IN PRACTICE
In Practice News
In Practice News
IAASA publishes guidelines for Recognised Accountancy Bodies
The purpose of the document is to set out guidelines for the RABs to apply to their approval and registration function to support the achievement of the following outcomes and to meet the requirements of the Companies Act 2014.

  • Only individuals who meet eligibility criteria and are of good repute are approved to perform statutory audit.
  • Only firms that meet eligibility criteria and are of good repute are approved as statutory audit firms.
  • All statutory auditors and audit firms meet the requirements for approval on an ongoing basis.
  • The public register is accurate, contains all information required by law and is updated promptly for any changes.

These guidelines are not intended to replace or override any legislative provisions. They should be read in conjunction with the Companies Act 2014, Regulation (EU) No 537/2014 and any section 931 notice, rule or other guideline that IAASA may issue.

Nothing in these guidelines may be construed so as to constrain IAASA from taking action, where it deems it to be appropriate, in respect of a RAB’s organization of its approval and registration function.

The guidelines take effect from 1 June 2024.

IFAC releases ISQM implementation supports for small firms
The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) has released the second instalment in a three-part publication series to help small-and medium sized practices implement the new quality management standards for audit firms.

Installment Two: Developing a Detailed Implementation Plan provides a step approach to identifying your quality objectives; completing your quality risk assessment process; identifying existing, or creating new, responses to those quality risks; and implementing, documenting, and communicating your system of quality management.

Installment Two also:

  • Addresses the eight components of the IAASB’s International Standard on Quality Management 1, Quality Management for Firms that Perform Audits or Reviews of Financial Statements, or Other Assurance or Related Services Engagements.
  • Contains an example case study to illustrate the transition from the International Standard on Quality Control 1, Quality Control, Quality Control for Firms that Perform Audits and Reviews of Financial Statements, and Other Assurance and Related Services Engagements; and
  • Includes multiple documentation aids covering independence, acceptance and continuance of clients and engagements, resources, and outside consultation, as well as a sample checklist for engagement quality reviews.
CPA Ireland issues digital certificates
CPA Ireland has issued digital practicing certificates to its practitioners and audit firms for the first time. The certificates can be added to LinkedIn profiles, shared via email or social media, or downloaded and embedded to email signatures or professional websites.

Practitioners can also download a pdf of a certificate through Accredible which can also be printed.

The digital certificates are secure, verifiable, and cannot be falsified. We hope that CPA practitioners find them to be beneficial and encourage the adoption of this new opportunity to digitally display authorisations.

Practitioners should note that the email with a digital certificate comes from the sender “CPA Ireland via Accredible” from the email support@credential.net so it may be directed to junk or clutter folder.

IAASA’s response to the IESBA consultation on its Strategy & Work Plan, 2024-2027
IAASA recently responded to the IESBA (International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants) consultation on its Proposed Strategy and Work Plan, 2024-2027.

Two employees on their laptops