“Ethics is not a barrier — it’s the foundation” - A key message from IESBA Chair Gabriela Figueiredo Dias' open invitation to the IESBA Ethics & Independence Conference 2025. In this video, Ms. Dias previews this can’t-miss event for global leaders navigating disruption, innovation, and public trust. Join us in Lisbon or online this September for a one-day, high-impact program featuring voices from business, regulation, and the profession. Learn more and register: https://www.ethicsboard.org/iesba-conference-2025

• Over 300 registrants have already confirmed attendance, including more than 100 in-person participants from 28 different jurisdictions and 6 continents, for the Lisbon gathering of global financial and accounting leaders
• Updated program features new sessions on Trust and Transparency in Capital Markets and the Rise of Private Equity in Accounting
• Over 20 confirmed speakers including top regulators, investors, standard setters, and business leaders

The International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) today announced the updated program for its 2025 International Ethics and Independence Conference, taking place on 15 September 2025, focused on the most pressing ethical challenges facing the accountancy profession and the global business community.

Keynote speakers include Maria Luís Albuquerque, European Commissioner for Financial Services and the Savings and Investments Union, Jean‑Paul Servais, Chair of the IOSCO, and Joaquim Miranda Sarmento, Portugal’s Minister of State and Finance. They join a distinguished line-up of over 20 global experts and leaders.

Participation is free, but physical spaces are limited due to venue capacity.

The full program, latest updates, and registration are available here: https://www.ethicsboard.org/iesba-conference-2025

Themed "Ethics and Audit Independence: Pillars of Resilience and Competitiveness in Turbulent Times," the conference will convene regulators, investors, standard setters, accounting firms, and professional and business leaders. It will investigate the central role of ethics in safeguarding trust and stability and supporting innovation amid disruption.

Program highlights include:

• Six targeted sessions, covering areas such as regulatory shifts affecting accounting and capital markets, accounting firm culture and governance, sustainability reporting, ethical tax planning, and the accountant’s role in combatting financial crime.
• Panels discussing the impacts of technological disruption, AI, and private equity investment, and analyzing their ethical implications in reshaping the accounting services industry.
• A global speaker roster featuring over 20 top voices from capital markets, accounting firms, regulatory bodies, and international institutions, including the keynote speakers.

As regulatory pressures evolve and innovation accelerates, the conference will provide a timely platform for exploring how ethical and independent practices can enhance competitiveness, bolster resilience, and maintain public confidence in business, the accounting profession and financial markets.

This conference marks IESBA’s inaugural global gathering around ethics and independence. It reflects the Board’s dedication to engaging worldwide and promoting its standards embodied in the International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including International Independence Standards) – a benchmark adopted, used, or referenced in over 130 jurisdictions around the globe.

The 2025 IESBA Ethics and Independence Conference marks the beginning of the IESBA’s September Board Meeting, which will take place in Lisbon at the ISEG – Lisbon School of Economics and Management Campus.

The conference benefits from the generous support of ISEG – Lisbon School of Economics and Management, as well as the two Portuguese Professional Accountancy Organizations: OCC – Ordem dos Contabilistas Certificados and OROC – Ordem dos Revisores Oficiais de Contas.

This support is critical to making the conference in Lisbon possible, highlighting these organizations’ alignment with IESBA’s initiative to foster high-level international dialogue on timely and pressing issues for the accounting services industries, financial markets, and the broader economy.

About IESBA

The International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) is an independent global standard-setting board. The IESBA’s mission is to serve the public interest by setting high-quality, international ethics (including independence) standards as a cornerstone to ethical behavior in business and organizations, and to public trust in financial and non-financial information that is fundamental to the proper functioning and sustainability of organizations, financial markets and economies worldwide.

Along with the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB), the IESBA is part of the International Foundation for Ethics and Audit (IFEA). The Public Interest Oversight Board (PIOB) oversees IESBA and IAASB activities and the public interest responsiveness of the standards.

x

The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) extends its sincere thanks to David Isherwood, Ethics Partner at BDO UK, for his outstanding leadership and service to the Forum of Firms (FoF, Forum) and the global profession. David has chaired the FoF since November 2017.

We also warmly welcome Fiona Campbell from Ernst & Young Global Limited as the new Chair of the FoF, effective July 23, 2025. Fiona is an EY partner based in Melbourne, Australia.

Lee White, Chief Executive Officer of IFAC, said: “David’s thoughtful and proactive leadership has left a lasting impact. In particular, he has driven the Forum of Firms and its mission forward, so that the profession continues to meet the highest standards of integrity and quality. His commitment to the practical implementation of global standards, in the public interest, and to fostering collaboration across the profession has been truly appreciated. We thank David for his invaluable work and contributions, including his prominent and active role in the joint IFAC-IESBA Summit, and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”

Mr. White continued: "I’ve also had the great pleasure of working with Fiona in multiple roles, and I know she brings exceptional judgment, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to audit quality and the public interest. Her service to our profession as a former Board Member of the IAASB, including as Deputy Chair, and her ongoing leadership at EY, position her well to guide the Forum at this critical moment for the profession, as the global accountancy community navigates a fast-changing environment."

Fiona’s passion for audit, her global perspective, and her focus on quality and collaboration will serve the FoF well as it continues to advance key priorities—from audit quality and sustainability to regulatory alignment and global trust.

“The Forum of Firms was established in 2002 and has since been a unique and highly valued partner to IFAC. I remain committed to engaging with this very important Forum—working together to innovate and deliver sustained value to the global accountancy profession,” Mr. White concluded.

About IFAC

IFAC, by connecting and uniting its members, makes the accountancy profession truly global.

IFAC member organizations are champions of integrity and professional quality, and proudly carry their membership as a badge of international recognition.

IFAC and its members work together to shape the future of the profession through learning, innovation, a collective voice, and commitment to the public interest.

The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) has released a new non-authoritative publication—How the IAASB’s Revised Going Concern and Fraud Standards Reinforce Professional Skepticism—to assist stakeholders in understanding how the revisions to ISA 570 (Revised 2024) and ISA 240 (Revised) strengthen the consistent application of professional skepticism throughout the audit.

This publication, developed with input from the IAASB’s Professional Skepticism Consultation Group, highlights key enhancements to both standards reflecting the IAASB’s efforts to reinforce professional skepticism by addressing, among other matters, how auditors are expected to maintain a questioning mindset, consider contradictory evidence, and appropriately challenge management assumptions.

The revised standards are effective for audits of financial statements for periods beginning on or after December 15, 2026.

This non-authoritative publication is intended to assist in the adoption and implementation of the recently issued ISA 570 (Revised 2024) on going concern and ISA 240 (Revised) on fraud by highlighting the IAASB’s efforts to reinforce professional skepticism within the revisions of both standards.

In IESBA's first "Message from the Chair", IESBA Chair Gabriela Figueiredo Dias discusses the key points of the March 2025 IESBA Meeting in New York City.

IESBA Vice Chair Channa Wijesinghe on the IESBA's Firm Culture & Governance Project