The Staff of the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) has released a Q&A publication to support the adoption and implementation of the revised long association provisions Changes to the Code Addressing Long Association of Personnel with an Audit or Assurance Client, which the IESBA approved in December 2016 under the extant structure and drafting conventions of the Code (“close-off document”).
The Q&A publication is designed to highlight, illustrate, or explain aspects of the revised partner rotation regime in the extant Code, and thereby assist in their proper application.
As part of Phase 2 of the Structure of the Code project, the close-off document is currently being restructured in accordance with the new structure and drafting conventions of the Code. The restructuring will not change the substance of the revised provisions. The restructured provisions are expected to be published as part of the restructured Code by the end of Q1 2018. The Q&A publication will be updated to align with the final restructured provisions and will be re-issued around the same time as the restructured Code.