Conseil National de l'Ordre des Experts-Comptables

The Conseil national de l’Ordre des experts-comptables (CNOEC) has been developing and implementing quality control arrangements for its members since 1983. This system is fully integrated into French law, with the supervision of the profession provided for in Ordinance No. 45-2138 of 19 September 1945 and the principles and procedures of the quality control system reflected in Decree No. 2012-432 and the Order approving the Internal Rules of the Ordre des experts-comptables.

CNOEC has established a comprehensive quality control framework that includes self-assessment by members, one-off inspections that may be conducted unexpectedly, periodic quality control reviews of firms and professional engagements, and specific controls relating to anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism requirements. These mechanisms support continuous monitoring of chartered accountants and their firms.

The quality control review system includes periodic inspections designed to assess the adequacy of professional work and the organization of firms against applicable professional standards, ethical requirements, and regulatory obligations. CNOEC also provides information, training, and technological tools to support implementation and application of quality management requirements.

CNOEC reports that it has completed the transposition of International Standard on Quality Management 1 and International Standard on Quality Management 2 into the French normative framework. However, based on the jurisdictional assessment, formal adoption and enforceability of the latest quality management standards across the jurisdiction could not be fully confirmed, and the quality assurance framework at the jurisdiction level is currently assessed as Partially Adopted. Accordingly, CNOEC is assessed as Review & Improve under SMO 1.

CNOEC should continue to work with the relevant regulatory authorities to confirm and support the formal adoption, effective implementation, and ongoing updating of the latest international quality management standards across the jurisdiction, including alignment with the most recent pronouncements issued by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board.

Current Status: Review & Improve

Initial professional development requirements for chartered 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 Conseil national de l’Ordre des experts-comptables (CNOEC) and the Compagnie nationale des commissaires aux comptes report that the education requirements in place for all professional accountants are aligned with the revised International Education Standards, including the 2020 requirements of International Education Standard 7.

To be eligible to practice as a chartered accountant, 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). Candidates must subsequently be registered with the Ordre des experts-comptables. Members are then required to complete 120 hours of continuing professional development over a rolling three-year period.

To support the adoption and implementation of the International Education Standards in the national accountancy curriculum, CNOEC and the Compagnie nationale des commissaires aux comptes work with the Ministry of Higher Education in defining the content of the accounting diplomas, namely the Diplôme de comptabilité et de gestion and the Diplôme supérieur de comptabilité et de gestion, as well as the modalities of the professional examinations. For the public accounting stream, CNOEC has full authority to determine the content of the program and the teaching format, in consultation with the Compagnie nationale des commissaires aux comptes for the audit component.

The diploma programs were thoroughly modernized in 2019 pursuant to the Decree of 13 February 2019. This reform updated the content of several teaching units and reorganized the curriculum around skills and associated knowledge to better reflect labor market needs. Digital competencies were also strengthened.

The reform was carried out by the Ministry of Higher Education in consultation with academics and CNOEC, and in accordance with the International Education Standards, Directive 2014/56/EU on statutory audits of annual accounts and consolidated accounts, and the Professional Accountancy Education Europe framework.

CNOEC has also been an active participant in Professional Accountancy Education Europe since its establishment as the Common Content Project in the 2000s.

Based on the well-established legal framework, ongoing curriculum review processes, and continuous cooperation with the competent authorities, CNOEC is assessed as Sustain under SMO 2.

Current Status: Sustain

In accordance with Ordinance No. 45-2138 of 19 September 1945, the Conseil national de l’Ordre des experts-comptables (CNOEC) is responsible for drafting auditing standards applicable to the professional activities of its members, excluding statutory audits. CNOEC develops standards for contractual audits, reviews of historical financial information, and other assurance and related services engagements, subject to approval by the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

The standard-setting framework draws on international standards issued by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board. CNOEC reports that the standards currently applicable to contractual audits are based on the translated International Standards on Auditing effective as of July 2019, together with the standard for auditing financial statements of small and medium-sized entities applicable since July 2017.

CNOEC also indicates that it is working on the transposition of the International Standard on Auditing for Audits of Financial Statements of Less Complex Entities into the French normative framework.

To support the ongoing adoption and implementation process, CNOEC monitors new and amended standards issued by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board, proposes regular updates of professional standards to the competent ministry, develops and updates implementation guidance, disseminates information on standard-setting developments through publications and its website, and provides continuing professional development activities for members.

CNOEC has also commenced work on aligning its professional standard for quality control with the International Standards on Quality Management and International Standard on Auditing 220.

While CNOEC maintains well-established processes for monitoring, updating, and supporting implementation of auditing standards, the standards demonstrably in force are based on an earlier version of the International Standards on Auditing than the latest handbook currently in effect. Accordingly, CNOEC is assessed as Review & Improve under SMO 3.

CNOEC should continue to prioritize the timely updating and formal adoption of the latest International Standards on Auditing and related pronouncements, including the most recent handbook and the standard for less complex entities, to maintain alignment with current international requirements.

Current Status: Review & Improve

The Conseil national de l’Ordre des experts-comptables (CNOEC), together with its line ministry, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, is responsible for drafting the ethical requirements applicable to professionals under its supervision. The Ministry is also responsible for validating and approving the relevant legal texts.

In 2012, the Government approved by decree the Code de déontologie des professionnels de l’expertise comptable through Decree No. 2012-432 of 30 March 2012. In addition to the Code of Ethics, other ethical requirements applicable to chartered accountants are established through national legal and regulatory provisions.

The French Code of Ethics cannot be directly compared on a paragraph-by-paragraph basis with the International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including International Independence Standards) issued by the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants due to differences in structure, legal form, and scope. In particular, the French framework includes ethical requirements established through multiple legal and professional texts, while certain provisions equivalent to Part 2 of the international code are not incorporated in the same manner because chartered accountants in business are generally not subject to the legal and regulatory requirements applicable to public practice, unless otherwise specified.

While the intent and underlying principles of the French and international codes appear broadly aligned, differences in structure and legal transposition do not allow for strict alignment of content.

The latest French translation demonstrably available is the 2022 Handbook of the International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including International Independence Standards), while the latest international handbook is the 2025 Handbook. Accordingly, CNOEC is assessed as Review & Improve under SMO 4.

CNOEC should continue to work with the Ministry of Economy and Finance to review the national ethical framework against the latest International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants, raise awareness of the latest revisions among relevant stakeholders, and consider further alignment with the 2025 Handbook where appropriate.

Current Status: Review & Improve

The Conseil national de l’Ordre des experts-comptables (CNOEC) is not responsible for the adoption of public sector accounting standards in France. These standards are established by the Conseil de normalisation des comptes publics (CNOCP), an advisory body under the authority of the Ministry of Public Accounts.

As reported by CNOEC, 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.

CNOEC reports that its activities in this area include participation in CNOCP working groups and contribution to comments on exposure drafts and other pronouncements issued by the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board. In addition, CNOEC advocates for consideration of IPSAS through the professional accountants serving on the CNOCP board, develops specialized public sector training as part of its continuing professional development programs, and supports the translation of IPSAS pronouncements into French.

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

Given its lack of direct standard-setting responsibility and its ongoing support activities in the public sector reporting area, CNOEC is assessed as Sustain under SMO 5.

Current Status: Sustain

The investigative and disciplinary system for chartered accountants is established by Ordinance No. 45-2138 of 19 September 1945 and supplemented by Decree No. 2012-432 of 30 March 2012 and the Decree of 19 January 2022 approving the internal regulations of the Ordre des experts-comptables.

The system is based on Regional Disciplinary Chambers that are fully integrated into the French judicial system and are composed of two chartered accountants from the Conseil régional de l’Ordre des experts-comptables and a magistrate from the judiciary. The Government Commissioner, or a representative, participates in the proceedings as the supervisory authority for the profession, observes each case, and attends hearings.

Appeals against decisions of a Regional Disciplinary Chamber are brought before the National Disciplinary Chamber, which is composed of two chartered accountants from the Conseil national de l’Ordre des experts-comptables (CNOEC), representatives of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and a magistrate from the judiciary. Further appeals may be brought before the Conseil d’État.

The legal framework provides for a comprehensive range of sanctions, from reprimand to striking off, as set out in Article 53 of Ordinance No. 45-2138 of 19 September 1945. Additional sanctions relating to anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism obligations may be imposed under Article 53 bis on firm directors, partners, employees, agents, and individuals acting on behalf of legal entities or in their individual professional capacity.

Decisions issued by the Regional and National Disciplinary Chambers are published in anonymized form on the CNOEC website.

CNOEC supports the effective operation and understanding of the investigative and disciplinary system through regular communication with members, including publications in its professional magazine, training activities, publication of the annual activity report of the National Disciplinary Chamber, and guidance notes on disciplinary procedures, procedural deficiencies, tax offences, and case-handling timelines.

Based on the well-established legal framework, independent adjudication arrangements, comprehensive sanctions regime, and ongoing member support and awareness activities, CNOEC is assessed as Sustain under SMO 6.

Current Status: Sustain

French accounting standards are developed by the Autorité des normes comptables (ANC), which is the legal body responsible for drafting accounting standards in France, subject to approval by ministerial order.

In accordance with the European Union regulatory framework, 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 in France, as French generally accepted accounting principles are considered fit for purpose.

The Conseil national de l’Ordre des experts-comptables (CNOEC) reports that it has actively supported the adoption and implementation of IFRS Accounting Standards by participating in various working groups established by ANC. While CNOEC is no longer directly represented as an institution on ANC, chartered accountants continue to contribute to ANC’s committees and working groups that support the standard-setting process.

Among its members, CNOEC supports the implementation of IFRS Accounting Standards through a dedicated IFRS website, regular dissemination of information through newsletters, its website, and professional magazines, and by responding to technical questions from members.

CNOEC also supports the development of responses to public consultations issued by the International Accounting Standards Board and the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group through its cooperation with ANC and Accountancy Europe.

Given the well-established adoption framework in the jurisdiction and CNOEC’s ongoing support, advocacy, and implementation activities, CNOEC is assessed as Sustain under SMO 7.

Current Status: Sustain