Overview
Under the Accounting and Financial Reporting Council Ordinance (AFRCO), the AFRC has the power to perform the following functions. To ensure the high-quality and long-term sustainable development of the accounting profession, we implement a robust registration process that includes stringent vetting procedures.
- Issuance of practising certificates
- Registration of firm names and firms
- Registration of corporate practices
- Registration of local auditors as public interest entity (PIE) auditors
- Recognition of non-Hong Kong auditors as PIE auditors
For an understanding of the legal framework under the AFRCO and the registration function of the AFRC, please refer to the details set out in the following policy statements:
- Policy Statement for the Issuance of Practising Certificates
- Policy Statement for the Registration of Firm Names and Firms
- Policy Statement for the Registration of Corporate Practices
- Policy Statement for the Registration of Local PIE Auditors
- Policy Statement for the Recognition of Non-Hong Kong Auditors
Workflow
Workflow
- Read the relevant Registration Guide to understand the registration criteria
- Prepare certified copies of all supporting documents
- Submit your application by completing your application form, uploading the certified copies of supporting documents and paying non-refundable application fees online
- Respond promptly to enquiries from the AFRC
- Obtain the AFRC’s approval before the following changes take effect:
- Addition of responsible persons to a registered PIE auditor
- Amendments to Articles of Association of a corporate practice
Change of name of a CPA firm or corporate practice
- Update the AFRC by submitting change notification and certified copies of supporting documents within 14 days of any change in practising information such as:
- Name of practice
- Registered office address
- Email address
- Contact phone number
- Composition of CPA firms or corporate practices
- Renew registration annually during the following renewal periods, otherwise it will expire by 31 December:
- Practising certificate, CPA firm and corporate practice: 1 November to 15 December
- PIE auditor: 1 October to 16 November
- Submit cancellation request with certified copies of supporting documents