1. Page 1 | Confidential and Proprietary Information REVISION of IES 4 Saleem Kharwa

2. Page 2 | Confidential and Proprietary Information TF has been grappling with the inclusion of skepticism and judgment since the inception of the revision. The words appeared in 2 places of the requirements section of the ED and the revision: –together with public interest and –in the learning outcomes Board commented that the learning outcomes for professional skepticism and professional judgment were too narrow. Professional Judgment (PJ) and Professional Skepticism (PS) already defined by the IAASB’s Int. Std. on Auditing – but these are in terms of audit engagements. Board indicated judgment & skepticism went beyond audit for a professional accountant. Literature search conducted by TF showed the following: JUDGEMENT and SKEPTICISM REVISION of IES 4

3. Page 3 | Confidential and Proprietary Information o PS & PJ concepts largely used in the conduct of audits o Terms are viewed as connected and used interchangeably. o PS is identified as a subset of PJ. o ISA 200 definitions: Professional judgment – The application of relevant training, knowledge and experience, within the context provided by auditing, accounting and ethical standards, in making informed decisions about the courses of action that are appropriate in the circumstances of the audit engagement. Professional skepticism – An attitude that includes a questioning mind, being alert to conditions which may indicate possible misstatement due to error or fraud, and a critical assessment of audit evidence. o PS and PJ key issues in and have learning outcomes in IES 8. JUDGEMENT and SKEPTICISM REVISION of IES 4

4. Page 4 | Confidential and Proprietary Information o Alternative definitions to IES 8 and ISA 200 will cause confusion. o Board’s direction was to expand beyond audit. TF recommends use skepticism and judgement at IPD level and PS and PJ be addressed at IES8 level. Dictionary definitions of skepticism and judgement are sufficient Learning outcomes given prominence as follows: Apply a skeptical mindset to critically assess financial information and other data relevant to the role of a professional accountant. Identify and evaluate reasonable alternatives to reach well reasoned conclusions based on all relevant facts and circumstances available. JUDGEMENT and SKEPTICISM REVISION of IES 4

5. Page 5 | Confidential and Proprietary Information Learning outcomes originally in narrative format. Board preferred consistent presentation. TF Chairs and Secretaries agreed the tabular format to be used. Based on this agreement the TF: –Tabulated the existing outcomes into the learning outcomes column (except for skepticism and judgment which were redrafted from para 10 dot point 8). –Divided the existing learning outcomes into 3 competence areas based on areas of expertise. –Used the agreed Proficiency Levels of Learning Outcomes with the existing verbs in the outcomes to determine the proficiency levels as follows:  Skepticism and Judgment – Advanced  Ethical principles – Intermediate  Commitment to the public interest – Intermediate ADOPTION of TABULAR FORMAT REVISION of IES 4

6. Page 6 | Confidential and Proprietary Information Board raised concerns about the way public interest was described. Board suggested repositioning content elsewhere. TF noted the following: –Public interest specifically set in para 3 of Framework. –New common EM to support the objective paragraph refers specifically to the public interest (common across Standards). –During the redraft the words “acting in an ethical manner” were omitted from the framework requirement. Task Force Recommendation: The framework requirement reverts to wording consistent with that used in ED and the extant IES reflecting public interest. The draft requirement on public interest be repositioned in the EM. REPOSITIONING PUBLIC INTEREST WITHIN REQUIREMENT REVISION of IES 4

7. Page 7 | Confidential and Proprietary Information  Paragraph 9 IFAC member bodies shall provide, through learning and development activities, a framework of professional values, ethics, and attitudes for aspiring professional accountants to exercise judgment and to act in an ethical manner that is in the public interest.  Paragraph A8 By establishing learning and development activities that cover professional values, ethics, and attitudes, IFAC member bodies foster a commitment to act in the public interest. REPOSITIONING PUBLIC INTEREST WITHIN REQUIREMENT REVISION of IES 4

8. Page 8 | Confidential and Proprietary Information Page by page review Thank you CONCLUSION REVISION of IES 4