement team definition applies to the International Standards on Auditing and International Standards on Quality Management. 

The International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board^® has issued International Public Sector Accounting Standard^® (IPSAS^®) 44, Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations.

IPSAS 44 is based on International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS^®) 5, Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations. The new IPSAS specifies the accounting for assets held for sale and the presentation and disclosure of discontinued operations. IPSAS 44 includes additional public sector requirements, in particular, the disclosure of the fair value of assets held for sale that are measured at their carrying amounts, when the carrying amount is materially lower than their fair value.

“This standard fills a gap in the IPSAS suite by providing guidance on how to account for public sector assets that are held for sale on commercial terms,” said IPSASB Chair Ian Carruthers. “Adding guidance on this topic is important from a public interest perspective, as it ensures transparency and accountability when decisions to sell public sector assets have been taken.”

IPSAS 44 has an effective date of January 1, 2025. Earlier application is permitted.

How to Access

To access IPSAS 44, Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations and its summary At-a-Glance document visit the IPSASB website. The IPSASB encourages IFAC members, associates, and Network Partners to promote the availability of IPSAS 44, Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations to their members and employees.

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.

About the Public Interest Committee

The governance and standard-setting activities of the IPSASB are overseen by the Public Interest Committee (PIC), to ensure that they follow due process and reflect the public interest. The PIC is comprised of individuals with expertise in public sector or financial reporting, and professional engagement in organizations that have an interest in promoting high-quality and internationally comparable financial information.

Together with ICAEW, The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) today released the latest installment in its Anti-Money Laundering: The Basics educational series: Installment Nine: Tools to Fight Back.  

The publication is part of a series helping accountants enhance their understanding of how money laundering works, the risks they face, and what they can do to mitigate these risks and make a positive contribution to the public interest. Installment nine examines the tools professional accountants have at their disposal to address money laundering once it’s suspected.  

Anti-Money Laundering: The Basics is user-friendly, easily accessible, and will be a resource for small and medium practices (SMPs) and accountants less familiar with AML, while also providing guidance for those looking for a quick refresher or reference.

Anti-Money Laundering: The Basics is featured on both the IFAC (link) and ICAEW websites and available for download for free. To be globally relevant, the series uses the risk-based approach of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) – the global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog -- as a starting point. 

For more information about IFAC, visit www.ifac.org.

For more information about ICAEW, visit https://www.icaew.com/.

To answer questions about the cost of audit and how it compares to the fees companies pay for other professional services provided by statutory auditors, the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) today published Audit Fees Survey 2022: Understanding Audit and Non-Audit Service Fees, 2013-2020. The new study details information about audit-related, tax-related, and other non-audit professional services in the US, Canadian, and European markets across mega-cap, large-cap, mid-cap, small-cap, and micro-cap exchange-listed companies in nine industries.

“The data clearly shows differences across jurisdictions and industries, while demonstrating that fees for non-audit services appear to be on a flat or declining trend,” said IFAC CEO Kevin Dancey. “As audit quality and reform continue to be a focus for the global accountancy profession, this data provides necessary transparency and fosters understanding about the quality, cost and value of the professional services that public practice firms provide to their clients.”

This study updates an analysis first published by IFAC in 2019. IFAC also plans to update this study with fiscal year 2021 data later this year. 

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) today released International Standard on Auditing (ISA) 600 (Revised). The revised standard addresses special considerations that apply to audits of group financial statements (group audits). Group audits are often more complex and challenging than single-entity audits because a group may have many entities or business units across multiple jurisdictions, and component auditors may be involved. The revised standard becomes effective for audits of group financial statements for periods beginning on or after December 15, 2023.

“ISA 600 (Revised) is a significant step forward to enhance the consistent performance of quality group audit engagements and thereby supports users’ interests and broader financial stability,” said Tom Seidenstein, IAASB Chair. “Group audits is an area identified by regulators requiring attention. The changes in the standard build off other recent IAASB revisions, such as the revisions to the quality management standards, and should enhance audit quality by strengthening the accountability of group auditors and clarifying the interactive relationship between group and component auditors.”

ISA 600 (Revised) includes a robust risk-based approach to planning and performing a group audit. The approach focuses the group auditor’s attention and work effort on identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement of the group financial statements and designing and performing further audit procedures to respond to those assessed risks. It also recognizes that component auditors can be, and often are, involved in all phases of the group audit. The standard furthermore promotes a clear, proactive and scalable approach for group audits that can be applied to today’s evolving group audit structures.

The IAASB also developed a Basis for Conclusions and factsheet to support the implementation, which are also available on the IAASB’s website.

About the IAASB
The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board 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 the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC). For copyright, trademark, and permissions information, please go to permissions or contact permissions@ifac.org.

The IAASB is pleased to announce that its 2022-2023 Work Plan, A Public Interest Focus in Uncertain Times, has been approved by the Public Interest Oversight Board, which is a key element of the IAASB’s due process. The Work Plan was previously approved by the IAASB during its December 2021 meeting.

Sustainability and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) assurance are a prominent addition to the new work plan and will see increased time and resourcing for 2022–2023. The new Work Plan also highlights candidate topics in the Audit and Review space (e.g., responding to assessed risks of material misstatement and the impact of technology on various standards) that will be considered for a further project to begin in 2023. A key focus will remain the progression and completion of projects underway at the start of 2022, including audits of financial statements of less complex entities, audit evidence, going concern and fraud.

The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) today released a new resource, Auditing Accounting Estimates: ISA 540 (Revised) Implementation Tool. It will help auditors implement the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board’s International Standard on Auditing 540 (Revised), Auditing Accounting Estimates and Related Disclosures by providing an overview of steps practitioners could take and related considerations.

For entities of all types and sizes, management has to make accounting estimates, which have estimation uncertainty and may also be complex. Making these estimates involves selecting and applying a method using assumptions and data, which requires judgment. The nature, timing and extent of the audit procedures required will vary in relation to the estimation uncertainty and the assessment of the related risks of material misstatement.  

This implementation tool contains “what”, “why” and “how” suggestions. These are not all-encompassing and more or different considerations may apply depending on the circumstances of the engagement. The implementation tool also works in conjunction with the IAASB’s previously published ISA 540 (Revised) flowcharts showing the requirements flow. The choice of specific procedures an auditor decides to perform to meet the requirements of ISA 540 (Revised) and other relevant ISAs is a matter of professional judgement. This implementation tool does not replace the need to read ISA 540 (Revised), including its application and other explanatory material.

The publication is based on the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada) Implementation Tool and supports efforts to improve audit quality globally and, more broadly, international standards’ adoption and implementation. Additional guidance and resources are available on the dedicated Supporting International Standards section of the IFAC Knowledge Gateway.

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.