This new report will guide professional accountancy organizations in how they can act today to prepare their current and future members to seize opportunities presented by emerging trends using insights from the IFAC Professional Accountancy Organization Development and Advisory Group. These insights address four emerging trends—sustainabilityrelated reporting, anti-corruption efforts, sound public financial management, and technological change—that will help PAOs ensure their own and their members’ resilience, relevance and adaptability today and into the future.

The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) has published new guidance to help users understand the impact on the International Standards on Auditing (ISAs) due to narrow-scope amendments made to International Accounting Standard (IAS) 1, Presentation of Financial Statements by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).

While the IAASB remains framework neutral when developing the ISAs, it considers financial reporting framework developments that may affect the ISAs, such as changes to the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Amendments to IAS 1 and the Impact on the ISAs: Disclosure of Material Accounting Policy Information, among other matters, provides users with guidance on how to address the effect of the amendments on a number of illustrative auditor reports throughout the ISAs that assume, as part of the fact pattern, that the financial statements are prepared by the management of the entity in accordance with IFRSs.

The new guidance does not amend or override the ISAs, the texts of which alone are authoritative. Reading the new guidance is not a substitute for reading the ISAs.

Amendments to IAS 1 and the Impact on the ISAs: Disclosure of Material Accounting Policy Information has been developed by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board’s (IAASB’s) International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) Liaison Working Group to address the impact on the International Standards on Auditing (ISAs) of certain narrow-scope amendments made by the IASB to International Accounting Standard (IAS) 1, Presentation of Financial Statements (the “amendments”).

Public financial management (PFM) reforms will only be achieved through finance professionals with the right skills and knowledge.

Governments are implementing PFM reforms in a bid to improve the accountability, transparency, governance and integrity of revenues and spending. But many reforms have addressed structures, systems and processes rather than people and capabilities, according to ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) and the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC).

A new joint ACCA/IFAC report – released at the World Congress of Accountants (WCOA) held in Mumbai India 18-21 November – aims to boost PFM reforms across the globe.

A Global Guide for Professionalisation in Public Sector Finance outlines what professionalisation means in public sector finance, sets out the benefits of professionalisation, and offers a high-level roadmap to support global good practice in professionalisation.

Discussing the global guide ahead of a panel discussion at WCOA, Joseph Owolabi, ACCA President, said: ‘Professionalisation brings credibility, trust and confidence in public finances by supplementing the systems and public finance processes with the right skills for accountability, transparency, good governance and external scrutiny. A professionalised workforce within a finance function supplies more than accounting information. They bring wide value to public sector finances – providing improved revenue collection, effective budgetary controls, and the data required to support policy decision making.’

Kevin Dancey, IFAC CEO, said: ‘We are looking to rebalance the focus so that it is not only on the process but also on the people. The value of the accountancy profession, whether in the public or private sectors, comes from the experience, skills, judgement and ethical behaviour of its people.  By increasing the number of professional accountants working in the public sector, we will no doubt add to the credibility and effectiveness of PFM, and reinforce trust in public services and spending.'

Achieving professionalisation brings multiple benefits to the economy, governments and individuals. A key benefit for economies is greater financial credibility; for governments improved financial management discipline; and for individuals gaining access to diverse career options.

The report acknowledges that achieving professionalisation is not straightforward or easy. It requires political will, structures, adoption and implementation of complex policies plus continuous development and improvement.

The report has case studies of good practice from Tanzania, the UK, Cyprus, the Philippines Pakistan, Malaysia and Wales.

Alex Metcalfe, ACCA’s Head of public sector, said: ‘Political leadership and commitment for professionalisation is the most important factor for sustaining PFM reforms over time. In some countries, there is a lack of recognition that change is needed at all. In other countries, PFM reforms have concentrated on moving from cash-based to accrual-based accounting. But now more effort is urgently required to professionalise public finance staff and provide opportunities for training for professional qualifications.’

Access the global guide.

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 associations in 135 jurisdictions, representing more than 3 million accountants, in public practice, education, government service, industry and commerce.

About ACCA

ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is the global body for professional accountants.

We’re a thriving global community of 241,000 members and 542,000 future members based in 178 countries and regions, who work across a wide range of sectors and industries. We uphold the highest professional and ethical values.

We offer everyone everywhere the opportunity to experience a rewarding career in accountancy, finance and management. Our qualifications and learning opportunities develop strategic business leaders, forward-thinking professionals with the financial, business and digital expertise essential for the creation of sustainable organisations and flourishing societies.

Since 1904, being a force for public good has been embedded in our purpose. In December 2020, we made commitments to the UN Sustainable Development Goals which we are measuring and will report on in our annual integrated report.

We believe that accountancy is a cornerstone profession of society and is vital helping economies, organisations and individuals to grow and prosper. It does this by creating robust trusted financial and business management, combating corruption, ensuring organisations are managed ethically, driving sustainability, and providing rewarding career opportunities.

And through our cutting-edge research, we lead the profession by answering today’s questions and preparing for the future. We’re a not-for-profit organisation. Find out more at accaglobal.com