The event, initiated at the request of the Audit Public Oversight Body of Ukraine (APOB), was made possible through the collaborative support of the IFAC and the Auditors’ Chamber of Ukraine. The primary objective was to present and discuss good practices in the implementation of IESs at both university and PAO levels, fostering a shared understanding of the standards’ role in shaping high-quality accounting education and professional development.

A central theme of the workshop was the fundamental importance of the IESs in building the capacity of accountants and auditors. IESs provide a globally recognized framework for the initial and continuing education of professional accountants, ensuring that the profession meets the evolving needs of economies and societies. Their consistent application at the university level lays the foundation for robust, relevant, and ethical accounting education, while their integration into PAO-led continuing professional development (CPD) programs ensures that practitioners remain up-to-date with international best practices throughout their careers.

The workshop featured insightful presentations from IFAC and the Centre for Financial and Sustainability Reporting Reform (CFRR), highlighting collaborative efforts and successful initiatives in the region. A relevant case study was shared from the Bucharest University of Economic Studies (Romania), illustrating practical approaches and challenges in aligning university curricula with IESs. The session also explored how PAOs are implementing IESs at the CPD level, with a focus on best practices, compliance strategies, and innovative approaches to professional education.

Participants engaged in dynamic discussions on the critical role of IESs in developing university education programs and the importance of their consistent application at both the initial and CPD stages. The workshop underscored that adopting IESs is not only about compliance but about equipping future accountants and auditors with the skills, knowledge, and ethical grounding needed to serve the public interest and support Ukraine’s economic development.

The workshop highlighted the fundamental role of the IESs in the development of education programs at the university level and importance of their consistent application and CPD level. The experience will be used in updating Ukrainian national education standards for teaching accounting in universities

This was one in a series of webinars hosted by the APOB and supported by the CFRR. It received positive feedback from participants. A further webinar, which will consider the Polish experience of enhancing accounting education featuring the Warsaw School of Economics, is scheduled for July 11, 2025.