The International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) invites stakeholders to join a global webinar it will be holding on its recently released final pronouncement, Revisions to the Definitions of Listed Entity and Public Interest Entity in the Code.

To help users of its standards adapt to the clarified and updated definition of “engagement team”, the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) has released a new fact sheet. The new fact sheet addresses the clarified definition and its possible impacts, including recognition that engagement teams may be organized in a variety of ways, including across different locations or by the activity they are performing. The fact sheet also includes a diagram that walks users through who specifically is included and excluded.

This new engagement team definition applies to the International Standards on Auditing and International Standards on Quality Management. 

The International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board^® (IPSASB^®) has issued International Public Sector Accounting Standard^® (IPSAS^®) 44, Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations.

IPSAS 44 is based on International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS^®) 5, Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations, developed by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB^®).

The International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board^® has issued International Public Sector Accounting Standard^® (IPSAS^®) 44, Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations.

IPSAS 44 is based on International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS^®) 5, Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations. The new IPSAS specifies the accounting for assets held for sale and the presentation and disclosure of discontinued operations. IPSAS 44 includes additional public sector requirements, in particular, the disclosure of the fair value of assets held for sale that are measured at their carrying amounts, when the carrying amount is materially lower than their fair value.

“This standard fills a gap in the IPSAS suite by providing guidance on how to account for public sector assets that are held for sale on commercial terms,” said IPSASB Chair Ian Carruthers. “Adding guidance on this topic is important from a public interest perspective, as it ensures transparency and accountability when decisions to sell public sector assets have been taken.”

IPSAS 44 has an effective date of January 1, 2025. Earlier application is permitted.

How to Access

To access IPSAS 44, Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations and its summary At-a-Glance document visit the IPSASB website. The IPSASB encourages IFAC members, associates, and Network Partners to promote the availability of IPSAS 44, Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations to their members and employees.

About the 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 the Public Interest Committee

The governance and standard-setting activities of the IPSASB are overseen by the Public Interest Committee (PIC), to ensure that they follow due process and reflect the public interest. The PIC is comprised of individuals with expertise in public sector or financial reporting, and professional engagement in organizations that have an interest in promoting high-quality and internationally comparable financial information.

To help users adapt to the clarified and updated definition of “engagement team”, this fact sheet addresses the clarified definition and its possible impacts, including recognition that engagement teams may be organized in a variety of ways, including across different locations or by the activity they are performing. The fact sheet also includes a diagram that walks users through who specifically is included and excluded.

Together with ICAEW, The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) today released the latest installment in its Anti-Money Laundering: The Basics educational series: Installment Nine: Tools to Fight Back.  

The publication is part of a series helping accountants enhance their understanding of how money laundering works, the risks they face, and what they can do to mitigate these risks and make a positive contribution to the public interest. Installment nine examines the tools professional accountants have at their disposal to address money laundering once it’s suspected.  

Anti-Money Laundering: The Basics is user-friendly, easily accessible, and will be a resource for small and medium practices (SMPs) and accountants less familiar with AML, while also providing guidance for those looking for a quick refresher or reference.

Anti-Money Laundering: The Basics is featured on both the IFAC (link) and ICAEW websites and available for download for free. To be globally relevant, the series uses the risk-based approach of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) – the global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog -- as a starting point. 

For more information about IFAC, visit www.ifac.org.

For more information about ICAEW, visit https://www.icaew.com/.

This is the ninth installment in the Anti-Money Laundering, The Basics series.

The series provides professional accountants with a better understanding of how money laundering works, the risks they face, and what they can do to mitigate these risks and make a positive contribution to the public interest.