In this eNews you will find:
- Highlights from our December meeting
- Our focus on technology
- Our plans for Q1 2026
- Key dates for this quarter
Highlights from Our December Meeting
During our December 2025 meeting, the IAASB and IESBA approved a joint stakeholder survey to inform the development of the IAASB and IESBA’s respective Strategies and Work Plans for 2028–2031. In addition, we approved (i) the IAASB Approach Statement for maintaining the ISA for LCE, (ii) the first maintenance project proposal for the ISA for LCE and (iii) the ISA 540 (Revised) post-implementation review survey.
Other topics we discussed during our meeting included:
- Audit Evidence and Risk Response (Project Stage: Exposure Draft Development) – We discussed several specific topics to inform the drafting of proposed ISA 330 (Revised), ISA 500 (Revised) and ISA 520 (Revised). At our March 2026 meeting we will discuss a first full draft of these standards.
- ISRE 2410 (Revised), Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity (Project Stage: Exposure Draft Development) – We discussed a full draft of proposed ISRE 2410 (Revised) and we anticipate voting to approve the exposure draft at our March 2026 meeting.
- ISA 500 Series (Project Stage: Project Proposal) – We discussed key insights from outreach and the draft project proposal, including the in-scope standards for this project.
- Technology Quality Management – We discussed key insights from a six-month information-gathering phase, including finding from eight roundtables held around the world, which informed the decision to develop non-authoritative materials as the way forward for this project. At our March 2026 meeting, we will consider a proposed action plan, including the initiative’s objective, scope, themes/topics to be addressed, and the nature, scope, and timing of anticipated deliverables.
Recordings of the December 2025 meeting are available on our YouTube channel and more information on our projects can be found on the Latest on Our Projects web page.
Our Focus on Technology
In light of the changing environment and the increased use of emerging technologies by firms and entities, we developed our Technology Position in 2024. The Technology Position details how we consider the impact of technology in standard setting and other related activities, and recognizes the transformative potential of technology in enhancing audit and assurance quality. It also clarifies our commitment to actively facilitate and, where appropriate, encourage the appropriate use of technology in engagements and systems of quality management. As part of this initiative, we developed a gap analysis to identify our potential actions, including possible standard setting opportunities. The findings of this analysis are captured in the Catalog of Issues and Possible Actions, which will continue to be reviewed and updated as needed.
Currently, we have three projects focused on technology:
- Technology Quality Management – This project aims to support consistent and effective application of the quality management standards to emerging technologies.
- Audit Evidence and Risk Response – Among other matters, this project aims to facilitate, and where appropriate, encourage auditors' use of technology in obtaining audit evidence and evaluating its sufficiency and appropriateness.
- ISA 500 Series – This project aims to modernize our standards related to inventory and external confirmations to reflect the current business and audit environment, including the impact of technology use by entities, auditors and the organizations they interact with.
Looking Ahead: Our Plans for Q1 2026
Consultations
In Q1 2026 we plan to publish the following consultations:
- The joint IAASB-IESBA stakeholder strategy survey will be published mid-January with a 114-day comment period.
- A survey for the post-implementation review of ISA 540 (Revised), our standard on auditing accounting estimates, will be issued in mid-February for a 118-day comment period. The survey will gather feedback on the impact of ISA 540 (Revised).
ISSA 5000 on Sustainability Assurance
We will continue to support the adoption and implementation of ISSA 5000, our sustainability assurance standard. This includes an FAQ on materiality and updating information on jurisdictional adoption. Access published resources on the dedicated ISSA 5000 web page.
Key Dates for this Quarter
From March 16 to 19, the IAASB will meet in New York. The meeting agenda and meeting papers will be available on the IAASB website in the Meetings section in February. This meeting will also livestream on our YouTube channel.