National Board of Accountants and Auditors (Tanzania)

Under the Accountants and Auditors (Registration) Act, Cap. 286, as amended, the National Board of Accountants and Auditors (NBAA) is responsible for establishing and operating a quality assurance (QA) review system for all audits in Tanzania.

The NBAA operates an established QA review system that covers audit firms and practitioners performing statutory audits. Reviews are conducted on a cyclical basis and include both firm-level inspections and engagement file reviews. The system is linked to the investigative and disciplinary framework, whereby findings from QA reviews may result in corrective actions or disciplinary measures, as appropriate.

The NBAA supports implementation of quality management standards through a range of activities, including mandatory seminars, technical updates, and guidance materials for audit firms. These activities include training on International Standards on Auditing and the transition from quality control to quality management standards, including the International Standards on Quality Management (ISQM 1 and ISQM 2).

Following QA reviews, firms are provided with detailed reports outlining identified deficiencies and are required to develop and implement action plans to address findings. The NBAA monitors follow-up actions and provides additional support where necessary. The Board also offers capacity-building initiatives for small and medium practices, including training and access to audit tools and methodologies.

Through these established processes, the NBAA maintains an operational QA review system aligned with SMO 1 requirements and continues to review and enhance its framework in line with evolving international standards.

Current Status: Sustain

Under the Accountants and Auditors (Registration) Act, Cap. 286, as amended, the National Board of Accountants and Auditors (NBAA) is responsible for regulating the education and professional development requirements for professional accountants in Tanzania, including initial professional development, practical experience, final assessments, and continuing professional development.

The NBAA administers both the Accounting Technician and Certified Public Accountant qualification pathways and maintains a competency-based syllabus that is aligned with the latest International Education Standards. The current syllabi, which became effective in 2019 and continue to be updated through periodic reviews, incorporate developments in information and communication technology, professional skepticism, and other emerging competencies. Study kits, learning resources, and syllabi are made available to candidates through the NBAA’s website.

To support implementation, the NBAA accredits tuition providers and maintains an ongoing monitoring process, including annual renewal and quality review requirements for accredited institutions. The Board also works with moderators, examiners, universities, and other tuition providers to ensure alignment of curricula, assessments, and learning outcomes with professional competency requirements.

In line with practical experience requirements, candidates for both technician and professional qualifications must complete relevant supervised practical experience and maintain logbooks that are reviewed and signed by employers and supervisors. Candidates seeking registration in public practice must additionally complete supervised practical training in accordance with the Board’s registration requirements.

The NBAA also maintains mandatory continuing professional development requirements of 40 hours annually for Certified Public Accountants and practitioners and 20 hours annually for Accounting Technicians. Compliance is monitored through annual returns and members may be subject to sanctions for non-compliance. The Board supports implementation through regular continuing professional development seminars, workshops, and technical training opportunities throughout the year.

Through these established and ongoing processes, the NBAA maintains a well-developed framework aligned with the International Education Standards and continues to review and enhance its education and professional development requirements as part of its commitment to continuous improvement.

Current Status: Sustain

The National Board of Accountants and Auditors (NBAA), as the authorized auditing standard-setter in Tanzania, adopted International Standards on Auditing (ISA) without modification in 2004 and has since maintained an established process to adopt all subsequent revisions and new standards issued by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board without modification and including effective date.

Given the full adoption of ISA at the jurisdiction level, the NBAA focuses its efforts on supporting implementation and compliance among its members. The Board provides regular mandatory technical training sessions for auditors, in addition to continuing professional development seminars covering new and revised auditing standards, emerging audit issues, and quality management requirements.

The NBAA also integrates ISA and related guidance materials into its professional qualification syllabus, examinations, and continuing professional development framework. The competency-based syllabus, effective from 2019 and subject to periodic review, incorporates new and revised auditing standards to ensure that aspiring and professional accountants remain aligned with current international requirements.

To further support implementation, the NBAA regularly disseminates technical updates, journals, and implementation materials through its website and professional publications. The Board also maintains stakeholder engagement mechanisms, including technical forums for discussing exposure drafts and obtaining feedback from members and relevant stakeholders.

In addition, the NBAA continues to support effective implementation among small and medium practices through the provision of audit tools, methodologies, and training initiatives designed to facilitate compliance with ISA and quality management standards.

Through these well-established and ongoing processes, the NBAA maintains a strong framework to fulfill its obligations under SMO 3 and continues to review and enhance implementation support in line with evolving international standards.

Current Status: Sustain

Under the Accountants and Auditors (Registration) Act, Cap. 286, as amended, the National Board of Accountants and Auditors (NBAA) is responsible for establishing ethical requirements for professional accountants in Tanzania.

The NBAA has adopted the International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including International Independence Standards) issued by the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants without modification and maintains an established process whereby all revisions to the Code are automatically adopted and become effective in line with their issuance. Accordingly, the latest version of the Code in effect as of the time of the assessment, including the 2025 Handbook, is applicable in the jurisdiction.

The NBAA supports implementation of ethical requirements through its education and professional development framework. Ethics is incorporated into the Accounting Technician and Certified Public Accountant qualification pathways, including syllabi, examinations, and final assessments. Ethical principles are also embedded in continuing professional development requirements and are addressed through regular seminars, workshops, and training sessions for members.

In addition, the NBAA disseminates updates on ethical standards through technical updates, professional publications, and stakeholder engagement activities. The Board also facilitates discussions on exposure drafts and emerging ethical issues through technical forums and outreach activities, supporting awareness and participation in international standard-setting processes.

Through these established and ongoing processes, the NBAA maintains a comprehensive framework to support the adoption, implementation, and ongoing application of ethical requirements in line with SMO 4.

Current Status: Sustain

The Government of Tanzania has adopted accrual-basis International Public Sector Accounting Standards for application across central and local government entities. While the government is responsible for establishing public sector accounting requirements, the National Board of Accountants and Auditors (NBAA) plays an active supporting role in the ongoing implementation and application of IPSAS.

The NBAA contributes to the national public financial management framework through its participation in government-led coordination mechanisms, including national committees overseeing IPSAS implementation and public sector financial reporting reforms.

The Board supports implementation through education, training, and capacity-building initiatives targeting both professional accountants and public sector finance staff. IPSAS is incorporated into the NBAA’s professional qualification framework, including syllabi, examinations, and continuing professional development programs. The NBAA also offers specialized training programs, including IPSAS-focused certificate and diploma courses, to support the development of public sector accounting expertise.

In addition, the NBAA facilitates technical engagement on public sector standards through forums and roundtables that bring together practitioners, regulators, and other stakeholders to review new and revised IPSAS and discuss implementation challenges. The Board also disseminates updates and guidance materials to support awareness and application of IPSAS requirements.

Through these established and ongoing activities, the NBAA supports the sustained implementation and application of IPSAS in Tanzania and maintains well-developed processes to fulfill its obligations under SMO 5.

Current Status: Sustain

Under the Accountants and Auditors (Registration) Act, Cap. 286, as amended, the National Board of Accountants and Auditors (NBAA) is responsible for establishing and operating an investigative and disciplinary (I&D) system for professional accountants and firms registered in Tanzania.

The NBAA maintains an established complaints, investigation, disciplinary, and appeals framework that applies to all registered professional accountants, accounting technicians, and practising firms. The Board operates dedicated committees to oversee ethics, compliance, investigation, and disciplinary matters, with procedures designed to support independence, due process, and public interest oversight.

The I&D system is linked to the quality assurance review framework, and matters identified through practice reviews may result in corrective measures, disciplinary action, or sanctions where appropriate. The Board also provides information on complaint submission procedures and disciplinary processes through its website and stakeholder outreach activities, supporting public awareness and accessibility of the system.

The NBAA continues to strengthen implementation through committee oversight, staff capacity building, and ongoing review of procedures to ensure continued alignment with the requirements of SMO 6 and evolving international best practices.

Through these established and ongoing processes, the NBAA maintains a well-developed investigative and disciplinary framework and continues to review and enhance its effectiveness as part of its commitment to public trust and confidence in the profession.

Current Status: Sustain

The Companies Act, 2002 requires companies in Tanzania to prepare financial statements in compliance with regulations prescribed by the ministry responsible for finance or the National Board of Accountants and Auditors (NBAA). Through its technical pronouncements, the NBAA has adopted International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Accounting Standards and the IFRS for Small and Medium-sized Entities (SMEs) Accounting Standard without modification, including all future standards, amendments, and interpretations issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).

Given the full adoption of IFRS Accounting Standards at the jurisdiction level, the NBAA focuses its efforts on supporting implementation and ongoing compliance among its members. The Board offers regular continuing professional development seminars and technical sessions covering both full IFRS Accounting Standards and the IFRS for SMEs Accounting Standard as part of its ongoing professional education program.

In addition, the NBAA incorporates new and revised standards into its professional qualification syllabus, examinations, and continuing professional development framework in line with their effective dates. This supports both aspiring and professional accountants in maintaining up-to-date technical competence in financial reporting requirements.

The Board also disseminates updates through technical publications, journals, and technical updates on its website, and shares exposure drafts and consultation materials issued by the IASB with members and other stakeholders to facilitate participation in the international standard-setting process.

Through these established and ongoing processes, the NBAA maintains a strong framework to support the adoption, implementation, and ongoing application of IFRS Accounting Standards in Tanzania and continues to review and enhance its support activities as part of its commitment to continuous improvement.

Current Status: Sustain