IOSCO Report Addresses Improving Audit and Ethics Standard-Setting

The future structure, governance, process of standard-setting, and funding goals of the international audit and ethics standard-setting system as outlined in the recommendations represent significant enhancements to the current structure. These key enhancements to the current structure will strengthen the standard-setting process, which should result in standards that are more responsive to the public interest and in turn lead to improved audit quality. The recommendations are designed to

• Achieve an independent and inclusive, multi-stakeholder standard-setting system.
• Reinforce the consideration of the public interest in the standard-setting process and throughout the full cycle of standards development, with enhanced independent oversight and standard-setting guided by the Public Interest Framework.
• Foster the development of timely, high-quality standards that respond to an accelerating pace of change.

The Monitoring Group envisages that a transition plan will be established within the next nine months and that the recommendations will be implemented within three years thereafter. Under the recommendations, the Public Interest Oversight Board (PIOB) will continue to have the critical role of providing independent oversight of the public interest responsiveness of audit and ethics standard-setting. The Monitoring Group intends to provide a formal link between the PIOB and public authorities to protect the PIOB from undue influence while enhancing its public accountability. 

Related Links

• Press Release
• Recommendations (PDF)

Keywords: International, Accounting, Banking, Insurance, Recommendations, Governance, Standard Setting, Audits and Ethics, Monitoring Group, IOSCO, IAIS, BCBS