The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) has appointed Richard Fleck as the independent Chair of the Consultative Advisory Group (CAG) to the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA). Mr. Fleck was elected by members of the CAG and his appointment, which is for a three-year term, beginning May 2006, was approved by the Public Interest Oversight Board (PIOB).*
"We are delighted by Mr. Fleck's appointment to this very significant role. His experience and leadership will be invaluable to the CAG as it provides public interest input to the IESBA," states IFAC President Graham Ward.
The CAG, which includes representatives of organizations** that have an interest in international ethics issues, provides technical advice and input on the strategic direction of the IESBA. The IESBA establishes, independently and under its own authority, the IFAC Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants and other ethical standards and guidance for use by professional accountants around the world. The PIOB oversees the standard-setting activities of the IESBA to ensure that they are properly responsive to the public interest.
Commenting on the appointment, Professor Stavros Thomadakis, Chair of the PIOB, stated: "We welcome Mr. Fleck's appointment as the first independent chair of the IESBA CAG. This major step completes the CAG structure contemplated for this important element of IFAC reform. It will also further strengthen the due process applied to setting international ethical standards and guidance."
Mr. Fleck is a partner with Herbert Smith, an international legal practice with 1,100 lawyers in Europe and Asia. His practice experience includes mergers and acquisitions, competition and regulation, insolvency, dispute resolution, and accountancy work. Mr. Fleck is a member of the United Kingdom Financial Reporting Council and Chairman of the UK Auditing Practices Board.
The Chair of the CAG acts as the primary representative of those who use or rely on IESBA standards and guidance and encourages a deeper understanding by the IESBA of the public's needs and expectations. The Chair provides leadership direction to the CAG, overseeing the achievement of the CAG's goals and objectives. As the CAG's liaison with the PIOB, the IESBA and identified key stakeholders, the Chair is also responsible for communicating the views of the CAG to these bodies and conveying the views of these bodies to the CAG.
IFAC is the worldwide organization for the accountancy profession dedicated to serving the public interest by strengthening the profession and contributing to the development of strong international economies. Its current membership consists of over 160 professional accountancy bodies in 120 countries, representing more than 2.5 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry and commerce. IFAC, through its independent standard-setting boards, sets international standards on auditing and assurance, ethics, education, and public sector accounting. It also issues guidance to encourage high-quality performance by professional accountants in business.
* Note to Editors
The Public Interest Oversight Board (PIOB), established in 2005, oversees IFAC's public interest activities with the objective of increasing the confidence of investors and others that such activities, including the setting of standards, are properly responsive to the public interest. The PIOB oversees the activities of the IESBA and of the CAG and, as one element of this oversight, establishes the criteria for their due processes and working procedures. PIOB members are nominated by international institutions and regulatory bodies.
** IESBA Consultative Advisory Group Members (As of April 30, 2006)
Auditing Practices Board (United Kingdom)
Basel Committee on Banking Supervision
CFA Institute
Eastern Central and Southern African Federation of Accountants
European Federation of Accountants and Auditors for SMEs
European Federation of Financial Executives' Institutes
Fédération des Experts Comptables Européens
Institute of Internal Auditors
International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board Consultative Advisory Group
International Corporate Governance Network
International Organization of Securities Commissions
International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States)
World Bank
