The IPSASB held its third meeting of the year virtually on September 14-18 and 22, 2020.

The publication assists auditors in understanding whether a procedure involving automated tools and techniques may be both a risk assessment procedure and a further audit procedure. It also provides specific considerations when using automated tools and techniques in performing substantive analytical procedures in accordance with International Standard on Auditing 520, Analytical Procedures. 

This publication does not amend or override the ISAs, the texts of which alone are authoritative. Reading the publication is not a substitute for reading the ISAs.

The Technology Working Group of the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) today released non-authoritative support for using automated tools and techniques when performing audit procedures. 

The publication assists auditors in understanding whether a procedure involving automated tools and techniques may be both a risk assessment procedure and a further audit procedure. It also provides specific considerations when using automated tools and techniques in performing substantive analytical procedures in accordance with International Standard on Auditing 520, Analytical Procedures.

This publication does not amend or override the ISAs, the texts of which alone are authoritative. Reading the publication is not a substitute for reading the ISAs.

Following a vote by the IAASB during the last day of the September meeting, IAASB Chair Tom Seidenstein explains why the new quality management standards respond to:

• The changing environment;
• Challenge the effectiveness of the IAASB’s pre-existing quality control standards; and
• Growing market participant needs.

The resulting suite of standards are aimed at a more robust system of quality management for firms using the IAASB’s standards, and marks an evolution from a traditional, more linear approach to quality control.

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The International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB) is pleased to announce the re-appointment of its independent Chair, Ian Carruthers, for a third term through 2024.

Mr. Carruthers will continue to lead the Board as it continues to focus on delivering high-quality financial reporting standards for the public sector, inspiring their implementation, and, thereby, strengthening public financial management globally. In the coming four years, he will continue to advance the Board’s ambitious standard-setting agenda while remaining responsive to emerging stakeholders needs and building on the current implementation momentum.  

“There have been few times in history when public sector accountability has been more important than now, as governments worldwide face the huge economic challenges arising from COVID-19,” said Mr. Carruthers. “With many pivotal initiatives on our agenda now and in the next few years, as well as the building implementation momentum globally, I look forward to continuing to lead the IPSASB in serving the public interest, and helping governments to address these challenges effectively and transparently. In doing so, it is a pleasure to work with such a talented Board and staff, and to benefit from the ongoing advice from both IPSASB’s Consultative Advisory Group, and the Public Interest Committee.”

“As the global standard setter for public sector accounting, the IPSASB must continually challenge what it does, and how it delivers timely, relevant and high-quality international standards. Mr. Carruthers’ reappointment assures continuation of the IPSASB’s strong track-record under his leadership,” said James Gunn, Managing Director, Professional Standards.

Mr. Carruthers was initially appointed as IPSASB Chair in 2016. His current term ends in 2021, and his re-appointment is for a final term ending on December 31, 2024.

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.

Together with ICAEW, The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) today released the first installment in its Anti-Money Laundering: The Basics educational series: Installment 1: Introduction to Anti-Money Laundering for Professional Accountants.  

The publication is part of a 6-month short series helping professional 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. The series, with its focus on accessibility and ease of use, 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.

“Fighting money laundering—a key priority of IFAC—allows millions of professional accountants worldwide to make a real difference for the public good every day.” said Scott Hanson, Principal, Public Policy & Regulation at IFAC.  “Events like the recent FinCEN leaks serve as another timely reminder of the importance of remaining vigilant on this important issue.”

Sophie Wales, Director, Technical Strategy, Tax, Ethics and Law Group, at ICAEW, said: “We are pleased to launch this new educational series with IFAC, which we hope will help chartered accountants improve their understanding of money laundering. Accountants are the gatekeepers to the financial system and play a crucial role in identifying the red flags when it comes to economic crime, so it’s vital we do what we can to ensure criminals can’t find someone else to clean their dirty money.”

Anti-Money Laundering: The Basics will be featured on both the IFAC 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. 

The series is the latest in IFAC’s ongoing commitment to promote AML in the public interest, following the organization’s Point of View on fighting corruption and money laundering –  and its recently released joint report with CPA Canada on Beneficial Ownership Transparency.

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

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

This is the first installment of a 6-month publication series titled Anti-Money Laundering, The Basics.

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. 

All IFAC member organizations are required to adopt and implement the International Education Standards, or support their adoption and implementation as part of fulfilling IFAC's Statement of Membership Obligation 2.

This IES self-assessment checklist will help professional accountancy organizations:

The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) today opened a public consultation, Fraud and Going Concern in an Audit of Financial Statements: Exploring the Differences Between Public Perceptions About the Role of the Auditor and the Auditor’s Responsibilities in a Financial Statement Audit. The consultation will remain open until January 12, 2021. [Please note the comment period deadline has changed. The consultation will now remain open until Feb. 1, 2021.]

As the auditor’s role in relation to fraud and going concern in audits of financial statements continues to receive heightened public attention, amplified by high-profile corporate failures in recent years, the IAASB has recognized the need to further explore these topics. This Discussion Paper is aimed at gathering perspectives from a broad range of stakeholders across the financial reporting ecosystem about the role of the auditor in relation to fraud and going concern in an audit of financial statements. Stakeholders are asked for their perspectives on whether the auditing standards related to fraud and going concern need to be updated to reflect the rapidly evolving external reporting landscape, and, if so, in what areas.

“Issues related to fraud and going concern are consistently raised as areas requiring attention and potential improvement in order to enhance confidence in audits. These two topics are priorities in our recently issued strategy and work plan,” said IAASB Chair Tom Seidenstein. “This Discussion Paper is an important step in understanding the needs of users of financial reports, how changes in the financial reporting environment impact the role of the audit in terms of fraud and going concern, and the limitations of the existing standards.”

The feedback collected will inform decisions about possible further actions on these topics. The IAASB is also hosting a roundtable discussion on September 28 that will explore fraud and going concern expectations. The roundtable discussion will be live streamed on the IAASB’s YouTube channel, with un-aired breakout sessions shared via YouTube in October.

The IAASB invites all interested stakeholders to respond to this Discussion Paper, including, but not limited to, investors and other users of financial statements, those charged with governance of entities, preparers of financial statements, national standard setters, professional accountancy organizations, academics, regulators and audit oversight bodies, and auditors and audit firms.

Stakeholders can submit responses through the “Submit a Comment” button online.

About the IAASB
The IAASB 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.