The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), the global organization for the accountancy profession, is seeking nominations for members of its boards and committees for 2010, including three chair positions on standard-setting boards. Five positions are designated for public members, who may be nominated by IFAC member bodies, by members of the public, or via a self-nomination. Seven positions are only open to nominations by the Forum of Firms.1 Candidates for all other positions may be nominated by IFAC member bodies. Nominations must be submitted before April 15, 2009. All members of IFAC's boards and committees are expected to act in the public interest and must sign a declaration committing to act with integrity and in the public interest in their role within IFAC.
Nominations for Members and Chairs of Boards and Committees
Nominations can be submitted for the following boards and committees:
- IFAC Board;
- International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board;
- International Accounting Education Standards Board;
- International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (including chair position);
- International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (including chair position);
- Compliance Advisory Panel (including chair position);
- Developing Nations Committee;
- Professional Accountants in Business Committee;
- Small and Medium Practices Committee; and
- Nominating Committee.
The IFAC Nominating Committee will review the nominations to determine the best candidate for a specific position. IFAC strives for a geographical, professional, and gender balance on its boards and committees; nominations of candidates from varying backgrounds are therefore encouraged. However, the principle of the “best candidate for the job” is the overriding consideration.
Public Member Nominations
IFAC is also seeking nominations for one public member position on each of the following boards: the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board, the International Accounting Education Standards Board, and the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board. Two public member positions are open on the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants. Public members must be seen to be independent of any special interests and to clearly represent the wider public interest. Nominees for the public member positions must have an adequate level of knowledge about the work of the respective standard-setting board, although they do not need to have a professional accountancy designation.
Nominations by the Forum of Firms
A total of seven positions on the standard-setting boards are open to nominations from members of the Forum of Firms: one on the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board, two on the International Accounting Education Standards Board, and four on the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants.
How to Submit Nominations
The Call for Nominations for IFAC Boards and Committees in 2010 describes the positions available and the qualifications required for each position, as well as the process for submitting nominations. It may be viewed on IFAC's website.
All nominations must be submitted by April 15, 2009 using the online Candidate Information System. For more information about the role and activities of each of IFAC's boards and committees, visit the designated pages on the IFAC website.
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 122 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.
1The Forum of Firms is an association of international networks of accounting firms that perform audits of financial statements that are or may be used across national borders.