Updated March 2026
At its March 2026 meeting, the IAASB considered the first full draft of Proposed International Standard on Auditing (ISA) 330 (Revised), The Auditor's Responses to Assessed Risks; Proposed ISA 500 (Revised), Audit Evidence; and Proposed ISA 520 (Revised), Analytical Procedures—the in-scope standards—together with conforming and consequential amendments to other ISAs as a result of the proposed revisions to the in-scope standards.
The proposed revisions aim to promote consistent practice and modify behavior. Key outcomes of the discussions include:
- Setting out a comprehensive framework for making judgments about all audit evidence obtained in an audit, including the alignment of principles and concepts among the standards to support consistent interpretations of the work effort requirements.
- Enhancing the requirements and introductory and application material to emphasize the crucial role of professional skepticism when obtaining and evaluating audit evidence and in responding to risks of material misstatement.
- Strengthening the auditors’ work on internal controls and broadening the scope of tests of controls, further encouraging, but not mandating, a controls-based approach.
- Facilitating the design of robust audit procedures capable of detecting material misstatements at the assertion level by clarifying the principles underpinning effective substantive procedures.
- Recognizing the evolution in technology by clarifying how the principles-based requirements apply when using technological tools to obtain and evaluate audit evidence.
Since December 2025, the project has continued its ongoing engagement with stakeholders as part of project-specific and general outreach, and coordinated with other IAASB projects, consultation groups, and the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA).
The IAASB will discuss targeted matters resulting from the March 2026 meeting, including responding to comments received and updated drafting, at the mid-quarter IAASB call on May 6, 2026. In June 2026, the IAASB anticipates a vote on approving Proposed ISA 330 (Revised), Proposed ISA 500 (Revised) and Proposed ISA 520 (Revised) for public consultation.
For further information, visit the Audit Evidence and Risk Response project page.
Updated March 2026
In March 2026, the IAASB approved the project proposal to revise specific audit evidence standards in the ISA 500 Series:
- ISA 501, Audit Evidence —Specific Considerations for Selected Items —only relating to inventory; and
- ISA 505, External Confirmations.
The IAASB aims to modernize these standards to reflect more appropriately the business and audit environment, including the implications of using technology, so that they remain fit-for-purpose and address new or evolving risks and practical considerations, as well as reinforce the appropriate exercise of professional skepticism.
In March 2026, the IAASB also began deliberation of key issues by focusing on selected issues:
- Alignment with concepts for identification and assessment of, and responding to, risks of material misstatement;
- Inventory under the custody and control of a third party;
- Negative confirmations; and
- Considerations about the need to perform external confirmation procedures, specifically in relation to certain account balances.
In June 2026, the IAASB will discuss the other issues included in the approved project proposal, with an exposure draft targeted for approval in December 2026.
For further information, visit the ISA 500 Series project page.
Updated March 2026
At the December 2025 meeting, the IAASB approved the project proposal of the first revision of the International Standard on Auditing for Audits of Financial Statements of Less Complex Entities (the ISA for LCE), as a result of the following IAASB projects:
- ISA 240 (Revised), The Auditor’s Responsibilities Relating to Fraud in an Audit of Financial Statements;
- ISA 570 (Revised 2024), Going Concern;
- The narrow scope amendments to the ISAs as a result of the revisions to the definitions of listed entity and public interest entity in IESBA Code; and
- The narrow scope amendments to IAASB Standards arising from the IESBA’s using the work of an external expert project.
This maintenance project is being conducted in line with the IAASB Approach Statement, as discussed and cleared by the IAASB in December 2025.
Following the discussion of the first full draft of the proposed revised ISA for LCE at the March 2026 meeting, the Project Team will engage directly with relevant stakeholders to obtain insights on whether the proposed revisions are proportionate to the typical nature and circumstances of a less complex entity (LCE). In June 2026, the IAASB will review and discuss an updated draft of the revised standard for approval.
To learn more about the maintenance of the ISA for LCE, visit the project page.
Updated March 2026
Following the launch in January 2025 of International Standard on Sustainability Assurance (ISSA) 5000, General Requirements for Sustainability Assurance Engagements, along with the ISSA 5000 Implementation Guide, the IAASB has focused on supporting the adoption and implementation of ISSA 5000.
The IAASB continues to work directly with stakeholders and develop supporting materials to:
- Encourage adoption of ISSA 5000 as the global baseline for sustainability assurance, applicable for both mandatory and voluntary assurance engagements on sustainability information reported; and
- Enable effective and consistent implementation of ISSA 5000 across different jurisdictions and practitioners worldwide.
Following on the FAQ on sustainability reporting in the European Union, issued in Q4 2025, additional FAQs on materiality and general matters are under development (including in coordination with IESBA) for release in Q2-Q4 2026, addressing implementation issues and questions arising from stakeholder feedback.
The IAASB’s website includes ISSA 5000 adoption information based on ongoing monitoring and regular updates. Visit www.IAASB.org/ISSA5000 for jurisdictional adoption status and contact the IAASB to update us on adoption in your jurisdiction.
To support effective and consistent ISSA 5000 implementation, the IAASB invites stakeholders to submit implementation questions or matters for the IAASB’s consideration. To access the submission form, visit the ISSA 5000 webpage “Submit Questions & Feedback on ISSA 5000 Implementation”.
Updated March 2026
At its March 2026 meeting, the IAASB unanimously approved Proposed International Standard for Review Engagement (ISRE) 2410 (Revised), Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity’s Annual Financial Statements for public exposure.
The proposed revised standard aims to set a global baseline for the consistent performance of high-quality interim review engagements, by:
- Setting clear requirements that include foundational principles of an interim review engagement and more prescriptive requirements where necessary for clarity, to support consistent application, or for ease of compliance;
- Strengthening or extending requirements related to going concern, fraud, group audits, and non-compliance with laws and regulations (NOCLAR), in recognition of the public interest associated with these areas; and
- Modernizing requirements related to the auditor’s interim review report, including a format consistent with the report on audited financial statements. The proposed interim review report also has a clearer description of an interim review engagement and its differences with an audit engagement, and a new section for reporting on going concern, in the context of a limited assurance engagement.
Proposed ISRE 2410 (Revised) will be issued for exposure in early May 2026, with a comment period of 120 days.
For further information, visit the ISRE 2410 project page.
Updated March 2026
In February 2026, the IAASB launched a public consultation survey as part of its post-implementation review on ISA 540 (Revised), Auditing Accounting Estimates and Related Disclosures. This survey is open until June 15, 2026.
The survey seeks input from a broad range of stakeholders and includes tailored questions to reflect the perspectives and experiences of various stakeholder groups, ensuring that each respondent answers questions relevant to their role and interaction with ISA 540 (Revised) or its outputs.
The survey focuses on three principal areas:
- Overall views on ISA 540 (Revised), including those related to non-authoritative guidance and tools that were issued to support implementation of the standard;
- Perceived benefits resulting from implementation of the revised standard; and
- Potential issues, challenges, or impacts experienced or observed relating to ISA 540 (Revised).
The Project Team will consider comments received along with the input from additional targeted outreach or other information-gathering activities to develop views and recommendations for the IAASB’s consideration in September and December 2026
Updated December 2025
In December 2025, the IAASB and the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) approved a joint survey as a first step in the IAASB’s and IESBA’s process to develop their respective Strategies and Work Plans for 2028–2031.
The joint survey was opened on January 21, closing May 15, to gather stakeholders’ views on specific matters, including the Boards’ strategic positioning, trends impacting the Boards and areas for joint actions. This information will help inform the Boards as they develop their respective consultation papers for their strategies and work plans.
The joint survey was developed with a broad range of stakeholders in mind as input from a diverse group of stakeholders will help the Boards better understand the role of professional accountants in the environment and how the Boards can best serve the public interest through their missions of developing high-quality international standards.
The next IAASB discussion of the strategy and work plan is scheduled for September 2026, when the IAASB will consider a summary of responses to the joint survey and review an initial draft of the IAASB’s strategy and work plan consultation paper.
Updated March 2026
In March 2026, the IAASB expressed support for IAASB staff researching and gathering information on subject matter-specific assurance engagements other than sustainability with a two-fold objective:
- To understand subject matter-specific assurance engagements being undertaken or emerging, whether mandatory or voluntary, and their potential global relevance. This includes updating the IAASB’s information on assurance related to XBRL and its potential priority as a reserve topic that could be elevated to the current work plan.
- To identify the standards used when these engagements are undertaken, including existing jurisdictional standards or guidance.
The primary focus of this information gathering is identifying and understanding assurance engagements that are not specific to a single or only a few jurisdictions, and that are not linked to a narrow topic, such as specific regulatory requirements. It is also important to understand the extent to which such engagements are related to general-purpose external reporting of entities because this is relevant in indicating proximity to the IAASB’s remit.
Initial feedback and views will be presented for discussion at the IAASB’s September 2026 meeting.
Updated March 2026
In March 2026, the IAASB discussed and cleared the IAASB’s Technology Catalog Process: Approach to Addressing Technology-Related Matters.
The Approach formalizes how the IAASB identifies, evaluates, and responds to technology-related matters that may affect consistent or effective application of the IAASB’s standards, and how those matters are tracked on the IAASB’s Technology Catalog. Accordingly, the Approach serves two purposes:
- Transparency: To explain how technology-related matters are identified, added to the Technology Catalog, and documented over time.
- Consistency and discipline: To support a consistent approach to evaluating technology-related matters and determining the IAASB’s preliminary direction on actions, including whether standard setting or non-authoritative material is the most appropriate response.
In addition, the Approach describes a tailored process for developing non-authoritative material when such material is the most appropriate response to a technology-related matter. In general, the Approach requires that such material follow a Board-led approach in which materials are developed through structured working groups, public deliberations, and culminating in approval by a majority vote.
At its June 2026 meeting, the IAASB will discuss a monitoring update related to Component 3 activities of the Technology Position, as well as proposed updates to the Technology Catalog made in accordance with the Approach. For further information, visit the Technology Position project page.
Updated March 2026
At the March 2026 meeting, the IAASB approved the Technology Quality Management Workstream Action Plan to Develop Non-Authoritative Material. The Action Plan sets out the scope, development approach, governance, and timetable for developing non-authoritative material to support consistent and effective application of the IAASB’s quality management standards when technological tools enabled by emerging technologies are used in engagements.
The Action Plan also outlines key design and delivery features of the workstream, including:
- A planned series of guides, organized using a layering approach to reflect where quality management responsibilities typically arise in practice;
- A coverage map to support coherent and complete topic coverage across the guide series and help avoid duplication; and
- A timeline designed to allow flexibility in IAASB deliberations and approvals while supporting timely publication of the guides.
The non-authoritative material will be developed in accordance with Section 4 of the IAASB’s Technology Catalog Process: Approach to Addressing Technology-Related Matters, which the IAASB also discussed and cleared in March 2026. That approach explains the tailored process for developing technology-related non-authoritative material, including IAASB oversight and approval of final content during a public meeting.
At its June 2026 meeting, the IAASB plans to discuss a proposed list of topics for the guide series and draft content for selected topics.
For further information, visit the Technology Quality Management Workstream web page.