IFAC: Auditors’ attention to key ethics code provisions when facing downward pressure on audit fees

07 January 2016

IESBA staff have developed a new publication, Ethical Considerations Relating to Audit Fee Setting in the Context of Downward Fee Pressure, in response to stakeholder concerns about downward pressure on fees and its potential to adversely impact audit quality.

Among other matters, the publication outlines some of the reasons for downward pressure on audit fees and focuses on the key fundamental principles in the Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants(the Code) to which auditors must pay particular attention in these circumstances. It also highlights the different, but important, roles that those charged with governance, entity management, regulators, and other stakeholders can play in ensuring that financial considerations related to audit fees do not drive actions and decisions that undermine audit quality.

The publication will be relevant to auditors when considering tendering for a new audit engagement, or when proposing or agreeing fees for recurring audit engagements. It may also be of interest to those charged with governance, preparers, regulators and audit oversight bodies, investors, and others with an interest or role in auditors’ work and their independence.

Full press release

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