The IAESB Personal Perspectives Series shares insights from board members, technical advisors and other key stakeholders on some of the challenges affecting aspiring professional accountants and the importance of effective accountancy learning and development. This Perspective, All Professional Accountants Need to Include Skepticism in their Mindset, is from Keith Bowman, Former Chair of the IAESB Consultative Advisory Group and CEO at the Ontario Public Accountants Council, and Dr. W.

IFAC, the International Federation of Accountants, today announced its first accountancy capacity building project in Southeast Asia. The project will assist the Myanmar Institute of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA) in its work to strengthen the accountancy profession in Myanmar. IFAC has selected the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) to partner with MICPA on the project.

ACCA will partner with MICPA to build a sustainable professional accountancy organization that can act as the cornerstone of the profession in the country. The project will deliver a strategic plan and new governance structure for MICPA, in consultation with key national stakeholders.

“This project will contribute to Myanmar’s ongoing economic reform in line with the new government’s policy of liberalization, which includes modernizing the accountancy profession,” said Alta Prinsloo, IFAC Executive Director, Quality & Development. “As the first project under this Program in Southeast Asia, it offers opportunity to make a positive impact in the region.”

Myanmar, currently in the process of democratic transition, is one of East Asia’s fastest growing economies. The new government is committed to attracting investment for sustainable growth, and its support of this project demonstrates its recognition of the critical role that the accountancy profession can play in this process.

This project is funded with UK aid from the UK government. In 2014, the UK Department for International Development (DFID) reached an agreement with IFAC to provide funding of almost £5 million for PAO capacity building in at least ten emerging countries over seven years. Projects under the IFAC Capacity Building Program using DFID funding are currently underway in several countries including Ghana, Kyrgyzstan, Rwanda and Zimbabwe.  Partner organizations are selected following global Calls for Expressions of Interest and an extensive proposal and review process by the IFAC PAO Capacity Building Program Independent Selection Panel.

About IFAC
IFAC is the global organization for the accountancy profession dedicated to serving the public interest by strengthening the profession and contributing to the development of strong international economies. IFAC is comprised of more than 175 members and associates in more than 130 countries and jurisdictions, representing almost 3 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.

About DFID
The Department for International Development (DFID) leads the UK’s work to end extreme poverty. We're ending the need for aid by creating jobs, unlocking the potential of girls and women and helping to save lives when humanitarian emergencies hit. For more information visit www.gov.uk/dfid.

About MICPA
The Myanmar Institute of Certified Public Accounts is a professional body of Certified Public Accountants in Myanmar. The mission of the body is to communicate with international accountancy bodies and to distribute information to its members. MICPA was found under the Myanmar Accountancy Council (MAC), a policymaking body of accountants and auditors.

The IFAC Small and Medium Practices Committee had responded to the Fees Questionnaire towards the end of February 2018. On a macro level, it is the view of the Committee that the issue of fees is multi-faceted and IESBA will need to develop a more holistic approach to tackle any issue, perceived or otherwise in this domain in their next Strategic Work Plan 2019-2023. It is hoped that the data collected from this Survey will assist in shaping the IESBA’s work effort going forward.

This Call for Applications is an official notice for the general public outlining the responsibilities and selections process for the volunteer IAESB Chair role. The IAESB Chair leads a board of 17 volunteer members in setting international standards for accounting education. These global standards and related guidance set forth the principles that strengthen the professional skills, values, ethics and attitudes for accountants’ initial and continuing professional development.