IFAC is excited to launch the 2018 Global SMP Survey! As in past years, your support and promotion to your members is vital to its success, and importantly, provides an opportunity for your members to contribute.

The survey helps your member organization and IFAC gain an understanding of the specific challenges and opportunities faced by SMPs and SMEs and as a result, better serve this critical constituency. Individual country results will be available to enable you to compare to regional and global findings.

The #SMPSurvey is open in 20+ languages until May 21, 2018! This year's survey includes new questions on next generation talent, technology developments, talent management initiatives and marketing and branding.

IFAC Member Organizations can use this toolkit with material to share, and translate - when appropriate - with your members. This includes key messaging, a draft e-mail, social media and a PowerPoint promotion slide.

We hope to see your posts on social media and that you follow our conversation @IFAC_SMP

This short video highlights the key presentation requirements of IPSAS 40 for amalgamations. IPSAS 40 uses the modified pooling of interests method of accounting for amalgamations. Because this approach does not require comparative figures to be restated, the presentation requirements may be different from other versions of the pooling of interests method that entities have used previously.

This video is intended to help users understand the requirements in IPSAS 40.

International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) Emerging Forms of External Reporting (EER) Task Force announces the appointment of 23 individuals to the recently-established EER Assurance Project Advisory Panel.

The Advisory Panel appointees will make a significant contribution to further IAASB’s work on EER assurance. Their involvement will include: 

• advising the EER Task Force on the application of ISAE 3000 (Revised) to EER engagements, and other matters within the scope of the approved Project Proposal, and providing insights into current practice across different jurisdictions and contexts;
• providing input to the development of the non-authoritative guidance that the IAASB plans to issue; and
• providing occasional research input on matters relating to EER assurance engagements.

The Task Force is grateful for all the nominations received. Updates on the Task Force’s work will be made available on the IAASB’s project page as the project progresses.

Founded in March 1978, the IAASB is proud to celebrate its 40^th year serving the public interest! From its inaugural meeting where it discussed plans for the first international auditing guidelines to today where more than 111 jurisdictions use the suite of International Standards on Auditing and Assurance. The IAASB looks forward to continuing its work setting robust global audit and assurance standards and enhancing public confidence in the accountancy profession. Thank you to all our volunteer members and all those that have contributed to IAASB’s success over the decade. Follow our celebration here: @IAASB_News

Photo: Committee Meeting 1978

Photo: Audit Board Meeting 2018

Highlights from the IPSASB's March 6 - 9, 2018 meeting in New York.

• 0:11 -- Welcome and introduction
• 0:46 -- Chair’s meeting overview
• 2:45 -- Public Sector Measurement
• 4:33 -- Financial Instruments
• 6:40 -- Revenue
• 7:54 -- Non-Exchange Expenses
• 9:27 -- Chair’s closing comments
• 10:50 -- Closing remarks

Joseph Bryson is IFAC's former director, Quality & Development, where he oversaw the Member Compliance Program’s development and implementation, the member admissions process, and professional accountancy organization capacity building, guidance, and support for both prospective and existing member organizations.

Mr. Bryson started his career with IFAC in 2008 as the Latin America and the Caribbean regions portfolio manager for the Member Compliance Program and was previously employed in Deloitte Argentina.

He has a Master’s of Business Administration from the Universidad del Centro de Estudios Macroeconómicos de Argentina.

The B20 has tapped IFAC (International Federation of Accountants) as a Network Partner to its Compliance & Integrity taskforce focused on anti-corruption, and has added three IFAC leaders to taskforces on Integrity & Compliance, Financing Growth & Infrastructure, and SME Development.

Corruption undermines sustainable development and corrodes growth on a regional and global scale. In partnership, the B20 and IFAC are committed to anti-corruption efforts and effective policy critical to safeguarding integrity in the financial system.

“Grounded in a strong ethical code, accountants ensure the financial integrity of the organizations in which they work and are critical for the functioning of stable financial markets,” said IFAC CEO, Fayez Choudhury. “We are pleased to partner with the B20 to advance the global fight against corruption and to recognize the vital work being done every day by more than 3 million professional accountants that IFAC represents and supports.”

The B20 also adds to its taskforces three IFAC leaders to provide professional accountancy’s perspective on critical issues:

• Carol Bellringer, IFAC Board Member – Integrity & Compliance
• Dr. Richard Petty, IFAC Board Member – Financing Growth & Infrastructure
• Manoj Fadnis, IFAC SMP Committee Member – SME Development

“Finding real business and policy solutions to issues such as corruption requires input and commitment by leaders across sectors,” said Dr. Daniel Funes de Rioja, B20 Chair. “In developing the private sector’s voice on global issues, the perspective of accountants will prove indispensable in policy proposals to support both business and the public interest.”

With prominent changes in its business environment in recent years, Argentina’s B20 Presidency provides an amplified stage to advocate for the private sector’s role in advancing public interest outcomes that support healthy economies and societies. 

“Tackling corruption is essential to gain and maintain the public’s trust in business and government. We are eager to play a role in the fight against corruption as part of our global profession, and in this important year of Argentina’s G20 Presidency,” said Dr. José Luis Arnoletto, President of the Federación Argentina de Consejos Profesionales de Ciencias Económicas (FACPCE).

The B20 Argentina will focus on a variety of key challenges, including growth and infrastructure financing, promoting investment, ensuring food accessibility and addressing the challenges of the new industrial revolution.

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

About B20
The Business 20 is the private sector´s voice of the G20 community. It addresses global challenges and priorities defined by the G20 countries, by building solid consensus amongst business leaders, international organizations and civil society regarding how they should be approached. With more than 1000 business leaders from 38 countries, the B20 2018 Argentine cycle, has begun discussions regarding relevant topics such as: Digital Economy and Industry 4.0; Trade and Investment; Employment and Education; Financing Growth and Infrastructure; Sustainable Food Systems; Energy, Resource Efficiency and Sustainability; SME Development; and Integrity and Compliance. On the 4^th and 5^th of October, B20 will present its conclusions and policy recommendations to the G20 Leaders in the Buenos Aires Summit.

IFAC—the International Federation of Accountants—announced today that, after an extensive global search, Mr. Kevin Dancey, FCPA, FCA—former President and Chief Executive Officer of CPA Canada—has been selected as IFAC’s next Chief Executive Officer. He will succeed current IFAC Chief Executive Officer, Fayez Choudhury, whose term expires at the end of the year.

Kevin has a long history of leadership in both the accountancy profession and public service. In addition to leading CPA Canada and the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants, he has served as PwC’s Canadian Senior Partner and Chief Executive Officer. Prior to the firm’s global merger with Price Waterhouse, Kevin was Coopers & Lybrand’s national tax practice leader. Beyond the profession, Kevin has served Canada’s citizens in a variety of public service roles. He currently chairs Finance Canada’s Departmental Audit Committee and is National Coordinator of the CPA Canada Martin Family Initiative, which mentors Canadian indigenous youth. Kevin holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hon.) in Mathematics & Economics from McMaster University.

“Kevin’s deep experience running large and complex membership organizations and an accountancy firm provides outstanding foundations to take IFAC forward,” IFAC President, Rachel Grimes said. “His leadership qualities, and his global relationships, will help ensure IFAC continues to grow its leadership role on the world stage.”

“To be selected as the next IFAC Chief Executive Officer is a singular honor—a career capstone,” said IFAC Incoming Chief Executive Officer Kevin Dancey. “Accountants positively influence the global economy in a multitude of ways. I’m looking forward to being a passionate advocate for the 3 million professional accountants represented by IFAC’s more than 175 member organizations in over 130 jurisdictions.”

“IFAC is a vital organization representing the interests of an essential profession,” said IFAC Chief Executive Officer Fayez Choudhury. “I’ve known Kevin for a number of years and I’m delighted that someone with his stature, acumen and experience will take IFAC forward.”

Mr. Dancey joins on May 14, 2018, and will work closely with Mr. Choudhury to ensure a seamless leadership transition.

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.

In July 2017, more than 80 representatives representing 15 professional accountancy organizations (PAOs) in the ASEAN region and neighboring Asia-Pacific countries, regional bodies, and donor and development agencies gathered in Hanoi, Vietnam to participate in a Statements of Membership Obligations (SMO) workshop, co-organized by the IFAC Quality & Development (Q&D) staff and the Vietnam Association of Certified Public Accountants (VACPA).

 Under the theme of Realizing the Power of PAOs: Credibility, Competency, and Collaboration, the one day workshop provided PAOs and key stakeholders the opportunity to take stock of the current state of the accountancy profession in the region and discuss challenges and successes affecting the profession. The main discussion points and conclusions from the workshop are available, which will be helpful to those working to strengthen PAOs.

Mrs Wydell is currently General Manager Professional Standards at Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) where she and her teams work to assist CA ANZ members by communicating, educating, helping, reviewing and, if necessary, disciplining members in relation to professional and ethical standards and behaviour.  Mrs Wydell is also responsible for forming policy positions on proposed ethical and professional standards and liaising with Australian regulators on issues relevant to the Accounting profession.  She engages with the Australian Accounting Professional and Ethical Standards Board on CA ANZ's behalf.

Mrs Wydell’s prior work experience was with two international network firms predominantly in the audit area of practice.  Mrs Wydell was previously a member of the Australian Auditing and Assurance Standards Board and is currently a director and chair of the Audit, Risk and Finance Committee for a large independent girl’s school.

Mrs Wydell has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and has been a member of CA ANZ for 25 years.