Reliable checks on companies' sustainability credentials will take years to develop, auditors say, meaning investors pouring trillions of dollars into green funds remain at greater risk of being hoodwinked.
Given the demand for investments that support environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals, the pressure is on to ensure companies aren't exaggerating or misrepresenting the benefits of their activities, a phenomenon known as "greenwashing".
With the establishment of the International Sustainability Standards Board, the way forward is clear: The accountancy profession must lead on climate reporting and other material environmental, social and governance disclosures and their assurance—contributing to strong and sustainable financial markets and economies and enabling the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Alongside the previously released implementation guides for International Standard on Quality Management (ISQM) 1 and 2, the new Guide will help stakeholders implement the IAASB’s suite of quality management standards. The suite of standards was released in December 2020 and come into effect on December 15, 2022.
These publications do not amend or override ISA 220 or ISQM 1 or 2, the text of which alone are authoritative. Reading these publications are not a substitute for reading the ISQMs. The IAASB encourages all practitioners to plan early for appropriate implementation, given the potential impact of the changes to firms’ quality management systems.
This non-authoritative First-time Implementation Guide may help stakeholders understand the requirements of the International Standard on Auditing (ISA) 220 (Revised), Quality Management for an Audit of Financial Statements, and implement the standard in the manner intended.
Practitioners are required to have quality management systems designed and implemented in accordance with ISA 220 by December 15, 2022.
Digitization has created enormous amounts of data. With the influx of information, how can accountants help harness the value of non-financial data? Find out in this joint webinar by CPA Canada and IFAC, which dives deeper into the new data-related challenges and opportunities for accountants presented in the “The professional accountant’s role in data” discussion paper.
In an increasingly complex world with evolving reporting needs, a need for a set of high-quality requirements tailored for the audits of less complex entities has emerged
The SMPAG strongly supports the IAASB Exposure Draft to create a separate, standalone standard for audits of LCEs.
The Public Interest Oversight Board’s (PIOB) newly formed Standard Setting Boards’ Nominations Committee has issued the Invitations for Application for the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board and the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants. The application period will be open until March 30, 2022.
The Nominations Committee will make recommendations to the PIOB for up to five new appointments and re-appointments to the IAASB for terms beginning January 1, 2023. The Invitations for Application are open to all individuals and interested organizations, including those representing investors and the corporate governance community, regulatory bodies, national standard setters, accounting and audit firms, professional accountancy organizations and public sector organizations, and those in academia. Individuals may also make nominations on their own behalf.
Accrual-based financial information is the bedrock for decision making, transparency and accountability in the public sector, but transitioning to accrual-based reporting can be a lengthy and arduous process with each jurisdiction undertaking the reforms facing its own unique ch
ED 81 is the second exposure draft resulting from the limited scope project to revise the Conceptual Framework in specified areas. ED 81 proposes updates to the chapters of the Conceptual Framework dealing with the attributes of financial information that make financial reporting useful-qualitative characteristics-and the building blocks of financial statements-elements.
In developing its proposals, the IPSASB has considered the Board’s experience in applying the Framework to the development and maintenance of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), as well as recent developments in international thinking about conceptual issues.
“Since its publication in 2014 the Conceptual Framework has been the cornerstone of IPSASB’s global standards delivery activity” said IPSASB Chair Ian Carruthers. “The ED 81 proposals are intended to address issues that have emerged in the Framework’s application in practice, so that it remains central to global public sector financial reporting.”
The ED 81 proposals include:
Clarifying the role of prudence in public sector financial reporting;
Revised definitions of an asset and a liability;
Clarifying what constitutes a transfer of resources when determining whether an entity has a liability; and
Restructuring guidance on liabilities to improve clarity for users of the Framework.
The IPSASB welcomes the views of respondents on the proposed amendments to the Conceptual Framework.
How to Comment To access the Exposure Draft, its summary At-a-Glance document, or to submit a comment, visit the IPSASB website. Comments are requested May 31, 2022. The IPSASB encourages IFAC members, associates, and Network Partners to promote the availability of this Exposure Draft 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.
Stakeholder Comments on Exposure Draft 81 Sought by May 31, 2022
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