TECHNICAL HIGHLIGHTS

AUDITING AND ASSURANCE

ISCA Issues Audit Bulletin 10 On Key Revisions To SSA 570 (Revised 2024)

SSA 570 (Revised 2024) Going Concern sets out the auditor’s responsibilities relating to going concern and the implications for the auditor’s report.

In response to evolving stakeholder expectations, SSA 570 (Revised 2024) strengthens auditors’ responsibilities in relation to going concern and enhances transparency in the audit process, while ensuring that the Standard remains relevant and fit for purpose in today’s environment.

The revised Standard is effective for audits of financial statements for periods beginning on or after 15 December 2026.

To support its implementation, ISCA has issued Audit Bulletin (AB) 10, Key Revisions to SSA 570 (Revised 2024). The bulletin highlights key changes, including enhanced risk assessment procedures, the requirement to evaluate management’s going concern assessment in all audits, an extended assessment period, and strengthened reporting and communication requirements.

The bulletin also provides practical reminders for auditors, management and those charged with governance, covering areas such as early planning, timely documentation and effective communication throughout the audit.

ACRA Issues Audit Practice Guidance On Responsible Use Of AI In Auditing

ACRA has issued Audit Practice Guidance No. 1 of 2026: Using Artificial Intelligence Responsibly, providing practical guidance for auditors and audit firms on using artificial intelligence (AI) responsibly. The guidance covers key areas including professional judgement, accountability, transparency, integrity, and data confidentiality and security.

ETHICS

Episode 8 Of IESBA Decoding Ethics Podcast

In Episode 8 of Decoding Ethics, host Jeanne Viljoen is joined by Lucy Cohen, 2025 President of the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) and Founder and CEO of Mazuma, UK’s first subscription-based accountancy firm, to explore what small firms need to get right with AI. Drawing on her experience in resisting board pressure on generative AI, Cohen shares the one question she believes every accountant should ask before using AI: “Would I be happy to stand up and back this myself?”

Episode 9 Of IESBA Decoding Ethics Podcast

In Episode 9 of Decoding Ethics, host Jeanne Viljoen is joined by Donny C. Shimamoto, Founder and Managing Director of IntrapriseTechKnowlogies LLC and inspiration architect for the Center for Accounting Transformation, to challenge the excitement around AI in accounting.

New IESBA Staff Q&As Support Implementation Of Global Ethics And Independence Standards For Sustainability Assurance

IESBA has issued a new Staff Questions & Answers (Q&As) publication to help sustainability assurance practitioners and other stakeholders adopt and implement, or apply the provisions in the International Ethics Standards for Sustainability Assurance (including International Independence Standards) (IESSA). The publication addresses matters relating to effective date and transitional provisions, the rotation of engagement leaders and other key sustainability assurance leaders, and non-assurance services. It builds on the June 2025 Staff Q&As on IESSA, which addressed other matters relating to the implementation of IESSA.

FINANCIAL REPORTING

ISCA Invites Comments On IASB’s RFI On Hedge Accounting Requirements In IFRS 9 And IFRS 7

ISCA is inviting comments on IASB’s Request for Information (RFI) reviewing hedge accounting requirements under IFRS 9 and related disclosures under IFRS 7. The review seeks to assess whether the requirements are achieving their intended objectives and whether the costs of applying them are in line with expectations. Stakeholder feedback will help IASB evaluate areas where improvements may be needed. Comments should be submitted to ISCA Professional Standards by 24 November 2026.

IVAS Issues Guidance Note To Support Robust, Transparent And Consistent Intangible Asset Valuations

IVAS has issued a new Guidance Note for intangible asset valuations, providing practical guidance to support more consistent, transparent and robust assessments of intellectual property (IP), software, brands, customer relationships and proprietary technologies. The Guidance Note covers areas including asset characteristics and risks, valuation approaches, royalty rates, economic lives, sensitivity analysis and reporting disclosures.

September 2026 IFRS For SMEs Accounting Standard Update Available

This edition of the Update highlights the accounting for agricultural activities, status of Exposure Draft (ED) Consolidation Exception, supporting materials published by IASB to support the implementation of IFRS for SMEs Accounting Standard, and an update on the global adoption of the Standard.

IASB Concludes Equity Method Project Discussions

IASB has completed technical discussions on its Equity Method project, bringing the revised IAS 28 Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures closer to completion. The revisions aim to address application questions, reduce diversity in practice and improve the Standard’s clarity. The revised IAS 28 is expected in the first half of 2027 and will be effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2029, with early application permitted.

September 2026 IASB Update And Podcast Available

In the IASB Update and Podcast, IASB Acting Chair and Vice-Chair Linda Mezon-Hutter and IASB member Hagit Keren highlight key discussions from the September 2026 IASB meeting, including:

• redeliberations of the proposals in ED Equity Method of Accounting – IAS 28 Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures (revised 202x) and Business Combinations – Disclosure, Goodwill and Impairment;
• the remaining proposed IFRS 18 amendments on the presentation of taxes or other charges that are not tax expense or tax income under IAS 12; and
• approval to issue the RFI: Post-Implementation Review of IFRS 9 – Hedge Accounting.

September 2026 IFRIC Update Available

This Update summarises IFRIC’s decisions and discussions, including:

• tentative agenda decisions on (i) assessing whether an asset generates returns individually and largely independently of an entity’s other resources under paragraph 53(c) of IFRS 18; (ii) whether expected future developments should be reflected in estimating a leased asset’s residual value under IAS 16; and (iii) accounting under IFRS 9 for a difference between the fair value of an equity investment measured at FVOCI and the consideration received on its sale;
• an agenda decision on whether an entity should reassess control of an investee under paragraph 8 of IFRS 10 following an amendment to the investee’s governing document.

September/October 2026 Agenda And Meeting Papers Available

• IASB
  
  At the IASB meeting from 22 to 24 September 2026, IASB discussed several standard-setting projects and related due process matters. The key topics are grouped below for ease of reference.
  
  • Financial instruments with characteristics of equity: redeliberation of the proposals in the November 2023 ED Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Equity, focusing on the classification of financial instruments that contain obligations to purchase an entity’s own equity instruments;
  • Financial instruments: deliberation of matters relating to modifications of financial instruments under IFRS 9;
  • Presentation of taxes and other charges: deliberation of the remaining aspects of the proposed amendments to IFRS 18, IFRS 19 and related transition requirements, including the presentation of taxes and other charges that are not tax expense or income under IAS 12;
  • Equity method: redeliberation and finalisation of the proposals in ED Equity Method of Accounting – IAS 28 Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures (revised 202x);
  • Business combinations: continued deliberations on the updated performance and expected synergy information that an entity would be required to disclose following a business combination;
  • Statement of cash flows and related matters: deliberation of proposals on the classification of acquisition-related payments and specific changes in assets and liabilities that are typically considered components of working capital;
  • Provisions: redeliberation of the proposals in the November 2024 ED Provisions – Targeted Improvements;
  • Post-Implementation review of IFRS 9: discussion and approval of the publication of RFI on Post-Implementation Review of IFRS 9 Financial Instruments – Hedge Accounting.
• Accounting Standards Advisory Forum (ASAF)
  
  At the ASAF meeting on 1 and 2 October 2026, ASAF members discussed updates on several IASB projects and related jurisdictional developments. The key topics are summarised below.
  
  • IASB project updates: an overview of IASB’s tentative decisions on the Amortised Cost Measurement project;
  • IAS 37 application requirements: an update on IASB’s possible application requirements for levies under IAS 37;
  • Customer accounting: an introduction to the model IASB is developing for customer accounting for IP licensing contracts;
  • Statement of cash flows: an overview of IASB staff’s initial thinking on the potential scope of an exemption for financial institutions from some or all statement of cash flows presentation requirements, together with a request for ASAF members’ input;
  • IFRS 3 post-implementation feedback: feedback from ASAF members on findings and observations relating to the effectiveness and usefulness of IFRS 3;
  • Crypto assets: updates on the development of accounting standards for crypto assets in Mexico, the United States and Japan.
• SME Implementation Group (SMEIG)
  
  At its meeting on 5 October 2026, SMEIG members were briefed on the feedback on IFRS for SMEs Accounting Standard – Consolidation Exception, before being invited to comment on suggested additional disclosure requirements arising from the feedback received.
• Financial Instruments Consultative Group (FICG)
  
  At the FICG meeting on 7 October 2026, members discussed common feedback themes in relation to the Risk Mitigation Accounting project that arose from stakeholder engagement since the last FICG meeting in May 2026. They also provided inputs to help refine the scope of a possible exemption for financial institutions from some or all of the requirements for presenting a statement of cash flows.

SUSTAINABILITY & CLIMATE CHANGE

September 2026 ISSB Update And Podcast Available

In the ISSB Update and Podcast, ISSB Chair Emmanuel Faber and ISSB Vice-Chair Sue Lloyd shared on topics discussed at the ISSB meeting in September 2026, which include the announcement of the enhancement of ISSB’s multi-location model, a recap of the September board week and the upcoming publication of the nature-related disclosures proposals.