The most recent IFAC SMP Quick Poll of small- and medium-sized accounting practices (SMPs) indicated that fewer of their small business clients are burdened by economic uncertainty, perhaps suggesting a more favorable economic climate and signaling future growth in this sector.

“Over the last few years, economic uncertainty has cast a shadow over SMPs and their clients,” commented SMP Committee Chair Giancarlo Attolini. “Improving conditions in the small business sector, a barometer for economic growth, are a terrific sign for SMP professionals and for the economy at large. As their clients prepare for growth, SMPs will, in turn, also help propel the local economies in which they operate.”

When asked for input regarding the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board’s 2013 Auditor Reporting Exposure Draft, which proposed significant changes to auditor reporting, respondents were generally supportive. While only a small minority thought unlisted entities would voluntarily opt to disclose key audit matters, most agreed with the proposal to require a statement on going concern in all audit reports.

The poll also shed light on the value of various services and projections for their relative growth. Accounting compilation and other non-assurance/related services proved to be the fastest growing sources of revenue for SMPs, by a significant margin, over audit and assurance. Roughly half of the respondents acknowledged the value of integrated reporting to small- and medium-sized entities (SMEs), and about half predict that within five years, SME clients will ask for assistance with integrated reporting.

For additional findings and a complete summary of results, see the IFAC SMP Quick Poll, 2013 Year-End Round-Up in the SMP Committee area of the IFAC site: www.ifac.org/SMP. Due to unbalanced response rates by region, results may not be statistically representative of global or regional populations of SMPs.

The year-end 2013 poll received 3,709 responses and was conducted in 17 languages from November 15 to December 31. The poll is intended to take a snapshot of key challenges and trends influencing SMPs globally. IFAC wishes to thank the many member and regional organizations that helped with translation and distribution of the poll.

About the SMP Committee
The SMP Committee of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) represents the interests of professional accountants operating in small- and medium-sized practices (SMPs). The committee develops guidance and tools and works to ensure the needs of the SMPs are considered by standard setters, regulators, and policy makers. The committee also speaks out on behalf of SMPs to raise awareness of their role and value, especially in supporting SMEs, and the importance of the small business sector overall.

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 179 members and associates in 130 countries and jurisdictions, representing approximately 2.5 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.

As the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) undertakes work that has the potential to shape the future of financial reporting across the globe, the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) have collaborated to encourage engagement and debate.

The joint IFAC/ICAS paper, Do We Need a Roadmap for Financial Reporting?, seeks to align the theoretical considerations with the practical ones, and generate debate and discussion that can assist the IASB as it begins to consider revisions to the existing Conceptual Framework. The IASB issued a Discussion Paper exploring possible changes to the IASB’s Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting in July 2013. The comment period ended on January 14, 2014 and an exposure draft is expected to be published later this year. The IFAC/ICAS paper has been prepared to complement the individual comment letters that both IFAC and ICAS submitted to the IASB.

In the paper, IFAC and ICAS raise some fundamental questions and issues that should be considered by the IASB, including:

• Who are financial statements for?
• What is the purpose of financial statements?
• What role should the Conceptual Framework serve?
• What items should be included in assets and liabilities?
• What does ‘financial performance’ mean?

“These questions get right to the heart of how companies communicate with the financial markets,” said Fayez Choudhury, CEO of IFAC. “The basic building blocks of financial statements have existed for decades and it is important to undertake a serious assessment of whether they remain fit for purpose.”

Anton Colella, CEO of ICAS, said, “The Conceptual Framework sets the direction of travel for financial reporting globally.  The IASB has stated that it will focus on ‘updating, improving and filling in gaps’ of the current Framework. Our overarching question is: is this sufficient or do we need a more fundamental re-think?”

The paper does not contain answers to all of these difficult questions, but aims to stimulate the debate and encourage those with a stake in financial reporting to engage and assist the IASB with its endeavour.

About ICAS
ICAS is a leading professional body for Chartered Accountants (CAs), with over 20,000 members worldwide. ICAS is an educator, regulator and thought leader.  

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. It is comprised of 179 members and associates in 130 countries and jurisdictions, representing approximately 2.5 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.

Notes
The IFAC/ICAS paper, Do we need a roadmap for financial reporting? Developing the IASB’s Conceptual Framework, is available from the ICAS website at www.icas.org.uk/icas-ifac-roadmap and from the IFAC website at www.ifac.org/publications-resources/do-we-need-roadmap-financial-reporting.

Further information on the IASB’s Conceptual Framework project and the Discussion Paper: A Review of the Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting is available at www.ifrs.org/Current-Projects/IASB-Projects/Conceptual-Framework/Pages/Conceptual-Framework-Summary.aspx.

IFAC and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) have collaborated on this paper in order to highlight some of the key issues to be considered in developing the International Accounting Standards Board’s (IASB)’s Conceptual Framework. The IASB initiative, in taking forward the difficult challenge of reviewing and updating its conceptual framework, is welcomed. IFAC and ICAS believe that it is important to engage all financial reporting stakeholders in the debate on the Conceptual Framework, as this will potentially become the roadmap for future financial reporting.

This Strategy Implementation Plan—2014 highlights shifts in emphasis and priority as IFAC implements its strategy. Using IFAC’s Strategic Plan for 2013-2016 as the starting point, the Plan aligns the strategic objectives with four operating lines. The strategic objectives have been repositioned slightly to present IFAC’s key areas of focus.

IES 4 prescribes the learning outcomes for professional values, ethics, and attitudes that aspiring professional accountants are required to demonstrate by the end of Initial Professional Development. Professional values, ethics, and attitudes are defined as the behavior and characteristics that identify professional accountants as members of a profession. These include the ethical principles generally associated with, and considered essential in defining, the distinctive characteristics of professional behavior.

IES 3 prescribes the learning outcomes for professional skills that aspiring professional accountants are required to demonstrate by the end of Initial Professional Development. Professional skills are the (a) intellectual, (b) interpersonal and communication, (c) personal, and (d) organizational skills that a professional accountant integrates with technical competence and professional values, ethics, and attitudes to demonstrate professional competence.

IES 3 is effective from July 1, 2015.