Member | Established: 1942 | Member since 1977
The Expert Accountants Association of Turkey (EAAT) is a private organization established in 1942 and serves as the oldest association of professional accountants in the country. The EAAT is a voluntary association and has no formal legal recognition or mandate. It cooperates with the Union of Chambers of Certified Public Accountants and Sworn-in Certified Public Accountants of Turkey (TÜRMOB) on providing professional accountancy education and training as well as in the implementation of standards that regulate the profession. Regarding membership requirements, candidates for EAAT membership must hold a licensed Certified Public Accountant or Sworn-in Certified Public Accountant qualification awarded by TÜRMOB. The EAAT awards the Expert Accountants Certificate to members, a distinguished title however it does not give its holder any practicing rights unlike the professional licenses issued by TÜRMOB. EAAT and TÜRMOB maintain a collaborative partnership to strengthen the accountancy profession in Turkey. EAAT is a member of IFAC.
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Statements of Membership Obligation (SMO)
The Statements of Membership Obligations form the basis of the IFAC Member Compliance Program. They serve as a framework for credible and high-quality professional accountancy organizations focused on serving the public interest by adopting, or otherwise incorporating, and supporting implementation of international standards and maintaining adequate enforcement mechanisms to ensure the professional behavior of their individual members.
Methodology
Last updated: 11/2016
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SMO Action Plan
Status of Fulfillment by SMO
- SMO 1: Quality Assurance
The EAAT is not responsible for establishing a quality assurance (QA) review system for auditors; however, it reports that it has been supporting the Public Oversight, Accounting and Auditing Standards Authority (KGK) and the Union of Chambers of Certified Public Accountants of Turkey (TÜRMOB) in working with both institutions to develop a unified QA system at the jurisdiction level. In addition, EAAT reports that it participates in recruiting members to become QA reviewers, develops related training programs, and assists TÜRMOB and KGK in preparing and delivering courses and relevant additional support to assist members in implementing ISQC 1.
EAAT is encouraged to provide an update in its SMO Action Plan on the execution of its planned actions to fulfill the requirements of SMO 1, including specific actions it undertakes to support KGK and TÜRMOB in the establishment of their QA review systems and to ensure that the systems will be developed in line with the SMO 1 requirements.
Current Status: Execute
- SMO 2: International Education Standards
Practicing certificates for professional accountants in Turkey are granted exclusively by the Union of Chambers of Certified Public Accountants of Turkey (TÜRMOB). EAAT grants the Expert Accountants Certificate which is a privileged title that reflects a level of experience and expertise, albeit it does not confer practicing rights. Members of EAAT are required to meet educational requirements as prescribed by TÜRMOB and then pass additional examinations set by EAAT. EAAT members are also subject to TÜRMOB’s continuing professional development (CPD) requirements. It is not clear, however, whether the requirements for education of professional accountants in the jurisdiction are in line with those of the revised IES.
EAAT reports that it supports TÜRMOB and the Public Oversight, Accounting and Auditing Standards Authority (KGK) in its activities related to professional education. Specifically, in 2011–2012, EAAT assisted TÜRMOB in designing the CPD regulations and is working together to develop a software program for monitoring compliance with the CPD requirements. EAAT also reports in its SMO Action Plan that its members are required to complete a minimum of 20 hours of CPD each year but currently there are no monitoring mechanism has been established to ensure EAAT members attend the CPD courses. EAAT has plans to provide comments on the Exposure Drafts issued by the IAESB.
EAAT is encouraged to work with KGK and other stakeholders involved in the process of education of professional accountants and to review the existing requirements against those of IES. If gaps exist, plans to address those should be developed and incorporated in the SMO Action Plan.
Current Status: Plan
- SMO 3: International Standards on Auditing
Having no direct responsibility for the adoption of ISA, EAAT states that its role in the area of auditing standard-setting is to promote full convergence with ISA and to support its members with the implementation of the standards through trainings and other educational activities. In 2011–2012, EAAT focused on facilitating the adoption of ISA through the New Commercial Code and is currently supporting the Union of Chambers of Certified Public Accountants of Turkey (TÜRMOB) in the translation of the IAASB pronouncements. EAAT reports that it has also been involved in other implementation activities such as with the development of the QA system that ensures proper implementation of ISA; the development of an ISA Guide for Small and Medium Practices; and the development of educational and training courses that incorporate ISA requirements.
EAAT is encouraged to consider working with TÜRMOB and the Public Oversight, Accounting and Auditing Standards Authority to ensure that the latest version of ISA is being applied in the jurisdiction. It is also recommended that the association incorporate in its SMO Action Plan recent activities it has planned in this respect.
Current Status: Execute
- SMO 4: Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants
EAAT adopted the requirements of the 2013 IESBA Code of Ethics into its Code, using the translation of the IESBA Code of Ethics conducted by the Union of Chambers of Certified Public Accountants of Turkey (TÜRMOB) in accordance with the IFAC Translation Policy. The association reports that it continues to work together with TÜRMOB in order to ensure that the members and other key stakeholders are aware of the ethics requirements and that the requirements of the Code are incorporated into educational and training materials. EAAT is also planning to provide comments on Exposure Drafts issued by the IESBA.
EAAT is encouraged to provide updates of recent activities with TÜRMOB in the area of international standard-setting such as providing comments on Exposure Drafts issued by the IESBA.
Current Status: Sustain
- SMO 5: International Public Sector Accounting Standards
EAAT reports that it in general supports the adoption of IPSAS and advises Public Accounting Standards Board (DMSK) on the matter. In addition, together with the Union of Chambers of Certified Public Accountants of Turkey (TÜRMOB), it maintains translation processes of the standards into Turkish. However, no specific activities have been reported.
EAAT, as a prominent association of accountants in the country, may, if deemed applicable, wish to pursue a greater role in IPSAS education and training of its members, raising awareness about IPSASs among EAAT members and general public, supporting its members who provide services in the public sector, and participating in the international standard-setting process. EAAT is encouraged to indicate specific activities undertaken with TÜRMOB and DMSK in the area of public accounting standards.
Current Status: Consider
- SMO 6: Investigation and Discipline
EAAT has established a system for investigation and discipline (I&D) of its members which is being implemented in addition to the Union of Chambers of Certified Public Accountants of Turkey’s I&D system. Presently, the system maintained by EAAT is not aligned with SMO 6; however, EAAT reports that it is reviewing the revised SMO 6 and considering how to adjust its activities to align with the requirements.
EAAT is encouraged to provide an update on the status of its I&D system review against the revised SMO 6 requirements. EAAT is encouraged to use the self-assessment checklist of SMO 6 requirements in its action plan in order to clearly indicate the level of compliance. It is then encouraged to include plans to address any gaps in compliance in its SMO Action Plan. In addition, it is encouraged to work with other stakeholders in the jurisdiction to establish a unified system of I&D for professional accountants.
Current Status: Consider
- SMO 7: International Financial Reporting Standards
EAAT works to support the Union of Chambers of Certified Public Accountants of Turkey (TÜRMOB) and the Public Oversight, Accounting and Auditing Standards Authority (KGK) in their efforts to further IFRS adoption and implementation. EAAT has no direct involvement in the accounting standards process, but it supports the implementation of the Turkish Accounting Standards (TAS) that comply with IFRS through incorporating their requirements into training and educational materials and providing trainings and seminars for its members. EAAT assists in the development of TÜRMOB’s QA system that ensures proper implementation of TAS and contributes to the international standard-setting process through providing comments to the IASB Exposure Drafts.
EAAT is encouraged to provide specific examples in its SMO Action Plan of activities it has planned in support of the implementation of IFRS through collaboration with KGK and TÜRMOB.
Current Status: Sustain
Disclaimer
IFAC bears no responsibility for the information provided in the SMO Action Plans prepared by IFAC member organizations. Please see our full Disclaimer for additional information.
