The International Accounting Education Standards Board (IAESB), an independent standard-setting board, has published for comment an exposure draft of its proposed 2014-2016 IAESB Strategy and Work Plan.
The proposed strategy and work plan explains how the IAESB works through International Federation of Accountants’ (IFAC) member bodies to achieve its objective of serving the public interest by:

• Establishing a series of high-quality standards and other publications reflecting good practice in the education, development, and assessment of professional accountants;
• Promoting the adoption and implementation of the International Education Standards (IESs);
• Developing education benchmarks for measuring the implementation of the IESs; and
• Advancing international debate on emerging issues relating to the education, development, and assessment of professional accountants.

The IAESB’s proposed strategy focuses on projects and activities aimed at providing adoption and implementation guidance on the revised IESs to interested stakeholders in professional accounting education. This will assist IFAC’s member bodies in increasing the capacity and capability of the global accountancy profession, contributing to strengthened public trust.
“Accounting education remains a fundamental pillar in improving the quality of reporting and auditing financial statements, and continues to be needed by professional accountants to serve the public interest,” said IAESB Chair Peter Wolnizer. “The aim of the 2014-2016 IAESB Strategy and Work Plan is to provide guidance on implementing requirements that are needed to develop high-quality professional accounting education programs.”
The IAESB is proposing its work be directed by three priorities, beginning in 2014:

• Establishing and developing IESs and pronouncements;
• Engaging stakeholders and promoting the adoption and endorsement of the revised IESs; and
• Supporting and providing guidance to facilitate the implementation of the revised IESs.

Organizations and individuals with an interest in professional accounting education are invited to respond to the IAESB’s proposals for its strategic direction, projects and activities for the next three years.
How to Comment
The IAESB invites all stakeholders to comment on its proposals. To access the Exposure Draft and submit comments, visit the IAESB’s website at www.iaesb.org. Comments are requested by October 4, 2013.
About the IAESB
The IAESB develops education standards, guidance, and information papers for use by IFAC member bodies under a shared standard-setting process involving the Public Interest Oversight Board, which oversees the activities of the IAESB, and the IAESB Consultative Advisory Group, which provides public interest input into the development of the standards and guidance. The structures and processes that support the operations of the IAESB are facilitated by IFAC.
About IFAC
IFAC is the global organization for the accountancy profession, dedicated to serving the public interest by strengthening the profession and contributing to the development of strong international economies. It is comprised of 173 members and associates in 129 countries and jurisdictions, representing approximately 2.5 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.