Today IFAC completed its inaugural series—Exploring the IESBA Code—a unique, educational resource developed in collaboration with the staff of the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA). Launched in November 2019, each installment of the series highlights important concepts and topics in the International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including International Independence Standards).
The final installment, released today, explains the “building blocks” structure of the Code and its interconnected nature. This installment is intended to help readers better understand how to use and navigate the Code so that they can quickly identify and access the ethics and independence standards and guidance relevant to them. Other topics covered in the series include: the fundamental principles, the conceptual framework, auditor independence, conflicts of interest, inducements, non-compliance with laws and regulations (NOCLAR), pressure, and the role and mindset expected of the professional accountant with a focus on bias.
“The Exploring the IESBA Code series is a very useful tool to complement the IESBA eCode,” said Dr. Stavros Thomadakis, IESBA Chairman. “Each installment provides a summary of important aspects of the Code with cues on how to read and apply its authoritative text. This final installment spotlights the purpose of the Code, how it is structured, and how it should be used—by accountants in business (PAIBs) and public practice (PAPPs), including auditors. The successful completion of this initiative demonstrates once again how IESBA’s and IFAC’s partnership is valuable in supporting the global adoption and implementation of the Code.”
IFAC’s CEO, Kevin Dancey, said “The ethical foundation of the accountancy profession is one of its most important features. The Exploring the IESBA Code series demonstrates IFAC’s commitment to this ethical foundation and our role in supporting the important work of IESBA, as well as the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) and International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB). I encourage our members, professional accountancy organizations and national standard setters around the world to leverage this new resource—to help raise awareness of the Code and to help professional accountants uphold their public interest responsibility.”
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 more than 175 members and associates in more than 130 countries and jurisdictions, representing almost 3 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.
About IESBA
The International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) is an independent global standard-setting board. The IESBA’s mission is to serve the public interest by setting ethics standards, including auditor independence requirements, which seek to raise the bar for ethical conduct and practice for all professional accountants through a robust, globally operable International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including International Independence Standards) (the Code).
