The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) has finalised revisions to the International Education Standards (IES) to integrate sustainability throughout the training of aspiring professional accountants. These updates reinforce the profession’s role in delivering high-quality sustainability reporting and assurance while maintaining integrity and professional excellence.
Lee White, IFAC Chief Executive Officer, emphasised the significance of these revisions, stating: “IFAC and our members work together to shape the future of the profession through learning, innovation, a collective voice, and a shared commitment to the public interest. These revisions to the education standards ensure that professional accountants worldwide develop the right competencies to implement sustainability reporting and assurance standards effectively.”
The updates establish a global baseline for sustainability competence, ensuring accountants are prepared to implement disclosure and assurance standards from key standard-setting bodies, including the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB), the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA), the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), and the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB).
Key enhancements in IFAC sustainability education
- Integrated sustainability approach: Sustainability concepts are embedded across the IES learning outcomes, ensuring accountants can connect financial and sustainability data.
- New assurance competence area: Introduces learning outcomes to develop a strong foundational understanding of assurance fundamentals.
- Strengthened business acumen focus: Enhances accountants’ ability to assess sustainability impacts on business models, value chains, and organisational strategy.
- Enabling behavioural competencies: Reinforces decision-making, adaptability, and collaboration skills.
- Expanded explanatory materials: Provides additional guidance for professional accountancy organisations, universities, and training programmes.
Additionally, IFAC has modernised IES 6, Initial Professional Development – Formal Assessment of Professional Competence, by introducing two new principles—integrity and authenticity—while updating the principle of equity and providing enhanced guidance on hybrid and remote assessments.
The revised standards take effect on 1 July 2026, with IFAC encouraging early adoption. To support implementation, IFAC has developed a suite of resources, including fact sheets, FAQs, and explanatory documents. Two global webinars in April will provide further insights and address stakeholder questions.
IFAC also invites stakeholders to request permission to translate the revised standards into local languages via its website, reinforcing its commitment to strengthening the global accountancy profession through education, integrity, and professional quality.
