Consultations & Projects

This project aims to build an understanding of the rapidly progressing developments regarding sustainability reporting and assurance, and to provide timely responses to ethics and independence-related concerns.

This project aims to strengthen and clarify the independence principles in the Code of Ethics that apply to individuals and firms for the audit of group financial statements. The project will also amend the definition of Engagement Team to align with auditing and assurance standards, and also clarify the implications of this change and the independence requirements that apply.

This project aims to create a Compiled APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) (Compiled Code) to enhance accessibility and usability of APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) (the Code).

A compiled Code of Ethics was issued in November 2022, which incorporates the restructured Code and five amending standards relating to Part 4B, Role and Mindset, Engagement Quality Reviewer, Fees and QM Conforming Amendments.

An updated compiled Code of Ethics was issued in May 2023, which incorporates the restructured Code and the six amending standards issued up to December 2023 including the Non-Assurance Services amending standard (effective 1 July 2023).

This project is now completed.

This project aims to update the suite of APESB pronouncements to refer to the new quality management standards issued by the AUASB and for the reissued APES 320 Quality Management for Firms that provide Non-Assurance Services.

The revisions to APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) for the new quality management standards are addressed in a separate APESB project 'Quality Management Conforming Amendments to the Code'.

This project aims to review and revise the definitions of Listed Entity and Public Interest Entity in APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards).

This project aims to review and revise APES 215 Forensic Accounting Services including examples of forensic accounting services.

This project aims to review APES 230 Financial Planning Services to ensure that it remains appropriate in the midst of the significant developments, including legislative and regulatory changes, that have occurred and are ongoing in the financial services industry.

This project aims to build an understanding of how Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technology is being used by professional accountants and to determine whether additional professional and ethical obligations or guidance is required in this area to assist professional accountants.

This project aims to review and revise the Non-Assurance Services provisions in APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards).

This project is now completed with the amending standard issued on 21 December 2022. The amending standard is effective from 1 July 2023, with early adoption permitted.

This project aims to review and revise the fee-related provisions of APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) (the Code).

This project is now completed with the amending standard issued on 7 July 2022. The amending standard is effective from 1 January 2023, with early adoption permitted.

This project aims to update APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) to refer to the new quality management standards issued by the AUASB and for the reissued APES 320 Quality Management for Firms that provide Non-Assurance Services.

The revisions to other APESB pronouncements for the new quality management standards are addressed in a separate APESB project 'Quality Management Conforming Amendments to other APESB pronouncements'.

This project is now completed with the amending standard issued on 10 November 2022. The amending standard is effective from 1 January 2023, with early adoption permitted.

This project aims to reissue APES 320 Quality Control for Firms as APES 320 Quality Management for Firms that provide Non-Assurance Services.

This project is now completed with the reissue of APES 320 as Quality Management for Firms that provide Non-Assurance Services in February 2022. The reissued APES 320 is effective from 1 January 2023, with early adoption permitted.

This project aims to include provisions in APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) to address the threats to objectivity of engagement quality reviewers and other appropriate reviewers.

This project is now completed with the amending standard issued on 18 February 2022. The amending standard is effective from 1 January 2023, with early adoption permitted.

This project aims to review and revise APES 205 Conformity with Accounting Standards in light of developments in standards issued by the Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB).

This project is now complete. The revised APES 205 was issued on 25 October 2022 and is effective from 1 January 2023, with early adoption permitted