El Consejo de Normas Internacionales de Auditoría y Aseguramiento^® (IAASB^®) ha publicado la Norma Internacional de Auditoría ^TM (NIA^TM) 720 (revisada), Responsabilidades del auditor relacionadas con otra información en documentos que contienen estados financieros auditados. Las revisiones pretenden aclarar y aumentar la participación del auditor en "otra información" —definida en el estándar como información financiera y no financiera, diferente a los estados financieros auditados, que figura en los informes anuales de las entidades.

"El informe anual es un documento indispensable para los inversores. En el interés público es importante que el auditor lleve a cabo una ‘lectura inteligente’ de un informe anual -a partir del conocimiento adquirido en la auditoría- y realice determinados procedimientos para garantizar la consistencia del informe anual con los estados financieros auditados", explicó el profesor Arnold Schilder, Director del IAASB.

El estándar incluye igualmente nuevos requerimientos relacionados con el informe de auditoría sobre otro tipo de información, que complementan los cambios resultantes de los estándares nuevos y revisados para los informes de auditoría emitidos a principios de este año. Paralelo a aquellos estándares, la NIA 720 (revisada) entrará en vigor para auditorías de estados financieros correspondientes a periodos terminados el 15 de diciembre de 2016 o en adelante.   

"Los documentos consultados y considerados por el auditor, y los resultados del trabajo de auditoría correspondiente a estos documentos serán ahora transparentes para los usuarios de los informes de auditoría", explicó Kathleen Healy, Directora Técnica del IAASB. "Al articular específicamente cuáles son las responsabilidades del auditor frente a otro tipo de información, como por ejemplo que la opinión del auditor no cubre esta información, se proporcionará a los usuarios el contexto adecuado sobre el cual considerar el informe anual de una entidad". El estándar busca igualmente abarcar las dificultades prácticas que pueden surgir cuando una parte de esta otra información (o su totalidad) no se encuentra disponible en la fecha del informe de auditoría y, bajo estas circunstancias, recomienda comunicaciones adicionales en los informes del auditor para las entidades cotizadas.

Se encuentran actualmente disponibles el documento de los Fundamentos de las Conclusiones preparado por el personal técnico, el cual explica la lógica del IAASB frente a sus decisiones, y el documento At a Glance, que explica los cambios principales en la NIA actual.

Acerca el IAASB
El IAASB desarrolla normas y guías de auditoría y aseguramiento para uso de todos los contadores profesionales, bajo un proceso compartido de emisión de normas que involucra al Consejo de Supervisión del Interés Público (PIOB), el cual supervisa las actividades del IAASB, y del Grupo Consultivo Asesor del IAASB, el cual genera aportes de interés público para el desarrollo de normas y guías. Las estructuras y los procesos que soportan las operaciones del IAASB son facilitados por la Federación Internacional de Contadores^® (IFAC^®).

Acerca de la IFAC
La IFAC es la organización global para la profesión contable, dedicada a servir el interés público a través del fortalecimiento de la profesión y contribuir en el desarrollo de economías internacionales sólidas. La IFAC se compone de 175 miembros y asociados en 130 países y territorios, representando aproximadamente a 2,5 millones de contadores en la práctica pública, la educación, el gobierno, la industria y el comercio.

The International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants^® (IESBA^®, the Ethics Board) today released for re-exposure an enhanced standard, Responding to Non-Compliance with Laws and Regulations. The proposed standard sets out a new framework to guide auditors, other professional accountants in public practice, and professional accountants in business (PAIBs) in deciding how best to act in the public interest when they come across an act or suspected act of non-compliance with laws and regulations.

“Fundamentally, all professional accountants have an ethical responsibility to respond in these situations and not turn a blind eye to them,” commented IESBA Chairman Dr. Stavros Thomadakis. “Importantly, their response can play a role in ensuring that serious instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations are appropriately addressed, or in deterring them. The board intends the proposed framework to guide professional accountants’ response in these situations, ensuring their actions serve the public interest while recognizing the essential role of management and those charged with governance in addressing the issue.”

Among other matters, the proposed standard serves to better equip auditors and other professional accountants to address such issues by providing a pathway to disclosure to an appropriate authority in appropriate circumstances without the duty of confidentiality under the Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants™ acting as a barrier. It also places renewed emphasis on the importance of senior-level PAIBs promoting a culture of compliance with laws and regulations within their organizations.

“The board believes that the proposed framework represents a holistic, proportionate, and balanced model for addressing what can often be complex situations,” noted IESBA Technical Director Ken Siong. “The board also believes that the proposed standard’s enhanced guidance will support and complement legal and regulatory frameworks in jurisdictions that already mandate reporting by professional accountants of identified or suspected non-compliance with laws and regulations to appropriate authorities.”

The development of the proposed standard was informed by stakeholder responses to the first Exposure Draft issued in August 2012 and other extensive consultation with stakeholders, including global roundtables in Hong Kong, Brussels, and Washington, DC in 2014, and discussions with the IESBA Consultative Advisory Group.

For an overview of the proposed standard, see the At-a-Glance document.

How to Comment
The Ethics Board invites public comment on the Exposure Draft and, in particular, from regulators and audit oversight bodies, preparers, those charged with governance, investors, accounting firms, and all other stakeholders who have a role or interest in addressing the relevant issues. National and regional professional accountancy organizations also are invited to share the ED and encourage participation from their members and employees. To access the ED and submit a comment, please visit the Ethics Board’s website at www.ethicsboard.org. Comments are requested by September 4, 2015. 

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
The International Federation of Accountants^® (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 more than 175 members and associates in 130 countries and jurisdictions, representing approximately 2.5 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.

As part of ongoing efforts to promote the adoption and support implementation of international standards in accounting, auditing, ethics, and education, and the establishment of related quality assurance and investigation and discipline mechanisms, the International Federation of Accountants^® (IFAC^®) today released the Proposed IFAC Member Body Compliance Strategy, 2016-2018.

This proposed strategy incorporates fundamental upgrades to monitoring and reporting mechanisms. It will help professional accountancy organizations (PAOs) meet the IFAC Statements of Membership Obligations (SMOs), highlight adoption efforts in their jurisdictions, and help all global stakeholders understand adoption status, as well as improvements or setbacks, on a timely basis.

“Following more than ten successful years of the IFAC Member Body Compliance Program, the new strategy represents a turning point,” according to Fayez Choudhury, IFAC CEO. “The proposed changes to the Program, including the creation and publication of Dashboard Reports, will increase the accessibility and usability of relevant and up-to-date information, as well as leverage the Program's value as a global source of knowledge on the status of adoption of international standards and best practices by jurisdictions.”

The Program serves the public interest by promoting the adoption and supporting implementation of international standards. It influences the actions and drives the behaviors of IFAC member bodies around the world by focusing attention and resources on the role of PAOs in improving the quality of the accountancy profession, thereby supporting the IFAC mission and strengthening public confidence in the global profession.

In developing the strategy, the IFAC Compliance Advisory Panel (CAP) and IFAC staff follow an agreed-upon due process under the oversight of the Public Interest Oversight Board (PIOB).

How to Comment
IFAC invites all stakeholders to comment on the proposed strategy. Respondents are asked to submit comments electronically through an online survey or the IFAC website, using the “Submit a Comment” link. Although IFAC prefers that comments are submitted via the online survey or its website, responses can also be sent to IFAC staff at compliance@ifac.org. Comments and survey responses are requested by July 3, 2015.

About the IFAC Member Body Compliance Program
The IFAC Member Body Compliance Program is recognized as the global platform supporting adoption and implementation of international standards and best practices. It shapes agendas and actions with a goal of developing strong professional accountancy organizations and strengthening the accountancy profession around the world. The Program is the responsibility of the IFAC Compliance Staff, reporting to the Chief Executive. It is overseen by the Compliance Advisory Panel, which—as one of IFAC’s public interest activities—is overseen by the Public Interest Oversight Board.

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. It is comprised of more than 175 members and associates in 130 countries and jurisdictions, representing approximately 2.5 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.

The International Federation of Accountants^® (IFAC^®) today published in the Spanish language the Handbook of International Public Sector Accounting Pronouncements – 2014 Edition, and the Conceptual Framework for General Purpose Financial Reporting by Public Sector Entities (Conceptual Framework).             

These Spanish translations were undertaken by faculty members from the Department of Accounting and Finance, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, at the University of Zaragoza, Spain. They have been reviewed by an international committee consisting of public sector experts from Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Spain, and Uruguay.

“This Handbook provides a comprehensive set of accounting requirements and guidance developed specifically for preparers of public sector financial statements. Due to the increasing pace of adoption in Spain and Latin America of these standards, this Spanish language translation is especially welcome,” said Andreas Bergmann, Chairman of the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board^®(IPSASB^®).

The Conceptual Framework provides the IPSASB with the concepts that will underpin the development of International Public Sector Accounting Standards™ (IPSASs™) and Recommended Practice Guidelines (RPGs) in the coming years. It enables the IPSASB to improve the consistency of its standard-setting by strengthening the linkage between IPSASs. Additionally, the transparency of the concepts underpinning the development of IPSASs and RPGs enhances the IPSASB’s accountability.

The Conceptual Framework also responds to key public sector characteristics in its approach to elements (the building blocks of financial statements), the measurement of assets and liabilities, and the presentation of financial reports, while focusing on service recipients’ and resource providers’ needs for high-quality financial reporting information for both accountability and decision-making purposes.

The publication of these Spanish translations is timely, in advance of the 2015 CReCER conference, “Preserving Economic Gains and Investing in the Future: Promoting Growth through Improved Financial Accountability,” May 5-8 in Quito, Ecuador.

CReCER, which represents the Spanish acronym for Contabilidad y Responsibilidad para el Crecimiento Economico (Accounting and Accountability for Regional Economic Growth), is a regional event focusing on accounting and auditing. It promotes improved financial and fiscal reporting policies and practices in the public and private sectors in Latin America and the Caribbean, in support of the region’s economic growth and development agenda. The conference is co-sponsored by IFAC, the World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, and the Global Public Policy Committee.

Additional Spanish translations of IFAC publications will be forthcoming.

For an overview of translations of IFAC’s publications, please visit the IFAC Translations Database.

About the IPSASB
The IPSASB develops accounting standards and guidance for use by public sector entities. The structures and processes that support the operations of the IPSASB are facilitated by IFAC. The IPSASB receives support (both direct financial and in-kind) from the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada, the South African Accounting Standards Board, and the governments of Canada, New Zealand, and Switzerland.

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 over 175 members and associates in 130 countries and jurisdictions, representing approximately 2.5 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.

The IAASB has continued its extensive outreach program contemplated in its five-year Strategy for 2015–2019: Fulfilling Our Public Interest Mandate in an Evolving World. It has compiled a detailed listing of its outreach activities for the period January 1, 2015 – April 29, 2015. 

Convened by the International Federation of Accountants^® (IFAC^®), the Accountability. Now. coalition, comprising civil society organizations, major international bodies, and the accountancy profession, met for the first time to develop strategies to encourage high-quality public sector financial reporting, greater government transparency and accountability, and empowered citizen engagement.

IFAC Chief Executive Officer Fayez Choudhury commented, “Poor public sector financial management can lead to economic stagnation and contraction; severe social problems that impact future generations; and a widened gulf between government and its citizens.

“IFAC initiated Accountability. Now. to help drive awareness of the critical need for high-quality, transparent, comparable public sector financial reporting, and the importance of engaging citizens in the process of holding governments to account.

“Some of the world’s poorest countries have the most to gain from having high-quality government reporting to better manage scarce public sector resources, attract investment, and promote accountability. IFAC will be focusing much of its efforts on helping these countries implement strategies to embrace high-quality reporting, based on International Public Sector Accounting Standards™, and encourage citizens to be part of the fiscal process.

“Understanding the true costs of government services, including all assets and liabilities, is central to good government and global growth. This is an issue that should be of concern to everyone, not just accountants and that’s the exciting part of Accountability. Now.

“The coalition represents a range of different organizations with the skills and experience to help push for a better social contract between governments and their citizens, at a time when there is enormous pressure on governments to work with tighter budgets and deliver better social outcomes,” Choudhury said.

In addition to the accountancy profession, represented by IFAC and the Big 6 accountancy firms, the coalition includes the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the Global Initiative for Fiscal Transparency, whose members include International Budget Partnership, International Monetary Fund, World Bank Group, and the Brazilian and Philippines Governments. 

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. It is comprised of more than 175 members and associates in 130 countries and jurisdictions, representing approximately 2.5 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.

To assist developing professional accountancy organizations (PAOs) around the world communicate their value and establish or advance public policy efforts, the International Federation of Accountants^® (IFAC^®) today released new guidance for PAOs, Finding Your Voice: PAOs, Advocacy, and Public Policy. The guidance offers practical advice to help PAOs create an environment in which professional accountants are listened to, can speak out on topical societal issues, and are seen as an integral, respected, and contributing part of society.

“The success of any PAO relies in large part on its ability to effectively communicate and demonstrate its relevance to society,” said IFAC CEO Fayez Choudhury. “As part of IFAC’s support for developing PAOs, we want to help them find and use their voices effectively in support of the public interest and in a way that builds trust and confidence—in them and in the profession.”

As the global body for the accountancy profession that regularly engages with PAOs around the world, IFAC is in the unique position of being able to collate and communicate good practices based on real experiences shared by existing and prospective IFAC member bodies.

The guidance outlines the essential elements of an effective approach to engaging stakeholders and includes practical tips as well as short case studies of PAOs who have experienced success.

“We know that the accountancy profession is most successful and sustainable when PAOs have the support of their national and regional stakeholders, including government and regulators,” said Alta Prinsloo, Executive Director, Strategy, and Chief Operating Officer, IFAC. “Obtaining that support requires sustained, targeted outreach to decision makers and stakeholders, focused on demonstrating a PAO’s value. This guidance will help PAOs on that journey.”

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. It is comprised of more than 175 members and associates in 130 countries and jurisdictions, representing approximately 2.5 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.

The International Federation of Accountants^® (IFAC^®) today published in Spanish the following documents developed for Professional Accountants in Business (PAIBs):

• International Framework: Good Governance in the Public Sector (full document)
• International Framework: Good Governance in the Public Sector (executive summary)
• Competent and Versatile: How Professional Accountants in Business Drive Sustainable Success (full document)
• Competent and Versatile: How Professional Accountants in Business Drive Sustainable Success (employer brochure)

The publication International Framework: Good Governance in the Public Sector was jointly developed by IFAC and the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) to help improve and encourage effective public sector governance. The Framework encourages better governed and managed public sector organizations by improving decision making and the efficient use of resources. Enhanced stakeholder engagement, robust scrutiny, and oversight of those charged with primary responsibility for determining an entity’s strategic direction, operations, and accountability leads to more effective interventions and better outcomes for the public at large.

Competent and Versatile supports the global accountancy profession in responding to changing expectations of society, financial markets, and organizations, and promotes the value of professional accountants in business to their organizations. Since organizational needs are evolving faster than ever, professional accountants need to adapt to these changes to best serve their employers, and maintain relevance and public trust. With this publication, the Professional Accountants in Business Committee is striving to support the global accountancy profession and help its members guide their organizations to create sustainable value.

These Spanish language translations are a result of the Ibero-American cooperation framework, known as the IberAm project. Established in 2012, the IberAm project—which includes IFAC and its member bodies Instituto de Censores Jurados de Cuentas de España, Federación Argentina de Consejos Profesionales de Ciencias Económicas, and Instituto Mexicano de Contadores Públicos—is an IFAC-authorized translation and review process that strives to achieve longer-term, sustainable processes for single, high-quality Spanish translations of international standards and other IFAC publications. The Interamerican Accounting Association, IFAC’s regional organization for Latin America and the Caribbean, is an observer to the project. In addition, the project involves a Review Committee of technical experts representing IFAC member bodies in nine Spanish-speaking countries.

Additional Spanish translations of IFAC publications will be forthcoming.

For an overview of translations of IFAC’s publications, please visit the IFAC Translations Database.

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 over 175 members and associates in 130 countries and jurisdictions, representing approximately 2.5 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.

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.

El Consejo de Normas Internacionales de Contabilidad para el Sector Público^® (IPSASB^®) ha publicado su Directriz de Práctica Recomendada 3 (RPG 3), Reporte de la información sobre el funcionamiento de los servicios.

La RPG 3 brinda buenas directrices de práctica acerca del reporte de la información sobre el funcionamiento de los servicios. El desarrollo de esta RPG refleja el compromiso del IPSASB frente a los asuntos de información específicos al sector público, incluyendo aquellos relacionados con información adicional a los estados financieros.

"La prestación de servicios es la función principal de la gran mayoría de las entidades del sector público", afirmó Andreas Bergmann, presidente del IPSASB. "La información sobre el funcionamiento de los servicios es esencial para que los usuarios evalúen tanto los servicios suministrados como el uso efectivo y eficiente de los recursos por parte de las entidades del sector público cuando brindan tales servicios. La RPG 3 proporciona una orientación para apoyar la calidad de la información sobre el funcionamiento de los servicios —reportada por las entidades—, y ofrece un marco útil para aquellas entidades que aún no reportan esta información.

Esta directriz ofrece principios aplicables a la presentación de la información sobre el funcionamiento de los servicios, así como definiciones que establecen una terminología estandarizada para dicha información. Está dirigida a la entidad que reporta y abarca el periodo de información correspondiente a la información sobre el funcionamiento de los servicios. La RPG 3 también proporciona orientación sobre la selección de indicadores de funcionamiento que reflejen los logros de una entidad frente a sus objetivos de funcionamiento de los servicios, revelaciones sobre la base de la información reportada, y la discusión o el análisis relacionados con el funcionamiento de los servicios.

Según la RPG 3, la información sobre el funcionamiento de los servicios puede ser presentada, ya sea en el mismo informe con los estados financieros o en un informe individual; la directriz identifica igualmente los factores a considerar en la toma de decisión.

Acerca del IPSASB
El IPSASB desarrolla normas contables y guías para uso de las entidades del sector público. Las estructuras y los procesos que soportan las operaciones del IPSASB son facilitados por la IFAC. El IPSASB recibe el apoyo (tanto financiero como en especie) del Banco Mundial, el Banco Asiático de Desarrollo, los Contadores Profesionales Certificados de Canadá, el Consejo Sudafricano de Normas Contables, y los gobiernos de Canadá, Nueva Zelanda y Suiza.

Acerca de la IFAC^®
La IFAC es la organización global para la profesión contable, dedicada a servir el interés público a través del fortalecimiento de la profesión y contribuir en el desarrollo de economías internacionales sólidas. La IFAC se compone de 175 miembros y asociados en 130 países y territorios, representando aproximadamente a 2,5 millones de contadores en la práctica pública, la educación, el gobierno, la industria y el comercio.

The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board^® (IAASB^®) today released International Standard on Auditing^TM (ISA^TM) 720 (Revised), The Auditor’s Responsibilities Relating to Other Information. The revisions aim to clarify and increase the auditor’s involvement with “other information”—defined in the standard as financial and non-financial information, other than the audited financial statements, that is included in entities’ annual reports.

“The annual report is a critical document for investors. It is in the public interest that an auditor undertakes an ‘intelligent read’ of an annual report, in the context of the  knowledge obtained in the audit, and perform certain procedures to ensure the annual report is not materially inconsistent with the audited financial statements,” explained Prof. Arnold Schilder, IAASB Chairman.

The standard also includes new requirements related to auditor reporting on other information that complement the changes arising from the IAASB’s new and revised Auditor Reporting standards, issued earlier this year. Concurrent with those standards, ISA 720 (Revised) will be effective for audits of financial statements for periods ending on or after December 15, 2016.  

“Which documents have been read and considered by the auditor and the results of the auditor’s work on those documents will now be transparent to auditor report users,” explained Kathleen Healy, IAASB Technical Director. “Specifically articulating the auditor’s responsibilities for other information, including the fact that the auditor’s opinion does not cover this information, will also give users the appropriate context in which to consider an entity’s annual report.” The standard also seeks to address the practical challenges that may arise when some or all of the other information is not available as of the date of the auditor’s report, and prescribes additional communications in auditor’s reports for listed entities in these circumstances.

The staff-prepared Basis for Conclusions, which explains the IAASB’s rationale for its decisions, and an At a Glance document, which explains the main changes from the extant ISA, are also now available.

About the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board
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 the International Federation of Accountants^® (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 over 175 members and associates in 130 countries and jurisdictions, representing approximately 2.5 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.