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Idowu, Samuel O. and Debski, Joy A. (2026) Understanding the rules and practical implications of the International Standard on Sustainability Assurance 5000 (ISSA 5000). Accounting and Management Review = Revista de Contabilidade e Gestão, 31. ISSN 2184-0733 (In Press)
The rapid expansion of mandatory sustainability reporting has fundamentally altered the architecture and expectations of the assurance profession, creating demand for assurance that extends well beyond the traditional financial information. In response to this shift, the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board has introduced ISSA 5000 as a global, principles-based standard for sustainability assurance. This article examines the practical implications of ISSA 5000 for assurance practitioners and firms, focusing on how the standard reshapes engagement scope, professional judgment, reporting practices, and interactions with corporate governance structures.
Drawing on prior academic insights and emerging regulatory developments, the article argues that ISSA 5000 represents more than a technical harmonization exercise. It repositions sustainability assurance as an integrated, governance-oriented function that sits at the intersection of risk management, regulatory compliance, and strategic oversight. For practitioners, adoption of ISSA 5000 expands assurance engagements in terms of complexity, time horizon, and evidentiary requirements, while simultaneously increasing exposure to professional judgment risk and legal scrutiny. The standard also elevates expectations around interdisciplinary competence, systems thinking, and transparent communication with boards, regulators, and other stakeholders.
At the same time, ISSA 5000 offers significant strategic advantages for the assurance profession. By promoting consistency, comparability, and methodological rigor, it strengthens the credibility of sustainability assurance at a time of heightened concern over greenwashing and disclosure reliability. It also creates opportunities for firms to develop resilient service lines aligned with mandatory reporting regimes and evolving governance needs. The article concludes that the value of ISSA 5000 will ultimately depend on how practitioners implement its principles in practice. Those who treat the standard as a compliance obligation risk undermining its potential, while those who embrace its integrative logic are well positioned to enhance assurance quality, professional relevance, and trust in sustainability reporting.
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