Who We Are

In 2020 we produced an evergreen Strategic Plan: one that has the flexibility to adapt to emerging opportunities and risks, but which is also anchored in our Vision, Purpose, Values, and Strategic Objectives, which have proven durable and stood the test of time. Several factors influenced our thinking as we worked on updating the Strategic Plan for 2023, including agreed-upon recommendations to strengthen the global standard-setting process for audit, assurance and ethics standards; IFAC’s recently introduced IMPACT approach, which articulates IFAC’s value proposition to our various stakeholders; and a restructured organization to align global and local initiatives.

Accordingly, our Strategic Plan is a framework designed to guide the specific actions we take in any year as we respond to evolving circumstances, and sets out the way we will act in the public interest to achieve desired outcomes and enhance trust in our profession.

Previous strategic plans are available on request; email communications@ifac.org.

These value-creation schematics highlight all the key elements of the ecosystem IFAC operates in and how we create and protect value. These diagrams are comprehensive, covering all parts of IFAC’s ecosystem, and help IFAC communicate internally and externally and explain our ecosystem.

IFAC's annual review is a key element of our accountability to stakeholders and includes an overview of IFAC’s value creation model, our strategic objectives and performance highlights, and our governance processes. It draws on integrated reporting principles and concepts as set out in the International Integrated Reporting <IR> Framework.

Additionally, the introduction of IFAC’s IMPACT approach, the development of a methodology for measurement and reduction of our carbon footprint, and an enhanced discussion on stakeholder engagement were key priorities that began in 2021 and represent new elements of our annual review.

We thank IFAC’s many stakeholders for the collaborative relationships that contributed to the successes described in this report, especially our member organizations, the Forum of Firms, and Network Partners, as well as our Board, volunteers, and staff. 

Previous annual reviews are available on request; email communications@ifac.org

IFAC and ClimatePartner have measured the Corporate Carbon Footprint for IFAC. This measurement was based on the guidelines of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard (GHG Protocol). 

IFAC's Financial Statements are prepared in accordance with International Public Sector Accounting Standards® (IPSAS®) and include an independent auditor’s report.

IFAC's Constitution and Bylaws detail the responsibilities and authority of IFAC's Council, Board, and Board subcommittees. They also address IFAC’s mission, membership requirements, and the election/appointment of IFAC Officers. These documents were revised in 2013 to ensure that IFAC continues to embrace best practices and enable timely action by improving governance structure, clarifying the roles and responsibilities of IFAC in standard setting in the public interest, and ensuring IFAC continues to have broad representation from all parts of the profession. These versions of the IFAC Constitution and Bylaws were approved by the IFAC Council in February 2014, and subsequent amendments were approved by Council in 2017, 2019 and 2022.

Download the IFAC Constitution

Download the IFAC Bylaws

Beginning with 63 founding members from 51 countries in 1977, IFAC's membership has grown to now include 180 members and associates in 130 jurisdictions worldwide.*

IFAC was founded on October 7, 1977, in Munich, Germany, at the 11th World Congress of Accountants to strengthen the global accountancy profession in the public interest by:

• Developing high-quality international standards in auditing and assurance, public sector accounting, ethics, and education for professional accountants and supporting their adoption and use;
• Facilitating collaboration and cooperation among its member organizations;
• Collaborating and cooperating with other international organizations; and
• Serving as the international spokesperson for the accountancy profession.

At the first meeting of the IFAC Assembly and Council in October 1977, a 12-point work program was developed to guide IFAC committees and staff through the first five years of activities. Many elements of this work program are still relevant today.

1. Develop statements which serve as guidelines for international and auditing guidelines
2. Establish the basic principles which should be included in the code of ethics of any member body of IFAC and to refine or elaborate on such principles as deemed appropriate
3. Determine the requirements and develop programs or the professional education and training of accountant
4. Collect, analyze, research, and disseminated information on the management of public accounting practices to assist practitioners in more effectively conducting their practices
5. Evaluate, develop, and report on financial management and other management techniques and procedures
6. Undertake other studies of value to accountants, such as a possible study on the legal liabilities of auditors
7. Foster closer relationships with users of financial statements including preparers, trade unions, financial institutions, industry, governments, and others
8. Maintain good relations with regional organizations and explore the potential for establishing other regional organizations, as well as assisting in their organizations and development
9. Establish regular communications among the members of IFAC and other interested organizations, principally through an IFAC Newsletter
10. Organize and promote the exchange of technical information, educational materials and professional publications, and other literature emanating from member bodies
11. Organize and conduct an international congress of accountants approximately every five years
12. Seek to expand the membership of IFAC 

*As of November 2022

The following 63 professional accountancy bodies were founding members of IFAC in October 1977.

Africa and Middle-East

• The Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Israel
• The Institute of Chartered Accountants (Ghana)
• The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria
• The Middle East Society of Associated Accountants (former member of IFAC)
• The National Council of Chartered Accountants (now the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants)
• The Rhodesia Society of Chartered Accountantsǂ

Asia

• Hong Kong Society of Accountants (now the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants)
• Indonesian Institute of Accountants
• Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan
• Institute of Cost and Managements Accountants of Pakistan
• Malaysian Institute of Accountants
• Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants
• Singapore Society of Accountants (now the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Singapore)
• The Federation of CPA Associations of Chinese Taiwan
• The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh
• The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India 
• The Institute of Cost and Works Accountants of India (now The Institute of Cost Accountants of India)
• The Japanese Institute of Certified Public Accountants
• The Malaysian Association of Certified Public Accountants (now the Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountants)

Australasia and Oceania

• Australian Society of Accountants (now CPA Australia)
• Fiji Institute of Accountants
• New Zealand Society of Accountants (now the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants)
• The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia

Europe

• College National de Experts Comptables de Belgique (now the Institut des Experts-comptables et des Conseils fiscaux)
• Consiglio Nazionale dei Dottori Commercialisti (now Consiglio nazionale dei Dottori commercialisti e degli Esperti contabili)
• Expert Accountants' Association of Turkey
• Félag loggiltra Endurskoðend
• Foreningen af Statsautoriserede Revisorer (now FSR-danske revisorer)
• Foreningen Auktoriserade Revisorer (now FAR) 
• Institut der Wirtschaftsprüfer in Deutschland e.V.
• Institut des Reviseurs d'Enterprises
• Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Greece
• Instituto de Censores Juradoes de Cuentas de España
• KHT-yhdistys - Föreningen CGR
• Nederlands Instituut van Registeraccountants (now the Nederlandse Beroepsorganisatie van Accountants)
• Norges Statsautoriserte Revisorers Forening (now Den norske Revisorforening)
• Ordre des Experts Comptables et des Comptables Agrees (now the Conseil Supérieur de l'Ordre des Experts-Comptables) 
• Ordre des Experts Comptables Luxembourgeois
• Schweizerische Treuhand-und Revisionskammer (now Treuhand-Kammer)
• The Association of Certified Accountants (now the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants)
• The Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy
• The Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Ireland
• The Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Cyprus
• The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales
• The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland (now Chartered Accountants Ireland)
• The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland
• The Institute of Cost and Management Accountants (now the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants—CIMA)
• The Malta Institute of Accountants

Latin America and Caribbean

• Associacíon de Contadores de Venezuela (former member of IFAC)
• Colegio de Contadores de Paraguay
• Colegio de Contadores Públicos Autorizados de Panama
• Colegio de Doctores en Ciencias Económicas y Contadores del Uruguay (now the Colegio de Contadores, Economistas y Administradores del Uruguay)
• Federacíon Argentina de Colegios de Graduados en Ciencias Económic
• Federacíon de Colegio de Contadores Públicos de Venezuela (former member of IFAC)
• Instituto dos Auditores Independentes do Brasil
• Instituto Mexicano de Contadores Publicos, A.C.
• Instituto Nacional de Contadores Públicos de Colombia
• The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Jamaica
• The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Trinidad and Tobago

North America

• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (now the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants—CIMA)
• Certified General Accountants Association of Canada
• The Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants§
• The Society of Management Accountants of Canada (now CMA Canada§)

ǂ Now recognized as The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Zimbabwe
§ Now recognized as Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada) following a merger in 2013 between the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants and CMA Canada.