Impact Assessment Process for IFAC

1. International Federation of Accountants Impact Assessment Process for IFAC Linda Lach and Alta Prinsloo April 28, 2009

2. Purpose of Impact Assessments Set out in clear and simple language: The nature of a problem and the objective to be achieved The options considered to achieve the objective Information used to analyze the options, including costs and benefits The final decision Document and communicate this process

3. Purpose of Impact Assessments Provides a systematic and structured approach for developing standards Provides credible evidential bases for decisions Increases transparency

4. Background Impact assessments becoming more widely used Project approved by IFAC Board IFAC staff allocated to project (IAASB and Operations) IAASB Task Force established IFAC Staff Group established Includes representative of IESBA staff

5. Criteria for Developing the Process Impact assessment steps to be integrated with due process project stages Impact assessment should be scalable The level of analysis should be proportionate to the likely impact of the proposal Process should be practical Process should be capable of application by all professional staff

6. Impact Assessment Steps Determine nature and magnitude of the problem and the need for action by the board Determine the objective in addressing the problem Identify stakeholders Identify options to achieve the objective Analyze the impact of the preferred option Consult with stakeholders Conduct overall assessment and conclude

7. Due Process Project Stages Project proposal Issues paper Consider need for public forums, roundtables or field tests Explanatory memorandum and exposure draft Summary of significant comments on the exposure draft Basis for conclusions

8. Relationship of Impact Assessment to Due Process Impact assessment does not add or delete due process stages Impact assessment steps already considered at various due process stages Impact assessment steps are brought together and documented in: Explanatory memorandum Basis for conclusions Explanatory memorandum provides opportunity for consultation on impact assessment

9. Impact Analysis Analyzing the impacts (costs and benefits) is a new step Qualitative vs. quantitative approach Template to summarize: Who will be affected How they will be affected To what extent they will be affected

10. Impact Analysis Template Note: Guidance on filling out the template is presented in italics and brackets. Note 1: Indicate whether the impact is for all entities or limited to specific industries, particular types of entity, or entities in particular jurisdictions. In particular, the difference between the impact on small and large firms should be considered. Note 2: Additional rows should be added as considered necessary. It may be helpful to categorize the area of impact and show the overall impact per category. For example, in the case of the IAASB, different stakeholders may be affected by an increase / decrease in work effort as a result of a proposed new requirement. The impact on work effort per stakeholders is shown as one category, and the overall impact on work effort determined.

11. Impact Analysis Template Developed for the IAASB Note: Guidance on filling out the template is presented in italics and brackets.

12. Impact Analysis Template Developed for the IAASB (continued)

13. Impact Analysis Template Developed for the IAASB (continued) Note 1: Audit effectiveness is meant to encompass reviews, compilations, and any other assurance services. Note 2: Present the size and type of the overall impact on the audit effectiveness. Note 3: Indicate whether audit effectiveness, work effort, or other impact is affected for all entities or is limited to specific industries, particular types of entities, or entities in particular jurisdictions. In particular, the difference between the impact on small and large firms should be considered. Note 4: Present the size and type of the impact on each stakeholder, as well as the size and type of the overall impact on work effort. Note 5: The references to Auditors are assumed to include Supreme Audit Institutions. Note 6: For example, in the case of the IAASB, the impact of a new requirement for audit planning may have a larger impact on small firms than large firms, while a new requirement relating to the work of internal auditors may have little or no impact on smaller firms. Note 7: For example, in the case of the IAASB, a new requirement for management to use an expert may create additional costs and effort for management to interact with the expert, and for management’s expert to interact with the auditor’s expert. Note 8: Present the size and type of the impact on each stakeholder, as well as the size and type of the overall other impacts. Note 9: Investors are considered to be a representative subset of users. The “Framework for the Preparation and Presentation of Financial Statements,” adopted by the IASB in April 2001, indicates that, for a profit-oriented entity, as investors are providers of risk capital to the enterprise, the provision of financial statements that meet their needs will also meet most of the needs of other users that financial statements can satisfy.

14. Impact Analysis Impact analysis to be performed for: Overall standard – Template Preferred option for each key issue/decision – Template optional Presented in explanatory memorandum Description and questions in body of document Template(s) presented in an appendix Respondents to confirm analysis Respondents may be asked to field test Final analysis presented in basis for conclusions

15. Testing the Process IAASB Task Force tested the process on ISA 265 Supported the overall approach Made changes to improve the impact analysis Agreed that guidance should be developed to assist application In the future, each Board will be asked to pilot test IAASB staff will pilot test after IAASB approves process IESBA and other boards will then be asked to pilot test Completed examples will become part of the guide

16. Consultation To date: IAESB CAG in February IAASB-National Standard Setters Meeting in April Planned: Present to IAASB for approval in June SMP Committee in May IAESB Board in June Other Boards and CAGs in 2009