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In its Strategy and Work Plan 2019-2023 (the Strategy) the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board® (IPSASB®) committed to hold a public consultation mid-way through the Strategy period on projects that should be added to the Work Program during the remainder of the period, as existing projects were completed. Accordingly, the IPSASB has today released its Mid-Period Work Program Consultation (Consultation).
Within the context of continuing to deliver the Strategy, the Consultation prioritizes projects to be added to the Work Program as the Board and staff resources become available during 2022 and 2023. In view of the resources likely to become available, the Consultation proposes adding two major projects:
Presentation of Financial Statements; and
Differential Reporting.
The Consultation also proposes to add up to four smaller scope projects:
IPSAS 21, Impairment of Non-Cash-Generating Assets;
IPSAS 31, Intangible Assets;
IPSAS 33, First-Time Adoption of Accrual Basis IPSASs; and
Making Materiality Judgements.
“Despite the major challenges of the pandemic, the Biennial Review that we have published today shows that the IPSASB has continued to deliver on its current Strategy, which itself remains relevant. As we complete our current projects the Board is proposing to add a number of new ones based on its views on the current priorities,” said IPSASB Chair Ian Carruthers. “It is essential the IPSASB hears its stakeholders’ views on the proposed projects so that it can best address their needs and priorities as IPSAS usage continues to increase globally.”
How to Comment
To access the Exposure Draft, its summary At-a-Glance document, and the Request for Information or to submit a comment, visit the IPSASB website, www.ipsasb.org. Comments are requested by November 30, 2021. The IPSASB encourages IFAC members, associates, and Network Partners to promote the availability of this Consultation Paper 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 Mid-Period Work Program Consultation Sought by November 30, 2021
The Quality Management webinar series, hosted by the IAASB in collaboration with IFAC, takes a deep dive into aspects of the IAASB’s International Standard on Quality Management 1, Quality Management for Firms that Perform Audits or Reviews of Financial Statements, or Other Assurance or Related Services Engagements.
Today, the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) published an exposure draft of its new, stand-alone standard for audits of financial statements of less complex entities. This landmark new draft standard responds to demands to have a set of high-quality requirements tailored for the needs of less complex entities (LCEs). The new standard for audits of financial statements of LCEs will provide a globally consistent approach at a time where several jurisdictional-specific LCE standards or related initiatives are arising. The release of the exposure draft is part of a broader effort to reduce complexity, improve understandability, and make International Standards on Auditing (ISAs) more scalable and proportionate to circumstances of audited entities.
“Smaller, less complex entities play a vital role in the world’s economy. The IAASB has prioritized addressing the needs of stakeholders representing these entities over the last eighteen months,” said IAASB Chair Tom Seidenstein. “Our new proposed standard’s objective is appropriately focusing the work of auditors through requirements designed to be proportionate to the typical nature and circumstance of less complex entities. We are not compromising on the quality of the audit.”
The IAASB strongly encourages all interested stakeholders to provide their feedback by January 31, 2022. The standard is relevant to users of financial statements, owners, management and those charged with governance of entities, preparers of financial statements, legislative or regulatory authorities, relevant local bodies with standard-setting authority, professional accountancy organizations, academics, regulators and audit oversight bodies, and auditors and audit firms, among others.
Stakeholders can submit responses through the “Submit Comment” button online. The Exposure Draft will also be available in French and Spanish in early September 2021. The IAASB is also planning outreach on the new draft standard; an outreach plan will be available on the IAASB’s website in late August 2021.
About the IAASB The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board develops auditing and assurance standards and guidance for use by all professional accountants under a shared standard-setting process involving the Public Interest Oversight Board, which oversees the activities of the IAASB, and the IAASB Consultative Advisory Group, which provides public interest input into the development of the standards and guidance. The structures and processes that support the operations of the IAASB are facilitated by the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC). For copyright, trademark, and permissions information, please go to permissions or contact permissions@ifac.org.
New Proposed Stand-Alone Standard to Meet Market Needs
Smaller, less complex entities play a vital role in the world’s economy. 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. With this consultation, the IAASB is moving to provide a globally consistent approach at a time where a number of jurisdictional-specific less complex entity standards are emerging, which is not in the public interest.
