The IPSASB’s 2nd Research Forum will take place in an online format on Wednesday June 17, 2020 from 14:00 to 17:00 (CEST). The Research Forum together with the CIGAR Workshop 2020 are hosted by the University of South-Eastern Norway, Nord University and University of Essex.

Registration is now open until May 15. Participants can attend both the Forum and the Workshop free of charge. However, registration is essential so that the organizers can send each participant the link to «enter» the CIGAR Workshop and the IPSASB Research Forum.

The Research Forum provides scope for academics to engage in discussions with standard setters and IPSASB representatives. Academics involved in researching public sector accounting topics and representatives from standard-setting bodies responsible for public sector accounting standards are encouraged to attend.

Five research papers are planned for presentation at the Forum. They are the four grant recipient papers (see below) and a second paper on the topic “Presentation of Financial Statements in the Public Sector,” which is by Laurence Morgana.

Grants awarded: The IPSASB is very pleased to announce that, following a rigorous blind review process, the below abstracts have been awarded a research grant of US$1,500.

The IPSASB’s Call for Papers explained that research on these four topics will support IPSASB decisions on their inclusion in the IPSASB’s 2021 work program consultation.

(New York, New York, May 1, 2020) – The International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) is pleased to announce the extension of Dr. Stavros Thomadakis as IESBA Chairman until the end of 2021. This appointment was proposed by the International Federation of Accountants Nominating Committee and recently approved by the Public Interest Oversight Board.  

Dr. Thomadakis has chaired the IESBA since 2015. Under his leadership, the IESBA finalized the restructured and enhanced International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including International Independence Standards) and launched a digital version – the eCode. Dr. Thomadakis’ dedication and commitment to the public interest is reflected in IESBA’s comprehensive Strategy and Work Plan 2019–2023 (SWP). Already, IESBA has reached key milestones in this SWP, including progress in its Non-Assurance Services and Fees projects.

“I am honored to continue to lead the IESBA for a final term.” said Dr. Thomadakis. “We’ve gained considerable momentum with respect to global adoption of the IESBA Code, with approximately 80 countries adopting or in process of adopting the restructured 2018 version, and I am keen on expanding that further. In addition to pursuing IESBA’s priority standard-setting projects in the public interest, a key activity will be to assist IESBA’s stakeholders as they navigate the unprecedented challenges and ethical dilemmas arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. In this regard, the IESBA is working to expand its cooperation with others, including its ongoing coordination with the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB).”

Dr. Thomadakis is Emeritus Professor of financial economics at the University of Athens and an active member of the Hellenic Council for Corporate Governance, and of the Board of Trustees of the Cyprus Institute. He has taught at US universities (Baruch College CUNY, MIT), and has been a visiting scholar at Stern School of Business, NYU, and Yale University. He also served in many leadership roles, including as the first Chairman of the Public Interest Oversight Board (2005 to 2011) and Chairman of the Hellenic Capital Market Commission (1996-2004). Until late 2015, he also served as a member of the Securities and Markets Stakeholders Group of the European Securities and Markets Authority.

Today, IFAC  published a ‘Practice Transformation Action Plan – A Roadmap to the Future’ (the Plan), which covers four key focus areas for small- and medium-sized practices (SMPs):

• Embrace Change
• Leverage Technology
• Focus on Talent Management
• Evolve the Firm Operating Model and Build Advisory Services

The Covid-19 pandemic is an accelerator for the adoption of technology. Many firms are now operating virtually and supporting employees through flexible work arrangements. These extraordinary circumstances also offer practitioners significant opportunities to adapt and service a rapidly changing world. As trusted business advisers, they are best positioned to provide clients with a range of services to help navigate these difficult and uncertain times.

SMPs may still be in a ‘fire-fighting’ phase but want to be proactive and ready to adapt to radical and unplanned changes. Effective transformation requires strong leadership, new approaches to training and continued learning, and an emphasis on providing relevant, value-added services.

The Plan was developed with advice and guidance from the IFAC SMP Committee and recognizes that every firm will be different. The actions taken will need to be tailored to each firm’s circumstances and objectives to be successful.

We’ve created a dedicated ‘practice transformation’ web page, featuring case studies, examples of how Member Organizations are supporting their firms to innovate and evolve, as well as additional tools and resources.

Now is the time for practitioners to lead and become part of the solution for their clients and for their own future as we enter a whole new world.