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Advancing Accountancy Education

Welcome to the IFAC Accountancy Education E-Tool. Interested in learning more about IFAC's approach to accountancy education at the global level? Check out our video for an overview.

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Preparing Our Profession for the Future: Knowledge Gateway

In addition to visiting this e-tool, we recommend frequently visiting the Knowledge Gateway to stay current on how IFAC and its member organizations are equipping professional accountants and professional accountancy organizations for the future.

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IFAC Accountancy Education E-tool

This e-tool helps accountancy education stakeholders navigate and access key principles and related implementation support.

Entering an accounting education program

IES 1

Entry to a Program

Initial professional development content for aspiring accountants

IES 2

Technical Competence

IES 3

Professional Skills

IES 4

Professional Values, Ethics & Attitudes

Applying and assessing initial professional development for aspiring accountants

IES 5

Practical Experience

IES 6

Assessment

Building and maintaining skills and competence through continuing professional development

IES 7

Continuing Professional Development

IES 8

Audit Engagement Partner Competence

International Education Standards

While this e-tool provides easy access and navigation for the International Education Standards (IES), the 2019 Handbook of International Education Standards contains the authoritative set of currently-effective IES, and those that will become effective in the future.

Download the 2019 Handbook

International Panel on Accountancy Education

The Panel is a key feature of IFAC’s approach to advancing accountancy education at the global level and instrumental in advising IFAC on how to assist professional accountancy organizations in preparing future-ready accountants.

IPAE Members

IFAC Member Organizations

IFAC member organizations serve the public interest by, among other actions and responsibilities, supporting international standards' adoption and implementation, including the IES.

Member Responsibilities

See the Status of Adoption of IES

Level of Proficiency	Description
Foundation	Typically, learning outcomes in a competence area focus on: Defining, explaining, summarizing, and interpreting the underlying principles and theories of relevant areas of technical competence to complete tasks while working under appropriate supervision; Performing assigned tasks by using the appropriate professional skills; Recognizing the importance of professional values, ethics, and attitudes in performing assigned tasks; Solving simple problems, and referring complex tasks or problems to supervisors or those with specialized expertise; and Providing information and explaining ideas in a clear manner, using oral and written communications. Learning outcomes at the foundation level relate to work environments that are characterized by low levels of ambiguity, complexity, and uncertainty.
Intermediate	Typically, learning outcomes in a competence area focus on: Independently applying, comparing, and analyzing underlying principles and theories from relevant areas of technical competence to complete work assignments and make decisions; Combining technical competence and professional skills to complete work assignments; Applying professional values, ethics, and attitudes to work assignments; and Presenting information and explaining ideas in a clear manner, using oral and written communications, to accounting and non-accounting stakeholders. Learning outcomes at the intermediate level relate to work environments that are characterized by moderate levels of ambiguity, complexity, and uncertainty.
Advanced	Typically, learning outcomes in a competence area focus on: Selecting and integrating principles and theories from different areas of technical competence to manage and lead projects and work assignments, and to make recommendations appropriate to stakeholder needs; Integrating technical competence and professional skills to manage and lead projects and work assignments; Making judgments on appropriate courses of action drawing on professional values, ethics, and attitudes; Assessing, researching, and resolving complex problems with limited supervision; Anticipating, consulting appropriately, and developing solutions to complex problems and issues; and Consistently presenting and explaining relevant information in a persuasive manner to a wide-range of stakeholders. Learning outcomes at the advanced level relate to work environments that are characterized by high levels of ambiguity, complexity, and uncertainty.

Level of Proficiency

Description

Foundation

Typically, learning outcomes in a competence area focus on:

Defining, explaining, summarizing, and interpreting the underlying principles and theories of relevant areas of technical competence to complete tasks while working under appropriate supervision;
Performing assigned tasks by using the appropriate professional skills;
Recognizing the importance of professional values, ethics, and attitudes in performing assigned tasks;
Solving simple problems, and referring complex tasks or problems to supervisors or those with specialized expertise; and
Providing information and explaining ideas in a clear manner, using oral and written communications.

Learning outcomes at the foundation level relate to work environments that are characterized by low levels of ambiguity, complexity, and uncertainty.

Intermediate

Typically, learning outcomes in a competence area focus on:

Independently applying, comparing, and analyzing underlying principles and theories from relevant areas of technical competence to complete work assignments and make decisions;
Combining technical competence and professional skills to complete work assignments;
Applying professional values, ethics, and attitudes to work assignments; and
Presenting information and explaining ideas in a clear manner, using oral and written communications, to accounting and non-accounting stakeholders.

Learning outcomes at the intermediate level relate to work environments that are characterized by moderate levels of ambiguity, complexity, and uncertainty.

Advanced

Typically, learning outcomes in a competence area focus on:

Selecting and integrating principles and theories from different areas of technical competence to manage and lead projects and work assignments, and to make recommendations appropriate to stakeholder needs;
Integrating technical competence and professional skills to manage and lead projects and work assignments;
Making judgments on appropriate courses of action drawing on professional values, ethics, and attitudes;
Assessing, researching, and resolving complex problems with limited supervision;
Anticipating, consulting appropriately, and developing solutions to complex problems and issues; and
Consistently presenting and explaining relevant information in a persuasive manner to a wide-range of stakeholders.

Learning outcomes at the advanced level relate to work environments that are characterized by high levels of ambiguity, complexity, and uncertainty.

Advancing Accountancy Education

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IFAC Accountancy Education E-tool

International Education Standards

International Panel on Accountancy Education

IFAC Member Organizations

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IFAC Accountancy Education E-tool

Description of Levels of Proficiency