ICAS joined forces with the International Association of Accounting Education and Research (IAAER) and the International Audit and Assurance Standard Board (IAASB) to commission qualitative research on the valuation of financial instruments. Previous research had been done from the perspective of auditors, but this research focuses on the perspective of the valuation specialist.

While the report notes no distinct differences across geographical regions, it analyses pressure points and potential conflicts in the four phases of the production of fair value measurements reported in financial statements: 1) project acquisition and planning; 2) scoping, valuation approach, and methodology; 3) estimate preparation and relationship management; and 4) negotiations and final estimate reporting.

The report does include some policy recommendations for regulators, standard-setters, and other stakeholders:

• Auditors and regulators should consider the relative advantages and disadvantages of adopting the independent estimate approach as best practice when evaluating clients’ fair value measurements;
• Standard-setters should consider strengthening auditor awareness of the effects of budget and timeline pressures, and scope constraints, and encourage a more collaborative team-based approach between auditors and specialists;
• Regulators should consider incorporating an evaluation of management’s competence related to fair value measurements as a component of the auditors’ risk assessment process; and
• Standard-setters should consider enhancing corporate governance by promoting understanding of the subjectivity inherent in fair value measurements among the board and audit committees.

Please click to access the full report on the ICAS website.