IFAC: Global Ethics Board proposes changes to promote role and mindset expectations

31 July 2019

The IESBA proposed changes to the International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including International Independence Standards) to promote the role and mindset expected of all professional accountants.

The ED, Proposed Revisions to Promote the Role and Mindset Expected of Professional Accountants, puts forward changes that further strengthen the Code.

The proposed revisions respond to stakeholder calls for the IESBA to explore whether and how the Code could contribute to strengthening the application of concepts underlying professional skepticism by all professional accountants.

Among other matters, the proposals:

• Highlight professional accountants’ wide-ranging role in society and the relationship between compliance with the Code and a professional accountant’s responsibility to act in the public interest;
• Include enhancements to the robustness of the fundamental principles of integrity, objectivity and professional behavior;
• Further strengthen the Code through requiring professional accountants to have an inquiring mind when applying the conceptual framework; and
• Highlight the importance of being aware of bias and having the right organizational culture.

Comments are requested by October 31, 2019.

Full press release

Full ED

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