LATEST UPDATE
IESBA Launches Workstream on Private Equity Investment in Accounting Firms
- IESBA will analyse ethical and independence implications of private equity investment in accounting firms.
- It will assess the need for standard setting on alternative practice structures.
- In its March meeting, IESBA also agreed to develop new guidance on technology and AI, enhance its support for global implementation of the sustainability standards, and review the practical implementation of key ethics standards.
The International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) has agreed to launch a dedicated workstream to analyse issues relating to private equity investment in accounting firms from an ethical perspective.
The decision follows the previously published IESBA Staff Alert on Private Equity Investment in Accounting Firms (July 2025), available on:
It also emanates from consideration of recent developments related to private equity investment in accounting firms.
For more information, watch the recent Message from the Chair video, available on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAoBwjjaVCg
Also please read the IESBA Meeting Highlights and Decisions document, available on: https://www.ethicsboard.org/_flysystem/azure-private/2026-03/March%202026%20IESBA%20Meeting%20Highlights.pdf
