The accountancy profession is evolving rapidly, shaped by shifting business models, changing capital markets, technological advancement, and rising expectations of professional judgment and leadership.

International Federation of Accountants’ (IFAC) advisory groups play a critical role in helping the global profession navigate these changes. Bringing together experienced practitioners, educators, and leaders from across regions and sectors, the groups provide practical insight into how global trends are affecting professional accountants and the organizations they serve.

Through their work, IFAC’s advisory groups:

• Provide forward-looking perspectives on emerging developments affecting the profession
• Support efforts to strengthen the profession’s relevance, resilience, and attractiveness
• Contribute practical insight to the development of tools, resources, and guidance
• Help connect global standard setting with real-world business and professional experience

Advisory groups represented include:

• The International Panel on Accountancy Education, which supports the advancement of high-quality, future-focused accountancy education worldwide.
• The Professional Accountancy Organization Development and Advisory Group, which supports strong, resilient, and sustainable professional accountancy organizations.
• The Professional Accountants in Business Advisory Group, which considers global trends affecting CFOs, finance leaders, boards, and audit committees across sectors.
• The Small and Medium Practices Advisory Group, which provides input and practical resources to support SMPs and SMEs and promote their essential role in the global economy.

IFAC warmly welcomes the new members joining its advisory groups in 2026 and thanks departing members for their dedication and service to the profession.

Lee White, IFAC Chief Executive Officer, said:

“At a time of significant change for the global profession, IFAC’s advisory groups play an essential role in bringing together insight, experience, and perspective from across jurisdictions and sectors. Their contributions help ensure the profession remains relevant, resilient, and attractive, while continuing to earn trust and serve the public interest. I am pleased to welcome our new members and thank those concluding their terms for their valued service to the global profession.”

(Members below listed with employer and nominating organizations)

International Panel on Accountancy Education

New Members

• Sven Hayn, Owner & CEO, WP Hayn | Institut der Wirtschaftsprüfer and Wirtschaftsprüferkammer (Germany)
• Jen Rimes, Director, Global Assurance, BDO Global | BDO Global (USA)
• Susan Smith, Professor of Accounting, University College London (UCL) School of Management | Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales (United Kingdom)
• Roopa Venkatesh, Director, School of Accounting, University of Nebraska at Omaha | University of Nebraska at Omaha (USA)
• Samantha Wilson, General Manager, CA Program, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand | Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ) and CPA Australia

Returning Member & Deputy Chair

• Jan Taylor, Senior Director, Academic in Residence, Association of International Certified Professional Accountants–AICPA | AICPA (USA)

Departing Members

• Susan Flis, Senior Manager, Global Professional Practice, Methodology & Enablement |  Ernst & Young LLP (USA)
• Simon Hann, Group Executive, Education & Marketing | Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and CPA Australia (Australia)
• Irene Wiecek, Professor, Teaching Stream at University of Toronto Mississauga | CPA Canada (Canada)

Professional Accountancy Organization Development and Advisory Group

New Members

• Lamyaa AlRasheed, Partner, EY | The Saudi Organization for Chartered and Professional Accountants (Saudi Arabia)
• Mahbub Ahmed Siddique, Chief Operating Officer, The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh | The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (Bangladesh)

Returning Member

• Mkombozi Karake, Chief Executive Officer, Global Institute of Governance and Sustainability (GIGS) | Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Rwanda (Rwanda)

Departing Members

• Sheree Ebanks, Chief Executive Officer, Cayman Islands Institute of Professional Accountants | Cayman Islands Institute of Professional Accountants (Cayman Islands)
• Razak Jaiyeola, Chief Executive Officer, A.J. Silicon Tech | Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria (Nigeria)

Professional Accountants in Business Advisory Group

New Members

• John Bugunya, Self-Employed | Institute of Certified Public Accountants (Rwanda)
• Nametso Masuku, Finance Manager, Debswana Diamond Company | Botswana Institute of Chartered Accountants (Botswana)
• Michi Sasano, Representative Director and CEO, Control Solutions K.K. | Japanese Institute of Certified Public Accountants (Japan)

Returning Members

• Esther Bosch, Director Risk & Audit, Royal Schiphol Group | Royal Nederlandse Beroepsorganisatie van Accountants (Netherlands)
• Mike Driver, Independent Board Chair, Non-Executive Director | Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (United Kingdom)
• Lindawati Gani, Professor in Management Accounting, Universitas Indonesia | Institute of Indonesia Chartered Accountants (Indonesia)
• Muhammad Samiullah Siddiqui, Director Finance, Oxford University Press | Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (Pakistan)

Departing Members

• Ichiro Waki, Chief Executive Officer, JBA Group | Japanese Institute of Certified Public Accountants (Japan)
• Gloria Zvaravanhu, Managing Director, Old Mutual ZW | Institute of Chartered Accountants (Zimbabwe)

Small and Medium Practices Advisory Group

New Members

• Graziella Hobeika, Managing Partner, HBK Audit & Advisory | Lebanese Association of Certified Public Accountants (Lebanon)
• Renata Peppe, Senior Audit Manager, Peppe Associados Consultores & Auditores Independentes | Conselho Federal de Contabilidade and Instituto dos Auditores Independentes do Brasil (Brazil)
• Hein Vandelanotte, Partner, Vandelanotte | Institute for Tax Advisors and Accountants (Belgium)

Returning Members

• Comfort Eyitayo, Business Consultant, Comfort Olu. Eyitayo & Co | Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (Nigeria)
• Takuma Kinjo, Managing Partner, RSM Seiwa | Japanese Institute of Certified Public Accountants (Japan)
• Yan Zhao, Director of Continuing Professional Development Department, Chinese Institute of Certified Public Accountants (CICPA) | CICPA (China)

Departing Members

• Monica Stefan, Senior Audit Partner, Soter & Partners | Chamber of Financial Auditors of Romania (Romania)
• Michael Fontaine, President, MF & Associés | Compagnie Nationale des Commissaires aux Comptes and Conseil National de l'Ordre des Experts-Comptables (France)

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 with the Forum of Firms and other key stakeholders to shape the future of the profession through learning, innovation, a collective voice, and commitment to the public interest.

• The role of CFOs is evolving rapidly, as organizations face growing uncertainty, accelerating technological change, sustainability demands, and other structural shifts.
• IESBA is inviting CFOs and other stakeholders who work with or oversee CFO functions to take part in dedicated global surveys examining the evolving role of CFOs and the ethical challenges that accompany this evolution, up until April 24.
• Insights from the surveys, together with IESBA’s global outreach activities, will inform IESBA’s decision on whether enhancements to the IESBA Code, guidance or other support for CFOs is warranted, with a decision expected by September.

The IESBA today launched two extended global stakeholder surveys to inform its Role of CFOs initiative, focusing on the evolving role of CFOs and equivalent senior finance leaders, the ethical challenges resulting from this evolution, and whether the IESBA Code remains clear, fit-for-purpose, and practical in the public interest.

Building on its CFO Pulse Survey conducted over the Summer of 2025, the two surveys are directed at CFOs or equivalent senior finance leaders, and at stakeholders who interact with or oversee CFOs.

The surveys explore four areas of interest:

• How the role of CFOs and other equivalent senior finance leaders has evolved and the ethical challenges they face;
• How effectively the IESBA Code supports ethical responsibilities and expectations;
• The nature and extent of involvement of individuals in CFO roles who are not members of a professional  accountancy organization (PAO); and
• Potential actions the IESBA could take, including enhancements to the IESBA Code, guidance or other resources, or other initiatives to support ethical leadership in finance functions.

 “The role of CFOs and other senior finance leaders continues to evolve beyond traditional financial stewardship. Given the importance and centrality of this role within companies and organizations, these surveys will enable the IESBA to better understand the realities of the role today, the ethical challenges individuals in this role face, and how the IESBA can continue to support their ethical leadership,” said Gabriela Figueiredo Dias, Chair of the IESBA.

CFOs or equivalent senior finance leaders (regardless of title or membership of any PAO), stakeholders who interact with or oversee CFOs (including PAOs), other professional organizations, regulators and oversight bodies, investors and stewardship groups, accounting firms, jurisdictional standard setters, those charged with governance, governance specialists, and academics are invited to respond to the surveys up until April 24.  

The surveys are anonymous and take approximately 10 to 15 minutes each to complete. They can be accessed here.

Outreach plans provide additional support to decision

The Role of CFOs initiative will also be informed by roundtables and focus group meetings in key markets during the first half of 2026, including Europe, North America, Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

The initiative aims to support CFOs and equivalent senior finance leaders in upholding high ethical standards that safeguard the integrity and reliability of financial and non-financial information on which investors, markets, regulators, and the public depend, and public trust in their organizations.

Informed by the survey results and stakeholder input, the project team will present preliminary findings at the June 2026 IESBA meeting, followed by a final report and recommendations at the September 2026 IESBA meeting.

To learn more about IESBA's role of CFOs initiative and follow updates, visit the Role of CFOs Focus Page.

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.

IESBA’s Snapshots provide short, non-technical overviews of IESBA projects and initiatives. They explain purpose, direction, and current focus in clear and accessible terms, alongside more detailed technical materials.

This Snapshot focuses on IESBA’s Role of CFO Initiative.

Q1. Why is IESBA examining the role of CFOs now?

In recent years, the role of Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) and other senior finance leaders has expanded significantly beyond traditional financial stewardship. CFOs are increasingly involved in areas such as sustainability reporting, data governance, technology oversight, and enterprise risk management.

These developments place CFOs at the center of decisions that affect the integrity and reliability of both financial and non-financial information relied upon by investors and markets, regulators, and the public. Understanding how this evolving role may shape ethical decision-making is a necessary first step before considering whether IESBA's existing ethical frameworks continue to provide appropriate support in these conditions.

Q2. What are the objectives of the “The Role of CFOs” initiative?

The objectives of the initiative are to better understand:

• How the CFO role is evolving across industries, sectors, and jurisdictions
• Whether this evolution has resulted in new or additional ethical challenges
• Whether the ethical framework in the IESBA Code remains clear, relevant, and fit for purpose in supporting ethical decision-making in these environments

The initiative is exploratory and evidence-based. Its purpose is to inform the Board’s understanding before any consideration of potential future actions.

Q3. Does this initiative assume that CFOs are facing ethical failures?

No. The initiative does not start from an assumption of ethical failure or misconduct.

Rather, it recognizes that roles, expectations, and decision environments have changed, and it seeks to understand whether existing ethical principles and guidance continue to operate effectively under these evolving conditions. The focus is on learning from experience.

Q4. What has IESBA learned so far?

Initial insights from a CFO pulse survey suggest significant diversity in CFOs’ professional backgrounds, ethical reference points, and sources of guidance. Many CFOs are not members of a professional accounting body and often rely primarily on employer-based codes of conduct rather than professional ethical standards.

These early findings highlight the importance of deeper and broader engagement to better understand which ethical frameworks are applied in practice and how, and where CFOs may experience ethical pressures or uncertainty in real-world decision-making.

Q5. What is IESBA focusing on in the current phase of work?

The initiative is currently in an information-gathering phase, drawing on:

• Research and analysis
• Extended surveys
• Stakeholder engagement, namely through global roundtables and focus group meetings

This phase is designed to explore where ethical challenges and pressures arise, how they are experienced, and how CFOs navigate them across different organizational, regulatory, and jurisdictional contexts. It is intentionally focused on evidence-gathering rather than conclusions.

Q6. Does this work signal upcoming changes to the IESBA Code or issuance of new guidance?

No decisions have been taken at this stage. The initiative seeks to assess whether existing provisions in the IESBA Code remain fit for purpose considering the evolving CFO role and associated ethical challenges. Any consideration of standard-setting, the development of guidance, or other initiatives will take place only after the information-gathering phase has concluded and following full deliberation by the Board.

Q7. Who is in the scope of this initiative?

The initiative focuses on CFOs and other equivalent senior finance leaders across the private, not-for-profit, and public sectors, regardless of the title of their role or professional background.

This includes both professional accountants and individuals who are not members of a professional accounting body. Capturing this diversity is central to understanding how ethical decision-making operates in practice and where common themes may - or may not - emerge.

Q8. Why is IESBA the appropriate body to undertake this work?

IESBA sets high-quality international ethics standards, including independence standards, for the preparation, reporting and assurance of financial and non-financial information. These standards are a cornerstone of ethical behavior in business and organizations and help support public trust in the information that underpins the functioning and sustainability of organizations, financial markets, and economies worldwide.

As CFO roles evolve and ethical decision-making increasingly influences information relied upon by investors and markets, regulators, and society, it is appropriate for the IESBA to examine whether its existing ethical framework remains clear, relevant, and practical in the public interest.

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.

This report presents the findings of an IESBA Project Team examining auditor independence considerations in the audits of collective investment vehicles and pension funds. It draws on extensive research and global stakeholder consultation to assess whether the independence provisions in the International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants remain fit for purpose in these investment structures.