A strong and well-governed professional accountancy organization (PAO) produces and sustains a strong accountancy profession that is able to serve the public interest and contribute to economic stability and growth. A successful PAO gains much of its strength from the sense of identity, benefits, and rights that members derive from membership; and from the contributions that individual members and firms make to the PAO in recognition of its public interest perspective.

This third edition of the guide features enhancements to the two sample manuals, as well as other refinements for clarity and consistency with International Standard on Quality Control (ISQC) 1. The guide contains the requirements set out in ISQC 1 in addition to implementation guidance, including discussion material and an integrated case study that can be used as the basis for education and training.

The International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board^® (IPSASB^®) has published its Work Program Consultation. Having set its overall strategy for the period 2024-2028 through a public consultation, this new Consultation seeks to understand stakeholders’ greatest needs in relation to individual financial reporting projects, post implementation reviews and sustainability reporting projects. By engaging with its stakeholders, the IPSASB aims to ensure its future work program projects are responsive, relevant, and aligned with the evolving needs of the global public sector.

“Understanding the greatest needs of stakeholders will allow the Board to determine how best to deploy resources as they become available,” said Ian Carruthers, IPSASB Chair. “With resources to undertake new initiatives anticipated to become available during 2026 and onwards, the IPSASB decided that now is the time to consult with stakeholders to determine their future project needs.”

IPSASB will take decisions during 2026 on the individual projects to add to its future work program based on stakeholder feedback from the consultation that last until May 4, 2026, bearing in mind the available Board resources.

How to Access
Access the IPSASB’s Work Program Consultation. The IPSASB encourages IFAC members, associates, and Network Partners to promote the availability of the Work Program Consultation and encourages all interested stakeholders to respond to inform the IPSASB as it sets it next Work Program.

About the IPSASB
The International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB) works to strengthen public financial management globally through developing and maintaining accrual-based International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS Standards), IPSASB Sustainability Reporting Standards (IPSASB SRS™ Standards) and other high-quality financial reporting guidance for use by governments and other public sector entities. It also raises awareness of IPSAS Standards and IPSASB SRS Standards and promotes the adoption and implementation of these to enhance the quality and consistency of practice throughout the world and strengthen the transparency and accountability of public sector finances and sustainable development. The Board receives support from the Asian Development Bank, the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada, the New Zealand External Reporting Board, the government of Canada, and The World Bank. The structures and processes that support the operations of the IPSASB are facilitated by the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC®). For copyright, trademark, and permissions information, please go to permissions or contact permissions@ifac.org.

About the Public Interest Committee
The governance and standard-setting activities of the IPSASB are overseen by the Public Interest Committee (PIC), to ensure that they follow due process and reflect the public interest. The PIC is comprised of individuals with expertise in public sector or financial reporting, and professional engagement in organizations that have an interest in promoting high-quality and internationally comparable financial information.

The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) today announced the appointment of Helene Agélii (Sweden) as Chair of the Small and Medium Practices Advisory Group (SMP AG), Sinéad Donovan (Ireland) as Chair of the International Panel on Accountancy Education (IPAE), and Josephine Okui Ossiya (Uganda) as Chair of the Professional Accountants in Business Advisory Group (PAIB AG). Each brings a wealth of leadership experience and proven records of advancing the global accountancy profession.

“We are delighted to welcome Sinéad, Josephine, and Helene—three outstanding members of the global accountancy community,” said Jean Bouquot, IFAC President. “Each has demonstrated exceptional leadership in advancing our profession and supporting the public interest, our members, and our collective mission. Their perspectives will be invaluable as we work together to shape the future of accountancy through learning, innovation, and a collective voice. I also extend my deep gratitude to the outgoing chairs for their dedicated service and impactful contributions.”

Ms. Helene Agélii, Incoming Chair, Small and Medium Practices Advisory Group

Ms. Agélii arrives with extensive experience in a variety of leadership roles in the accountancy profession. As Secretary General of the Nordic Federation of Public Accountants, she has deepened the collaborative relationships between the national accountancy bodies in the Nordic countries and, on the global stage, was a strong advocate for the development of an international auditing standard suitable for smaller and less complex entities—a need that was subsequently recognized and addressed by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB). Ms. Agélii previously served as general counsel for the Swedish Institute for Professional Accountants (FAR), as a technical advisor to the IAASB, as a member of the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA), and in multiple capacities with IFAC, including within the SMP AG. She has applied her background in law as an expert advisor for Swedish government bodies on implementing EU audit regulations into Swedish law.

Ms. Sinéad Donovan, Incoming Chair, International Panel on Accountancy Education

Ms. Donovan brings with her a distinguished record in professional leadership and contribution to the accountancy profession. As former Chair and Partner at Grant Thornton Ireland, Ms. Donovan led the firm through transformative growth across multiple international markets. She has been significantly involved in the development of the accountancy profession in Ireland, including terms as President of Accounting Technicians Ireland and Chartered Accountants Ireland (CAI), the latter coinciding with the amalgamation of CAI and CPA Ireland. Her longstanding commitment to accountancy education includes serving as Chair of the Education Board at CAI, where she championed curriculum modernization and university engagement.

Mrs. Josephine Okui Ossiya, Incoming Chair, Professional Accountants in Business Advisory Group

Mrs. Josephine Okui Ossiya brings a distinguished record of leadership in finance, capital markets, and governance across Africa. Currently serving as Chief Executive Officer of the Capital Markets Authority Uganda, she has held senior executive roles including Chief Finance Officer of Bujagali Energy Limited, Finance Director at Eskom Uganda, and CFO and Head of Finance at ATC Ghana. A committed leader in the accountancy profession, Mrs. Ossiya is the immediate Past President of Council of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda, a Fellow of ACCA (UK), and a founding member of the Institute of Internal Auditors Uganda. She also contributes to public service through her board role at the Bank of Uganda, where she chairs key committees, and through her work in education and entrepreneurship.

Nominated by IFAC’s member organizations, these new chairs represent some of the profession’s most respected leaders and reinforce the global reach of IFAC’s network. Together with its members, IFAC works to shape the future of accountancy through learning, innovation, and a collective voice—always with a commitment to integrity, quality, and the public interest. Membership in IFAC is not only a mark of international recognition, but also a symbol of the profession’s unity and shared responsibility as a truly global force.

About IFAC

IFAC, by connecting and uniting its members, makes the accountancy profession truly global.

IFAC member organizations are champions of integrity and professional quality, and proudly carry their membership as a badge of international recognition.

IFAC and its members work together to shape the future of the profession through learning, innovation, a collective voice, and commitment to the public interest.