FEE updates its Factsheet on Integrated Reporting: Integrated Reporting is seen as a major development in corporate reporting. FEE released a factsheet explaining how integrated reporting differs from traditional reporting and highlighting some of the steps taken by the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC). Planned actions from the IIRC include publishing an analysis of the responses received on the Discussion Paper in March 2012. View  For the FEE letter to the IIRC on the Discussion Paper “Towards Integrated Reporting” – Communicating Value in the 21st Century. View

Conference with Stakeholders on Modernisation of the Professional Qualifications Directive: The webcast from this Conference, which took place on 2 February, is available at View

 

European SME envoys make life of small enterprises easier: On 27 January 2012, EC Vice-President Antonio Tajani welcomed the progress on access to credits and simplification initiatives in the Member States. At the second meeting of the Network of SME Envoys on 6 February in Luxembourg, chaired by the EU SME Envoy, Mr Daniel Calleja Crespo, Member States informed about progress achieved in key areas. This included measures to accelerate procedures to start a company, increase SMEs' access to finance, improving their participation rate in public procurement as well as in cutting red tape. View

 

Year-End SMP Quick Poll Reveals Burden of Regulation and Economic Uncertainty as Top Challenges: Regulatory burdens and economic woes continue to top the list of challenges faced by small- and medium-sized accountancy practices (SMPs) and their clients, according to the fourth quarter SMP Quick Poll results released by IFAC. View

 

FSB publishes peer review on deposit insurance systems: The global financial crisis illustrated the importance of effective depositor compensation arrangements. In response, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) and the International Association of Deposit Insurers (IADI) jointly issued in June 2009 the Core Principles for Effective Deposit Insurance Systems. Using the Core Principles as a benchmark, the peer review takes stock of deposit insurance systems (DISs) in FSB member jurisdictions and draws lessons about the effectiveness of reforms in response to the crisis.  View

 

Professional Accountants Need to Respond to Increasing Demands from Investors for ESG Information: The Professional Accountants in Business (PAIB) Committee of IFAC has published Investor Demand for Environmental, Social, and Governance Disclosures: Implications for Professional Accountants in Business. The report considers trends in investor demand for and use of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) information, and recommends how professional accountants can better support their organizations in responding to these demands, and ultimately improve the management and reporting of ESG performance. View