A new tool from the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) is now available to help professional accountancy organizations take leading roles in the anti-corruption fight in their jurisdictions. Global Fight, Local Actions: Anti-Corruption Advocacy Workbook for PAOs equips PAOs and accountancy profession leaders with the background and framework to craft bespoke approaches and messages that best fit their jurisdiction and needs.
Global Fight, Local Actions was used to facilitate discussion at the annual Pan African Federation of Accountants PAO Leadership Forum as part of a workshop on anti-money laundering and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) “Grey List.” The PAFA Forum was held in advance of the 2023 African Congress of Accountants, taking place this week in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
“PAOs and the accountancy profession are essential stakeholders at the center of the fight against corruption, in every jurisdiction, in every region,” said Scott Hanson, Director of Policy & Global Engagement at IFAC. “Equipping our member organizations to lead anti-corruption efforts in their jurisdictions was one of our priority actions in last year’s Action Plan for Fighting Corruption and Economic Crime, which this new workbook delivers. We look forward to talking to PAOs around the world to continue helping them develop their national anti-corruption advocacy plans.”
IFAC also plans to build off Global Fight, Local Action with additional initiatives on priority anti-corruption areas, including the interconnected issues of sustainability reporting, public financial management, and financial literacy.
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 180 members and associates in 135 countries and jurisdictions, representing more than 3 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.
PAO Workbook Outlines Strategies for National Engagement
The International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board® (IPSASB®) has issued International Public Sector Accounting Standard® (IPSAS) 47, Revenue. IPSAS 47 is a single source for revenue accounting guidance in the public sector, which presents two accounting models based on the existence of a binding arrangement. This new Standard provides focused guidance to help entities apply the principles to account for public sector revenue transactions.
As the world seeks to decarbonize its economies and achieve net zero emissions, there is an urgent need for stakeholders to understand and respond to that challenge.
Finance professionals and the accountancy profession have a critical role to play in putting sustainability at the heart of decision-making and in enabling responsible corporate practices in the public interest. They must, however, be equipped with the right education and skills to do.
The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Accountancy Europe and the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) are bringing together global experts to discuss the skills and education needed for finance professionals to contribute to a green and just transition, focussing in particular on:
How to identify and create the right framework for sustainability education for finance professionals
The strong need for capacity building in the sustainability information space, and
Challenges and opportunities for practitioners
Helen Brand, Chief Executive of ACCA, said: “Finance and accountancy professionals, including auditors, have a key role to play in the transition to a greener global economy. They are increasingly informing and driving sustainability reporting and strategies in businesses across every sector. So it’s crucial that they are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills.”
“Sustainability education and training are crucial to help accounting and finance professionals address the impacts of climate change in what companies report, empowering them with the knowledge and expertise needed, said Kevin Dancey, IFAC CEO. “ We need to build capability and capacity for high-quality, decision-useful sustainability disclosures—it all starts with education.”
“A just sustainable transition requires appropriate skills and training", said Olivier Boutellis-Taft, Accountancy Europe’s CEO. "The accountancy profession has relevant knowledge and practical experience and also needs to continue expanding its ability to respond to societal needs and support the fundamental changes required to transform our economy.”
The event will feature:
Olivier Boutellis-Taft, CEO, Accountancy Europe
Anne Marie Vitale, IFAC’s chair of the International Panel on Accountancy Education
Sharon Machado, Head of Sustainable Business, ACCA
Mardi McBrien, Chief of Strategic Affairs & Capacity Building, IFRS Foundation
Bianca Isaincu, Policy Analyst, financial literacy and sustainable finance, OECD
Adriana Tiron Tudor, Chair of Professional Accountancy Education in Europe
ACCA is a global body representing the accounting and auditing profession. The ACCA upholds, trains and advocates for the highest professional and ethical values. Currently, it has 241,000 members and 542,000 future members based in 178 countries.
About Accountancy Europe
Accountancy Europe unites 50 professional organisations from 35 countries that represent 1 million professional accountants, auditors, and advisors. They make numbers work for people. Accountancy Europe translates their daily experience to inform the public policy debate in Europe and beyond. Accountancy Europe is in the EU Transparency Register (No 4713568401-18).
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 180 members and associates in 135 countries and jurisdictions, representing more than 3 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce
Event will be held online June 8 from 4:00-5:15pm CEST/10:00-11:15am EDT
It is with great sorrow we received news of the death of Ian Mackintosh, who was chair of the IFAC Public Sector Committee (PSC) in the run up to it formally becoming the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB).
Ian had an illustrious and influential career in both national and international standard-setting for both the public and private sectors over several decades. He served as Chair of the IFAC PSC from 2000 to 2003, during which time he led the development of a number of the foundational accrual based IPSAS, as well as launching the important public sector-specific projects related to Social Benefits and Non-Exchange Revenue.
Towards the end of his PSC Chair tenure, he was a member of the Likierman Review, which led to the formal establishment of the IPSASB as the independent international standard setting board for the public sector. He continued to play a major role in standards development, holding roles including Chair of the UK Accounting Standards Board, Vice-Chair of the IASB and latterly, Chair of the Corporate Reporting Dialogue.
“Ian Mackintosh was truly unique among international standard setters, in having made a significant contribution to the development of both the public and private sector standards. He was a dedicated and passionate leader who had an enormous impact on the international financial reporting landscape,” said Ian Carruthers, IPSASB Chair. “We at the IPSASB extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and former colleagues around the world.”
About IPSASB The International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB) works to strengthen public financial management globally through developing and maintaining accrual-based International Public Sector Accounting Standards® (IPSAS®) and other high-quality financial reporting guidance for use by governments and other public sector entities. It also raises awareness of IPSAS and the benefits of accrual adoption. The Board receives support from the Asian Development Bank, the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada, the New Zealand External Reporting Board, and the governments of Canada and New Zealand. The structures and processes that support the operations of the IPSASB are facilitated by the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC). For copyright, trademark, and permissions information, please go to permissions or contact permissions@ifac.org.
