Home About IFAC Membership & Compliance Program Compliance Program Compliance Responses and Action Plans
Compliance Responses and Action Plans
IFAC members and associates have provided self-assessment information about the regulatory and standard-setting framework in their countries (Part 1) and their organizations' activities in addressing IFAC's membership requirements (Part 2) as described in the Statements of Membership Obligations. Based on an analysis of this information, they are developing SMO Action Plans for continuous development and improvement.
Some organizations have qualified to submit SMO Action Plans on a biennial basis by meeting eligibility criteria. These organizations are indicated with an asterisk (*).
In the interest of transparency and providing information to the profession, regulators, and other stakeholders, all responses and SMO Action Plans are accessible below.
The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
Introduction
The information below has been submitted as part of the IFAC Member Body Compliance program. The Program has two components:
| Part 1: | Assessment of the Regulatory and Standard-Setting Framework (provides information about regulatory requirements and standard-setting processes in member body countries); and |
| Part 2: | Assessment of Compliance (provides information on compliance by member bodies with the Statements of Membership Obligations). Part 2 of the Compliance Program will begin later this year, and the results will also be posted to the website. |
The responses to Part 1 are provided below. IFAC staff has reviewed the responses and, where necessary, validated them with external knowledgeable parties. A list of key terms is available to assist readers in understanding the responses.
The purpose of this Part 1 Assessment is to collect information on the roles of IFAC member bodies and other organizations (including government, regulatory or other appointed authorities) with respect to:
- Setting auditing, accounting, ethics, public sector and education standards; and
- Regulating the accountancy profession.
Sections 1 and 2 of Part 1 contain an introduction and instructions for member body respondents. For this reason, they are not included here, and the responses begin with Section 3.
Questions or comments may be sent to complianceassessment@ifac.org.
| Section 3 -- Member Body General Information |
1. Country:
-
United Kingdom
2. Name of member body:
-
The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
Or please specify name:
3. Individual responsible for preparation:
-
Helen Brand
4. Date member body became a member of IFAC:
-
Note: Please enter a numeric date (e.g., 12/2001, Month/Year)
10 / 1977
Questions 5 - 22 are for internal use only
| Section 3G -- Affiliations |
23. Please list those regional organizations to which your organization belongs (e.g., FEE, CAPA, ECSAFA, IAA, etc.):
-
FEE member
SEEPAD - member
AFA associate
CAPA affiliate
ECSAFA observer
| Section 4 -- Statutory Framework |
Responses to this section will provide a description of the legal framework governing the commercial aspects of auditing and financial reporting in your country.
| Section 4A -- The Companies Act or Commercial Code |
The following questions concern the Companies Act (the Act) or Commercial Code (the Code) or similar Legal authority in your country. If no Legal authority exists, or the Legal authority does not address particular questions, please indicate "N/A" for Not Applicable.
24. What is the full name of:
| a). the Act or the Code: | Companies Act 1985, as subsequently amended (and which restated all previous equivalent legislation including the Companies Act 1981, which implemented the 4th Directive and came into force in 1982) | |
| b). the Enacting body: | Government, Department of Trade and Industry | |
| c). date the Act or Code came into force: | 07 / 1985 |
25. How can IFAC obtain a copy of the Act or Code?
-
It is published in Butterworths' Company Law Handbook (currently in its 17th Edition), which can be obtained by contacting +44 208 662 2000, and is available online at www.lexisnexis.co.uk by subscribing to LexisNexis Online Services (tel: +44 1483 257726).
26. Is the Act or Code available in English?
| Yes | No |
27. What are the types of entities covered by the Act or the Code?
-
Please check all that apply.
| Listed entities | Other (please specify): Limited Liability Partnerships | ||||||
| Private companies | Other (please specify): Not for profit (only to the extent they fall into another category e.g., they are companies | ||||||
| Governmental | Other (please specify): | ||||||
| Not-for-profit | Other (please specify): |
28. Is there a requirement for the following entities to prepare annual statutory financial statements? If YES, please describe the financial reporting requirements including the accounting standards to be followed.
-
Please check all that apply.
| No | Yes | (If YES, please describe) | |
| Listed entities | Accounts to consist of Profit and Loss Account and Balance Sheet, giving a true and fair view. UK accounting standards (issued by the Accounting Standards Board ("ASB") also to be followed, which require a cash flow statement and a statement of total recognised gains and losses (listed entities will not be subject to UK accounting standards as from 1 January 2005). Copies of UK accounting standards can be obtained from the ASB at the following link: www.asb.org.uk/asb/publications. | ||
| Private companies | As above | ||
| Governmental | |||
| Not-for-profit | As above | ||
| Other (please describe) Limited Liability Partnerships | As above | ||
| Other (please describe) |
29. Is there a statutory requirement for the following entities to be audited? If YES, describe the requirement including the auditing standards to be followed:
-
Please check all that apply.
| No | Yes | (If YES, please describe) | |
| Listed entities | Auditor to state whether the accounts give a true and fair view and are properly prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Act. The standards to be followed are the UK AuditingStandards issued by the Auditing Practices Board. As from 1 January 2005, International Auditing Standards will apply to all UK companies (subject to an exception for companies that have both a turnover of not more than £5.6 million and gross assets of not more than £2.8 million) | ||
| Private companies | as above | ||
| Governmental | |||
| Not-for-profit | as above | ||
| Other (please describe) Limited Liability Partnerships | as above | ||
| Other (please describe) |
30. Are the auditors ("statutory auditors") that are appointed for audits required by the Act or Code ("statutory audits") appointed for a specific period?
| Yes | No |
| If YES, please indicate the term of appointment: | 1 Year(s) |
31. Who appoints the statutory auditors?
-
Please check all that apply.
| Shareholders | Management | ||||||
| Board of directors | Other (please specify): Board of directors applies in the event of a vacancy, for example, if the auditor resigns during an accounting period.) | ||||||
| Audit committee | Other (please specify): | ||||||
| Government agency | Other (please specify): |
32. Does the Act or Code require joint auditors for the statutory audit?
| Yes | No |
| If yes, please describe the requirement: | |
33. Does the Act or Code require the rotation of the auditors or audit firms performing statutory audits?
| Yes | No |
| If yes, please describe the requirement: | |
| Section 4B -- Securities Market Regulations |
Responses to this section will provide a description of the financial reporting and auditing requirements for listed entities in your country.
34. What are (a) the major items of Legal authority for such requirements, (b) the Enacting body(ies) and (c) the latest amendment date? Please identify the specific articles or sections that pertain to auditing and financial reporting:
- the major items of Legal authority for such requirements
The Listing Rules. - the Enacting body(ies)
The UK Listing Authority (UKLA), part of the Financial Services Authority (FSA). - the latest amendment date?
05/2004
35. How can IFAC obtain a copy of the Legal authority?
-
The Listing Rules are available at http://www.fsa.gov.uk/ukla/1_listinginfo4.html
36. Is the Legal authority available in English?
| Yes | No |
37. Are there any additional or alternative financial statement reporting requirements for listed entities that are not described in your answer to Question 28?
| Yes | No |
| If YES, please describe the requirement: |
| Half-yearly interim reporting. |
38. Are there any additional auditing requirements that apply to listed entities other than those described in your answer to Question 29 (e.g., additional GAAS requirements, additional independence requirements, requirements to report to those charged with governance, etc.)?
| Yes | No |
| If YES, please describe the requirement: |
| Reporting on corporate governance disclosures. |
39. Who appoints the statutory auditors of listed entities?
-
Please check all that apply.
| Shareholders | Management | |||
| Board of directors | Other (please specify): See also Question 31 | |||
| Audit committee | Other (please specify): | |||
| Government agency | Other (please specify): |
40. Are auditors who perform audits of listed entities appointed for a specified period?
| Yes | No |
| If YES, please indicate the term of appointment: | 1 Year(s) |
41. Are joint auditors required for audits of listed entities?
| Yes | No |
| If YES, please describe the requirement: |
42. Is rotation of the auditor or audit firm for audits of listed entities required?
| Yes | No |
| If YES, please describe the requirement: |
| UK (ICAEW, ACCA, ICAS and ICAI) recommended practice is that individual audit engagement partners of listed company audit clients are rotated at least every 5 years. Other key audit parties at group level on listed entities should rotate at least every 7 years. (ACCA's Code of Ethics recognises that rotation may not be possible in all circumstances, due to the size of the firm or the nature of the engagement. In such cases, it requires suitable alternative safeguards (e.g. external consultation) to be applied to reduce risks to an acceptable level). |
| Section 5 -- Auditing Standards |
Responses to this section will provide a description of the legal and professional framework governing audit and other assurance standards in your country. The section focuses on the establishment of such standards. Please indicate the role your organization plays within this framework.
| Section 5A -- Statutory Framework |
43. Please provide the name of the Legal authority and/or self-regulatory rules that establish audit and other assurance standards in your country, the date of the last amendment of such authority or rules and the name of body responsible for setting audit and other assurance standards. If the standards are different for different entities (e.g., listed entities, private companies, governmental bodies, not-for-profit organizations, etc.), please specify the details that apply to each:
| Type of entity | Name of applicable legal authority |
Date of last amendment (e.g. MM/YYYY 06/2001) |
Name of body responsible for setting audit and other assurance standards |
| Listed entity | Companies Act 1985 | Note 1 | Auditing Practices Board (APB) |
| Other (please describe) LLPs | Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2000 | Note 1 | |
| Other (please describe) Entities established under legislation | See Note 2 | ||
| Other (please describe) Public sector and other audits | See Note 3 and Note 4 |
a. How can IFAC obtain copies of these documents?
Through Her Majestys Stationery Office www.hmso.gov.uk.
Note 1 (Q43) - The last major amendment to the Companies Act 1985 was the Companies Act 1989. Amendments have been made since, principally by means of Statutory Instruments. Please note that the Companies Act 1985 contains requirements for bodies such as the ICAEW to abide by technical standards set by an independent body, but that auditing standards and the Auditing Practices Board are not specified in legislation. The Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies has undertaken to adopt auditing standards and guidance issued by the Auditing Practices Board within three months of promulgation by the Auditing Practices Board. The Companies Act 1985 will be amended by a Companies Bill currently passing through Parliament. The Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2000 has also been amended, principally by means of Statutory Instruments. The auditing requirements for LLPs are similar to those for companies.
Note 2 (Q43) - Entities established under other legislation: These include building societies, credit unions, pension funds, registered social landlords, charities, industrial and provident societies, friendly societies, trade unions and others. Such entities are subject to varying auditing requirements depending on their size, and on the legislation to which they are subject.
Note 3 (Q43) - Governmental bodies: The APB's Practice Note 10 provides guidance on how to apply standards to audits in the public sector.
Note 4 (Q43) - Standards set by the Auditing Practices Board apply to (a) other audits conducted by firms registered with CCAB members unless the terms of engagement require the use of other recognized auditing standards such as International Standards on Auditing and (b) audits conducted by firms not registered with CCAB members where such firms elect to, or are required by contract to perform audits in accordance with UK or Irish auditing standards.
Not-for-profit organizations: there is no overarching requirement for the audit of such entities in the UK unless they are constituted as charities, industrial and provident societies, friendly societies, trade unions or similar in which case they may be caught by legislation governing such entities (see Note 3). Additional auditing requirements for many entities are also mandated by professional bodies and trade associations such as the Law Society (for solicitors) and the Association of British Travel Agents (for travel agents) and other organisations. These bodies may specify auditing procedures, but they do not set auditing standards.
b. Are the documents available in English?
| Yes | No |
| Section 5B -- Standard-Setting (Auditing Practices Board (APB)) |
44. For Auditing Practices Board (APB), please indicate the nature of the body (i.e., whether it is part of a government ministry or department, an agency appointed by government, a private organization established by the profession, or other [please describe]) and the name of the standards.
-
a. Nature of body
Private Company limited by guarantee.
The Auditing Practices Board is a subsidiary of the Financial Reporting Council which is an independent body responsible for auditing and accounting standard setting, the oversight of the profession and the promotion of high standards of corporate governance in the UK. The Financial Reporting Councils remit derives from reports issued by the UK Government.
b. Name of standards
Statements of Auditing Standards (SASs).
The Auditing Practices Board also issues Practice Notes, Bulletins and Statements of Investment Reporting Circular Standards.
45. How many voting members does the standard-setting body have?
-
15
46. Are the members of the standard-setting body involved on a voluntary basis or employed by the standard-setting body?
| Voluntary | ||||
| Employed | ||||
| Both - Please describe: | All members of the Auditing Practices Board are involved on a voluntary basis except for the Executive Director who is an employee. |
47. What are the criteria considered in selecting members of the standard-setting body (e.g., best person for the job, sector of the profession, private and public members, academic, geographical representation, etc.)?
-
40% of Auditing Practices Board members are required to be Responsible Individuals, i.e. eligible for appointment as company auditors under companies legislation. Any of the balance of 60% who are accountants may not be office holders of any accountancy body, nor involved in the governance of any accountancy body, nor partners in firms authorised to conduct audits. Representatives of the Accountancy Foundation, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Trade and Enterprise in the Republic of Ireland, and the Financial Services Authority are entitled to attend and speak at meetings but not to vote.
48. Who appoints these members (e.g., member body, government, user, regulator, etc.)?
-
The Nomination Committee of the Financial Reporting Council leads the appointment of members of the Auditing Practices Board following best practice.
49. What is the term of appointment for members?
-
3 Year(s)
50. For how many years has the standard-setting body been in existence?
-
13 Year(s)
51. Please indicate the budget in US$ of the standard-setting body for the last fiscal year:
-
Note: Please enter a whole number using commas (e.g., 4,000,000)
1,788,034
Please enter the exchange rate used to calculate this number.
Note: Please enter a decimal amount (e.g., 4.0027)
0.559273
52. To what entity is the standard-setting body accountable?
-
The Financial Reporting Council
53. Describe the due process followed by the standard-setting body. Please include explanations of the following:
- public exposure of standards
Before publishing or amending a SAS or any other standard, the Auditing Practices Board publishes an exposure draft on its web-site, ensures that a hard copy of the document is circulated to the accountancy bodies and to other interested parties and allows at least three months, unless circumstances require a shorter period, for representations to be made on it. Where publications cause changes to be made to other previously issued publications, any such consequential changes are exposed for comments.
- accessibility of meetings (i.e., public or private)
Private
- approval process for final standards (i.e., majority required to approve final standards)
Decisions to establish, publish, amend or withdraw a SAS or an exposure draft thereof requires a majority of the votes of all the members of the Auditing Practices Board (whether present at a meeting or not).
Decisions to establish, publish, amend or withdraw non-mandatory notes, guidance and other material relevant to auditing requires a simple majority of the votes of the members of the Auditing Practices Board who are at a meeting where a quorum is present and at which the matter is decided upon.
Any other questions are decided by a majority of votes actually case at a meeting. In case of an equality of votes, the chairman of the meeting has a second or casting vote.
- other relevant due process activities
The Auditing Practices Board has established a Technical Advisory Group and publishes an review of its activities annually. For further details please see www.frc.org.uk/documents/pdf/apbstandingordersextractsforwebsite.pdf.
54. Approximately how many days per year does the standard-setting body meet in full session (including teleconferences)?
-
10 Day(s)
| Section 6 -- Ethics |
Responses to questions in this section will provide a description of the legal and professional framework governing ethics standards for accountants in your country. This section focuses on the establishment of such standards. Please indicate the role your organization plays within this framework.
| Section 6A -- Statutory Framework |
55. For each of the following types of professionals, please indicate the name of the Legal authority and/or self-regulatory rules establishing ethics standards for accountants and auditors in your country, the date of the last amendment of such authority or rules and the name of body responsible for setting the ethics standards.
| Type of professional covered | Name of applicable legal authority |
Date of last amendment (e.g. MM/YYYY 06/2001) |
Name of body responsible for setting ethics standards |
| Professional Accountants in Public Practice | Auditor Independence Companies Act | 1989 - See Note 5 | ACCA (Note 6) |
| Professional Accountants in Business | |||
| Professional Accountants in the Public Sector | |||
| Other (please describe) |
a. How can IFAC obtain copies of these documents?
ACCA - available through internet at
www.accaglobal.com/members/publications/2033
Note 5 (Q55) Date relates to date of legislative change: the ethics codes of the accountancy bodies are amended annually. The Act is to be amended late 2004/early 2005 to require compliance with auditor independence standards issued by the Auditing Practices Board (APB).
Note 6 - Also for Professional Accountants in Business and Professional Accountants in the Public Sector
b. Are the documents available in English?
| Yes | No |
| Section 6B -- Standard-Setting (ACCA (Note 6)) |
56. For ACCA (Note 6), please indicate the nature of the body (i.e., whether it is part of a government ministry or department, an agency appointed by government, a private organization established by the profession, or other [please describe]) and the name of the standards.
-
a. Nature of body
Member-owned accountancy body
b. Name of standards
Rules of Professional Conduct
57. How many voting members does the standard-setting body have?
-
ACCA - Council has 36 members, all of whom are elected by the membership as a whole. There are no co-opted or ex-officio positions.
58. Are the members of the standard-setting body involved on a voluntary basis or employed by the standard-setting body?
| Voluntary | ||||
| Employed | ||||
| Both - Please describe: |
59. What are the criteria considered in selecting members of the standard-setting body (e.g., best person for the job, sector of the profession, private and public members, academic, geographical representation, etc.)?
-
Best person for the job.
60. Who appoints these members (e.g., member body, government, user, regulator, etc.)?
-
See response to Question 57.
Additional info re: Q61: Members serve for three year terms, after which they can offer themselves for re-election for a further three year term. There is currently no constitutional limit to the length of service of a Council Member, although Council has agreed guidance suggesting that the limit should be nine years (or twelve years in the case of an Officer reaching that position at the end of the nine year period).
61. What is the term of appointment for members?
-
3 Year(s)
62. For how many years has the standard-setting body been in existence?
-
Year(s)
63. Please indicate the budget in US$ of the standard-setting body for the last fiscal year:
-
Note: Please enter a whole number using commas (e.g., 4,000,000)
Please enter the exchange rate used to calculate this number.
Note: Please enter a decimal amount (e.g., 4.0027)
64. To what entity is the standard-setting body accountable?
-
The ethical standard setting functions of the accountancy bodies are subject to oversight by the Public Oversight Board for Accountancy (POBA) ( another element of the FRC) to ensure they are in the public interest.
The standard setting function of the APB is not directly accountable, other than to its board (see above). However, the POBA is charged with ensuring that the other FRC boards (including the APB) are functioning in accordance with their general remit, and an annual report is produced.
65. Describe the due process followed by the standard-setting body. Please include explanations of the following:
- public exposure of standards
None
- accessibility of meetings (i.e., public or private)
The Council meetings are in public unless there are specific issues requiring private meetings.
- approval process for final standards (i.e., majority required to approve final standards)
Majority voting applies.
- other relevant due process activities
The accountancy bodies that register statutory auditors submit an annual report to the UK government which considers, inter-alia, any relevant ethical developments.
66. Approximately how many days per year does the standard-setting body meet in full session (including teleconferences)?
-
4 Day(s)
| Section 7 -- Education |
Responses to questions in this section will provide a description of how education requirements for the profession are established. Please indicate the role your organization plays within this process.
| Section 7A -- Education Requirements |
67. Please describe in general terms the education system in your country including the different stages of education from early childhood education through to tertiary level study. Please indicate which aspects / levels are compulsory as part of the national education system:
-
See ACCA Attachment for further information re Q67.
Education in the UK is compulsory for everyone between the ages of five and sixteen, and is provided by two kinds of schools: state-funded schools and independent (fee-charging) schools. The UK has two distinct systems of courses and qualifications: one for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and one for Scotland, each compatible with the other. After the age of 16, education is optional
Pre-school or pre-preparatory education
Pre-school education is available in both the independent and the state systems. Many children start their education at the age of three or four at a nursery school or in the nursery class at a primary school.
Primary and preparatory education
Most UK children enter the state education system when they go to primary or preparatory school at the age of five and generally move to secondary school or college at ages of between eleven and thirteen.
Secondary education (including GCSEs and equivalents)
All UK secondary schools, both state and independent, teach pupils at least until the age of sixteen and prepare them for GCSEs or equivalent qualifications.
Post-sixteen education (including A-levels and equivalents)
After completing compulsory education at the age of sixteen, students may legally leave school and start work. Most, however, study A-levels or equivalent qualifications as sixth-form students in a school, sixth-form college or college of further education.
Post-eighteen education
Sixth-formers usually finish their secondary education at the age of eighteen with A-levels or equivalent qualifications, then go on to study at either further or higher education level.
Further education (FE) (including career based courses and some degree courses) This is the term used to describe education and training that takes place after the school-leaving age of sixteen. Over six hundred FE colleges, both state-funded and independent, offer a very wide range of programmes, including English language courses, some GCSEs, A-levels and other equivalents, career based courses, access courses and some degree courses.
Higher education (HE) (including degree courses, postgraduate programmes and MBAs) This is the term used to describe the education and training that takes place at universities, colleges and institutes offering studies at degree level and higher. The UK has over ninety universities and more than fifty HE colleges offering a wide range of courses, most of which lead to degrees or equivalent qualifications, postgraduate qualifications or MBAs.
68. Is there a legal authority or regulation that specifies the requirements for an individual to operate as an accountant or auditor in your country?
| Yes | No |
If YES, please provide the name and describe the requirements, including any relating to education, experience or qualifications.
Accountancy per se is not legally restricted but company auditing is, as are insolvency and financial services.
All Registered Auditors are regulated in the conduct of audit by a Recognised Supervisory Body. The UK accountancy bodies which are recognised by the DTI as 'supervisory bodies' for the purpose of audit are:
* The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA);
* The Association of Authorised Public Accountants (AAPA) - now subsidiary of ACCA;
* The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW);
* The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland (ICAI); and
* The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Scotland (ICAS).
ACCA's recognition as a supervisory body entitles it to authorise its members to act as auditors of companies. A supervisory body is defined by the Companies Act 1989 as:
'a body established in the UK which maintains and enforces rules as to -
(a) the eligibility of persons to seek appointment as auditor, and
(b) the conduct of company audit work.'
To be eligible to become a Recognised Supervisory Body, the applicant must maintain and enforce rules as to the eligibility, supervision, discipline and monitoring of persons seeking appointment as company auditors. In addition, the applicant must satisfy the Secretary of State that its recognition is necessary.
69. Please select from below all the relevant key levels of requirements to obtain certification from your member body (i.e. to qualify as a certified or chartered accountant) and provide a general description of the requirement.
|
Academic requirements Minimum entrance level at matriculation level. |
|
|
Professional examinations Professional examinations set and marked by ACCA based on ACCAs syllabus (including financial accounting, management accounting, auditing, financial management, law, tax, management and IT). |
|
|
Practical experience Three years relevant, practical experience under supervision, based on ACCAs Student Training Record. A Practising Certificate Training Record has to be met to qualify for a Practising Certificate (which requires two years practical experience in a practising environment after qualification). Three years relevant, practical experience under supervision, based on ACCAs Student Training Record. A Practising Certificate Training Record has to be met to qualify for a Practising Certificate (which requires two years practical experience in a practising environment after qualification). |
|
|
Final qualifying examination ACCAs final qualifying examination is at beyond undergraduate level. It consists of five three hour written examinations. |
|
|
Other (please describe) |
70. Which of the following arrangements best describes who establishes the education requirements for the accounting profession in your country? Please select one option.
| A government ministry, department or agency establishes education requirements for the accounting profession with no additional requirements set by the member body(ies). | |
| A government ministry, department or agency establishes minimum education requirements for the accounting profession, and member body(ies) supplement these requirements. | |
| Member body(ies) establishes the education requirements for the accounting profession. | |
| Other (please describe) |
71. Please provide the name(s) of the relevant body in the government ministry, department, agency and / or member body who establishes the education requirements.
-
At present, each member body in the UK determines its own education requirements for admission to membership with approval by Department of Trade and Industry.
- A general description of the role of the relevant body(ies) including how it operates and its due process in establishing the education requirements.
In ACCAs case, the Council of ACCA is responsible for determining educational policy. ACCAs Council is elected by the members of ACCA. Each member has one vote. Council members serve for three years each and may be re-elected. Council is the governing body of ACCA.
- How many voting members does the relevant body(ies) have
Council comprises 36 voluntary members.
- Are the members of the relevant body(ies) involved on a voluntary basis or employed by the standard-setting body?
Voluntary Employed Both - Please describe: Re Q71d: The body has been existence for 100 years. - For how many years has the body been in existence?
Year(s)
72. How would you describe the authority that the education requirements have?
| Requirements are legally-based | |
| Requirements are set in the constitution, by-laws or other rules of the relevant body(ies). | |
| Requirements are set in member body(ies) policy document(s). | |
| Other (please describe) |
72 a. How can IFAC obtain copies of these documents?
| ACCA will be pleased to supply a copy of its Royal Charter and its Rulebook to IFAC if required |
72 b. Are these documents available in English?
| Yes | No |
73. Are the education requirements for accountants and auditors the same throughout your country, or do they differ among regions, provinces or states?
| Same | Different |
| If different, please briefly describe the main differences: |
| In the UK there are six senior accountancy bodies each with their own education requirements. Four of these bodies may issue Audit licences:
ACCA, ICAEW, ICAS and ICAI. CIMA specialises in management accounting. CIPFA deals with the public sector. |
74. Please indicate the scenario that best describes who delivers the education and examination process for members of the profession. Please only select one option.
| The education program and final examination are delivered by the member body. | |
| The education program and final examination are delivered by the member body and other education institutions (e.g., universities, colleges, and others). | |
| The education program and final examination are delivered by education institutions (e.g., universities, colleges, and others). | |
| Other (please explain) See ACCA Attachment for further information re Q75 |
75. Once qualified as a member of your professional body, can members offer their services directly to the public?
| Yes | No |
| Section 7B -- Licensing |
76. Are there licensing requirements for auditors in your country?
| Yes (continue with Question 77) | No (proceed to Section 8) |
77. Who sets the requirements to obtain a license?
-
The framework is set by the European Commission Eighth Directive on Company Law, which is incorporated into the UK Companies Act 1989. Under the Act, bodies of accountants may be recognised by the Secretary of State for Trade & Industry as Recognised Qualifying Bodies (RQBs) and Recognised Supervisory Bodies (RSBs).
RQBs/RSBs are required to put in place rules for the qualification and ongoing supervision of registered auditors, which must be approved by the Department of Trade & Industry.
ACCA is both an RQB and an RSB under the Act.
78. What are the requirements to obtain a license (please select all relevant requirements.)?
| Academic study specific for obtaining a license | |
| Practical experience | |
| Licensing examination | |
| Final qualifying examination | |
|
Other (please describe) |
79. Are there ongoing requirements to retain a license?
| Yes | No |
If YES, please select all relevant requirements.
| Continuing professional development | |
| Re-examination | |
| Other (please specify): Registered auditors must: remain "fit and proper persons," abide by ethical and technical standards, hold professional indemnity insurance, co-operate with monitoring visits, and arrange for continuity of practice in the event of death or incapacity |
80. What entity grants the license?
-
ACCA acting as an RQB/RSB under the terms of the Companies Act 1989. Three other UK bodies (ICAEW/ICAI/ICAS) are RQBs and RSB and one further body (AAPA) is an RSB only.
81. Describe any additional licensing requirements for auditors of listed entities (e.g., additional education requirements, registration, etc.).
-
There are no additional licensing requirements. However, auditors of listed entities are subject to monitoring by the Professional Oversight Board for Accountancys Audit Inspection Unit rather than by their own licensing body (RSB).
| Section 8 -- Public Sector Accounting Standards |
Responses to this section will provide a description of the legal and professional framework governing public sector accounting standards in your country. The section focuses on the establishment of such standards. Please indicate, where appropriate, the role of your organization within this framework.
| Section 8A -- Statutory Framework |
82. Please provide the name of the Legal authority and/or self-regulatory rules establishing public sector accounting standards in your country, the date of last amendment and the name of the body responsible for setting public sector accounting standards. If the standards are different for different entities (e.g., whole of government, ministry/department, statutory authority/agency, profit entity owned by government, state governments, local governments, other [please specify]), please specify the details that apply to each.
| Type of entity | Name of legal authority |
Date of last amendment (e.g. MM/YYYY 06/2001) |
Name of body responsible for setting public sector accounting standards |
| Whole of government | See ICAEW Attachment | UK Treasury (overseen by Financial Reporting Advisory Board (FRAB)) | |
| Ministry/department | UK Accounting Standards Board | ||
| Statutory authority/agency | |||
| Profit entity owned by government | |||
| State governments | |||
| Local governments | |||
| Other (please describe) | |||
| Other (please describe) |
a. How can IFAC obtain copies of these documents?
For principal documents the Resource Accounting Manual (RAM) can be obtained from the UK Treasury and is also available on-line at www.hm-treasury.gov.uk. The Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom can be obtained from the Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy (IFAC member body). Extracts from legal authorities can be provided by CIPFA
b. Are the documents available in English?
| Yes | No |
| Section 8B -- Standard-Setting (UK Treasury (overseen by Financial Reporting Advisory Board (FRAB))) |
83. For UK Treasury (overseen by Financial Reporting Advisory Board (FRAB)), please indicate the nature of the body (i.e., whether it is part of a government ministry or department, an agency appointed by government, a private organization established by the profession, or other [please describe]) and the name of the standards.
-
a. Nature of body
Government department with statutorily recognized advisory board
b. Name of standards
Resource Accounting Manual and other non-departmental public body, trading fund and public corporation requirements.
84. How many voting members does the standard-setting body have?
-
14
85. Are the members of the standard-setting body involved on a voluntary basis or employed by the standard-setting body?
| Voluntary | ||||
| Employed | ||||
| Both - Please describe: |
86. What are the criteria considered in selecting members of the standard-setting body (e.g., best person for the job, sector of the profession, private and public members, academic, geographical representation, etc.)?
-
The Terms of Reference for the Financial Reporting Advisory Board give powers of nomination to a variety of bodies. These include the UK Accounting Standards Board, the UK audit bodies, departmental bodies, Office of National Statistics and an independent economist
87. Who appoints these members (e.g., member body, government, user, regulator, etc.)?
-
See above Question 86. Independent economist is nominated by the Head of Government Economic Service.
88. What is the term of appointment for members?
-
Year(s)
89. For how many years has the standard-setting body been in existence?
-
8 Year(s)
90. Please indicate the budget in US$ of the standard-setting body for the last fiscal year:
-
Note: Please enter a whole number using commas (e.g., 4,000,000)
N/A
Please enter the exchange rate used to calculate this number.
Note: Please enter a decimal amount (e.g., 4.0027)
N/A
91. To what entity is the standard-setting body accountable?
-
The FRAB reports to the Public Accounts Committee and Treasury Select Committee of the House of Commons. The FRABs last Report covered the period April 2002-March 2003.
92. Describe the due process followed by the standard-setting body. Please include explanations of the following:
- public exposure of standards
There is no public exposure of standards. There is internal consultation within Government and affected entities on changes to the Resource Accounting Manual /NHS Manual of Accounts and other accounting requirements for Non Departmental Public Bodies, Trading Funds & Public Corporations
- accessibility of meetings (i.e., public or private)
Private
- approval process for final standards (i.e., majority required to approve final standards)
FRABs role is advisory and, as such, there is no formal approval process. FRAB will highlight areas where it disagrees with a treatment in the Resource Accounting Manual or considers that a departure from UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice in its reports to Parliament.
- other relevant due process activities
None.
93. Approximately how many days per year does the standard-setting body meet in full session (including teleconferences)?
-
6 Day(s)
| Section 8B -- Standard-Setting (UK Accounting Standards Board) |
83. For UK Accounting Standards Board, please indicate the nature of the body (i.e., whether it is part of a government ministry or department, an agency appointed by government, a private organization established by the profession, or other [please describe]) and the name of the standards.
-
a. Nature of body
National Standard Setter
b. Name of standards
SORPs for local government, further and higher education, social housing, and charities components of public benefit sector
84. How many voting members does the standard-setting body have?
-
13
85. Are the members of the standard-setting body involved on a voluntary basis or employed by the standard-setting body?
| Voluntary | ||||
| Employed | ||||
| Both - Please describe: | See also Section for detail on ASB. The members of its Public Sector and Not-for-profit Committee are involved on a voluntary basis. |
86. What are the criteria considered in selecting members of the standard-setting body (e.g., best person for the job, sector of the profession, private and public members, academic, geographical representation, etc.)?
-
Best person for job allied with need to ensure adequate representation from different components of public benefit sector.
87. Who appoints these members (e.g., member body, government, user, regulator, etc.)?
-
Members are appointed by the ASB.
88. What is the term of appointment for members?
-
2 Year(s)
89. For how many years has the standard-setting body been in existence?
-
14 Year(s)
90. Please indicate the budget in US$ of the standard-setting body for the last fiscal year:
-
Note: Please enter a whole number using commas (e.g., 4,000,000)
See Section 9
Please enter the exchange rate used to calculate this number.
Note: Please enter a decimal amount (e.g., 4.0027)
See Section 9
91. To what entity is the standard-setting body accountable?
-
The PSNC reports to the full Board (ASB), which is one of the operational bodies of the UK Financial Reporting Council
92. Describe the due process followed by the standard-setting body. Please include explanations of the following:
- public exposure of standards
For Accounting Standards Board SORPS are required to be exposed for a 3-month period.
- accessibility of meetings (i.e., public or private)
Private
- approval process for final standards (i.e., majority required to approve final standards)
See Section 9 for full ASB approval requirements. Full Board of ASB must also approve consultation exposure drafts. The Public Sector and Not-for-profit Committee operates on a simple majority of those voting basis; the substance of the arguments of dissenting voices will be brought to the attention of the full Board.
- other relevant due process activities
ASB PSNC has produced a Discussion Paper on the Application of the UK Statement of Principles to the Public Benefit Sector, which it subjected to an exposure period of three months in 2003. It will follow this up with a further exposure draft in 2004 of proposals for a full interpretation.
93. Approximately how many days per year does the standard-setting body meet in full session (including teleconferences)?
-
5 Day(s)
| Section 9 -- Private Sector Accounting Standards |
Responses to the questions in this section will provide a description of the legal, statutory and professional framework governing private-sector accounting standards in your country. The section focuses on the establishment of such standards. Please indicate what role your organization plays within this framework.
| Section 9A -- Statutory Framework |
94. Please provide the name of the Legal authority and/or self-regulatory rules that establish private-sector accounting standards in your country, the date of last amendment, and the name of the body responsible for setting private sector accounting standards. If the standards are different for different entities (for example, listed entities, private companies, governmental organization, not for profit organizations, etc.), please specify the requirements that apply to each.
| Type of entity | Name of legal authority or applicable rules |
Date of last amendment (e.g. MM/YYYY 06/2001) |
Name of body responsible for setting private sector accounting standards |
| Listed entity | See 94a for further detail | 8/1990 | UK Accounting Standards Board |
| Other (please describe) | |||
| Other (please describe) | |||
| Other (please describe) | |||
| Other (please describe) |
a. How can IFAC obtain copies of these documents?
www.asb.publications.com
Re Q94: There is no legal authority in the UK that requires compliance with accounting standards. However, with effect from August 1990 UK companies, other than small and medium sized companies, have been required by the Companies Act 1985 to state whether their accounts have been prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards and to give particulars of any material departure from those standards and the reasons for it.
With effect from January 2005, group accounts for UK listed companies will be required to comply with standards prepared by the International Accounting Standards Board, when they have been approved by the European Commission. The UK Government currently intends that individual companies, and other groups, will be able to choose to comply with IASB standards.
b. Are the documents available in English?
| Yes | No |
| Section 9B -- Standard-Setting (UK Accounting Standards Board) |
95. For UK Accounting Standards Board, please indicate the nature of the body (i.e., whether it is part of a government ministry or department, an agency appointed by government, a private organization established by the profession, or other [please describe]) and the name of the standards.
-
a. Nature of body
Agency appointed jointly by government and private sector
b. Name of standards
Financial Reporting Standards
96. How many voting members does the standard-setting body have?
-
up to 10
97. Are the members of the standard-setting body involved on a voluntary basis or employed by the standard-setting body?
| Voluntary | ||||
| Employed | ||||
| Both - Please describe: | 2 employed, up to 8 voluntary |
98. What are the criteria considered in selecting members of the standard-setting body (e.g., best person for the job, sector of the profession, private and public members, academic, geographical representation, etc.)?
-
Not stated, but in practice there appears to be a balanced membership
99. Who appoints these members (e.g., member body, government, user, regulator, etc.)?
-
Not stated
100. What is the term of appointment for members?
-
Year(s)
101. For how many years has the standard-setting body been in existence?
-
14 Year(s)
102. Please indicate the budget in US$ of the standard-setting body for the last fiscal year:
-
Note: Please enter a whole number using commas (e.g., 4,000,000)
3,810,600
Please enter the exchange rate used to calculate this number.
Note: Please enter a decimal amount (e.g., 4.0027)
1.80
103. To what entity is the standard-setting body accountable?
-
The Financial Reporting Council
104. Describe the due process followed by the standard-setting body. Please include explanations of the following:
- public exposure of standards
Draft Standards are exposed for public comment
- accessibility of meetings (i.e., public or private)
Meetings are held in private
- approval process for final standards (i.e., majority required to approve final standards)
Seven members required to vote in favour when the Board has ten members; six when it has less than ten
- other relevant due process activities
Draft standards are sometimes preceded by discussion papers, which are exposed for public comment
105. Approximately how many days per year does the standard-setting body meet in full session (including teleconferences)?
-
Day(s)
| Section 10 -- Monitoring (Quality Assurance) and Enforcement |
Responses to the questions in this section will provide a description of the legal and professional framework governing regulation of the profession in your country. Please indicate what role your organization plays within this framework.
| Section 10A -- Securities Market Regulatory Authority |
106. Name the authority that regulates the securities market:
-
Financial Services Authority
107. What responsibilities does this organization have for monitoring and enforcing compliance with accounting, reporting or auditing requirements? Please identify the Legal authority that establishes that responsibility:
-
See response to 10D
108. Briefly describe the role of the regulatory authority as it relates to the following:
- regulation of the audit profession
None
- accounting and auditing standard-setting
None
- review of financial statements prepared by listed entities, and monitoring of their compliance with the accounting and disclosure requirements
None, other than through their enforcement of the Listing Rules. This enforcement role is mainly concerned with pre-approval of information supplied with prospectuses or where shareholder approval is required.
| Section 10B -- Stock Exchange |
109. Name the four largest stock exchangers (by market capitalization) and whether it is organized as a profit or not-for-profit organization:
| Profit | Not for profit |
Stock Exchange |
| London Stock Exchange | ||
| Alternative Investment Market | ||
| OFEX | ||
| Section 10B -- Stock Exchange London Stock Exchange Details |
110. For London Stock Exchange, is there a mechanism at the stock exchange(s) for monitoring and enforcing financial reporting, accounting and auditing of listed entities?
- How the monitoring and enforcement of financial reporting, accounting and auditing is conducted.
- The consequences of non-compliance with the financial reporting, accounting or auditing requirements.
- How enforcement actions are administered.
| Yes | No |
If YES, please describe the following:
| Section 10B -- Stock Exchange Alternative Investment Market Details |
110. For Alternative Investment Market, is there a mechanism at the stock exchange(s) for monitoring and enforcing financial reporting, accounting and auditing of listed entities?
- How the monitoring and enforcement of financial reporting, accounting and auditing is conducted.
- The consequences of non-compliance with the financial reporting, accounting or auditing requirements.
- How enforcement actions are administered.
| Yes | No |
If YES, please describe the following:
| Section 10B -- Stock Exchange OFEX Details |
110. For OFEX, is there a mechanism at the stock exchange(s) for monitoring and enforcing financial reporting, accounting and auditing of listed entities?
- How the monitoring and enforcement of financial reporting, accounting and auditing is conducted.
- The consequences of non-compliance with the financial reporting, accounting or auditing requirements.
- How enforcement actions are administered.
| Yes | No |
If YES, please describe the following:
| Section 10C -- Regulatory Oversight of the Accounting Profession |
111. Has an audit profession oversight body been established (e.g., to oversee the external quality assurance review process, etc.)?
- What are the name and duties of the oversight body?
The Professional Oversight Board for Accountancy (POBA), a subsidiary of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) structure.
Independent oversight of the regulation of the auditing profession by the recognised supervisory and qualifying bodies.
Monitoring of the quality of the auditing function in relation to economically significant entities.
Independent oversight of the regulation of the accountancy profession by the professional accountancy bodies.
- The number of members on the oversight body
The Board of the POBA has 9 members
- Its powers
In relation to audit the POBA will:
i) Discharge on behalf of the FRC the statutory responsibilities delegated by the Secretary of State for authorising professional accountancy bodies to act as supervisory bodies and/or to offer a recognised professional qualification. As part of this activity the Board will ensure that:
the Recognised Supervisory Bodies (RSBs) comply with all the statutory requirements for recognition set out in Part II of Schedules 11 and 12 to the Companies Act 1989; and
the RSBs comply with the independent standard setting, monitoring and disciplinary arrangements which the legislation provides for.
ii) Monitor the quality of the audits of economically significant entities through an independent Audit Inspection Unit (AIU). These entities will include listed companies plus major charities, major pension funds, major mutual organisations and other major public interest entities.
The AIU will monitor quality of audits by reviewing audit processes including audit judgements. It will:
visit those firms which audit listed companies, major charities, major pension funds, major mutual organisations and other major public interest entities identified from time to time;
agree amendments with audit firms to their procedures where appropriate; and
make recommendations to the relevant RSB for regulatory action if appropriate.
- How the oversight body conducts or oversees a program of inspections to assess the degree of compliance of each audit firm/auditor with applicable auditing standards and regulations
The POBA was launched on 1 April 2004. It has yet to carry out its oversight function sufficiently for an answer to be given to this question. Its authorisation function of recognising supervisory bodies of audit firms/auditors will not commence until enactment of the legislation currently before Parliament. The AIU is due to commence operation during June 2004.
- The sanctions the oversight body may impose in the event of non-compliance
The regulatory bodies for audit firms/auditors remain the RSBs (e.g. the ICAEW). The AIU will not be able to impose sanctions, but will report to the relevant RSB (as the RSBs monitoring arms do at present, and as they will continue to do for audit firms and audits outside the AIU remit). Once the new legislation is enacted, it is intended that power to recognise RSBs (currently exercised by the Governments Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)) will be delegated to the POBA. In the event of a failure to comply with any obligation to which an RSB is subject under Schedule 11 of the Companies Act 1989 a recognition order may be revoked or, alternatively, an application may be made to the Court under Section 39 for a compliance order.
- How the oversight body is accountable to any public institution or body
The POBA will be accountable to the Governments DTI for the discharge of its delegated function of recognising supervisory bodies and for its oversight of their regulatory activities in relation to audit firms/auditors.
| Yes | No |
If NO, proceed to the next section.
If YES, please describe :
| Section 10D -- Banks Regulatory Authority |
112. Name the authority that regulates the banks and similar financial institutions. Discuss how this authority differentiates between accounting requirements for regulatory reporting and general purpose external financial reporting:
-
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) is responsible for the regulation of banks, insurers and investment businesses. It is not responsible for regulating accounting services, including those related to the audit and financial reporting of regulated financial services businesses.
The FSA sets the accounting (and other) requirements for regulatory reporting purposes and can require regulated businesses to obtain an auditors report on certain matters (such as compliance with client money rules) or to commission special reports.
The FSA has no role in setting accounting or auditing requirements for general purpose financial reporting. Although FSA reporting rules generally follow the principles established in accounting standards, it is not required to do so and on occasions the regulatory reporting requirements will differ from financial reporting standards
113. Discuss briefly the legal requirements with respect to monitoring and enforcement by the regulatory authority of accounting and auditing standards that apply to the banks and similar financial institutions:
-
The FSA monitors and enforces regulatory reporting requirements. It has no role in monitoring or enforcing financial reporting or auditing standards. The mechanisms for this in the UK are set out elsewhere in this response.
114. Briefly describe the role of the regulatory authority as it relates to the following:
- regulation of the audit profession
None
- accounting and auditing standard-setting
None
- review of financial statements prepared by listed entities
The FSA may review audited financial statements of regulated bodies as part of its overall supervision of banks. The purpose of this review would be to assess compliance with FSA rules, rather than monitoring of compliance with accounting standards. See Section 10A for description of FSAs future responsibility for compliance with listing rules in the UK.
- enforcement of accounting, reporting and auditing requirements
FSA responsibility is limited to regulatory reporting. It has a range of enforcement tools available against regulated financial services businesses and individuals within those businesses. These include fines, suspension of licenses and criminal prosecution.
| Section 10E -- Non-Banking Financial Institutions Regulatory Authority |
115. Name the regulatory authority(ies) responsible for monitoring compliance with and enforcing accounting, reporting and auditing requirements imposed on non-banking institutions.
-
Financial Services Authority see Section 10D for description of FSA responsibilities
116. What is the source of Legal authority of the regulatory authority(ies)?
-
Non-governmental organization established by Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. FSA has a series of high level principles supported by detailed rules. These rules are enacting by Statutory Instrument, which have the status of secondary legislation thereby providing legal authority.
117. Briefly describe the role of the regulatory authority(ies) as it relates to the following:
- regulation of the audit profession
None
- accounting and auditing standard-setting
None
- review of financial statements prepared by listed entities
The FSA may review audited financial statements of regulated bodies as part of its overall supervision of banks. The purpose of this review would be to assess compliance with FSA rules, rather than monitoring of compliance with accounting standards. See Section 10A for description of FSAs future responsibility for compliance with listing rules in the UK
- enforcement of accounting, reporting and auditing requirements
FSA responsibility is limited to regulatory reporting. It has a range of enforcement tools available against regulated financial services businesses and individuals within those businesses. These include fines, suspension of licenses and criminal prosecution.
| Section 10F -- Insurance Companies Regulatory Authority |
118. Name the regulatory authority responsible for monitoring compliance with and enforcing accounting, reporting and auditing requirements imposed on insurance companies.
-
Financial Services Authority see Section 10D for description of FSA responsibilities
119. What is the source of Legal authority of the regulatory authority(ies)?
-
Non-governmental organization established by Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. FSA has a series of high level principles supported by detailed rules. These rules are enacting by Statutory Instrument, which have the status of secondary legislation thereby providing legal authority.
120. Briefly describe the role of the regulatory authority(ies) as it relates to the following
- regulation of the audit profession
None
- accounting and auditing standard-setting
None
- review of financial statements prepared by listed listed entities
The FSA may review audited financial statements of regulated bodies as part of its overall supervision of banks. The purpose of this review would be to assess compliance with FSA rules, rather than monitoring of compliance with accounting standards. See Section 10A for description of FSAs future responsibility for compliance with listing rules in the UK
- enforcement of accounting, reporting and auditing requirements
FSA responsibility is limited to regulatory reporting. It has a range of enforcement tools available against regulated financial services businesses and individuals within those businesses. These include fines, suspension of licenses and criminal prosecution.
| Section 10G -- Other Regulatory Authority |
121. Name any other regulatory authority(ies) responsible for monitoring compliance with and enforcing accounting, reporting and auditing requirements.
-
The accountancy bodies
122. What is the source of Legal authority of each regulatory authority?
-
The Department of Trade and Industry delegates power under the Companies Act 1989 to the Recognised Supervisory Bodies (5 accountancy bodies, determined by the DTI)
123. Briefly describe the role of the regulatory authority(ies) as it relates to the following
- regulation of the audit profession
The RSBs register auditors to carry out statutory audits (statutory audits in the UK can only be carried out by registered audit firms). The registered audit firms must comply with audit regulations set by the RSBs, who monitor audit work carried out. The RSBs also assess the outcome of the monitoring reviews and where necessary impose regulatory and if necessary disciplinary penalties.
Responsibility for monitoring audits of listed and certain other entities is being transferred, starting in 2004, to the Audit Inspection Unit, a part of the independent oversight framework. The RSBs will continue to assess and act upon the outcome of the AIU visits
- accounting and auditing standard-setting
No formal responsibility: all accounting and auditing standards are set by parts of the independent oversight framework. However, the accountancy bodies do issue guidance on matters not covered by standards and these are generally accepted as best practice.
- review of financial statements prepared by listed listed entities
(1) No responsibility: all review work is undertaken by parts of the independent oversight framework and the Financial Services Authority (see 10 A)
- enforcement of accounting, reporting and auditing requirements
As noted in a. above, the RSBs have a regulatory role in respect of registered audit firms, consider the outcomes of monitoring visits and impose regulatory or disciplinary penalties, in accordance with the terms of the registration.
While the accountancy bodies do not have direct responsibility for enforcing accounting and auditing standards, all accountancy bodies have disciplinary powers over their members as part of their charters and will investigate complaints and if necessary impose penalties. Failure to follow relevant standards would generally constitute a failure to follow the ethical or technical standards expected of a member and result in action.
| Section 10H -- Quality Assurance |
124. Does any organization of professional accountants/auditors organize a program of quality assurance review to monitor compliance with accounting, reporting and auditing requirements?
| Yes | No |
If NO, proceed to next Section.
If YES, briefly describe the monitoring and enforcement mechanism.
ACCA carries out statutory monitoring and quality assurance monitoring of all registered auditor firms on a five-yearly cycle. It also carries out quality assurance monitoring of all other firms.
125. Under what authority does the organization conduct the program of quality assurance review?
-
Monitoring of registered auditors is carried out in ACCAs capacity as an RSB under the Companies Act 1989. The quality assurance monitoring programme was put in place by ACCAs governing Council.
126. Who performs the review (e.g., one firm reviewing another firm, staff from the national professional organization, contractors, or a combination of these)?
-
All monitoring visits are carried out by full-time monitoring staff employed by ACCA.
| Section 10 I -- Investigation and Discipline |
127. Is there a process for investigating and disciplining the accounting profession in your country?
| Yes | No |
If NO, proceed to the Certification of Chief Executive
128. Which of the following best describes the responsibility for the investigatory and disciplinary function in your country?
| Government or other agencies are solely responsible for this function. | |
| Government or other agencies have this responsibility, but the member body or bodies participate in the process. | |
| Government formally delegates this function to the member body or bodies, to exercise on its behalf. | |
| Member body or bodies have separate and independent processes that operate alongside processes of legal authorities. | |
| Other (please explain) See Q129. |
129. Please indicate the name of the body or bodies responsible for investigation and discipline.
-
ACCA has its own system of investigation and discipline, as do the other UK bodies. However, ACCA and three other UK bodies (ICAEW/CIMA/CIPFA) are also members of the Accountancy Investigation and Discipline Board (AIDB).
The AIDB, which formally came into operation in June 2004, has been set up to deal with serious public interest cases. ACCAs own scheme deals with all other misconduct matters involving ACCA members.
Responses to the remaining questions in this Section are required if your organization has responsibility for investigation and disciplinary actions.
130. How many voting members does the body have?
-
N/A
131. Are the members of the body involved on a voluntary basis or employed by the standard-setting body?
| Voluntary | ||||
| Employed | ||||
| Both - Please describe: | See Q132. |
132. What are the criteria considered in selecting members of the body (e.g., best person for the job, sector of the profession, private and public members, academic, geographical representation, etc.)?
-
ACCA - Investigations are conducted by full-time, legally qualified, staff. Reports of investigations are then passed to independent assessors (accountants/layers not full-time) to determine whether or not a member should be referred to Disciplinary Committee.
Disciplinary Committee comprises accountant and lay members (none of whom are full-time), with the latter being in a majority. Appeal Committee is similarly composed, with an additional requirement that its Chairman must be a lawyer. The committees are independent of ACCAs governance structures; members of Council are not permitted to sit on the committees (including for a period of three years after service on Council ends).
AIDB - AIDB investigations are due to be carried out under the supervision of AIDBs full-time Executive Counsel. The AIDB Board comprises accountants and lay members, with the latter being in a majority. AIDB tribunals will also have a majority of lay members.
All members of ACCAs panel of committee members are selected on the basis of ability. Due regard is paid to ensuring appropriate gender and ethnic balances and to ensuring that the accountant members are drawn from both practice and business. Approaches are made to relevant bodies to identify suitable lay members.
Members of ACCAs panel of committee members, assessors and chairmen are appointed by an independent Appointments Committee, which is in turn appointed by ACCAs Council.
AIDBs Board was appointed by the Financial Reporting Council.
133. Who appoints these members (e.g., member body, government, user, regulator, etc.)?
-
See Q132
134. What is the term of appointment for members?
-
5 Year(s)
135. For how many years has the body been in existence?
-
100 Year(s)
136. Please indicate the budget in US$ of the body for the last fiscal year.
-
Note: Please enter a whole number using commas (e.g., 4,000,000)
1,365,150.00
Please enter the exchange rate used to calculate this number.
Note: Please enter a decimal amount (e.g., 4.0027)
1.8202 (specify currency)
137. To what entity is the body accountable?
-
Ultimately, ACCAs disciplinary and appeal committees are accountable to ACCAs Council. However, Council never becomes involved in individual cases and, in practice, its relationship with the committees is conducted entirely at arms length.
Committee members are appointed by the independent Appointments Committee and have five-year contracts, which gives them security of tenure.
138. Approximately how many days per year does the body meet in full session (including teleconferences)?
-
30 Day(s)
Disclaimer
The information contained within the Part 1 Assessment of the Regulatory and Standard-Setting Framework Questionnaires, Part 2 SMO Self-Assessment Questionnaires, and Part 3 SMO Action Plans are based entirely on information provided to IFAC by the IFAC member or associate to which the information relates. Further, the information has been collected by IFAC for the exclusive use and benefit of IFAC and IFAC's members and associates, but is being made available through this website to the general public in the interest of transparency of the IFAC Member Body Compliance Program. While certain efforts are made to validate the information, IFAC undertakes no obligation to confirm or investigate the completeness or accuracy of any of the content of the questionnaire or action plan, now or at any time in the future. Persons accessing the questionnaire or action plan assume full responsibility for the use of the information set forth herein. IFAC does not make any express or implied warranties or representations whatsoever as to any information provided through the questionnaire or action plan, including, without limitation, that the information contained herein will be error-free. IFAC shall not be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, direct, indirect, incidental, special, punitive or consequential damages, that result in any way from your use or reliance on information provided in the questionnaire or action plan. If you need to rely on the information set forth herein for any purpose, you are urged to confirm the information set forth herein with other sources.
* Indicates organizations that qualify to submit SMO Action Plans biennially
