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IFAC, IPSASB, and Accountancy Europe hosted a lively discussion on the future of sustainability reporting in the public sector, the urgent need to develop public sector specific sustainability reporting standards, and how the IPSASB is exploring undertaking the critical endeavor.

A recording of Equipping the Public Sector for Sustainability Action and highlights are now available.

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. 

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. 

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). 

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IFAC, IPSASB, and Accountancy Europe hosted a lively discussion on the future of sustainability reporting in the public sector, the urgent need to develop public sector specific sustainability reporting standards, and how the IPSASB is exploring undertaking the critical endeavor.

A recording of Equipping the Public Sector for Sustainability Action and highlights are now available.

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. 

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. 

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). 

Today, the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) issued proposed revisions to its current standard on going concern, International Standard on Auditing 570 (Revised), Going Concern. The proposed changes aim to:

• Promote consistent practice and behavior and facilitate effective responses to identified risks of material misstatement related to going concern;
• Strengthen the auditor’s evaluation of management’s assessment of going concern, including reinforcing the importance, throughout the audit, of the appropriate exercise of professional skepticism; and
• Enhance transparency with respect to the auditor’s responsibilities and work related to going concern where appropriate, including strengthening communications and reporting requirements.

High-quality audits support the smooth functioning of capital markets, overall economic performance, and financial stability. The ongoing uncertainties in the broader economic environment, corporate failures across the globe in recent years, and the more recent turmoil in the financial services sector have put a spotlight on the topic of going concern. In addition, conditions, such as war and the global pandemic, have also heightened risks and focused attention on the challenges and issues related to auditors’ responsibilities and work related to management’s assessment of an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern.

“Investors, regulators, and other stakeholders have repeatedly called for more robust audit procedures related to going concern and for increased transparency regarding that work in the auditor’s report,” noted IAASB Chair Tom Seidenstein. “The revisions proposed today are a step in that direction. The proposals seek to strengthen going concern requirements by substantially enhancing the auditor’s work effort in relation to going concern and providing enhanced, entity-specific information in the auditor’s report.”

The IAASB invites all stakeholders to comment on the proposed revisions via the IAASB website. Comments are requested by August 24, 2023.

About the IAASB
The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board develops auditing, assurance, related services, and quality management standards and guidance in the public interest that support consistent performance of quality engagements. Along with the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants, the IAASB is part of the International Foundation for Ethics and Audit. The Public Interest Oversight Board oversees IAASB and IESBA activities and the public interest responsiveness of the standards. For copyright, trademark, and permissions information, please visit Permissions.