Information Sharing

1. Information Sharing Alex Hillman, Small and Medium Practices (SMP) Committee Member IFAC SMP Forum 2009 Beijing, China October 28, 2009

2. Agenda Agenda • SMP/SME Objectives • IFAC Website • International Center for SMPs • IFACnet • Online SMP Networking Center • Conclusion

3. SME/SMP Objectives SMP/SME Objectives • Helping member bodies to help their SMPs • Helping to shape form and content of international standards • Provide practical support for SMPs • Increase capacity of SMPs to perform high quality work through networking and web-based resources • Help to remain relevant

4. IFAC Website Overview • Expecting 600,000+ visitors • 220+ countries in 2009

5. IFAC Website Recent Improvements • Global Financial Crisis Resource Center - http://www.ifac.org/financialcrisis • Online exposure draft comments submission - http://www.ifac.org/Guidance/EXD-Outstanding.php • Translations Database - http://www.ifac.org/Translations/ • IAASB Clarity Center - http://web.ifac.org/clarity-center/index • IESBA Resources - http://www.ifac.org/Ethics/Resources.php

6. IFAC Website Future Developments • Significant redesign • Enhanced publications section • site navigation • functionality • accessibility

7. International Center for SMPs Overview • See http://www.ifac.org/SMP/ • IFACnet portal • SMP Committee activities • Translation from English into 5 UN languages: Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, French, Russian • Expecting 10,000+ visitors in 2009

8. International Center for SMPs SMP eNews • Free quarterly electronic newsletter • Updates on IFAC projects, other global developments and special features • 10,000+ subscribers within 2 years of launch

9. International Center for SMPs Links • To free tools/guidance from member bodies and others • Assurance/accounting, business support, practice management, business overseas, & IT • To IFAC resources • IAASB Clarity Center • Translations Database • Global Crisis Resource Center (SME/SMP)

10. International Center for SMPs Other • Speeches • Material from past events • SMP/SME Discussion Board • For exchanging views on topical issues (e.g., coping with credit crisis, client retention) • For eliciting input to draft IFAC standards (e.g., alternative assurance services)

11. International Center for SMPs SMP Survey • Over 80 member bodies responded • Main relevant survey findings • Awareness/Usefulness of Existing Web-based Resources/Tools • Useful but limited awareness • How to help member bodies raise awareness? Via presentations, articles etc

12. International Center for SMPs SMP Survey • Possible new web-based resources/tools • Online database of materials supporting implementation of IFAC standards – strong support • Online SMP networking center and online professional education center - less strong support

13. Online SMP Networking Center Online SMP Networking Center • Communication between SMP to SMP and SMP to others • Purpose • Exchange of information and experience • Backing for international clientele • Answering technical queries • Forming informal referral networks

14. IFACnet Overview • See http://www.ifacnet.com • Customized web search engine providing access to resources of IFAC & member bodies (40+) • Non-member body websites (external providers): • FEE, PIOB, IASB & IAAER included • Others to follow soon • Expecting 70,000+ visitors in 2009 • Member bodies & firms can link to it

15. Conclusion Conclusion • Please see for yourself • Please subscribe to SMP eNews • Please communicate what we have to your members, colleagues etc. • Please provide feedback

16. Conclusion International Federation of Accountants  Thank you Alex Hillman, Small and Medium Practices (SMP) Committee Member