The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), the global organization for the accountancy profession with members and associates in 125 countries is seeking an outstanding individual to become its next chief executive officer (CEO), based in New York City. The candidate will succeed current CEO Ian Ball, whose contract is set to expire in February 2013 and who is not seeking a further term.

The executive search firm Korn/Ferry has been retained for the search. IFAC’s management team will partner with Korn/Ferry to actively engage IFAC member bodies, the accountancy community, and other stakeholders in the recruitment process to encourage a diverse and international applicant base. IFAC is initiating the recruitment process in the fourth quarter of 2011 to allow time for a comprehensive search, Board approval, and relocation, and to provide the new CEO with a positive and seamless transition before Ian Ball’s departure.

IFAC’s mission is to serve the public interest by contributing to the development, adoption and implementation of high-quality international standards and guidance; contributing to the development of strong professional accountancy organizations and accounting firms, and to high-quality practices by professional accountants; promoting the value of professional accountants worldwide; and speaking out on public interest issues where the accountancy profession’s expertise is most relevant.

The IFAC CEO is responsible for developing and articulating policy positions on issues affecting the profession, implementing all projects approved by IFAC’s Board and Council, facilitating collaboration and cooperation with IFAC member bodies, and overseeing the administrative and operational management of IFAC’s activities. The CEO works in close cooperation with IFAC’s volunteer leadership to support the organization’s mission, and is responsible to the elected president and the IFAC Board.

Current CEO Ian Ball joined IFAC as its chief executive officer in March 2002, having previously served IFAC as chair of its Public Sector Committee (now the independent International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board) and as a member of its Nominating Committee. Prior to that, Mr. Ball was Professor of Accounting and Public Policy at Victoria University of Wellington, an international consultant in public management, an accounting standard setter, and a senior official in the New Zealand Treasury. “I am privileged to have led IFAC and the accountancy profession for nearly a decade and I am very proud of what we have achieved.  I look forward to serving IFAC for the remainder of my term.  However, for me personally, it will then be time to look to new professional challenges and also to devote some more time to family and to activities outside the profession,” said Mr. Ball.

“We are grateful for Ian Ball’s contributions to IFAC. During his tenure as CEO, Ian’s dedication and expertise steered a steady course, even in particularly challenging times such as the Enron crisis and the current global financial crisis. We are pleased to have a leader who worked side by side with our member bodies, standard setters, regulators, and governments worldwide to deliver IFAC’s message, support the global accountancy profession, and champion global convergence to international standards,” noted IFAC President Göran Tidström.

Interested candidates should contact Korn/Ferry Senior Client Partner Chuck Eldridge.

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 164 members and associates in 125 countries and jurisdictions, representing approximately 2.5 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.

About Korn/Ferry International

Korn/Ferry International, with a presence throughout the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, is a premier global provider of talent management solutions. Based in Los Angeles, the firm delivers an array of solutions that help clients to attract, deploy, develop and reward their talent. Visit www.kornferry.com for more information on the Korn/Ferry International family of companies, and www.kornferryinstitute.com for thought leadership, intellectual property and research.

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