Compagnie Nationale des Commissaires aux Comptes

In France, the Haute autorité de l’audit (H2A), which succeeded the former Haut conseil du commissariat aux comptes in 2024, is responsible for the establishment and implementation of the quality assurance review system for all statutory audits of financial statements.

H2A directly oversees the quality assurance system for statutory auditors of public interest entities and has delegated quality assurance reviews for non-public interest entity audits to the Compagnie nationale des commissaires aux comptes (CNCC). To fulfill this delegated responsibility, CNCC maintains a monitored peer review mechanism for audits of non-public interest entities under the supervision of H2A.

The quality assurance review processes carried out by H2A and CNCC appear to be largely aligned with the best practices of SMO 1, including regular inspection cycles, risk-based monitoring, follow-up procedures, and continuing professional development support for members.

CNCC reports that it delivers continuing professional development programs to its members on quality management requirements and inspection processes. In addition to its inspection activities, CNCC maintains an ongoing mechanism to support the future endorsement and adoption of the latest international quality management standards by the relevant regulatory authorities and the Ministry of Justice.

However, based on the jurisdictional assessment, formal adoption and enforceability of the latest International Standard on Quality Management 1, International Standard on Quality Management 2, and related International Standard on Auditing requirements across the jurisdiction could not be fully confirmed. Accordingly, CNCC is assessed as Review & Improve under SMO 1.

CNCC should continue to work closely with H2A and the Ministry of Justice to support the formal adoption, effective implementation, and ongoing updating of the latest international quality management standards across the statutory audit framework.

Current Status: Review & Improve

Initial professional development requirements for professional accountants are established in the Code de commerce for commissaires aux comptes and in Decree No. 2012-432 of 30 March 2012 for experts-comptables. These requirements are implemented by French universities and the Ministries of Higher Education, Justice, and Economy and Finance.

The Compagnie nationale des commissaires aux comptes (CNCC), together with the Conseil national de l’Ordre des experts-comptables, reports that the education requirements in place for professional accountants are aligned with the revised International Education Standards.

To be eligible to practice as a statutory auditor, individuals are required to obtain a university degree, complete three years of practical experience, successfully pass the final assessment, and obtain the Diplôme d’expertise comptable (DEC). In addition, there is a second pathway to become a statutory auditor through the Certificat d’aptitude aux fonctions de commissaire aux comptes (CAFCAC), which permits candidates without a specific university education in accounting to complete a preparatory certificate followed by three years of practical training. Candidates must subsequently be registered with CNCC in order to practice.

Members are required to complete 120 hours of continuing professional development over a rolling three-year period. For statutory auditors, the Haute autorité de l’audit (H2A) establishes the general guidelines and key areas for continuing professional development and ensures compliance with these requirements. H2A has delegated monitoring responsibilities to CNCC.

To support the adoption and implementation of the International Education Standards in the national accountancy curriculum, CNCC, in collaboration with the Conseil national de l’Ordre des experts-comptables, regularly liaises with regulators and contributes to the development of university syllabi and practical experience requirements.

As a founding participant in Professional Accountancy Education Europe and the Common Content Project, CNCC has also contributed to the harmonization of education programs across European jurisdictions and has participated in international standard-setting consultations by providing comments on exposure drafts and other education pronouncements.

Based on the well-established legal framework and CNCC’s ongoing support and implementation activities, CNCC is assessed as Sustain under SMO 2.

Current Status: Sustain

Applicable auditing standards in France are prepared and drafted through the professional standard-setting process involving the Compagnie nationale des commissaires aux comptes (CNCC) and the Haute autorité de l’audit (H2A), the independent public audit oversight authority that succeeded the former Haut conseil du commissariat aux comptes in 2024. Following consultation with CNCC, H2A adopts the standards as standards of professional practice, and the Ministry of Justice is ultimately responsible for their endorsement.

The standards are based on the International Standards on Auditing issued by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board. CNCC indicates that France continues to monitor developments relating to adoption at the European Union level and supports the incorporation of the latest international pronouncements into the national framework.

To facilitate ongoing adoption and implementation, CNCC monitors new and amended standards issued by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board, supports the timely translation of the standards in collaboration with the Conseil national de l’Ordre des experts-comptables and the Institut des Réviseurs d’Entreprises of Belgium, promotes the use of the most up-to-date version of the standards in national standard-setting discussions, and disseminates updates through publications and its website.

CNCC also supports implementation through professional development activities and practical implementation guidance for members.

At the international level, CNCC contributes to European and international standard-setting activities through participation in relevant working groups and by submitting comments on exposure drafts and other pronouncements issued by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board.

The latest French translation demonstrably available is the 2023–2024 Handbook of International Quality Management, Auditing, Review, Other Assurance, and Related Services Pronouncements. As the latest handbook currently in effect internationally is the 2025 Handbook, CNCC is assessed as Review & Improve under SMO 3.

CNCC should continue to work with H2A, the Ministry of Justice, and relevant European Union institutions to support the timely incorporation of the latest International Standards on Auditing and related pronouncements, including alignment with the 2025 Handbook.

Current Status: Review & Improve

The Ministry of Justice is responsible for adopting ethical requirements applicable to statutory auditors in France. While the national Code de déontologie is not directly based on the International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including International Independence Standards) issued by the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants, it is designed to comply with the applicable European Union regulatory framework. CNCC reports that the French ethical requirements incorporate a threats and safeguards framework and are not considered less stringent than the international code.

The Compagnie nationale des commissaires aux comptes (CNCC) reports that it has actively promoted the importance of adopting and implementing the international code for statutory auditors over several years and supports the translation and dissemination of the code in French. The latest French translation demonstrably available is the 2022 Handbook of the International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including International Independence Standards).

CNCC indicates that it monitors new and amended standards issued by the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants and supports implementation of the national code through information dissemination, training activities, and development of implementation guidance for members.

CNCC also raises awareness of the international code among relevant stakeholders, including the Haute autorité de l’audit (H2A), and continues to encourage the use of the principles of the international code to guide interpretation and further development of the French ethical framework.

In addition, CNCC participates in the international standard-setting process by submitting comments on exposure drafts and other pronouncements issued by the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants.

Given that CNCC does not have direct authority for the adoption of ethical requirements but continues to actively support awareness, implementation, and alignment efforts, CNCC is assessed as Sustain under SMO 4.

Current Status: Sustain

The Compagnie nationale des commissaires aux comptes (CNCC) is not responsible for the adoption of public sector accounting standards in France. These standards are determined by the Conseil de normalisation des comptes publics (CNOCP), an advisory body under the authority of the Ministry of Public Accounts.

As reported by CNCC, International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) have not been formally adopted in France; however, they continue to be used as one of the reference frameworks in the development of national accrual-basis public sector accounting standards.

CNCC states that, in collaboration with the Conseil national de l’Ordre des experts-comptables (CNOEC), its activities in this area include participation in CNOCP working groups to provide comments on exposure drafts and other pronouncements issued by the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board, advocacy for the consideration of IPSAS through representation on the CNOCP board, development of specialized public sector training as part of continuing professional development programs, and support for the translation of IPSAS pronouncements into French.

The latest French translation demonstrably available is the 2023 Handbook of International Public Sector Accounting Pronouncements.

Given that CNCC does not have direct standard-setting responsibility but continues to actively support awareness, translation, training, and consultation activities, CNCC is assessed as Sustain under SMO 5.

Current Status: Sustain

In France, the Code de commerce establishes a mandatory investigative and disciplinary system for statutory auditors. In accordance with Directive 2014/56/EU and Regulation (EU) No. 537/2014, the Haute autorité de l’audit (H2A), the independent public audit oversight authority that succeeded the former Haut conseil du commissariat aux comptes in 2024, is responsible for investigative and disciplinary processes applicable to statutory auditors.

H2A operates the investigative and disciplinary framework through independent processes and designated personnel responsible for investigations and disciplinary proceedings. Appeals against H2A decisions may be brought before the Conseil d’État. Sanctions are published in anonymized form and the range of possible sanctions is established by the legal framework.

Although CNCC does not have legal responsibility for the investigative and disciplinary system, it has assessed the relevant policies and procedures against the best practices of SMO 6 and identified areas for continued enhancement, including case-handling timelines and complaint review mechanisms.

To support understanding of the investigative and disciplinary framework, the Compagnie nationale des commissaires aux comptes (CNCC) disseminates information to members and the public on procedures and consequences for non-compliance. CNCC also organizes awareness and training activities jointly with H2A, including public conferences dedicated to explaining the investigative and disciplinary processes and exploring opportunities for further strengthening the framework.

Given that CNCC does not have direct legal responsibility but continues to actively support awareness, assessment, and advocacy activities relating to the investigative and disciplinary system, CNCC is assessed as Sustain under SMO 6.

Current Status: Sustain

French accounting standards are developed and adopted by the Autorité des normes comptables (ANC), which is the body legally responsible for accounting standard-setting in France.

The European Union statutory framework has been transposed into national legislation such that listed entities are required to apply European Union-endorsed International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Accounting Standards in the preparation of consolidated financial statements. In addition, other companies are permitted to apply IFRS Accounting Standards for consolidated financial statements. However, entities are not permitted to apply IFRS Accounting Standards in the preparation of individual financial statements, which must be prepared in accordance with French accounting standards.

ANC has concluded that there is no demand for the IFRS for Small and Medium-sized Entities, as French generally accepted accounting principles are considered fit for purpose.

The Compagnie nationale des commissaires aux comptes (CNCC), in collaboration with the Conseil national de l’Ordre des experts-comptables (CNOEC), reports that it has actively supported the adoption and implementation of IFRS Accounting Standards through participation in working groups established by ANC. While CNCC is no longer directly represented as an institution on ANC, professional members of both institutes continue to serve on ANC’s board, committees, and working groups.

Among its members, CNCC supports the implementation of IFRS Accounting Standards through the development and maintenance of a dedicated IFRS website, provision of training activities including regular technical conferences and continuing professional development courses, dissemination of information through newsletters, professional publications, and its website, and responses to technical questions from members.

CNCC also supports ANC and Accountancy Europe in the development of responses to public consultations issued by the International Accounting Standards Board and the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group on IFRS and related matters.

Given that CNCC does not have direct standard-setting responsibility but continues to actively support adoption, implementation, training, and consultation activities, CNCC is assessed as Sustain under SMO 7.

Current Status: Sustain