Call For Applications

The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) is seeking an exceptional individual for the fulltime position of Managing Director, Professional Standards (MD).

IFAC serves the public interest by contributing to the development of strong and sustainable organizations, markets, and economies. As part of its public interest mandate, IFAC contributes to the development of high-quality international standards by facilitating and resourcing standard-setting by the following independent Standard-Setting Boards (SSBs): the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB), the International Accounting Education Standards Board (IAESB), the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA), and the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB).

The MD reports functionally to the chairs of the independent SSBs and administratively to IFAC’s chief executive officer. He/she is a key resource to the SSB chairs, and acts as a liaison between the SSBs and the Monitoring Group and Public Interest Oversight Board (PIOB). He/she maintains relationships with key stakeholders and is a spokesperson for the SSBs.

The MD is the SSBs’ primary liaison with IFAC’s chief executive officer and Board, and oversees the SSB senior management. He/she ordinarily is not involved in the day-to-day standard-setting activities and operations of the boards.

The position calls for a senior level individual who is prominent in the international standard-setting and regulatory community. The MD should have technical and standard-setting experience, as well as knowledge of and practical experience in a range of professional issues, with special emphasis on auditing, ethics, accounting education, and public sector accounting. He/she should be articulate, confident, and exercise sound political judgment in interactions with the press, members of the profession, and the regulatory community at both the national and international levels.

The position is based in the IFAC office in New York or Toronto—preferably New York. It is not required for the MD to be a professional accountant. Applications from individuals who have had a direct relationship with an audit firm are welcome; however, these individuals should be able to implement safeguards against any threats or perceived threats of their independence. The role requires extensive international travel.

This position has become available due to the retirement of Jim Sylph, Executive Director, Professional Standards and External Relations in June 2014. The position and title have been modified to reinforce further the independence of the SSBs.

For further information about the position, please see the job description on the IFAC website at www.ifac.org/careers. Applications are due by February 15, 2014.

*Notes to Editors

About the Independent SSBs

The independent SSBs serve the public interest as follows:

• IAASB: by setting high-quality international standards for auditing, assurance, and other related standards, and by facilitating the convergence of international and national auditing and assurance standards. In doing so, the IAASB enhances the quality and consistency of practice throughout the world and strengthens public confidence in the global auditing and assurance profession. For more information, go to www.iaasb.org, or click on the relevant link: Terms of Reference / IAASB Members / IAASB Annual Report
• IAESB: by strengthening the worldwide accountancy profession through the development and enhancement of professional accountancy education, which encompasses knowledge, skills, values, ethics, and attitudes. For more information, go to www.iaesb.org, or click on the relevant link: Terms of Reference / IAESB Members / IAESB Annual Report
• IESBA: by setting high-quality ethics standards for professional accountants, including auditor independence requirements, through the development of a robust, internationally appropriate code of ethics, and by facilitating the convergence of international and national ethics standards. In doing so, the IESBA enhances the quality and consistency of services provided by professional accountants throughout the world and strengthens public confidence in the global accountancy profession. For more information, go to www.ethicsboard.org, or click on the relevant link: Terms of Reference / IESBA Members / IESBA Annual Report
• IPSASB: by developing high-quality International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSASs), guidance, and resources for use by public sector entities around the world for preparation of general purpose financial statements. It issues and promotes benchmark guidance and facilitates the exchange of information among accountants and those who work in the public sector. For more information, go to https://www.ifac.org/public-sector, or click on the relevant link: Terms of Reference / IPSASB Members

The independent SSBs follow a rigorous due process to ensure that the views of those affected by their pronouncements are thoroughly considered.

The IAASB, IAESB, and IESBA each has a consultative advisory group (CAG). The CAGs are an integral part of the boards’ formal process of consultation, and provide valuable public interest input on the boards’ agendas, project timetables, priorities, and technical issues.

The Public Interest Oversight Board (PIOB) oversees the IAASB, IAESB, and IESBA (and their respective CAGs). The PIOB’s mandate is to ensure that these boards follow due process and are responsive to the public interest; ensure the completeness of their strategies and work programs; and oversee the process of nominations to the boards and their CAGs. IFAC and the Monitoring Group are currently in the process of determining the best approach to public interest oversight for the IPSASB.

About IFAC
IFAC is the worldwide 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’s current membership consists of over 179 professional accountancy bodies in 130 countries, representing approximately 2.5 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry and commerce. IFAC supports the setting of auditing and assurance, ethics, education, and public sector accounting standards and develops guidance to encourage high-quality performance by professional accountants in business.