Title: An Overview of IAASA
1(No Transcript)
2An Overview of IAASA
- Presentation to AIA Members
- Westbury Hotel, Dublin
- 21st November, 2006
- IAASA
- Michael Kavanagh, Head of Financial Reporting
Supervision - Eileen Townsend, Project Manager
3Presentation Overview
- A Brief History and the 2003 Act
- IAASA Board and Key Staff
- IAASA Functions and Funding
- Supervision of the Prescribed Accountancy Bodies
- Financial Reporting Supervision
- The Future of financial reporting in Ireland
4A Brief History
- Review Group on Auditing (2000) - Terms of
reference included an examination of - whether self regulation of the accountancy
profession was working effectively and
consistently - auditor independence and
- role of the auditor in ensuring companies
compliance with law and regulations - RGA recommendations included
- establishment of an Oversight body
- Financial reporting review function and
- requirement for Directors Compliance Statements.
5The 2003 Act
- RGAs recommendations given the force of law by
the Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act,
2003. - The 2003 Act deals principally with
- the establishment of IAASA and
- Other Measures to Strengthen the Regulation of
Auditors, including - statutory backing for accounting standards
- audit committees
- disclosure of accounting policies
- disclosure of auditors remuneration (analysed by
audit, audit related and non-audit) and - Directors Compliance Statements.
6IAASA Board
- Company Ltd. by guarantee - Board comprises 15
directors, nominated thus - 2 (including the Chairperson) nominated by the
Minister - 3 nominated jointly by the prescribed accountancy
bodies - 9 nominated by the following bodies (1 each)
- IBEC ICTU
- IAIM ISE
- Pensions Board IFSRA
- Revenue DCE
- Law Society
- Chief Executive
- A maximum of 5 of the 15 directors may be members
of prescribed accountancy bodies.
7IAASA- key staff
- Chief Executive Ian Drennan
- Head of Financial Reporting Supervision Michael
Kavanagh - Head of Regulatory Monitoring Supervision
Helen Hall - Secretary Head of Legal Services Jane Meehan
- Project manager Eileen Townsend
- Project manager Bridget Ryan
- Finance Administration manager Fergal OBriain
8Statutory Remit (S8)
- To supervise how the prescribed accountancy
bodies regulate and monitor their members - To promote adherence to high professional
standards in the auditing accountancy
profession - To monitor whether the accounts of certain
classes of companies and other undertakings
comply with the Companies Acts and, where
applicable, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation
reference to IFRS inserted by S.I. No. 116 of
2005 and - To act as a specialist source of advice to the
Minister on auditing and accounting matters. - - All commenced at this stage except no.3
9Functions
- The Authoritys principal functions include
- Promoting adherence to the highest standards in
the profession - Considering applications for recognition for
audit purposes - Supervising the manner in which the accountancy
bodies monitor (including work quality) and
regulate (including investigation and
disciplinary functions) their members - Where deemed appropriate, conducting
investigations into bodies and/or members. - Co-operating in the development of auditing and
ethical standards. - Reviewing the financial statements of certain
companies and other undertakings - Co-operating in the development of accounting
standards and practice notes.
10Funding
- Two aspects to funding
- Day to day operation of IAASA
- - 40 Exchequer
- - 60 Prescribed accountancy bodies
- Reserve Fund
- - 20 Exchequer
- - 30 Prescribed accountancy bodies
- - 50 Review constituency
11Exchequer Prescribed Bodies Contribution - 2006
- Total budget 2006 2.297m, provided thus
- Exchequer 919,000
- ICAI 757,000
- ACCA 233,000
- ICPAI 170,000
- CIMA 96,000
- IIPA 54,000
- ICAEW 21,000
- AIA 18,000
- CIPFA 15,000
- ICAS 14,000
12- Supervision of the Prescribed Accountancy Bodies
13Supervision of the Prescribed Accountancy Bodies
- Principal object
- 8(1)(a) - to supervise how the prescribed
accountancy bodies regulate and monitor their
members
14Supervision of the Prescribed Accountancy Bodies
- IAASA as Supervisor rather than Regulator
15Supervision of the Prescribed Accountancy Bodies
- 9 Prescribed Bodies
- 6 Recognised Bodies
- ACCA, ICAEW, ICAI, ICAS, ICPAI, IIPA
- 3 Prescribed Bodies
- AIA, CIMA, CIPFA
16Supervision of the Prescribed Accountancy Bodies
- Approval Function
- Grant recognition
- Attach conditions to recognition
- Approve the constitution bye-laws,
investigation disciplinary procedures
standards, also any amendments
17Supervision of the Prescribed Accountancy Bodies
- Supervisory Function
- supervise how each recognised body monitors its
members - supervise the investigation disciplinary
procedures of each prescribed accountancy body - require explanations about the performance of
regulatory and monitoring duties - conduct section 25 reviews of members of
recognised accountancy bodies, if deemed
appropriate
18Supervision of the Prescribed Accountancy Bodies
- Investigation/Enforcement Function
- conduct enquiries into compliance with approved
ID procedures (S. 23) - undertake investigations into possible breaches
of accountancy body standards by a member (S. 24) - impose sanctions on a body/member
19Supervision of the Prescribed Accountancy Bodies
- Prescribed Body Reviews
- Undertaking detailed reviews of each prescribed
body - Emphasis of reviews is on seeking to ensure
adherence to a common high standard of regulatory
activity from which the public can derive comfort
20Supervision of the Prescribed Accountancy Bodies
- Prescribed Body Reviews (cont.)
- Findings are confidential
- Findings of reviews and complaints received will
impact on - The Authoritys risk assessment selection
methodologies - the scope and frequency of future reviews
21Supervision of the Prescribed Accountancy Bodies
- Prescribed Body Reviews (cont.)
- Initial reviews have 4 main areas of focus
- governance and its impact on the regulation of
members - systems for monitoring members
- complaints handling, investigative, disciplinary
and appeals procedures and - licensing registration of members.
221. Governance and its Impact on the Regulation of
Members
- Gain an understanding of the Corporate Governance
of the body, including its - organisational structure
- link between the governing body Committees
- Committees working methods procedures
- link between the Committees and the Quality
Assurance and Secretariat functions. - Reviews of Committees minutes and attendance at
meetings as observers.
232. System for Monitoring Members
- Examination of bodies procedures for monitoring
members providing audit services - monitoring cycles and annual plans
- firm/practitioner risk assessment and visit
selection methodologies - monitoring approach, scope, emphasis, review
programmes and file selection procedures - internal quality control procedures
- grading criteria
- response and follow-up to unsatisfactory
monitoring visits
242. System for Monitoring Members
- assessment of the resourcing of the monitoring
function, both human and financial - shadowing of bodies inspection staff on
selected visits and - members compliance with other obligations e.g.
PII, CPD.
253. Complaints Handling Disciplinary Procedures
- Examination of
- complaints handling processes and procedures
- disciplinary and appeals processes and
- policies regarding the publication of
disciplinary or regulatory outcomes/sanctions. - Detailed review of selected files.
- Assessment of resourcing of the function.
264. Licensing and Registration
- Gain an understanding of the procedures for
- issuance, renewal, suspension and revocation of
licenses/authorisations - to allow members/member firms to engage in
public practice and to provide an audit service.
27Further Developments
- The revised EU 8th Company Law Directive
- Transposition into domestic legislation by mid
2008 - All member states should establish public
oversight systems
28Other Work Ongoing
29Other Work Ongoing
- Approvals for amendments to Constitution/Bye-laws
etc. - Complaints/Enquiries
- Annual Reports to the Authority
30Financial Reporting Supervision Function
31Principal Functions of Financial Reporting
Supervision Unit
- To monitor whether the accounts of certain
classes of companies and other undertakings
comply with the Companies Acts and IAS Regulation - Co-operating in the development of accounting
standards and practice notes - Assisting the Board to discharge its functions as
an advisor to the Minister on accounting related
matters - Liaising with other countries financial
reporting monitoring bodies - Developing policy regarding the imposition of
levies on the Authoritys financial statement
supervision constituency - Identifying, and maintaining under review, the
composition of the Authoritys financial
statement review constituency
32Monitoring whether the financial statements of
certain companies comply with the Companies Acts
- Section 26 of the 2003 Act
- The IAS Regulation
- The Transparency Directive
33Compliance with the Companies Acts and the IAS
Regulation
- Compliance with Companies Acts includes -
- prescribed formats
- statutory disclosure requirements
- adherence to applicable accounting standards
primarily IASB and ASB standards
34Section 26 of the 2003 Act
- The financial reporting supervision constituency
comprises - all plcs (whether listed or not)
- all subsidiary undertakings of plcs
- all private companies limited by shares that, in
both in the relevant financial year and the
immediately preceding financial year, satisfy the
following criteria - balance sheet total exceeds 25m and
- turnover exceeds 50m.
- all private companies limited by shares which,
when aggregated with their subsidiary
undertakings, exceed the aforementioned
thresholds - all subsidiary undertakings of the preceding
class of private companies and - certain other undertakings, and where applicable
their subsidiary undertakings, that satisfy the
aforementioned criteria, including unlimited
companies and partnerships whose members having
unlimited liability are themselves limited
companies.
35Relevant Exemptions
- Act provides potential exemptions for
- certain entities already subject to, what in the
Ministers opinion, is an appropriate level of
supervision/regulation - - might, for example, include Part XIII
companies and UCITS - S110 TCA 97 entities (securitisation vehicles).
36IAS Regulation
- Given effect to in Ireland by SI 116 of 2005
- Requires EU Member States to take appropriate
measures to ensure compliance with IFRS (applies
to listed entities consolidated a/cs only) - Recital no.16 of the Regulation -
- A proper and rigorous enforcement regime is key
to underpinning investors' confidence in
financial markets. Member States, by virtue of
Article 10 of the Treaty, are required to take
appropriate measures to ensure compliance with
international accounting standards. The
Commission intends to liase with Member States,
notably through the Committee of European
Securities Regulators (CESR), to develop a common
approach to enforcement.
37Transparency Directive
- Article 24(4)(h) of the Transparency Directive
(TD) - - ..to examine that information referred to in
this Directive is drawn up in accordance with the
relevant reporting framework and take appropriate
measures in case of discovered infringements. - Directive deals with Interim Financial Statements
(which are not within the scope of Section 26).
38Methodology for selection of entity for review
- S26/ IAS Regulation/ Transparency Directive
suggests a proactive rather than reactive
approach to monitoring - Methodology for risk assessment and selection of
entities financial statements for review has
been developed - Mixed model approach proposed
39Methodology for selection of entity for review
- Criteria for selection will include
- Risk of material misstatement in the financial
statements - Potential impact on users of financial statements
in the event of material misstatement - Supplemented with random selection of F/S for
review - Complaint from public may also trigger a review
40Methodology for selection of entity for review
- Risk of material misstatement in the financial
statements factors include - - financial structure and business trends,
- - financial position and ratios,
- - industry specific issues,
- - corporate governance issues and internal
control environment, - - related party transactions,
- - incidence of business combinations and
disposals, - - audit qualifications and related issues,
- - administrative, court and regulatory actions,
- - third party signals (e.g. complaints received
by the Authority, press - reportage etc.)
41Methodology for selection of entity for review
- Potential impact on users users include
- - present and potential investors
- - shareholders
- - employees
- - lenders
- - suppliers and other trade creditors
- - customers
- - the Revenue Commissioners
- - regulatory authorities
- - the general public
42Methodology for selection of entity for review
- Potential impact on users factors include
- - Number, and nature of, retail investors
- - Size of undertaking (including number of
employees), - - Public profile,
- - Industry profile,
- - Whether the shares or other securities of the
undertaking are traded
on a public
stock exchange. For those undertakings that have
securities traded on a public stock exchange the
following will be considered - - Share trading activity and volatility in stock
price, - Market capitalisation,
- Number of investors,
- Nature of security traded
43S26 enforcement regime
- In circumstances where there is, or may be, an
issue regarding a set of financial statements
compliance with the Companies Acts or the IAS
Regulation, and those financial statements have
been - disseminated to members in advance of the AGM or
- laid before the AGM or
- delivered to the Registrar
- the Authority may give notice to the directors of
the entity concerned.
44S26 enforcement regime
- The aforementioned notice must specify
- the matters in respect of which it appears to the
Authority that a question of non-compliance
arises and - a period of not less than 30 days in which the
directors are required to furnish the Authority
with an explanation of the financial statements
or prepare revised financial statements.
45S26 enforcement regime
- In the event that, at the end of the specified
period, the directors have neither, in the
Authoritys opinion - given a satisfactory explanation
- nor revised the financial statements,
- the Authority may apply to the High Court for a
declaration of non-compliance and associated
orders.
46S26 enforcement regime
- If, having considered the matter, the High Court
is satisfied that an instance of non-compliance
exists, the Court may make a declaration to that
effect and may order the following - the revision of the financial statements and/or
directors report - the re-audit of the financial statements
- that the directors take specified steps to bring
the Court order to the notice of persons likely
to rely on the financial statements - that the Authoritys, and reporting entitys,
costs be awarded against the directors (in that
context, every person who was a director at the
time the financial statements were approved is
considered to have been a party to that approval
unless s/he can show that they took all
reasonable steps to prevent approval (section
26(9)).
47S26 enforcement regime
- In the event of an application being made to the
High Court, the Authority is required to furnish
the CRO with - notice of the application and
- a general statement of the matters at issue.
- On the conclusion of proceedings, the Authority
is required to furnish the CRO with - a copy of the Court Order or
- notice that the application has failed or has
been withdrawn.
48Liaising with other countries financial
reporting monitoring bodies
- IAASA an active participant in EECS (European
Enforcement Co-ordination Sessions) sub
committee of CESR monthly meetings - EECS Forum for discussing and co-ordinating
enforcement decisions in EU/EEA - A database of IFRS enforcement decisions in the
EU/EEA has been established not precedents but
likely to be persuasive reference point - Has been Irish EECS case which was brought to EU
Roundtable on Consistent Application of IFRS - CESR/EECS liasing with IASB and SEC on various
matters of mutual interest - EECS - very important part of SEC and EU road
map
49Other financial reporting functions
- Assisting the Board to discharge its functions as
an advisor to the Minister on accounting related
matters - - Advice on various matters as have arisen
- - Member of CLRG and advice on part A6 of
forthcoming Consolidation Bill dealing with
accounting and auditing - Co-operating in the development of accounting
standards and practice notes - - Irish Observer at ASB Board twice monthly
meetings - - Liaison with IASB
50- The Future of Financial Reporting in Ireland
51Re-cap on current accounting regimes operating in
Ireland
- Irish GAAP
- International Financial Reporting Standards
- Alternative Bodies of Accounting Standards
52European Communities (International Financial
Reporting Standards and Miscellaneous Amendments)
Regulations, 2005
- Mandatory IFRS financial statements for
- All consolidated group accounts for entities with
securities listed - on an EU regulated market for years beginning
1/1/05 - Group accounts of debt listed entities deferred
until years - beginning 1/1/07
53European Communities (International Financial
Reporting Standards and Miscellaneous Amendments)
Regulations, 2005
- Choice for all other companies to prepare
individual or group accounts as - Companies Act accounts
- or
- IFRS accounts
- One way choice, unless relevant change of
circumstances
54European Communities (International Financial
Reporting Standards and Miscellaneous Amendments)
Regulations, 2005
- Companies Act accounts are accounts prepared in
accordance with the accounting rules of company
law and Irish GAAP i.e. as issued by the UK
Accounting Standards Board (ASB) - IFRS accounts are accounts prepared in accordance
with IFRS as issued by the IASB and include
some mandatory disclosures from the Companies
Acts - As endorsed by the EU
55Investment Funds, Companies and Miscellaneous
Provisions Act, 2005.
- Investment companies, as defined by Part XIII of
the Companies Act, 1990 allowed to use
Alternative Bodies of Accounting Standards (ABAS) - ABAS US, Japanese and Canadian GAAP
56Main players involved in determining the future
of financial reporting in Ireland
57 Main players involved in financial reporting in
Ireland
IAASA
ASB
IASB
EU
Financial reporting
SEC
DETE
CESR
58International Accounting Standards Board (IASB)
- The accounting standards produced by the IASB
(previously the IASC) are - International Financial Reporting Standards
(IFRS) (7) - International Accounting Standards (30)
- Interpretations of these - IFRIC (10) and SIC
(11)
59Accounting Standards Board
- The accounting standards produced by the UK ASB
(previously the ASC) include - Financial Reporting Standards (FRS) (29)
- SSAP (of ASC) (7 active)
- Interpretations of these - UITF Abstracts (23)
60Financial Reporting Review Unit of IAASA
- Principal functions include
- - Monitoring whether the accounts of certain
classes of companies and other undertakings
comply with the Companies Acts - Co-operating in the development of accounting
standards and practice notes - Assisting the Board of IAASA to discharge its
functions as advisor to the Minister on
accounting and related matters - Liaising with other countries financial
reporting monitoring bodies and developing
contacts with those bodies.
61Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment
(DETE) and the European Union (EU)
- Various laws relating to accounting standards
including prescribing which accounting standards
should be used by the different categories of
companies, the format of those accounts, and
other accounting related EU regulations that are
transposed into Irish law by the DETE.
62The regulators CESR and SEC
- Primarily regulators of capital markets and
therefore impact on financial reporting.
63Influence of IFRS on UK/Irish GAAP
64Main differences between IFRS and UK/Irish GAAP
- Has been recent convergence to IFRS by ASB in
some areas, notably - Financial instruments
- Share-based payments
- Foreign currency
- Sample of differences outstanding
- Layout of P/L B/S
- Business combinations
- Deferred tax
- Investment properties
- Agriculture
- Pension Obligations
- Cash flow statement mandatory
- . and many more
65Other financial reporting functions
- Assisting the Board to discharge its functions as
an advisor to the Minister on accounting related
matters - - Advice on various matters as have arisen
- - Member of CLRG and advice on part A6 of
forthcoming Consolidation Bill dealing with
accounting and auditing - Co-operating in the development of accounting
standards and practice notes - - Irish Observer at ASB Board twice monthly
meetings - - Liaison with IASB
66What future for UK/Irish GAAP?
- As the world moves towards global accounting
standards - What is the future role for ASB in
setting accounting standards?
67The Accounting Standards Board (ASB)
- ASB is an operating body of the UK Financial
Reporting Council (FRC). - In Ireland, ASB standards are promulgated by
the ICAI. - Section 41 of the 2003 Companies Act
accounting standards . issued by any body or
bodies prescribed by regulation. Not yet
commenced. - Accounting standards responsibilities impacted by
move to International Financial Reporting
Standards (IFRS). - ASB has consulted on its future role in 2004,2005
and 2006.
68Future role for ASB- UITFs
- ASB acknowledges that national interpretations of
accounting standards should be rare. - ASB has stated that the International Financial
Reporting Interpretations Committee (IFRIC) is
the appropriate body to interpret IFRS. - Role of Urgent Issues Task Force (UITF) under
review.
69Future role for ASB FRSs/SSAPs
- ASB sees its role as primarily trying to
- influencing future direction of IASB standards
- influencing EU policy on accounting
standards, including the endorsement of IFRS - Future role in national standard setting might
include issuing standards in relation to - Entity specific issues for example, smaller
entities - Sector specific issues for example, use of
Statements of Recommended Practice (SORPs) and - Improving communication between companies and
investors narrative reporting and the Operating
and Financial Review (OFR).
70ASB convergence policy with IFRS
- ASB policy no case for maintaining differences
between the principles underlying Irish/UK GAAP
and IFRS. - Consulted on convergence strategy in 2004
responses indicated support for phased approach. - Responses to consultation on role in 2005
highlighted change of view - Phased approach complicated/difficult to
implement - Complicated IFRS may not be suitable for many
companies - Await the outcome of the IASB SME project.
- ASB now proposing to move to big bang
convergence from 2009
71ASB convergence current proposals
- ASB issued tentative proposals in May 2006 for
public comment - All publicly quoted and other publicly
accountable companies would be required to apply
full IFRS. - Use of the Financial Reporting Standard for
Smaller Entities (FRSSE) extended to include
medium-sized entities.
72ASB convergence current proposals
- Subsidiaries of group companies that apply full
IFRS would also be required to apply full IFRS
for measurement and recognition, but with reduced
disclosure requirements (yet to be determined). - No decision yet on companies that do not fall in
1, 2 or 3. Alternatives seem to be - extend FRSSE application further,
- apply IFRS to more companies,
- maintain Irish/UK GAAP for them, or
- some combination of (i), (ii) and (iii).
73Issues what is public accountability?
- IASB definition
- An entity has public accountability if
- (a) there is a high degree of outside interest
in the entity from non- management investors or
other stakeholders, and those stakeholders
depend primarily on external financial reporting
as their means of obtaining financial
information about the entity or - (b) the entity has an essential public service
responsibility because of the nature of its
operations. - How to put this definition into operation still
to be determined.
74Issues FRSSE or IASB SME standard?
- Is it appropriate to apply the FRSSE to
medium-sized and possibly even larger companies? - Final decisions will be made when the outcome of
the IASB SME project is clearer. - Possibility the EU will also get involved in an
SME project?
75Current hot topics for future changes in
financial reporting
76What direction are accounting standards going in?
- ASB convergence with IASB standards
- IASB formal agreements with US FASB and Japan.
- Convergence roadmap between IFRS and US GAAP
2008. - The potential impact of China and other emerging
economies.
77Current hot topics for future changes in
financial reporting
- Financial Statement presentation
- Fair value measurement
- Business combinations
- Revenue recognition
- Conceptual framework
- ... and many more
78Financial Statement presentation
- Current proposals are for 3 primary financial
statements -
Statement of FinancialPosition Statement of Earnings and Comprehensive Income Statement of Cash Flows
Business Operating Assets and Liabilities Treasury Assets Business Operating Income Treasury Income Business Operating Cash Flows Treasury Cash Flows
Financing Equity Financing Liabilities Financing Expenses Financing Cash Flows Equity Non-equity
79Financial Statement presentation
- Each set of accounts will consist of
- - 3 statements of financial position,
- - 2 statements of earnings and comprehensive
income/recognised income and expense, - - 2 statements of changes in equity, and
- - 2 statements of cash flows.
80Fair value measurement
- The objective of IASB/FASB joint project is to
- Define fair value,
- Establish a framework for measuring fair value
- Enhance disclosures about fair value, and
- Codify existing fair value measurement guidance
- Canadian DP Measurement on initial
recognition - FASB is nearing completion of its project on fair
value measurements
81Business combinations
- Joint IASB/FASB ED issued 30 June 2005 proposing
major changes to acquisition accounting. For
example e.g. - If acquirer purchases less than 100 recognise
assets and liabilities at the full amount of
their fair values and goodwill as the difference
between the fair value of the acquiree, as a
whole, and the fair value of assets acquired and
liabilities assumed. - the acquirer to account for acquisition-related
costs incurred in connection with the business
combination separately from the business
combination (generally as expenses).
82Revenue recognition
- Objectives are to
- Eliminate weaknesses in existing concepts and
standards. - - Focus on changes in assets and liabilities
- - Insufficient guidance on multiple-element
revenue arrangements - - Deal more comprehensively with recognition
criteria for various other types of transactions
- Converge IFRSs and US requirements approx 200
sources of standards and guidance on revenue
recognition in US GAAP. -
83Conceptual framework
- IASB and FASB joint agenda project to develop a
common conceptual framework. - Multi-phase project over a number of years
converged framework 2010? - More than an academic exercise. Will have major
impact on way in which the IASB/FASB will develop
and revise standards. - First discussion paper issued July 2006
84 85Contacts Further Information
- IAASA,
- 2nd Floor, Willow House,
- Millennium Park,
- Naas,
- Co. Kildare.
- Tel 353 (0)45 983600 Fax 353 (0)45
983601 - Email info_at_iaasa.ie
- Web www.iaasa.ie / www.iaasa.eu