The Accounting Professional & Ethical Standards Board (APESB) was established as an independent body in February 2006. CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) and the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) are the three Members of the APESB as defined in APESB's Constitution. Professional accountants who are members of these three bodies have a responsibility to act in the public interest and are expected to act with objectivity and integrity in their dealings with investors, governments, clients, employers and employees and when undertaking work or providing advice. APESB issues standards that outline the responsibilities of members of these three bodies to act professionally and ethically when they are performing their role. Each standard contains information on the scope and application of the standard, definitions, professional obligations, reporting and documentation obligations and the date the standard took effect. APESB is a National Standards Setter and is a member of IFAC's IESBA National Standards Setters Group.