In an IESBA "Message from the Chair", IESBA Chair Gabriela Figueiredo Dias discusses the key points of the December 2025 IESBA Meeting in New York.

The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) and the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) welcome the appointment of Emily Fitts as the new Chair of the Monitoring Group. The Monitoring Group is a group of international financial institutions and regulatory bodies committed to advancing the public interest in areas related to international audit standard setting and audit quality.

Commenting on Ms. Fitts’ appointment, Gabriela Figueiredo Dias and Tom Seidenstein, Chairs of the IESBA and IAASB respectively, said: 

“We are pleased to welcome Emily Fitts as the new Chair of the Monitoring Group. Her extensive experience in public accounting and public service, including her leadership on international audit and standard-setting matters at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, brings valuable insight to this important role. 

“The Monitoring Group plays a vital role in supporting the credibility and effectiveness of the international audit, assurance, ethics, and independence standard-setting system. We are confident that under Ms. Fitts’ leadership, the Monitoring Group will continue to advance high-quality global standards that serve investors and the broader public interest. 

“We look forward to working closely with Ms. Fitts and continuing our strong engagement with the Monitoring Group. Together, we remain committed to ensuring that international standards evolve in step with the needs of global markets and stakeholders. 

“We also thank Ryan Wolfe for his leadership and contributions during his tenure as Chair.” 

Note for Editors
Monitoring Group Members: The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, European Commission, Financial Stability Board, International Association of Insurance Supervisors, International Forum of Independent Audit Regulators, International Organization of Securities Commissions, and the World Bank

About IAASB and IESBA 
The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board and the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants are part of the International Foundation for Ethics and Audit (IFEA), a nonprofit organization that supports high-quality, international ethics, audit, and assurance standards in the public interest. The IAASB and IESBA develop and issue their standards independently and in accordance with an approved due process and the Public Interest Framework, overseen by the Public Interest Oversight Board. 

The IAASB develops auditing, assurance, related services, and quality management standards and guidance in the public interest that support consistent performance of quality engagements. 

The IESBA is an independent global standard-setting board that serves the public interest by developing high-quality international ethics and independence standards. These standards promote ethical behavior in business and strengthen public trust in financial and non-financial information, which is essential for the effective functioning and long-term sustainability of organizations, markets, and economies worldwide. 

The IAASB and IESBA develop and issue their standards independently and in accordance with an approved due process and the Public Interest Framework, overseen by the Public Interest Oversight Board. 

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In her New Year message, IESBA Chair Gabriela Figueiredo Dias affirms the Board's commitment to supporting stakeholders in navigating uncertainty. Robust ethical baselines and principles are even more important in these times.

In her message, Ms. Dias highlights the IESBA’s commitment to supporting its stakeholders in upholding trust and the public interest, and looks ahead to the work the IESBA is carrying forward, including continued engagement on Firm Culture and Governance, the rollout of the SMART framework to strengthen how the IESBA supports its stakeholders and delivers more value, and a sustained focus on the adoption and implementation of recently issued standards.

In an IESBA "Message from the Chair", IESBA Chair Gabriela Figueiredo Dias discusses the key points of the September 2025 IESBA Meeting in Lisbon.

On behalf of IAASB, IESBA and IFEA, we warmly congratulate Tshegofatso (Tshego) B. Modise on her appointment as Chair of the Public Interest Oversight Board (PIOB). Ms. Modise brings deep experience in governance, risk management, and the accountancy profession, and we look forward to working with her to advance the public interest through strong, globally accepted assurance and ethics standards.

We also extend our sincere gratitude to Linda de Beer for her dedicated leadership of the PIOB over the past five years. Her tenure coincided with a period of profound change, during which she oversaw the careful implementation of the Monitoring Group’s 2020 Recommendations and guided the PIOB’s oversight through a time of significant global challenge and transformation.

The IAASB and IESBA share with the PIOB a commitment to enhancing trust and confidence in the audit and accountancy profession and the information it provides to stakeholders worldwide. Under Ms. Modise’s leadership, we are confident that our close collaboration with the PIOB will continue to strengthen the international standard-setting system and deliver standards that serve the global public interest.

Gabriela Figueiredo Dias
Chair, International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA)
Co-CEO, International Foundation for Ethics and Audit (IFEA)

Tom Seidenstein
Chair, International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB)
Co-CEO, International Foundation for Ethics and Audit (IFEA)

In an IESBA "Message from the Chair", IESBA Chair Gabriela Figueiredo Dias discusses the key points of the June 2025 IESBA Meeting in New York City.

“Ethics is not a barrier — it’s the foundation” - A key message from IESBA Chair Gabriela Figueiredo Dias' open invitation to the IESBA Ethics & Independence Conference 2025. In this video, Ms. Dias previews this can’t-miss event for global leaders navigating disruption, innovation, and public trust. Join us in Lisbon or online this September for a one-day, high-impact program featuring voices from business, regulation, and the profession. Learn more and register: https://www.ethicsboard.org/iesba-conference-2025

In IESBA's first "Message from the Chair", IESBA Chair Gabriela Figueiredo Dias discusses the key points of the March 2025 IESBA Meeting in New York City.

The International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) welcomes the announcement by Australia's Accounting Professional & Ethical Standards Board (APESB) of the adoption of the IESBA’s Global Ethics Sustainability Standards. With this move, Australia becomes the first jurisdiction to formally embed ethics and independence standards for sustainability reporting and assurance into its national framework. 

Gabriela Figueiredo Dias, IESBA Chair, said:
“Australia’s leadership has sent a powerful signal: ethics and independence must be at the heart of how sustainability information is developed, assured, and trusted. This is more than a milestone, it’s the start of a global movement. As more jurisdictions follow, we’re helping to lay the ethical foundation around the world for a sustainability reporting system that serves the public interest, builds confidence, and drives meaningful change.”

Released in January 2025, the IESBA’s sustainability-related ethics and independence standards include the International Ethics Standards for Sustainability Assurance (IESSA), along with new provisions on sustainability reporting and the use of external experts. Together, they establish globally consistent expectations for ethical conduct and independence in sustainability reporting and assurance. 

For more on IESSA and implementation resources, click here.

About IESBA

The International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) is an independent global standard-setting board. The IESBA’s mission is to serve the public interest by setting high-quality, international ethics (including independence) standards as a cornerstone to ethical behavior in business and organizations, and to public trust in financial and non-financial information that is fundamental to the proper functioning and sustainability of organizations, financial markets and economies worldwide.

Along with the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB), the IESBA is part of the International Foundation for Ethics and Audit (IFEA). The Public Interest Oversight Board (PIOB) oversees IESBA and IAASB activities and the public interest responsiveness of the standards.

The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board and the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants applaud the appointment of Ryan Wolfe as the new Chair of the Monitoring Group.

Commenting on Mr. Wolfe’s appointment, Gabriela Figueiredo Dias and Tom Seidenstein, IESBA and IAASB Chairs, respectively, said: “We are delighted to welcome Mr. Wolfe as the new Chair of the Monitoring Group. His extensive experience in regulatory oversight roles and his new role as Acting Chief Accountant of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission will bring invaluable perspective and expertise to this important position.

“The Monitoring Group plays a crucial role in advancing the public interest in international standard setting. We are confident that under Mr. Wolfe's leadership, the Monitoring Group will continue to promote high-quality international audit, assurance, ethics, and independence standards, benefiting investors and other stakeholders in global capital markets.

“We look forward to working closely with Mr. Wolfe, and continuing to partner with the Monitoring Group. Together, we will strive to ensure that our standards remain relevant and aligned with evolving international practices.

“Congratulations, Mr. Wolfe, on this new role. We wish you great success.”