IAASB Issues 2026 Handbook of International Quality Management, Auditing, and Assurance Standards
Brought to you by SA Accounting Academy: The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (“IAASB”) has released the 2026 edition of the Handbook of International Quality Management, Auditing, Review, Sustainability and Other Assurance, and Related Services Pronouncements, introducing revised international standards that become effective for reporting periods beginning in December 2026.
In terms of section 4(1)(a) of the Auditing Profession Act, No. 26 of 2005, the Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors (“IRBA”) prescribes auditing standards for registered auditors in South Africa, aligning local assurance standards directly with IAASB pronouncements. The updated 2026 Handbook provides the codified global framework governing professional audit, review, and assurance engagements across five distinct volumes, including standardisation for sustainability assurance engagements.
The updated publication covers:
- Volume 1: Core auditing standards governing quality control and financial statement audits;
- Volume 2: International Auditing Practice Notes (“IAPNs”) and supplementary audit application materials;
- Volume 3: Standards on review engagements, other assurance engagements, and related services (including the ISRS series);
- Volume 4: Pronouncements governing international sustainability assurance engagements; and
- Volume 5: The International Framework for Assurance Engagements and general IAASB glossary and guidance.
Practitioners must note that the newly incorporated pronouncements will formally take effect in December 2026, requiring audit and assurance practices to adjust engagement workflows, risk assessment mechanisms, and quality management systems ahead of mandatory application.
Click here to download the five volumes of the 2026 IAASB Handbook.
What this means for you, your business, or your clients
- For yourself: Registered auditors and independent reviewers must review the updated five-volume text to align their professional development and engagement procedures with standards taking effect in December 2026.
- For your business: Audit practices must update their internal quality management manuals and audit methodology templates under ISQM 1 and ISQM 2 ahead of the December 2026 implementation cut-off.
- For your clients: Corporate clients facing upcoming statutory or voluntary sustainability reporting demands will be subjected to the revised IAASB assurance procedures on non-financial disclosures.
Originally published at https://accountingacademy.co.za/news/read/iaasb-new-2026-handbook