The Public Trust in Tax survey which questioned 7,700 members of the public across the globe shows that accountants have a major role to play in addressing corruption, which negatively impact on attitudes towards tax in economies across the globe.  

Results show that 53.8% consider corruption a major factor, however most people believe the role of professional accountants contributes to improving tax systems by making them more efficient (59%), more effective (57%), and fairer (55%). 

The findings follow ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants), IFAC (the International Federation of Accountants), and CA ANZ (Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand) expanding their biennial G20 Public Trust in Tax survey – which this time omitted Russia and included New Zealand – to address not only corruption but also the issues of sustainable development and corruption, and how these two interconnect with trust in the tax system. The results are clear. 

Corruption has a significant impact on attitudes towards tax in economies across the globe, with over half of G20 respondents citing it as a major factor.  

At the same time, 68% of respondents in G20 countries see at least some connection between tax and sustainable development, and 57% would be prepared to pay more tax to support it.

In this context, the continued high levels of trust in professional accountants are more important than ever. The results shows that they remain the single most trusted stakeholder in tax in every G20 country, as it has been the case in every biennial G20 Public Trust in Tax survey since the initiative began in 2017.  

Kevin Dancey, CEO of IFAC, says: “The impact of corruption on trust in tax has been an emerging theme in our recent surveys, particularly in our 2022 Global Perspectives report, which focuses on jurisdictions outside of the G20. Now, for the first time, we have specific data on that point, and the results are illuminating. Taken together with the continued trust in professional accountants, and additional new data on views about sustainable development, insight into the important interconnections between these issues is starting to come into view.” 

Helen Brand, chief executive of ACCA, says: ‘Throughout the course of these surveys, public unease about how tax moneys are spent has been a constant theme in respondents’ comments. Perceptions of corruption are a clear barrier to engagement with the tax system. Accountants have a central role to play in countering corruption, bringing transparency and accountability to the collection and spending of taxes across both public and private sectors.’ 

Ainslie van Onselen, CEO of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), says: ‘As leaders in the global accountancy profession, we are proud to see the sustained high levels of trust in professional accountants, which is hard won, but easily lost. It is vital that we constantly work to maintain and earn trust through both our individual and collective actions. Now, more than ever, the relationship between taxpayers, businesses and governments must be strengthened to provide security and certainty for our broader societies and economies and we look forward to continuing to engage with key stakeholders to drive trust in tax and trust in our profession.’ 

The survey reveals the attitudes and opinions of the general public towards their tax systems, and the actors involved in them. The key findings indicate that: 

• Trust in key stakeholders has improved in most regions, but there are still significant variations; 
• People see tax systems as a mechanism for positive change, but are concerned about corruption; 
• People generally think that levels of taxes paid are reasonable. 

This year’s survey is launched on 14 September at an online event hosted by IFAC, ACCA and CA ANZ. Register here.  

Editor’s Notes 

The study is based on an online survey, conducted in the second quarter of 2023, of more than 7,700 individuals across all the G20 countries apart from Russia, plus New Zealand. The sample in each country is balanced by demographics based on census data, including age (targeting individuals of taxpaying age), education, gender, ethnicity, household income levels, and geographic location within the country.  

Read the report here   

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 180 members and associates in more than 135 jurisdictions, representing millions of professional accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.

About ACCA 

We are ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants), a globally recognised professional accountancy body providing qualifications and advancing standards in accountancy worldwide.

Founded in 1904 to widen access to the accountancy profession, we’ve long championed inclusion and today proudly support a diverse community of over 247,000 members and 526,000 future members in 181 countries.  

Our forward-looking qualifications, continuous learning and insights are respected and valued by employers in every sector. They equip individuals with the business and finance expertise and ethical judgment to create, protect, and report the sustainable value delivered by organisations and economies.   

Guided by our purpose and values, our vision is to develop the accountancy profession the world needs. Partnering with policymakers, standard setters, the donor community, educators and other accountancy bodies, we’re strengthening and building a profession that drives a sustainable future for all. 

Find out more at: www.accaglobal.com   

About Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand 

Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand represents more than 136,000 financial professionals, supporting them to make a difference to the businesses, organisations and communities in which they work and live. Chartered Accountants are known as Difference Makers. The depth and breadth of their expertise helps them to see the big picture and chart the best course of action. Find out more at www.charteredaccountantsanz.com. 

As the global voice of the accountancy profession, IFAC has long supported the establishment of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) to develop a comprehensive global baseline of sustainability disclosures—which are now endorsed by IOSCO and are ready to be adopted and implemented around the world.  High-quality implementation of IFRS S1 and IFRS S2 is critical to the ISSB’s mission.  

We congratulate the ISSB for addressing “climate first” with IFRS S2 and also delivering IFRS S1 requirements for broader disclosure of investor-focused information about sustainability-related risks and opportunities. Next, companies need a global baseline for a holistic, narrative analysis of how reporting entities create, preserve, or erode value over time, including how sustainability disclosures are connected to financial position and performance.     

IFAC CEO Kevin Dancey said, “Our research clearly shows that companies are moving away from stand-alone sustainability reports—at least in terms of timing and same location. Investors need a consistent, comprehensive view, and companies need a timely pragmatic solution to the connected reporting issue.  The <IR> Framework that is commonly used to provide up front narrative information coupled with the IASB’s prior work on Management Commentary provide a constructive roadmap for the two boards to move with pace, just like they did  with S1 and S2, to develop a new template for explaining how a company creates sustainable value.”  

The ambition and momentum demonstrated by the ISSB since it was announced at COP 26 must continue, and we urge the Board to use the results of this agenda consultation to set out a clear timeline for addressing additional sustainability topics including biodiversity and human capital/rights issues.  

IFAC continues its call on the global accountancy profession to work with local regulators and stakeholders to support the adoption of ISSB standards, to help build capacity for their implementation alongside any local complementary reporting requirements, and to continue to contribute our expertise and feedback to the ISSB as its important standard setting work continues. 

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 180 members and associates in 135 countries and jurisdictions, representing more than 3 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.