The International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) seeks public comment by July 16, 2018, on its Proposed Strategy and Work Plan, 2019-2023.

Leveraging the completely rewritten and significantly strengthened International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including International Independence Standards), the proposed Strategy and Work Plan projects the IESBA’s vision for the Code in the global economy. The IESBA’s future priorities and actions will be guided by three strategic themes:

• Advancing the Code’s relevance by keeping it fit-for-purpose for a rapidly changing world, and further strengthening ethical conduct and independence standards;
• Deepening and expanding the Code’s impact and influence through increased global adoption and implementation; and
• Enriching the IESBA’s perspectives and capacities through proactive stakeholder dialogue and co-operation.

The consultation paper was developed following extensive, wide-ranging engagement with stakeholders, including regulators, national standard setters and professional accounting organizations.

Please submit your responses by July 16, 2018 to ensure your views are considered.

The future of business lies with the accounting profession. Join the world’s leading financial experts in Sydney, Australia, November 5-8, 2018 for the next World Congress of Accountants. This year’s theme, Global Challenges. Global Leaders., will inspire and inform your thinking on the future of accounting and our profession, and provide a unique opportunity to help shape that future.

Five reasons to attend:

• Learn, adapt and accelerate your career through a technology-enabled curated conference experience.
• Ignite new business opportunities via thought leadership, turning ideas into solutions, and shaping the future of the profession.
• Network with 6000+ motivated professionals from 130 countries. Join the conversation at the Business Connect Hub and stay in touch with the Congress app.
• Explore cutting edge technology across more than 50 exhibits, expo presentations, activity and chillout zones, and barista coffee lounges.
• Be delighted by Sydney at its best through an immersive social program, from cruising the world’s largest natural harbour to our premier Gala event.

Full details and the latest news, including the Program, is available on the World Congress of Accountants 2018 website.

The International Audit and Assurance Board (IAASB) welcomed the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) Member and IAASB-IESBA Coordination Liaison, Ms. Sylvie Soulier via Webcast to present highlights of the new Code of Ethics.

In April 2018, the IESBA released a revised and restructured Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants which is easier to navigate, use and enforce. The new Code also brings together substantive changes that have been made to the Code over the past four years. 

IFAC, the International Federation of Accountants, today announced its first accountancy capacity building project in Southeast Asia. The project will assist the Myanmar Institute of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA) in its work to strengthen the accountancy profession in Myanmar. IFAC has selected the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) to partner with MICPA on the project.

ACCA will partner with MICPA to build a sustainable professional accountancy organization that can act as the cornerstone of the profession in the country. The project will deliver a strategic plan and new governance structure for MICPA, in consultation with key national stakeholders.

“This project will contribute to Myanmar’s ongoing economic reform in line with the new government’s policy of liberalization, which includes modernizing the accountancy profession,” said Alta Prinsloo, IFAC Executive Director, Quality & Development. “As the first project under this Program in Southeast Asia, it offers opportunity to make a positive impact in the region.”

Myanmar, currently in the process of democratic transition, is one of East Asia’s fastest growing economies. The new government is committed to attracting investment for sustainable growth, and its support of this project demonstrates its recognition of the critical role that the accountancy profession can play in this process.

This project is funded with UK aid from the UK government. In 2014, the UK Department for International Development (DFID) reached an agreement with IFAC to provide funding of almost £5 million for PAO capacity building in at least ten emerging countries over seven years. Projects under the IFAC Capacity Building Program using DFID funding are currently underway in several countries including Ghana, Kyrgyzstan, Rwanda and Zimbabwe.  Partner organizations are selected following global Calls for Expressions of Interest and an extensive proposal and review process by the IFAC PAO Capacity Building Program Independent Selection Panel.

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 more than 175 members and associates in more than 130 countries and jurisdictions, representing almost 3 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.

About DFID
The Department for International Development (DFID) leads the UK’s work to end extreme poverty. We're ending the need for aid by creating jobs, unlocking the potential of girls and women and helping to save lives when humanitarian emergencies hit. For more information visit www.gov.uk/dfid.

About MICPA
The Myanmar Institute of Certified Public Accounts is a professional body of Certified Public Accountants in Myanmar. The mission of the body is to communicate with international accountancy bodies and to distribute information to its members. MICPA was found under the Myanmar Accountancy Council (MAC), a policymaking body of accountants and auditors.