During this webinar, the IESBA’s PIE Task Force Chair, Mr. Mike Ashley, will explain key proposed changes to the definition of a public interest entity in its recently released Exposure Draft: Proposed Revisions to the Definitions of Listed Entity and Public Interest Entity in the Code (PIE ED).

The topics covered will include:

Today, the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) announced it is holding two global webinars focused on its recently released Exposure Draft: Proposed Revisions to the Definitions of Listed Entity and Public Interest Entity in the Code (PIE ED).

Please click below to register and join us for one of the 60-minute webinars (both will cover the same information and are being offered to accommodate different time zones).

• Thursday, March 25, 2021, 4:00 AM - 5:00 AM EDT
• Monday, March 29, 2021 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM EDT

During the webinars, the PIE Task Force Chair, Mr. Mike Ashley, will explain the IESBA’s key proposals in the ED, including:

• The introduction of an overarching objective for additional independence requirements for audits of PIEs
• Approach to revising the PIE definition and the introduction of a new term “publicly traded entity” to replace “listed entity”
• Anticipated role of regulators, national standard setters and other relevant local bodies to refine the PIE definition as part of the adoption process
• Increased role of firms

Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to engage with representatives of the IESBA and learn more about these important proposals which will affect the scope of application of the IESBA’s International Independence Standards.

The IESBA welcomes comments on the PIE ED from all stakeholders, including investors and other users of financial statements, the corporate governance community, the regulatory and audit oversight community, preparers, firms, national standard setters, IFAC member bodies, academics and others.

The comment deadline for the PIE ED is May 3, 2021. 

If you have any questions, please email Geoff Kwan at GeoffKwan@ethicsboard.org.

About IESBA

The International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) is an independent global standard-setting board. The IESBA’s mission is to serve the public interest by setting ethics standards, including auditor independence requirements, which seek to raise the bar for ethical conduct and practice for all professional accountants through a robust, globally operable International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including International Independence Standards) (the Code).

Watch the webinar: 

As an increasing number of businesses around the world implement integrated reporting as a route to long-term value creation and sustainable development, the demand for assurance services on such reports is expected to rise accordingly. To help meet this demand, and to increase confidence in integrated reporting, the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) and the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC) are launching a new joint initiative, Accelerating Integrated Reporting Assurance in the Public Interest (“the Initiative”).

The Initiative recognizes that new thinking is required to determine what comprises integrated report assurance and how to best deliver it, given integrated reporting’s broad and forward-looking focus on value creation. The Initiative, which will be rolled out in installments, is designed to heighten awareness of key issues, drive constructive conversation with and among key stakeholders, and encourage providers and users of assurance services in particular to lend their voices to the effort.

The first installment is being released today and sets out what integrated reporting assurance involves for organizations, auditors, and others. This installment also addresses the difference between the two types of assurance - limited and reasonable - and what is required of auditors and organizations to strive for reasonable integrated reporting assurance.

Feedback on the Initiative and the first installment can be sent to stathisgould@ifac.org. All comments are welcome, especially those that address:

• perceived or actual opportunities and challenges for progressing integrated reporting assurance
• areas in which additional thought leadership and guidance would be useful for organizations, auditors and assurance providers.

Commenting on the initiative, Charles Tilley, Chief Executive Officer, IIRC said, “We believe the move toward assurance of integrated reports, particularly the move from limited to reasonable assurance, should lead to improvements in the quality of integrated reports and underlying business practices, and enable investors and other stakeholders to have more confidence in the information reported about the business and its resilience.”

Tjeerd Krumpelman, Global Head of Advisory, Reporting & Engagement, ABN AMRO N.V. said “We decided a few years ago to obtain cover-to-cover independent assurance, based on the <IR> Framework, from our financial statements auditor, EY, on our 2017 Integrated Report. We were a groundbreaker in this regard, and encourage all other integrated reporters to do the same. We believe this pathway has not only enhanced the credibility of our report and provided stakeholders with increased confidence, but we also received valuable reporting and process improvement recommendations. Our next step is to move from limited to reasonable assurance for parts of our integrated report, and to obtain assurance on other non-financial disclosures, such as our Human Rights report, because it makes good business sense.”

Kevin Dancey, Chief Executive Officer, IFAC, said, “Integrated reporting assurance, and indeed providing assurance on all non-financial (including sustainability) information, is a critical element in the future role of accountants, requiring them to apply their professional expertise to assurance engagements that enhance the credibility of corporate reporting. Practice needs to develop quickly in this immature part of the reporting and assurance world, particularly to provide confidence in narrative and forward-looking information. Professional accountants, as preparers and assurance providers, are uniquely qualified to help lead the way in this important area.”

About IFAC
The International Federation of Accountants (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 more than 175 members and associates in more than 130 countries and jurisdictions, representing more than 3 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.

About the IIRC
The International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC) is a global coalition of regulators, investors, companies, standard setters, the accounting profession, academia and NGOs. The coalition promotes communication about value creation as the next step in the evolution of corporate reporting. The IIRC’s vision is to align capital allocation and corporate behaviour to wider goals of financial stability and sustainable development through the cycle of integrated reporting and thinking. Visit: www.integratedreporting.org

To celebrate International Women’s Day, IFAC Deputy President Asmâa Resmouki and

About the event

In today’s world, the way in which companies use natural resources, employ their workforces, and position themselves in the face of critical societal issues will affect performance, access to capital, and long-term value creation. There isn’t just a moral imperative for businesses and organizations to behave responsibly, but a financial one. It makes business sense to do good.

Overview of the IESBA Code - Parts and Sections