Integrity and ethics are cornerstones of the accountancy profession, underpinning professional accountants’ public interest responsibility setting our profession apart. We regularly encounter challenges to our integrity and ethics, challenges that continue to rapidly evolve.
The IFAC Small- and Medium-Sized Practices Advisory Group (SMPAG) welcomes the opportunity to provide input to the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) Strategy and Work Plan 2024-2027 Consultation Paper.
This is the second installment in a three-part publication series to help small- and medium-sized practices implement the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board’s (IAASB) quality management standards. It provides a step approach to identifying your quality objectives; completing your quality risk assessment process; identifying existing, or creating new, responses to those quality risks; and implementing, documenting, and communicating your system of quality management.
This study, part of the State of Play Series, enhances understanding of current market practice for the assurance of environmental, social, and governance (ESG or sustainability) information, with a focus on who conducts assurance engagements, what standards are used, the scope of disclosure being assured, and how various assurance practitioners apply internationally recognized standards set by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB).
Respondents to IPSASB’s May 2022 consultation paper on Advancing Public Sector Sustainability Reporting agreed that the public sector urgently needs its own sustainability reporting standards and that the IPSASB, with its 25 years of standard setting experience, should lead their development. Public sector specific sustainability reporting standards will equip governments and other public sector entities to provide better transparency, accountability, and comparability of their efforts to combat the climate crisis and other sustainability challenges.
Following a scoping and research phase, the IPSASB has decided to move forward with the development of a public sector specific Climate-Related Disclosures standard and has published a project brief for this major new piece of work. Reporting on climate change is one of the most important issues in sustainability reporting, which also encompasses environmental, social and governance issues.
“The IPSASB’s decision to develop a public sector specific Climate-Related Disclosures standard is a huge first step in addressing the public sector’s need for sustainability reporting standards.” said IPSASB Chair Ian Carruthers. “The Board is delighted to be able to respond to stakeholder calls in this way and hopes to be able to initiate other projects in this critical area in the coming months.”
With this launch, the IPSASB will establish a Climate-related Topic Working Group to provide climate-related expertise and advice to support delivery of the project. The IPSASB will also set up a Sustainability Reference Group to provide advice on its overall sustainability reporting standards development program.
Global community engagement is essential to developing sustainability reporting standards for the public sector. The IPSASB continues to seek support for its sustainability reporting standards development program and requires additional resources to be able to scale up its efforts and move with pace. To contribute financial or other support for the development of global public sector specific sustainability reporting standards, please contact Ross Smith, IPSASB Program and Technical Director (rosssmith@ipsasb.org).
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.
The IPSASB has today announced that it will move ahead with the development of the first sustainability reporting standard for the public sector
On June 12, 2023, the Consultative Advisory Group (CAG) of the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB) elected Ms. Fabienne Colignon as its chair to lead its advisory efforts for the next three years. The CAG advises the IPSASB on technical projects and issues, as well as on its Strategy, adoption of standards, and other pressing issues.
Ms. Colignon is a long-serving, active and experienced member of the CAG and a regular observer of the IPSASB since her appointment in 2016. Ms. Colignon has extensive expertise in public sector accounting and reporting through her role with the French Public Sector Accounting Standard-Setter, Conseil de Normalisation des Comptes Publics (the CNoCP), a council body within the Ministry of Finance, and her prior experience as a Practice Fellow with the IFRS Interpretations Committee.
Ms. Colignon now takes the helm of the IPSASB CAG, which is composed of 22 representatives of public sector organizations and individuals that are interested in, or affected by, the IPSASB’s work, including those engaged in the preparation, audit, or evaluation of public sector financial reports. Ms. Colignon will succeed Mr. Thomas Müller-Marqués Berger who has led the IPSASB CAG since its inception in 2016.
“I am very appreciative of the trust CAG members have placed in me,” said Ms. Colignon. “I am honored to lead this exceptional group of public sector experts as it continues to serve as the IPSASB’s strategic advisor, helping to set priorities and to advance the public interest, especially during this uniquely challenging time.”
“On behalf of the IPSASB, it is my great pleasure to welcome Fabienne as CAG Chair,” said IPSASB Chair Ian Carruthers. “Fabienne takes on her new role at a critical time as we enter a new phase of our financial reporting work, at the same time as beginning to advance public sector sustainability reporting. I’m confident her background and experience will ensure the perspectives of CAG members continue to enrich the IPSASB’s work in developing high-quality public sector reporting standards. I would also like to take this opportunity on behalf of IPSASB to thank Thomas Muller-Marques Berger for his outstanding leadership over the last 7 years as the inaugural CAG Chair. Under his strong leadership the CAG has matured in its role and made an increasingly significant contribution to the important projects that IPSASB has successfully taken forward during this period. I look forward to working with Fabienne to help her build on the strong foundations Thomas has laid.”
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.
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.
