Over 60 partners from 21 international networks of accounting firms met yesterday to share their experiences, industry insights and current practices for audits of financial institutions at a symposium on the Audit of Financial Institutions organized by the Forum of Firms. Several panels of experts were assembled with the support of the six large networks to lead discussions on various topics including valuation and impairment, liquidity, market confidence, and going concern.
"This event was an initiative by the Forum of Firms to examine current practice in addressing the auditing and financial reporting issues resulting from the current events in the market and to consider the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB's) latest guidance in this area," states David Devlin, Symposium Chair.
The symposium included a review of current accounting and auditing guidance issued in response to the credit crisis. Symposium participants noted particularly the IAASB's new Staff Audit Practice Alert - Challenges in Auditing Fair Value Accounting Estimates in the Current Market Environment. This is relevant to audits of all entities that have investments in financial instruments, especially those in illiquid markets.
The symposium concluded with a discussion of specific auditing responses appropriate in audits of financial statements of financial institutions. These include the importance of strong risk management and transparent disclosure for restoring market confidence as well as heightened sensitivity to going concern issues.
"This symposium was designed to disseminate good practice in an area of critical importance in today's environment and to support the Forum's members in providing the highest quality audit services to their clients and the public," points out David Maxwell, chair of the Forum of Firms.
About the Forum of Firms
The Forum of Firms is an association of networks of international accounting firms that perform transnational audits. Members of the Forum have committed to adhere to and promote the consistent application of high quality audit practices worldwide, including the use of International Standards on Auditing, and the maintenance of appropriate quality control standards in accordance with International Standards on Quality Control issued by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board. Through their organizations, members also conduct globally coordinated internal quality assurance reviews on a regular basis and have policies and methodologies that conform to the International Federation of Accountants' Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants. The Transnational Auditors Committee is the Executive Committee of the Forum of Firms and a committee of the International Federation of Accountants.
For additional details on the Forum of Firms, please visit: http://www.ifac.org/Forum_of_Firms/.
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 157 members and associates in 123 countries and jurisdictions, representing more than 2.5 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry and commerce. The organization, through its independent standard-setting boards, sets international ethics, auditing and assurance, education, and public sector accounting standards. IFAC also issues guidance to encourage high quality performance by professional accountants in business.