The International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants posted two new publications from its staff to aid with implementation of two of its recent ethics standards on using the work of an external expert and sustainability assurance.
Both standards take effect in December 2026, and IESBA hopes to prepare accountants to understand the repercussions.
One publication, Questions and Answers on Using the Work of an External Expert, provides answers to questions on evaluating whether to use the work of an external expert; how to identify an external expert, the extended requirements for evaluating the objectivity of an external expert in the context of an audit or other assurance (including sustainability) engagement, concluding an external expert’s competence, capabilities and objectivity, potential threats arising from using the work of an external expert, and specific considerations related to the International Ethics Standards for Sustainability Assurance.
The other publication, Proportionality of IESSA, discusses aspects of the International Ethics Standards for Sustainability Assurance that illustrate its proportionality in providing a global ethics and independence baseline for sustainability assurance engagements for entities of all sizes. The publication is mainly geared toward implementation by small and medium practices.
