The international auditing standasdsetting process

Abstract

Audit quality contributes to the confidence in the quality of financial statements and promotes their effective use. At the same time, this is essential for the better functioning of the financial and capital markets and the proper management of entities, both private and public. International auditing standards are a key element to ensure the audit quality. The accounting profession, through the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), was the first to rise to the challenge of developing international auditing standards, which was carried out successfully, producing a high-quality set of standards. Based on an alleged perception of undue influence of the profession in the standard-setting process, international organisations of regulatory bodies have promoted a reform and issued recommendations that will significantly reduce the participation of this profession in the standard-setting process. Nothing ensures that the proposed changes will increase the standards quality. The accounting profession faces the challenge of finding a new position from which to continue effectively fulfilling its mission of promoting high-quality professional practices and serving the public interest.