23 July 2015

IFAC: IAASB proposes limited changes to ISAs in response to the IESBA’s project addressing non-compliance with laws and regulations

“The IESBA’s ED proposes a framework for professional accountants in deciding how best to act in the public interest when they come across an act or suspected act of non-compliance with laws and regulations, which will be highly relevant for auditors,” explained Prof. Arnold Schilder, IAASB Chairman. “The IAASB therefore believes that amendments are needed to the IAASB’s International Standards in the public interest to enable them to operate in concert with the IESBA standards and without confusion due to the many jurisdictions that utilize both.”  

The focus of the ED is proposed amendments to ISA^TM 250, Consideration of Laws and Regulations in an Audit of Financial Statements, with less extensive changes proposed to seven other standards. The amendments, which are limited in nature, do not explicitly duplicate in detail all the specific requirements in the IESBA Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants^TM (the Code), as this allows for flexibility when ethical codes other than the Code are applied. Rather, the IAASB’s proposals seek to acknowledge the enhancements that will be made by the IESBA in the Code and clarify and emphasize key aspects of the IESBA’s proposals in the IAASB’s International Standards.

The IAASB’s ED is open for comment through October 21, 2015.

Press release

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