IRBA Calls for Comments on Draft Revised Competency Framework for Auditors

Posted 07 August 2026 Written by Acts Online
Category Financial and Accounting

Brought to you by SA Legal Academy: The Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors (IRBA) has invited public comments on a draft revised competency framework for auditors to update the previous framework published in 2013.

Exercising its statutory functions under the Auditing Profession Act, No. 26 of 2005, IRBA developed the revised iteration to address key technological, regulatory, economic, and risk-related shifts that have impacted the auditing environment over the past decade.

The implementation timeline outlined by the regulator includes the following key milestone dates:

  • Public comment closing date: 7 September 2026
  • Target publication of final framework: October 2026
  • Effective date: 1 April 2027 (subject to a phased implementation model)

What this means for you, your business, or your clients

  • For yourself: Registered auditors and audit candidates must examine the proposed competency changes to align their professional development and learning plans ahead of the 1 April 2027 effective date.
  • For your business: Audit practices must review internal training programmes, performance assessment tools, and practical experience tracking to prepare for phased compliance.
  • For your clients: Corporate clients gain assurance that audit teams are held to modernised competency standards designed around current risk and technological environments.

Originally published at https://legalacademy.co.za/news/read/auditors-input-sought-on-draft-revised-competency-framework

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