The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board’s (IAASB) Auditor Reporting Implementation Working Group (ARIWG) recently published this Project Update in the form of a Communiqué, which provides an update on the IAASB’s post implementation review (PIR) of the revised auditor reporting standards. This communique also includes other relevant news and information relevant to the IAASB’s PIR.
This Communique does not constitute an authoritative pronouncement of the IAASB, nor does it amend, extend or override the ISAs or other of the IAASB’s International Standards.
The International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB) has issued Collective and Individual Services (Amendments to IPSAS 19), which addresses a wide range of significant government expenditures that directly impact the lives of citizens globally.
Last January, the IPSASB issued IPSAS 42, Social Benefits, providing much-needed guidance on accounting for social benefits expenditure. This new guidance complements IPSAS 42 byproviding requirements for accounting for collective services (such as defense at national-levels and street lighting at sub-national levels) and individual services (such as healthcare and education). Collective and Individual Services requires that an expense is recognized at the point of service delivery.
IPSASB Chair, Ian Carruthers, said “I am pleased that, with the publication of Collective and Individual Services (Amendments to IPSAS 19), which complements IPSAS 42, Social Benefits, the IPSASB now has a full set of requirements and guidance on accounting for the most important programs of government.”
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.
Exploring the IESBA Code is a twelve-month series providing an in-depth look at the International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including International Independence Standards) (the Code). Each installment focuses on a specific aspect of the Code using real-world situations in a manner that is relatable and practical. Readers will gain a better understanding of the thought process behind more complicated areas of the Code through storytelling and expert analysis from professionals involved in developing the standards.
The first installment of the Series looked at the five Fundamental Principles of ethics, which establish the standard of behavior expected of all professional accountants. Compliance with these principles enable accountants to meet their responsibility to act in the public interest. This second installment highlights key aspects of the Code’s Conceptual Framework, which is an approach that all professional accountants are required to apply to comply with the five principles. The installment focuses on identifying threats and will be supplemented by two subsequent installments that will deal with evaluating and addressing threats.
A professional accountant can often come across complex or challenging situations that are not black and white. These challenging situations require ethical considerations, some of which are expressly dealt with in the Code. The unique and informational series was developed by IFAC in collaboration with the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) to help explain how the Code assists in navigating some of these challenges.
To read and download this and future installments, visit the IFAC website.
The Exploring the IESBA Code was published by IFAC and does not form part of the Code. It is non-authoritative and is not a substitute for reading the Code.
For more information about the Code, please click here.
An Informational Series to Promote the Code of Ethics
This is the second installment of a 12-month publication series titled Exploring the IESBA Code.
This second installment highlights key aspects of the Code’s Conceptual Framework which is an approach that all professional accountants are required to apply to comply with the five principles. The installment focuses on identifying threats and will be supplemented by two subsequent installments that will deal with evaluating and addressing threats.
The Exposure Draft includes proposed guidance on the application of the conceptual framework in the Code to address the topic of the objectivity of an engagement quality reviewer (EQR), thereby supporting proposed ISQM 2 in addressing the matter of the eligibility of an individual to serve in an EQR role. In particular, the proposed guidance:
Explains the different types of threat to compliance with the fundamental principle of objectivity that might be created in circumstances where an individual is being considered for appointment as an EQR for a given engagement;
Sets out factors to consider in evaluating the level of the identified threats; and
Suggests actions that might be safeguards to address the threats.
The development of the proposal benefited from cooperation with the IAASB within the established coordination framework of the two Boards. The IESBA is proceeding on an accelerated time frame to finalize the proposal in order to align closely with the anticipated finalization of ISQM 2 within 2020.
Comments on the Exposure Draft are requested by March 16, 2020 from all stakeholders.
The IESBA believes a single set of high-quality ethics standards enhances the quality and consistency of services provided by professional accountants, thus contributing to public trust and confidence in the accountancy profession. The IESBA sets its standards in the public interest with advice from the IESBA Consultative Advisory Group (CAG) and under the oversight of the Public Interest Oversight Board (PIOB).
The Exposure Draft includes proposed guidance on the application of the conceptual framework in the Code to address the topic of the objectivity of an engagement quality reviewer (EQR), thereby supporting proposed ISQM 2 in addressing the matter of the eligibility of an individual to serve in an EQR role. In particular, the proposed guidance:
Today, the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB) has published Final Pronouncement, Improvements to IPSAS, 2019.
Improvements to IPSAS, 2019 was approved by the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB) in December 2019. Improvements to IPSAS, 2019 comprises of minor improvements to IPSAS in order to address issues raised by stakeholders.
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.
Improvements to IPSAS, 2019 was approved by the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB) in December 2019. Improvements to IPSAS, 2019 comprises of minor improvements to IPSAS in order to address issues raised by stakeholders.
The International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) announces the following new appointments and re-appointments:
New appointments:
Mrs. Laurie Endsley, United States
Mr. Richard Huesken, United States
Re-appointments:
Mr. Hiro Fukukawa, Japan
Ms. Kim Gibson, United States
Ms. Caroline Lee, Singapore
Re-appointment as Deputy Chair:
Mr. Richard Fleck, United Kingdom
"I warmly welcome Laurie Endsley and Richard Huesken to the IESBA. I look forward to the rich experience and diverse perspectives they will bring to our discussions, starting with our March 16-18, 2020 meeting in New York. I am also pleased Richard Fleck will continue to serve as Deputy Chair for another year,” said Dr. Stavros Thomadakis, IESBA Chairman. “Finally, I want to thank our departing members, Alden Leung, Patricia Mulvaney and Sylvie Soulier. Their various contributions to the Board have been significant and we are grateful for their dedication to IESBA and their commitment to the public interest."
The IESBA also welcomes two new technical advisors, Ms. Laura Friedrich from Canada, and Ms. Kristen Wydell from Australia.
