The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) is pleased to provide a series of recommendations for consideration by the G-20 at its meeting on November 3-4, 2011 in Cannes, France.

In a letter submitted this week, the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), the global organization for the accountancy profession with members and associates in 125 countries, urged the G-20 leaders at their November 3-4, 2011 meeting in Cannes, France, to focus on three long-term initiatives aimed at promoting global economic stability and greater fiscal sustainability: 1) public sector financial reporting and management reforms; 2) global regulatory convergence; and 3) development of integrated reporting.

Address Public Sector Debt Problems: Encourage Review of Institutional Changes in Public Sector Financial Management and Adoption of Accrual-Based Accounting

In order to address the sovereign debt crisis, IFAC recommends that the G-20 commission the Financial Stability Board (FSB) to consider the institutional changes that are needed in public sector financial management to protect investors in government bonds, as well as the public. Further, the G-20 should actively encourage the adoption of accrual-based accounting and budgeting by governments and public sector institutions, which will promote greater transparency and accountability in public sector finances and allow for monitoring of government debt and liabilities for their true economic implications. IFAC also encourages the adoption and implementation of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSASs).

“It is increasingly apparent to the general public that this is an urgent issue. The sovereign debt crisis engulfing the European Union and the government debt issues affecting the United States and potentially other countries around the world are cause for major concern,” said IFAC Chief Executive Officer Ian Ball. “The crisis highlights that fiscal management is clearly deficient in many countries, with inadequate constraints or incentives for governments to protect the public interest and investors. This failure of fiscal management is widespread and has economic consequences that will far exceed the impact of corporate reporting failures, such as Enron, WorldCom, Parmalat, and Lehman Brothers.”

Maintain Momentum for Regulatory Convergence, including Adoption and Implementation of International Standards

IFAC recommends that the G-20 strengthen its resolve for adoption and implementation of common global standards for financial reporting, auditing, and auditor independence, including International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), International Standards on Auditing (ISAs), and the auditor independence requirements set out in the Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants. These standards will enable the consistent interpretation of financial information around the world, which in turn will facilitate cross-border activity, promote economic and financial stability, and strengthen transparency and accountability in the capital markets. IFAC also urges the implementation of the recommendations contained in the recently submitted Private Sector Taskforce of Regulated Professions and Industries Report. In addition, IFAC encourages internationally consistent, robust regulation of credit ratings agencies.

The Needs of the Future: Support Integrated Reporting

IFAC calls on the G-20 to formally signal its support for the work of the International Integrated Reporting Committee (IIRC), a collaboration of leaders from the corporate, investment, accounting, securities, regulatory, academic, and standard-setting sectors, as well as civil society. The IIRC is currently developing an integrated reporting framework, which aims to bring together financial, social, and governance information in a clear, consistent, and comparable format. Integrated reporting links the strategy, governance, and financial performance of an organization with the social, environmental, and economic contexts in which it operates. As a result, the framework will help entities make more sustainable decisions and enable investors and other stakeholders to better understand an organization’s true performance. Integrated reporting will help governments and private sector entities better understand the longer-term impacts of financial and operating decisions on all areas of society.

“The global financial crisis showed us clearly that a focus on short-term risks and rewards can encourage behaviors that lead to disastrous outcomes,” said IFAC President Göran Tidström. “The accountancy profession’s involvement in the IIRC and the future of integrated reporting represent our efforts to mitigate the current financial crisis, avoid future crises, and contribute to a more sustainable, global economy.”

In conclusion, Mr. Tidström stated, “Problems that began as isolated issues have led to the global financial crisis—proving just how interconnected our world has become. We all have a stake in the solutions, and those solutions require a coordinated international approach. Global leaders should resist unilateral policy reform initiatives which potentially undermine the cause of convergence. Instead, we have an opportunity to enhance coordination and consultation with all stakeholders and work collectively to support global economic stability.”

The letter to the G-20 with the full recommendations is posted on the here.

About IFAC

IFAC is the global organization for the accountancy profession dedicated to serving the public interest by strengthening the profession and contributing to the development of strong international economies. IFAC is comprised of 164 members and associates in 125 countries and jurisdictions, representing approximately 2.5 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.

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The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), the global organization for the accountancy profession with members and associates in 125 countries, has released the Private Sector Taskforce (PSTF) Report to G-20 Deputies. The PSTF report presents a set of recommendations on how to promote regulatory convergence from the perspective of a number of financial professions and industries.

The PSTF was established in May 2011 at the request of the Presidency of the G-20.  The report provides the G-20 with an analysis of the development of financial policy and regulation, with the aim of facilitating economic stability in the world’s capital markets. The benefits of regulatory convergence are identified, as well as the inefficiencies and associated costs created by regulatory gaps. A range of possible scenarios and associated risks are thoroughly analyzed and explored, specific examples are given, and a set of recommendations are provided.

Coordinated by the International Federation of Accountants, the taskforce includes CFA Institute (CFA I); INSOL International; Institute of International Finance (IIF); International Accounting Standards Board (IASB); International Actuarial Association (IAA); International Corporate Governance Network (ICGN); International Insurance Society (IIS); and International Valuation Standards Council (IVSC).

“We have made great strides in regulatory convergence, but there is much more to be achieved. The Global Financial Crisis highlighted the importance of regulatory convergence—for example, the need for globally accepted high-quality standards across a number of areas, including financial reporting, auditing and auditor independence, as well as consistent implementation and enforcement—which are important for encouraging global economic stability,” said IFAC President Göran Tidström. “IFAC supports the G-20’s work to reform the international financial system and reduce informational uncertainty and risk, and thus avoid future financial crises. The PSTF report encourages the G-20 to maintain its current momentum towards international convergence, identifies existing gaps, and offers insightful recommendations. There will be no better time to progress these issues.”

The report stresses the necessity of open communication and transparent processes, as well as continued cooperation between national and regional regulators and professional and industry groups, in order to further develop global standards. It warns against the dangers of unilateral decision making, and advocates enhanced consultation and global cooperation on matters of regulatory reform, in order to avoid regulatory fragmentation.

“Enhanced coordination and consultation with all stakeholders is imperative,” said IFAC Chief Executive Officer Ian Ball. “Unilateral policy reform initiatives make it more difficult to achieve convergence—on the contrary, they constitute regulatory fragmentation. The PSTF report represents a collaborative effort by a diverse group of professions and industry bodies; we hope jurisdictions worldwide can likewise come together to support the cause of economic stability.”

The PTSF report with the full recommendations is posted on the IFAC website.

About IFAC
IFAC is the global organization for the accountancy profession dedicated to serving the public interest by strengthening the profession and contributing to the development of strong international economies. IFAC is comprised of 164 members and associates in 125 countries and jurisdictions, representing approximately 2.5 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.

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The International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) is an independent standard-setting body that develops and issues the Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants. The Code includes standards on auditor independence but is intended to apply to the actions and decisions of all professional accountants, including those in business. The structures and processes that support the operations of the IESBA are facilitated by the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC).

On behalf of the IESBA, IFAC is seeking an exceptional individual to serve as a Chair on a remunerated basis, for a minimum of 100 days per year, beginning January 2013. By mutual agreement this commitment could be increased up to and including a full time role. The IESBA Chair is appointed for a three-year term by the IFAC Board with approval by the Public Interest Oversight Board.*

The objective of the IESBA is to serve the public interest by setting, independently and under its own authority, high-quality ethical standards for professional accountants and by facilitating the convergence of international and national ethical standards, thereby enhancing the quality and consistency of services provided by professional accountants throughout the world and strengthening public confidence in the global accountancy profession. The Chair provides leadership to the IESBA in achieving these objectives. A key function of the Chair is to enable, encourage, and promote a deeper understanding by stakeholders and the public of the strategies and activities of the IESBA.

The Chair will also lead the strategic direction of the IESBA, working closely with IESBA senior staff, and facilitate the deliberative and consultative processes that underpin the authority of the IESBA and the legitimacy of its standards and activities. In addition, the Chair will be involved in developing and maintaining effective relationships with national standard setters, regulators, and other key stakeholders.

The successful candidate should have effective leadership, communication, and strategic skills; demonstrated technical and professional competency; and a commitment to the IESBA and its mission to protect the public interest. He or she will have very significant and senior experience. Exposure to professional ethical issues at a national, regional, or international level would be an asset, as would familiarity with regulatory and standard-setting processes. Only individuals who possess the highest integrity will be considered. The position is not restricted to professional accountants. However, any professional accountant applying for the position must have had no direct relationship with an audit firm for at least three years.

For further information about the position, please see the Call for Applications, Chair of the IESBA on the IFAC website at www.ifac.org/careers. Applications are due by February 10, 2012.

*Notes to Editors

The international Public Interest Oversight Board (PIOB) was established in February 2005 to ensure that international auditing and assurance, ethics, and education standards for the accountancy profession are set in a transparent manner that reflects the public interest. The objective of the PIOB is to increase confidence of investors and others that such activities, including the setting of standards by the IESBA, are properly responsive to the public interest. PIOB members are nominated by international institutions and regulatory bodies.

About IFAC

IFAC is the worldwide organization for the accountancy profession dedicated to serving the public interest by strengthening the profession and contributing to the development of strong international economies. IFAC’s current membership consists of over 164 professional accountancy bodies in 125 countries, representing approximately 2.5 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry and commerce. In addition to supporting the setting of ethical standards through the IESBA, IFAC supports the setting of auditing and assurance, education, and public sector accounting standards and develops guidance to encourage high-quality performance by professional accountants in business.

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The Private Sector Taskforce of Regulated Professions and Industries was established in May 2011 at the request of the Presidency of the G20. The 2011 report provided the G20 with an analysis of the development of financial policy and regulation, with the aim of facilitating economic stability in the world’s capital markets. The benefits of regulatory convergence were identified, as well as the inefficiencies and associated costs created by regulatory gaps.

IFAC CEO Ian Ball comments on the FT's commentary – as well as the policy debate – on the sovereign debt crisis.

The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), the global organization for the accountancy profession with members and associates in 125 countries, today released revised versions of Policy Position Paper 1, Regulation of the Accountancy Profession, and Policy Position Paper 3, International Standard Setting in the Public Interest.

“In addition to working toward the development and acceptance of high-quality global professional standards, IFAC is committed to contributing to and shaping the debate about appropriate regulatory arrangements for international standard setting and regulation of the accountancy profession,” said Chief Executive Officer lan Ball.

Policy Position Paper 1, Regulation of the Accountancy Profession, was first issued by IFAC in December 2007. The revised paper includes a new section titled “Current Regulatory Environment.” The section highlights the importance of global regulatory convergence, including the adoption and implementation of high-quality standards. It describes recent developments in regulation and makes reference to the Independent Forum of Independent Audit Regulators (IFIAR) Core Principles. Lastly, the revised Policy Position Paper 1 includes a description of what would typically be included in shared regulation of auditing at a national level.

Policy Position Paper 3, International Standard Setting in the Public Interest, was issued by IFAC in December 2008. The revised and updated paper describes how current governance arrangements and independent standard-setting boards supported by IFAC operate in the public interest and address the need for legitimacy, transparency, and performance. It further includes discussion of the 2010 Monitoring Group (MG) review.

About IFAC

IFAC is the global organization for the accountancy profession dedicated to serving the public interest by strengthening the profession and contributing to the development of strong international economies. IFAC is comprised of 164 members and associates in 125 countries and jurisdictions, representing approximately 2.5 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.

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IFAC Staff members recently visited Beirut, Lebanon on the invitation of the Lebanese Association of Certified Public Accountants (LACPA) to educate its Board of Directors and membership following recent changes in leadership.

IFAC staff held a number of meetings with LACPA leadership, general membership, and key counterparts of LACPA. Most importantly, IFAC Staff held two five-hour meetings--the first meeting with the Board of LACPA. This meeting covered not only the details of the SMOs, but included a working session for the Board, which identified and considered best practices and potential solutions which may facilitate LACPA compliance with IFAC SMOs and the finalization of an Action Plan.

The second meeting worked to raise awareness of the importance of the SMOs and to garner support among the general membership for the need for reform in-line with IFAC SMOs. One hundred and twenty participants attended this meeting to hear a formal powerpoint presentation on the SMOs and participate in an open discussion forum focused on LACPA’s leadership proposed plans to address areas of weakness.

This paper outlines the rationale for the regulatory arrangements put in place for setting international standards for auditing and assurance, ethics, and accounting education; arrangements in which responsibility is shared between the public sector and the private sector. Current arrangements for international standard setting, which encompass a combination of public and private sector roles, provide a structure and process that operate and are seen to operate in the public interest, in a context in which there are needs for legitimacy, independence, transparency, performan

High-quality performance by professional accountants benefits the economy and society by contributing to the efficient allocation and management of resources in both the private and public sectors and to the operation of financial and capital markets, and through both of these to the production of goods and services.