News and Publications

The State of Play in Reporting and Assurance of Sustainability Information: Update 2019-2020 Data & Analysis

The State of Play in Reporting and Assurance of Sustainability Information: Update 2019-2020 Data & Analysis

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The State of Play in Reporting and Assurance of Sustainability Information: Update 2019-2020 Data & Analysis is designed to update understanding (based on 2020 reporting) of market practice for the assurance of environmental, social, and governance (ESG or sustainability) information, globally. This report is an update to the The State of Play in Sustainability Assurance report…
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ISA 315 First-Time Implementation Guide

ISA 315 First-Time Implementation Guide

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This guide focuses on the more substantial changes that were made to International Standard on Auditing 315 (Revised 2019) and will help stakeholders understand and apply the revised standard as intended. ISA 315 (Revised 2019) is effective for audits of financial statements for periods beginning on or after December 15, 2021. This publication does not…
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IFAC Technology Matrix

IFAC Technology Matrix

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This Technology Matrix is a quick guide to help stakeholders understand and access the breadth of technology resources available. Featuring content from June 2020-June 2022, the matrix categorized resources using technology ABCs: A: Artificial Intelligence B: Blockchain C: Cyber-security D: Data Governance (& Valuing Data) E: Ethics Other Tech Content (i.e., content not falling within A, B,…
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Webinar Series: Practical Audit Quality Considerations Webinar 3 – Auditor Reporting in the Pandemic Environment and Looking Ahead: Recording & Summary of Key Takeaways

Webinar Series: Practical Audit Quality Considerations Webinar 3 – Auditor Reporting in the Pandemic Environment and Looking Ahead: Recording & Summary of Key Takeaways

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The focus on auditor’s reports has increased in the current environment as investors and other users of financial statements seek greater transparency from entities around the impacts of Covid-19 in the financial statements, as well as greater transparency into the audit. Covid-19 may result in a rise in modifications to the auditor’s opinion, or have…
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Championing an Integrated Mindset to Drive Sustainability and Value Creation

Championing an Integrated Mindset to Drive Sustainability and Value Creation

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To deliver useful information for internal decision-making, as well as for comprehensive, trustworthy corporate reporting, businesses can break down functional and information silos with an integrated mindset, bringing together information from corporate functions and external sources about sustainability impacts and related opportunities and risks that are relevant to the value creation process. To help meet…
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Intellectual Property: Year in Review

Intellectual Property: Year in Review

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The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) works with our valued member organizations, network partners, and others to facilitate the translation of content, including standards and supporting materials from the standard-setting boards, IAASB, IESBA, and IPSASB, in almost 50 languages. In 2021, with the help of 36 different organizations, we developed 159 translations in 24 different languages. In this publication, learn…
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Global Priorities for Professional Accountants in Business and the Public Sector

Global Priorities for Professional Accountants in Business and the Public Sector

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At its March 2022 virtual meeting, IFAC’s Professional Accountants in Business Advisory Group considered the key global trends impacting the accountancy profession. The report, Global Priorities for Professional Accountants in Business and the Public Sector, summarizes the key insights and learnings from the discussions amongst this global group of business and finance leaders, drawing from their diverse experiences…
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Accountants Enabling the Circular Economy

Accountants Enabling the Circular Economy

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Circular thinking has implications on the application of accounting and financial principles, for example, depreciating assets until they have no value does not provide incentives for shifting to circular business models. Accountants need to be able to evaluate decisions beyond the financial value generated. To consider the opportunities and challenges to circular economy adoption, Usha…
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Engaging with Audit Committees to Support Accountants Addressing New Responsibilities

Engaging with Audit Committees to Support Accountants Addressing New Responsibilities

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At their core audit committees play a crucial role in ensuring the provision of highquality, decision-useful information about an organization to its investors and other stakeholders. But in the current environment, fulfilling this mandate is becoming increasingly more complex as organizations face greater uncertainty and risks and as audit committee oversight responsibilities continue to widen.…
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Executing the Board’s Governance Responsibility for Integrated Reporting

Executing the Board’s Governance Responsibility for Integrated Reporting

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Boards of directors need to oversee multiple internal assurance activities across organizations in discharging their responsibilities for the integrity of integrated reporting.  A key feature of integrated reporting is the board of directors’ responsibility for the integrity of the integrated report and underling reporting process.  Executing the Board’s Governance Responsibility for Integrated Reporting is the…
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