Ordre des Experts Comptables de Tunisie

The Ordre des Experts Comptables de Tunisie (OECT) shares responsibility for quality assurance (QA) with the Ministry of Finance and the Control Committee established under Law No. 88-108 on the Chartered Accountancy Profession. The QA review system is operational for statutory auditors, and all audit firms conducting statutory audits are subject to review, with priority given to firms auditing public interest entities.

OECT supports implementation through continuing professional development, dissemination of International Standards on Quality Management 1 and 2 in French, and guidance to members on quality management and audit quality. OECT also disseminates International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board updates and encourages member participation in international consultations.

OECT has undertaken initiatives to strengthen the QA framework, including peer review activities and proposals to establish a more independent public oversight structure for assurance services. However, the current QA arrangements remain linked to the profession, and the proposed independent oversight reforms have not yet been fully implemented.

OECT is encouraged to continue working with the Ministry of Finance and relevant stakeholders to address the remaining jurisdiction-level gaps, strengthen the independence and scope of the QA review system, and fully align the framework with the requirements of SMO 1.

Current Status: Review & Improve

The Ordre des Experts Comptables de Tunisie (OECT) has shared responsibility for implementing initial and continuing professional development requirements for Chartered Accountants under the oversight of the Ministry of Finance. OECT oversees the professional internship, including trainee monitoring, practical experience requirements, and mandatory training delivered through the Institut de Formation de la Profession Comptable. Trainees are required to complete 40 hours of training annually, including at least 20 hours through the institute.

OECT also requires Chartered Accountants to complete continuing professional development on an annual basis. Its continuing professional development framework requires 40 hours per year and is presented as a core professional obligation alongside ethics and quality control.

OECT continues to support education and mobility of the profession through partnerships and recognition initiatives, including the 2023 mutual recognition agreement with the Ordre des CPA du Québec. This agreement supports recognition of Tunisian Chartered Accountants and reflects continued engagement with international professional education benchmarks.

OECT is encouraged to complete and periodically update a comprehensive gap analysis of the jurisdiction-level education framework against the International Education Standards, including requirements applicable to all professional accountants in Tunisia, and to continue working with the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Higher Education, universities, and the Compagnie des Comptables de Tunisie to address any remaining alignment gaps.

Current Status: Execute

The Ordre des Experts Comptables de Tunisie (OECT) has direct responsibility for adopting and supporting implementation of International Standards on Auditing (ISA) in Tunisia. OECT adopted ISA through Council Resolution No. 85/10 of May 5, 2010, effective for audits of financial statements for periods ending on or after December 31, 2010.

OECT adopts ISA issued by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) using official French translations. Based on the IFAC Translations Database, the French translation of the 2023-2024 IAASB Handbook was completed by Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada in March 2025.

OECT supports implementation through continuing professional development, dissemination of IAASB updates and translated standards, and member engagement in international standard-setting consultations. OECT also develops practical guidance to support local application of ISA and has undertaken work related to ISA 600 and the adoption strategy for International Standard on Sustainability Assurance 5000.

OECT is encouraged to continue minimizing the time lag in adopting the latest IAASB pronouncements, document the effective version of ISA applicable in Tunisia, and continue supporting members through implementation guidance, training, and consultation activities to further align with SMO 3.

Current Status: Review & Improve

The Ordre des Experts Comptables de Tunisie (OECT), under the oversight of the Ministry of Finance, is responsible for establishing and maintaining ethical requirements for Chartered Accountants in Tunisia. OECT’s national Code of Professional Duties establishes requirements related to integrity, independence, confidentiality, professional conduct, and auditor-client relationships.

OECT reports that it adopts the International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants, including International Independence Standards, as issued by the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants and translated into French.

OECT supports implementation through continuing professional development, dissemination of ethics updates, and awareness activities on independence, conflicts of interest, confidentiality, and professional obligations. Ethical principles are also reflected in OECT’s public guidance on professional responsibilities and quality control.

OECT is encouraged to continue minimizing the time lag in adopting the latest IESBA Code once available in French, document the effective version applicable in Tunisia, and continue supporting members through ethics training, guidance, and monitoring activities to further align with SMO 4.

Current Status: Review & Improve

The Ordre des Experts Comptables de Tunisie (OECT) has no direct responsibility for adopting public sector accounting standards in Tunisia. Public sector accounting reform is led by the Ministry of Finance through the Conseil National des Normes des Comptes Publics (CNNCP), which is responsible for developing public sector accounting standards as part of Tunisia’s public financial management reform agenda.

OECT supports the reform process through its participation in the CNNCP and related technical activities, where it promotes alignment with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and contributes professional expertise to the development of accrual-based public sector accounting standards. OECT also supports awareness-raising and capacity building through continuing professional development, technical events, and engagement with relevant public sector stakeholders.

Recent Ministry of Finance updates indicate that the CNNCP continues to advance public sector accounting reform, including public consultations on draft standards for public establishments and local authorities.

As OECT does not have direct responsibility for IPSAS adoption and its membership does not appear to comprise public sector accountants, its activities demonstrate sustained use of best endeavors to support public sector accounting reform and IPSAS awareness in the jurisdiction.

Current Status: Sustain

The Ordre des Experts Comptables de Tunisie (OECT) is responsible for implementing the investigation and discipline (I&D) system for its members under Law No. 88-108 on the Chartered Accountancy Profession. The legal framework provides for disciplinary jurisdiction over OECT members and honorary members, with sanctions including warning, written reprimand, suspension, and removal from the register. Disciplinary decisions may be appealed through the competent courts.

The OECT framework also includes a Control Committee, which monitors compliance with professional obligations and may refer matters to the disciplinary chamber. OECT has previously reviewed its I&D arrangements against SMO 6 and identified areas for improvement, including clearer separation between investigative and disciplinary functions and enhanced transparency of disciplinary outcomes.

OECT continues to support member awareness of professional obligations through its regulatory framework, internal rules, Code of Professional Duties, and professional training activities. However, the proposed legislative reforms intended to further align the I&D system with SMO 6 have not yet been fully implemented.

OECT is encouraged to continue engaging with the Ministry of Finance to advance the proposed reforms, strengthen separation of investigative and disciplinary functions, and improve public transparency of disciplinary outcomes in line with SMO 6.

Current Status: Execute

The Ordre des Experts Comptables de Tunisie (OECT) has no direct responsibility for adopting accounting standards in Tunisia. Accounting standard setting is the responsibility of the Conseil National de la Comptabilité (CNC), operating under the Ministry of Finance. The CNC approved a phased roadmap for adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS Accounting Standards), beginning with public interest entities, but full jurisdiction-level adoption has not yet been completed.

OECT supports IFRS implementation through participation in CNC technical discussions and reform activities, continuing professional development, and dedicated IFRS training delivered through the Académie Internationale des Métiers du Contrôle et de la Finance. OECT also disseminates accounting guidance, promotes awareness of IFRS developments, and supports members and stakeholders in preparing for the transition from Tunisian Accounting Standards to IFRS Accounting Standards.

OECT is encouraged to continue working with the CNC and Ministry of Finance to support implementation of the IFRS roadmap, update member resources to reflect the latest available French translations of IFRS Accounting Standards, and continue providing practical training and guidance on IFRS implementation and IFRS for Small and Medium-sized Entities.

Current Status: Review & Improve