IRBA Releases 7th Annual Audit Quality Indicators Report

Posted 12 March 2026 Written by Acts Online
Category Auditing

Brought to you by SA Accounting Academy: In terms of the Auditing Profession Act, No. 26 of 2005, the Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors (IRBA) has released its 7th Annual Audit Quality Indicators Survey Report to provide measurable data on factors influencing audit quality.

The report serves as a diagnostic tool designed to provide audit firms, regulators, audit committees, and investors with consistent and comparable data points to evaluate aspects that impact the quality of audits. This 2025 edition is based on data provided by selected audit firms and offers insights into measures related to auditor appointment, performance, and independence.

The IRBA emphasizes that Audit Quality Indicators (AQIs) should not be treated as absolute benchmarks. Instead, they must be interpreted with care, as their significance and meaning vary across different firms and situational contexts. The framework is intended to facilitate tangible and measurable conversations within the financial reporting ecosystem.

Key Objectives of the AQI Framework

  • Providing audit committees with tangible metrics to facilitate meaningful conversations regarding auditor performance and independence.
  • Enhancing transparency and accountability by making measurable data available to stakeholders.
  • Assisting firms in identifying areas for continuous improvement in their audit methodologies and quality control systems.

Click here to download the IRBA AQI Report 2025.

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

  • For yourself: No direct individual filing obligations; however, practitioners should familiarise themselves with these indicators to align their professional conduct with the IRBA’s quality expectations.
  • For your business: Audit firms must maintain robust internal systems to track and report these indicators accurately, as they are increasingly used by audit committees for performance evaluation.
  • For your clients: Audit committees of client entities should incorporate the AQIs into their formal assessment of the external auditor’s independence and effectiveness during the annual appointment process.

Originally published at https://accountingacademy.co.za/news/read/irba-7th-annual-audit-quality-indicators-report-2025

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