Accounting

Reinforcing the key role of accountants and auditors in delivering the lubricant of trust to national and global economic engines.

Reinforcing the role of accountants and auditors in delivering the lubricant of trust to national and global economic engines.

"The International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) TODAY released revisions to the International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including International Independence Standards) (the Code) to better promote the role and mindset expected of all professional accountants.

The revisions explicitly recognize that the accountancy profession is entrusted with public confidence in the wide-ranging roles it plays in society and that such confidence is based on the skills and values it brings to its professional activities. Importantly, they reaffirm the profession’s responsibility to act in the public interest and the fundamental role of the Code in meeting that responsibility.

Among other matters, the revisions:

Reinforce aspects of the principles of integrity, objectivity and professional behavior;

Raise behavioral expectations of all professional accountants through requiring them to have an inquiring mind as they undertake their professional activities;

Emphasize the importance of accountants being aware of the potential influence of bias in their judgments and decisions; and

Highlight the supportive role the right organizational culture can play in promoting ethical conduct and business..."

Nigeria Financial Reporting Council provides guidelines on the execution of External Audits in the context of COVID 19

Where the impact of Covid-19 is, in the auditor's professional judgment one of the most significant matters having an impact on the audit of the financial statements, including those which had the greatest effect on: the overall audit strategy; the allocation of resources in the audit; and directing the efforts of the engagement team, then the auditor considers reporting this as a key audit matter for entities mandated to report key audit matters.

"Given the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequential impacts on employees, mobility, the financial systems, and the economy, it is very likely that auditors may encounter scope limitations or complex auditing and accounting issues which may require audit teams to consider modifications to audit opinions.

"Audit firms' Quality leaders/engagement partners are encouraged to reach out to the Council if there are any matters, they would require the support or clarification of the Council," it stated..."